How Long Do Dogs Stay Pregnant With Their Healthy Pups?

Have you ever wonder how long do dogs stay pregnant? To understand this, our animal experts will give you the answer!

OVERVIEW OF DOG GESTATION AND PREGNANCY:

When it comes to the pregnancy of your dog, some pet owners already have a background of their dog’s pregnancy, while others are still in shock when they see the little pups coming out of their dogs.

But either way, a pet owner must know the different stages of the gestation and pregnancy of his or her dog. Beforehand, you must ask yourself these questions: What does my dog go through during pregnancy? What are the phases of the pregnancy of my dog? How long do dogs stay pregnant?

Thus, in this article, we will be tackling the ins and outs of your dog’s pregnancy, so that you will become very knowledgeable. It is also essential, especially in the planning on taking care of your dog’s puppies.

FACTORS THAT DETERMINE YOUR DOG’S LENGTH OF PREGNANCY:

There are a lot of factors you should consider before knowing the exact length of your dog’s pregnancy. Here are some of those factors:

Your Dog’s Size of the Litter

Some dogs have a tiny size of the litter, in particular for dogs with fewer babies during their previous pregnancies. These dogs with small litters usually get pregnant longer than the dogs that have larger litters, for about 5 to 6 pups.

Why is this so? When your dog has fewer babies, this means that your dog will accommodate more babies in her uterus. On the other hand, when your dog has more puppies, this means less space to hold your dog’s uterus.

The Size of Your Dog’s Breed

The size of your female dog will have a significant role in the length of your pregnancy. Overall, smaller dogs like Daschund and Chihuahua, usually retain their pregnancies for a longer time. With that, larger breeds may deliver faster than smaller dogs.

Family History of Your Dog

Family history also plays an important part in your dog’s length of pregnancy. Although you may not determine this most of the time, you must take note how long does it take for your dog’s mother to carry her. Moreover, the length of time her mother is pregnant with her may also determine your dog's duration of pregnancy.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR DOG IS PREGNANT:

Before your dogs expel her pups, your dog undergoes different physical and behavioral changes during her gestation period. Here are some of the signs that may determine if your dog is expecting her puppies:

Mood Alterations

Ask yourself: “Is your dog having sudden changes in her behavior?” Well, alterations in her behavior may pinpoint of her hormonal changes. Some dogs become suddenly calm. Some dogs also become so attached to her owner at all times during her pregnancy. Typically, your dog will behave in this manner until the end of her 3rd week of gestation.

Nipple Color Alterations

The earliest sign of your dog’s pregnancy is nipple color changes. Her nipple will start to become more pinkish in color, and it will become slightly swollen. It will start to show up as early as 2 to 3 weeks.

Body Shape Changes

After approximately 4 to 5 weeks, your female dog will begin to have a fuller belly and thicker waist. It will even continue to grow bigger up to the last three weeks of her pregnancy.

Movement of Your Dog’s Puppies

In the last few weeks of your dog’s pregnancy, you will notice that pups are moving around her tummy. It may become very evident around 6 to 8 weeks of her pregnancy.

Your Dog Becomes Very Sleepy

In the 6th to the 9th week of pregnancy, as your dog reaches her full size, her movements will become very limited. Thus, it will make her feel sleepy that she used to before her pregnancy.

Appetite Alterations

For the last few weeks of her pregnancy, because her tummy is getting larger, your dog will not be able to hold larger meals. Therefore, she will eat smaller meals more often.

Your Dog Experiences Nesting

In the last period of her pregnancy, as your dog becomes closer to expel out her puppies, she will experience nesting. It means that your dog will gather more things, including blankets and pieces of cloth in a particular corner to prepare for her babies. But this will end during the last 2 to 3 weeks of her final days of pregnancy.

Fetal Heartbeats

During the 6th week or onwards of her pregnancy, your veterinarian will expect the fetal heartbeats. However, this may become challenging to hear because your dog’s fur is thick.

Morning Sickness of Your Dog

Just like any other pregnant females, your dog will also experience morning sickness. It may only show up at least 21 days after confirming her pregnancy. It will last up to 1 to 2 weeks.

HOW LONG DOES YOUR DOG BEAR HER PUPPIES:

So, how long does it take to retain your dog’s pregnancy?

Although we would want to give you a precise answer to this question, we may not have the exact answer. You see, there are still many factors to consider to determine how long your female dog’s pregnancy lasts. However, a rule of thumb in a dog’s pregnancy tells that dogs stay pregnant around 58 to 67 days duration. The average length of pregnancy falls within 63 days or 2 months.

CONCLUSION:

It is amazing to think that in just around nine weeks duration, little pups will be out of this world. Isn’t that exciting? However, as thrilling as it may get, you need to prepare a space for your dog to give birth.

You should know that giving birth is a little messy, so ensure that you can quickly clean the place. Most dogs need privacy to give birth. Thus, you should secure an area with soft cloths in it. While you do not need to interfere in the process of giving birth, you may ask your vet about what you could do to help your dog in emergency cases.