My Dog is Pregnant… What Now?
— By Dr. Breckyn McLean, D.V.M —
Congratulations! Your dog’s pregnancy can be an exciting time for you and your family. There are quite a few recommendations during this time to help your dog maintain a healthy pregnancy. Below are a few facts, tips, and tricks to help care for your dog’s needs during this time.
How long will my dog be pregnant for?
The average female dog pregnancy lasts around 63 days, but this can range from 58-71 days. This time is known as gestation. It’s valuable to know when your dog was bred to help plan for parturition (the act of giving birth). If you are unsure of when she was bred, there are a few diagnostic tools that can be very helpful in narrowing down a time frame for your pup:
- Ultrasound: This can help diagnose pregnancy at 30 days of gestation. During this diagnostic, we’re searching for fetal heartbeat and other fetal structures.
- Radiographs/X-Rays: At 45 days of gestation, we will be able to count the number of skulls and/or spines to determine how many puppies your dog will have. This is an important measurement so we can know when your dog is finished having puppies.
Should I feed my dog differently while she’s pregnant?
As long as your dog is on a good-quality diet (a few brands we recommend are Purina ProPlan, Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, or Iams), she won’t need any further supplementation or diet change while pregnant. However, we do recommend increasing the amount of food fed by 10% a week after week 6 of her pregnancy (unless she is a single puppy or small litter).
A diet approved for growth, such as a puppy or performance diet, is a great idea to keep up with increasing demand during her nursing period. Toward the end of her pregnancy, it’s a good idea to gradually (over ~7 days to avoid gastrointestinal upset) switch her to this diet to help prepare her.
Should my dog be vaccinated during pregnancy? What about prevention?
No, we do not recommend vaccination during pregnancy. Please ensure your dog is up to date on all her vaccinations prior to breeding.
Please consult with your veterinarian on the safety of certain heartworm and flea/tick preventions during pregnancy. Parasite control is important, as certain internal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms, can be transmitted from the dam to the puppies at different stages.
Additionally, please keep your dog isolated from all other dogs from three weeks before to three weeks after delivery to decrease any chance of infection to the dam and her pups.
How can I prepare for birth?
Dogs enter a nesting period typically within days to hours of giving birth. During this time, it is ideal to provide your dog with a calm, quiet, comfortable, and private space to rest.
You should also begin monitoring her temperature. We recommend obtaining a rectal reading using a clean, lubricated thermometer. When her temperature drops below 100F, labor may be expected within 24 hours.
If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please do not hesitate to contact us here at Metro Paws Animal Hospital. We are always happy to help you!