Do you know the dog gestation period?
- The gestation period in dogs ranges from 58 days to approximately 68 days.
During this period, the signs of pregnancy gradually appear in dogs of all kinds, whether large species such as German Shepherds, Rottweiler, or Golden Retriever or small species such as Griffon, Spanish Cockerran, Chihuahua, or others.
Although there are many signs of pregnancy in dogs, it is still difficult to determine whether a dog is pregnant until the last few weeks of her nine-week pregnancy.
We will explain different signs in detail in this article, but the best way to discover a dog’s pregnancy is to take her to the vet, who can examine her and determine whether she is pregnant through an ultrasound.
The sonar device provides accurate knowledge of the condition of the puppies inside the stomach of the pregnant dog, thus knowing if there are any health problems and dealing with them early.
After the gestation period of dogs, which lasts up to 68 days in dogs, the signs of birth begin on the pregnant bitch, which may stay for different periods, then the pregnant bitch begins to give birth, clean the puppies and breastfeed them. It is necessary to be aware of all the physical and behavioral changes that occur in a dog when she is pregnant so that we know how to deal with her until the time of her birth.
Signs and duration of pregnancy dogs in detail
In this topic, we will explain in detail everything you need to know about a pregnant dog. Starting from the duration of pregnancy dogs and what are the signs of pregnancy in dogs in detail?
After the successful mating of dogs, the gestation period of dogs is approximately 58 to 68 days. This period in the pregnancy of dogs is punctuated by many changes in the pregnant bitch and the growth of puppies inside her stomach.
The duration of pregnancy for dogs varies from one species to another in very simple proportions, so you have to roughly calculate the beginning of pregnancy, after a month of pregnancy, you should conduct an ultrasound examination at the vet because after a month the puppies can hear their heartbeat and the vet can roughly determine the number of puppies.
Pay attention to changing the color of the nipple:
Pink nipple change is one of the early signs of pregnancy in dogs and an early sign of pregnancy. Swelling is a little more prominent, and this is the first sign of pregnancy in dogs, which can become evident from two to three weeks from the beginning of pregnancy.
Changes in the pregnant dog’s body:
The body shape of a pregnant dog does not change until the second half of pregnancy, but starting from the fifth week after 5 weeks of pregnancy in dogs, the density of its waist begins to increase and its abdomen is filled quite clearly.
A pregnant bitch should be given larger amounts of food in the last trimester of her pregnancy. Take care not to provide more food all the time so that it does not lead to an increase in calories and accumulate fat in the abdomen.
Feeding pregnant dog
A pregnant dog should be given more food in the last trimester of her pregnancy and take care not to provide more food all the time so as not to lead to an increase in calories and accumulation of fat entering the abdomen.
Body changes that are signs of pregnancy in dogs:
- In the last trimester of pregnancy in a dog, after 6 to 9 weeks of pregnancy, the dog’s abdomen is rounded and stretched, and her mammary glands begin to grow and swell clearly, as they are prepared to secrete milk.
- The movement of the puppies in the stomach of the bitch appears a little, and the movement of the puppies can be felt inside the stomach of the dog if you put your hand against the crooked side.
Behavioral changes in a pregnant dog:
In the early stages, a normal bitch behaves in a normal way until the last trimester of pregnancy.
In the last trimester of pregnancy, the bitch finds it difficult to move due to her significant weight gain and may be more inclined to sleep continuously.
Changes in the appetite of a pregnant dog:
When the date of birth approaches, we will notice the increase in the size of the dog’s uterus and we will find it taking up more space than usual in her stomach, and in this case, we will notice that she is not able to accommodate large meals, as she is keen to eat small quantities at a time and shorter periods.
How long is the pregnancy of dogs and what signs of birth?
The nesting process:
When the puppy’s due date approaches, the dog begins to prepare the appropriate den for her. Help the dog and provide her with a safe, clean, and warm place to give birth, and make sure that it is a private place so that the dog is reassured in the birth process.
Signs of pregnancy in dogs
When resorting to the doctor begins the medical diagnosis of early signs of pregnancy in dogs:
A pregnant dog suffers from morning sickness, as humans feel. The doctor notes the dog’s mood swings. There are other signs of fatigue, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, and vaginal discharge. As the date of birth approaches, you will notice the birth signs in dogs, which we will mention later.
Periodic changes to dogs’ pregnancy
There are periodic changes that occur over the weeks that are difficult to notice but can be detected by an experienced person
- The dog appears different from its nature in a way, it may appear overly aggressive, gluttonous, or uncharacteristically calm.
- Most of the time, the abdominal area hardens in the bitch, and sometimes a muscular protrusion appears, but it is difficult to notice except for experts in dog breeding.
There are some birth symptoms or signs of birth in dogs that appear at birth or hours or a day or two before. The symptoms of childbirth in dogs are very necessary because they tell you that birth is imminent and thus begin to prepare to help the pregnant bitch in childbirth.
Hair loss around the nipples may be observed. Normal activity is reduced to 80%. The dog’s temperature dropped to 37 degrees. Secretion of a yellow substance from her breasts after a gestation period ranging from 60 to 68 days. When the water comes out of the uterus, the process of childbirth begins. The bitch begins to whine at birth under labor pains, then lies on her side and twists herself when the uterine contractions intensify, then expels the fetus when the fetus descends. The birth of the new puppy, and so on until you finish the birth. The birth process may take some time, so do not worry, follow the dog and make sure that she does what is necessary, and does not interfere unless you notice that she does not know what to do.