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Puppies are exciting. If you are new to breeding, or you are eagerly awaiting the birth of a reserved puppy from a breeder’s litter, the wait can seem eternal. Luckily for us (and for the dog), the gestation period in dogs is much shorter than the gestation period in humans. But exactly how long does a dog’s pregnancy last?
In order to answer the question, “how long are dogs pregnant,” you first need to understand the dog reproductive cycle. Intact female dogs go into heat approximately every six months, although this can vary depending on the dog and the breed. The heat cycle lasts 18-to-21 days and is broken into four distinct stages. Breeders use these stages to determine the best time to breed their dogs.
The four stages of the female dog’s reproductive cycle are:
Proestrus lasts for about 9 days and is the first stage of the reproductive cycle. This is when females start to attract males, although they will reject their advances until stage two. The signs of proestrus are:
Estrus lasts anywhere from 3-to-4 days to 7-to-11 days. This is when the bitch is receptive to the male. Many breeders have a veterinarian take vaginal smears and blood tests during proestrus and estrus to make sure they breed their dogs at the optimal time. The signs of proestrus are:
Diestrus is the final stage of the cycle. It typically occurs around day 14. During diestrus, the bitch’s discharge becomes redder and tapers off, the vulva returns to normal, and she will no longer permit mating. The heat is complete when all signs of swelling and discharge are gone. The time frame between one heat cycle and the next is called anestrus and usually lasts around six months.
Understanding the heat cycle plays an important role in determining the length of pregnancy. Breeders can calculate conception dates by keeping track of their bitch’s heat cycle and breeding period, which makes it easier for veterinarians to accurately test for pregnancy.
How Long Does it Take to Find Out if a Dog is Pregnant
Your dog being pregnant may not even be a thought in your mind if its not planned. So, it may go undetected until your dog begins to show symptoms. Whether planned or unplanned, the question is, how long after mating can you tell a dog is pregnant? Related Articles
Signs of canine pregnancy usually begin in the second trimester, about three weeks into the pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting, often known as morning sickness, are uncommon in dogs, but hormonal changes may cause nausea and vomiting in some dogs between days 21 and 25. As early as 21 days into the pregnancy, you may also see an increase in bodyweight. If you observe pregnancy symptoms in your dog and want to get them tested, they should be at least 22 days pregnant for the test to be accurate.
A lack of appetite is one of the earliest signs your female might be pregnant. Not all females go through this doggy version of “morning sickness,” but some dogs do eat less during the first two weeks of gestation and make up for it later in the pregnancy. If dogs experience nausea, its usually during week three and four and will go away as the pregnancy progresses.
If your pet does lose her appetite during the early weeks of pregnancy or throws up occasionally, dont try to force her to eat. You can tempt her with some boiled ground beef and rice mixed with her kibble, but try not to worry too much if she still doesnt want food. Most dogs wont skip more than a day or two without eating something. If she refuses food three days in a row, then its time to call your vet for some advice.
If your female is normally energetic, a sudden slowdown might be another indication she is pregnant. Just like some women, dogs may also experience feelings of exhaustion as their hormone levels change to support a growing embryo. This typically begins about two weeks into the pregnancy, and it may subside a few weeks later as she adjusts to her new condition.
Breast development is a good indicator your dogs body is going through pregnancy changes. The nipples of an unbred female are usually small, and the area beneath them feels flat. Once a pregnancy is in progress, the milk glands begin to develop beneath the nipples, which also enlarge slightly in preparation for eventual milk production and nursing. You should be able to feel a bit of development about two weeks after a breeding has taken place.
In addition to breast development, the nipple color becomes more rosy, especially the last four to six nipples that are closest to the dogs hind legs. The nipples are usually a very light pinkish-gray, but they become flushed due to the increased blood flow to the area. This change takes place around the same time when breast development begins approximately two weeks after conception.
Nearly all newly pregnant dogs display some behavior changes. Some females become extra affectionate and may even cling to their owners as they are unsure about all the changes theyre feeling. Other dogs turn a little grumpy and prefer to remain by themselves unless they actively seek their owners company.
Behavioral changes often happen as early as a few days after a successful breeding. Towards the end of the pregnancy, starting around the sixth week through the birth period, your dog will start to display nesting behavior, which means shes getting ready to give birth to her puppies. She may also be more irritable in these final weeks, due to her being physically uncomfortable as she gets closer to labor.
While vaginal discharge often occurs during a dogs pregnancy, it typically doesnt show until about four weeks gestation or even later, so its not regarded as an early sign a dog is expecting a litter. You should consult your vet right away if you see discharge before mid-pregnancy, especially if its:
Your female might have picked up an infection during her heat cycle or after mating.
Morning sickness affects some dogs, but only for a few days during the 3rd or 4th week. (Its caused by hormone changes.) Your pet may seem tired, and they may eat less than usual. Some dogs throw up a little. If yours does, offer them small meals over the course of the day.
Your vet may ask you to come back at the start of the third trimester (around day 45) if they want to take X-rays of your dogs belly. This can be used instead of an ultrasound to check on the bone structure of growing puppies. Its one way to figure out how many puppies will be in your dogs litter.
If you dont take your dog to the vet until their 4th week of pregnancy, the doctor can feel your dogs belly to confirm puppies are on the way. This method can only be used between the 28th and 35th days of pregnancy, and it should be done by someone who is trained. If you touch too roughly, you can harm the growing puppies or cause a miscarriage. The puppies will be the size of walnuts. They will be spaced out evenly along the uterus, which is shaped kind of like the letter V. Each half, called a horn, will have embryos in it.
If you think your dog is pregnant, take them to your vet. Its a good idea to take them for a prenatal checkup 2 or 3 weeks after they have mated. Your vet can answer any questions you may have, such as the type of food pregnant dogs should eat and what changes you should expect. If your pet needs any tests, your vet will let you know. If they have parasites, your vet will treat them.
During the last 2 weeks of pregnancy, you may see and feel the growing puppies moving inside your dogs belly. Your vet may want to see your pet one final time. Sometimes vets take X-rays during this visit to find out how many puppies are on the way and make sure they are not too big to pass through the birth canal. If they have gotten too big, the vet will schedule a c-section.