How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?
If you're anything like me, you've watched enough episodes of Call the Midwife to realize that the miracle of childbirth can take many unexpected twists and turns, and the process rarely plays out the same way twice. I've also seen enough episodes of All Creatures Great and Small to understand that the world of veterinary medicine and domestic animal gestation is just as varied and interesting. Thankfully, there have been significant advances since the 1940s and 50s, when both of those series are set.
From that time until just the last few decades, it was traditional to spay and neuter dogs between six and nine months of age. Relatively recent advances have determined that dogs may be safely sterilized as early as six to eight weeks old. Whether you have a female dog who is not spayed, or you're just curious about canine gestation, we're here to address the basics of dog pregnancy. One of the most common questions is, "How long are dogs pregnant?" Let's talk about dog pregnancy and what to expect when a dog is expecting!
How long are dogs pregnant?
Female dogs who are not spayed tend to go into heat, or estrus, twice each year. Every six to eight months throughout their lives, female dogs prime themselves for the rigors of child rearing. While their reproductive cycles might become erratic or less regular as they reach advanced age, unlike humans, dogs do not experience menopause, remaining fertile well into seniority.
They spend about three weeks in heat, and are primed for egg fertilization for about the last two of those weeks. Though there can be minor variations, depending on breeds and sizes of dog, on the whole the gestation period for dogs is right around two months, or roughly 60 to 65 days from conception to birth. Based on our research, the average dog pregnancy seems to be right around nine weeks, or 63 days.
Signs of pregnancy in dogs
Since dog pregnancy is such a relatively rapid phenomenon, it can certainly sneak up on an unsuspecting dog owner. Tracking dog pregnancy symptoms requires a keen and observant eye, since a dog at the onset of fertility looks very much like she would at several weeks pregnant. The most frequently cited sign of pregnancy in dogs is nipples that are reddened, enlarged, or swelling, which also happens when a dog is in heat. Over the course of the gestation period for dogs, the teats will grow even larger as she begins to produce milk for forthcoming puppies.
In answering "how long are dogs pregnant," it's important to remember that, for larger dogs especially, the swollen abdomen that we notice in humans might not present until the last three weeks of pregnancy. For the first couple of weeks of a dog's pregnancy, she may lose her appetite and become lethargic. Vomiting, which we associate with morning sickness in humans, may occur, but is one of the less common dog pregnancy symptoms. Along with the changes in the size of her teats, markedly lower energy and appetite levels may be the best early indicators for dog owners unacquainted with the process.
Dog pregnancy calendar
For the first two to three weeks of a dog's pregnancy, she may experience changes in mood, attitude, and appetite. Her energy will decrease and she will be less keen for food. She may become more affectionate when you are with her, or more withdrawn and isolated. The range of changes in a dog may shift depending on her overall circumstances, health, and diet. The research shows that by the end of the fourth week, right around day 28, a veterinarian can confirm dog pregnancy with an ultrasound. An estimated due date can allow you to prepare the dog and your home for the arrival of puppies.
In weeks four through six, with a renewed appetite, a pregnant dog should begin to put on weight as her puppies develop. You may think about feeding her smaller but more frequent meals. Her abdomen will start to firm up and her teats will grow even larger as milk production continues. From weeks seven to nine, pregnant dogs should be noticeably larger, and in the last two, you should be able to feel the puppies when you touch her abdomen. Prepare a comfortable whelping box or closet, lined with newspapers, old quilts, blankets, or towels for the pregnant dog to nest in as she gears up for delivery. When whelping is imminent, she will lose her appetite again and prepare for labor.
Spay and neuter your dogs!
Spaying and neutering dogs is vital to preventing unexpected litters of puppies. With so many dogs waiting in shelters for adoption, it is better in the long run to sterilize your pet. Not only does a spayed or neutered dog avoid untimely pregnancies, but also diseases of the reproductive system that are associated with advanced age. In the 1940s and '50s, it became traditional wisdom that dogs shouldn't be sterilized until they were at least six months old. With current technology and veterinary medicine, spaying and neutering can be safely done at six to eight weeks of age.
If your dog is not spayed, it is even more important that you make sure she is vaccinated. Vaccination boosts not only the dog's immunity to common diseases, but can improve the immunity of her puppies. It can also limit the virulence of any germs, viruses, or bacteria that newborn puppies may be exposed to during or after birth. The better care you take of your dog, the more likely it is that her pregnancy will be successful, and six to eight weeks after whelping, her puppies will be ready for adoption!
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