Dog Pregnancy: 3-Stage Care Plan + 5 Signs of Labour

📌 Key Points

• ✅ Pregnancy lasts about 63 days on average, counted most accurately from the mating date
• ✅ Only increase food gradually after 35 days, focusing on high-quality protein rather than simply more food
• ✅ A temperature drop to 36°C is the most reliable sign of labour, usually within 24 hours of birth
• ✅ Don't rush to help during birth; the number of placentas must match the number of puppies
• ✅ After birth, give glucose water first and start proper feeding only after 24 hours

Your female dog suddenly loses her appetite, searches for corners to nest, and chews tissues all day? Many owners think she's just acting strangely, but these can be signs of pregnancy. A dog's pregnancy lasts only about 63 days on average — often less than two months from confirmation to birth. Time is short, so grasping the key points of pregnancy care and the signs of labour is essential to help the mother dog through safely. This article brings together nutrition, exercise, signs of labour, birth steps and postpartum care in one checklist you can follow right away.

How long is a dog pregnant? Pregnancy and the 3-stage feeding table

A dog's pregnancy generally lasts 58 to 68 days, averaging about 63 days (about 9 weeks), counted most accurately from the mating date. Pregnancy nutrition isn't just about "eating more" — it should be increased in stages:

• Up to about 35 days: keep the original feeding method, no extra amount needed
• 35 to 42 days: increase the food by 10% over the original base
• 42 to 49 days: increase by 20%
• 49 to 60 days: increase by 30%, focusing on easily digestible, high-protein food rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamins

For meal frequency, feed 3 meals a day from 35 to 45 days of pregnancy, and 4 meals a day from 44 to 60 days — small, frequent meals. Remember: it's about "quality" not just "quantity" — high-quality protein is key to fetal development.

4 key points of pregnancy care: exercise, deworming, hygiene, observation

1. Deworming: Around 30 days of pregnancy, deworm the mother dog to prevent infection passing to the fetuses, but never overdose as it may cause miscarriage; also avoid letting her fight with other dogs during pregnancy.

2. Exercise: Appropriate daily exercise is the best way to prevent difficult labour. Avoid jumping from heights, sudden turns and rolling, pressure on the abdomen and excessive exercise; in late pregnancy, take short walks and let the dog set her own pace — don't let her overexert, and get plenty of sunlight.

3. Hygiene: No cold baths during pregnancy, as they may cause miscarriage; keep the dog bed dry and clean.

4. Observation: Some mother dogs continuously discharge green secretions during pregnancy — this is a substance produced by the placenta and is normal. It decreases in the last two weeks and can be seen in the placenta during birth.

5 signs of labour: temperature is the most reliable indicator

When you see the following signals, the mother dog is about to give birth:

1. Decreased appetite, or even refusing food and water

2. Seeking dark, quiet places to nest, scratching and tearing paper, restlessness

3. Sometimes vomiting

4. Congestion of the vulva and vaginal tissue, frequent urination; a sudden discharge of green mucus a few hours before birth indicates the placenta is starting to separate from the uterus

5. Temperature drop: generally below 38°C, dropping to 36°C in the final 24 hours — taking her temperature is the most reliable indicator of when birth will happen

The 3 stages of birth: when to help, when to call

Mother dogs can usually give birth on their own; birth goes through 3 stages:

1. Cervix dilation: lasts 3 to 24 hours; the mother is restless and her heartbeat quickens. At this stage, all you need to do is wait.

2. Delivery of the fetuses: rarely more than 6 hours, and rarely more than 12 hours even with many puppies. About 60% come head first and 40% hind legs first — both are normal. Don't rush to help; most mother dogs dislike interference.

3. Delivery of the placentas: placentas are usually passed within 15 minutes after each puppy is born. Be sure to count the placentas — the number must match the number of puppies; if there are fewer placentas than puppies, notify the veterinarian immediately. The mother may eat the placentas and then vomit or have diarrhoea.

Postpartum "confinement" care: the first 24 hours are key

• Rest: Keep her resting quietly for 8 to 24 hours after birth; strangers must not approach, to avoid the mother becoming nervous and biting or eating the puppies.
• Feeding: She generally won't eat after birth; give glucose water first, then eggs and milk 5 to 6 hours later, and start proper feeding only after 24 hours. For the first few days, feed nutritious, easily digestible gruel-like food in small, frequent meals, then gradually switch to drier food after 1 week.
• Nursing: Feed 3 to 4 meals a day; if milk is insufficient, add foods like pig trotter soup, fish soup and milk to promote lactation; if the mother refuses to nurse, find out whether it's a lack of milk or illness and address it promptly.
• Preventing crushing: Puppies are not mobile, so if you hear a short, sharp squeal, check immediately and remove any crushed puppy at once.
• Hygiene: Clean the maternity area daily, disinfect once a month, and change bedding promptly; for winter births, add straw bedding and hang insulating curtains for warmth.
• Exercise: In warm weather, walk at least twice a day for half an hour each time, then gradually lengthen; avoid strenuous exercise.

When to see a veterinarian immediately

Contact a veterinarian immediately if: the number of placentas is fewer than the number of puppies, the labour is clearly abnormal or there is heavy bleeding, the mother is extremely weak, or she refuses to nurse after birth and has a fever. Discussing a labour contact plan with your veterinarian in advance is the most important preparation.

PetChill's Reminder

A pregnant dog needs more than just "eating more" — she needs the right nutrition at each stage, a safe amount of exercise and careful observation. Note down the two key numbers: temperature changes and the number of placentas, and contact a veterinarian if anything seems abnormal.

To learn more about dog pregnancy and breeding, keep following PetChill's latest articles!