Pregnant Female Dog: How to Recognise the Signs Before Whelping

Is the due date for the pregnant female dog approaching soon? If you recognise the signs of the impending birth, you can care for and support the female dog well.

Gestation Period of the Female Dog and Preparations for Whelping

The pregnancy of female dogs lasts an average of 9 weeks. In days, the average is between 58 and 68. Pregnant female dogs should be kept under close observation during this time. And to ensure that things do not become too frantic on the “due date”, we have summarised some tips.

Please note, however: as with humans, pregnancy in dogs can vary very individually. The following signs may therefore apply to every pregnant female dog close to her due date, but they do not have to apply without exception.

Nesting Behaviour

Many pregnant female dogs tend to intensify their efforts at “nest building” shortly before the due date. They look for quiet and cosy spots, often collecting soft objects for padding. To prevent furniture from being chewed, provide the female dog with blankets, cushions or towels that she is allowed to use.

Eating Habits of the Pregnant Female Dog

This varies greatly. While some pregnant female dogs suffer from loss of appetite and refuse food before the due date, others can hardly contain themselves and devour everything that comes their way. Make sure the female dog does not overeat, as too much of a good thing increases pressure on the stomach and intestines and causes increased nausea.

Morning Sickness in Dogs

Female dogs are similar to humans in this regard – during pregnancy, female dogs occasionally vomit, especially shortly before the due date.

Changes to Nipples and Genital Area

The teats (nipples of female dogs) grow during pregnancy. Before the due date, they usually enlarge once more. In addition, a milky discharge is often noticeable in the last days before whelping. This is normal and not harmful.

It is also normal for pregnant female dogs to lick their genital area more frequently. This is a natural impulse to keep clean. When the due date is approaching, the vulva of the female dog often protrudes visibly.

Restlessness and Drop in Temperature

These are two of the strongest signs that birth is imminent. The normal body temperature of dogs is approx. 38 degrees Celsius. When labour begins, the temperature drops to 37 degrees and below. Since this is only a slight difference that is hardly noticeable without measurement with a thermometer for dogs, in practice the increasing restlessness serves as the final indicator.

Onset of Labour in the Female Dog: Whelping Date

So now it is time: birth is imminent. In female dogs, the actual birthing process is divided into two phases. In the first phase, she already suffers from labour pains, during which the birth canal widens. The second phase, also called expulsion, is essentially the pushing out of the puppies.

Phase 1 is noticeable primarily due to increasing restlessness. The female dog naturally feels the contractions. She either wanders about restlessly, withdraws, or looks for her “nesting place”. Many female dogs also excrete more urine, faeces, or secretions during this short phase.

The body posture of the female dog probably changes as well. Many female dogs in labour stand hunched over or bent. The tail also curves downwards. While some dogs remain calm during birth, vocalisations of pain are absolutely not unusual. Whining, howling, or heavy panting are therefore part of the natural process.