“For how long are dogs pregnant?”- If you find yourself asking this question, then you are probably about to welcome a new litter of puppies into the world. Pets are amazing creatures. Before you know it, they are all grown up and ready to spawn cute little versions of themselves. Though as exciting as it may seem if you are a first-timer at handling a dog pregnancy, it might be a bit confusing. But worry not! We are here to help you get through this difficult but rewarding process. Here is everything you need to know about dog pregnancy and how long they last. Let’s begin!
The Dog’s Reproductive Cycle
A female dog’s reproductive cycle, also known as heat, is a period of 18-21 days when a female dog is ready to breed and reproduce. Most female dogs have 2 heat cycles per year however it may differ from breed to breed. Smaller breeds might only mate once per year while bigger breeds go for it 3 times or more.
Hope you are with me so far. Now that we know the basic definition of heat cycle let’s proceed further. A female dog’s heat cycle is further divided into 4 crucial stages. Let’s take a deeper look at these stages for a better understanding:
1. Proestrus: The First Stage
Proestrus marks the beginning of the heat and lasts for 7–10 days. During this stage of a female dog’s reproductive cycle, the body raises estrogen levels to get ready releasing eggs to be fertilized by a male dog’s sperm cells. During Proestrus your dog’s vulva might swell and bleed indicating that the dog is getting ready to breed and attract the males however she is still not ready for pregnancy.
2. Estrus: The Mating Period
After Proestrus comes the Estrus stage. It is the mating period lasting for 5-10 days during which a female dog is fertile and is ready to breed and receive males. During Estrus the body starts preparing for pregnancy by rising Progesterone levels and dropping Estrogen levels.
3. Diestrus: The Resting Phase
During this stage, the female dog is no longer receptive to the males and is ready to start the pregnancy period. The vulva returns to normal size and the dog will no longer try to breed. If the dog is not pregnant then the body goes back to the normal state
4. Anestrus: The Sexual Inactivity
The resting phase of the cycle usually lasts from 3 to 6 months depending on the dog. During this phase, the female dog becomes sexually inactive and unreceptive to males.
Signs Of Pregnancy In Dogs
Dogs show subtle signs of pregnancy which can be easily detected with the right knowledge. Being a dog owner it is important to keep an eye out for these signs so you can start preparing beforehand and make all the necessary arrangements for a healthy and safe pregnancy and delivery for your beloved pet. Some of the signs of pregnancy in dogs that you can look out for are the following:
- They might gain Weight.
- Slight enlargement of Nipples.
- Rapid growth in Belly size.
- Unusual changes in appetite.
- Showing signs of dullness and fatigue.
- Drastic changes in behaviour.
- Nesting.
What To Do After Detecting Signs Of Pregnancy In Dogs?
If you detect some of the above-mentioned signs of pregnancy in your dog it is best practice to confirm it by visiting a veterinarian. You can confirm your dog’s pregnancy using any of the following tests:
1. Ultrasound
Ultrasound is usually considered the best pregnancy test. Ultrasound uses high-frequency soundwaves to form an image of the inside of a womb and easily pictures the fetus in the dog’s belly. It is the easiest way to confirm pregnancy without any sort of risks or side effects. Ultrasound can also detect whether the fetus is alive or not making it a much preferred method of detecting pregnancy.
2. Abdominal Palpation
Palpation is a traditional method of detecting pregnancy in dogs by gently pressing on their abdomen to feel the swellings caused by the presence of developing unborn puppies. Palpation is the cheapest and most convenient method however it only works during the day 25-30 into pregnancy when the developing puppies are palpable.
3. Blood test
Blood tests can detect pregnancy in a dog by measuring the Relaxin levels in the blood which is produced during a dog’s pregnancy. Blood tests can be conducted after 22-27 days of breeding to detect pregnancy and are among the most accurate pregnancy tests.
4. X-ray
X-rays are electromagnetic radiation that passes through tissues, bones, and organs to form an image on a film. X-rays can be used to detect pregnancy and the exact number of puppies by day 40-45 of pregnancy.
How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?
Normally a dog’s gestation period ranges from 58 – 68 days. However, it can differ slightly from breed to breed or the circumstances of your dog’s pregnancy.
Stages of Dog Pregnancy
Pregnancy in dogs usually lasts for a shorter period of time as compared to mammals. This means puppies grow at a much faster pace inside a dog’s womb and hence require greater attention and alertness to changes in order to avoid any complications or difficulties during your dog’s pregnancy lasting for 2.5 months.
1. First Month
Your dog won’t show much changes during the first month. Pregnancy symptoms are usually detectable after the first 3 weeks into pregnancy. In the first month, the embryo inside your dog’s womb begins its initial development stage slowly forming into a fetus with a heart.
The symptoms to look out for during the first month are usually the following:
- Enlargement of Nipples.
- Increase in appetite.
- Vaginal Discharge.
- Showing signs of dullness and fatigue.
2. Second Month
During the second month of pregnancy, the fetus is rapidly developed inside the womb. Pregnancy is easily detectable during the second month and your dog will begin to show clear signs of pregnancy and distinctive symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:
- Increased Weight
- Rapid growth in Belly size.
- Drastic changes in behaviour.
- Nesting.
- Clear odorless vaginal discharge.
3. Third Month
The third month usually lasts for only 10 days and during this period the dog is ready to give birth. The puppies are almost fully developed and begin to move around in the womb and can be easily felt with your hand. During the third month your dog will start showing some extreme symptoms don’t worry it simply means your dog is ready to bring new life into this world. Some of these symptoms are:
- Restlessness and panting.
- Sudden drop in body temperature.
- Decrease in appetite.
- Shivering.
Conclusion
A dog’s pregnancy can be a tiresome experience not only for the dog but also for the owner. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced dog owner, it’s all the same. Taking good care of your dog is essential during this period as it requires your love more than ever. Always be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances and look out for the symptoms of pregnancy in your dog. After all, in the end, your efforts will be rewarded beautifully by a bunch of cute little puppies who will take all your troubles away!
