How long are dogs pregnant? - pregnancy in dog's world

 It's time: your female dog is pregnant and babies are on the way! In this article, we'll explain how to prepare for this big moment and how best to help your dog through it. Questions like "How can I help my dog?", "Will she manage the birthing on her own, or do I have to go to the veterinarian?", or "What should I do if something doesn't go quite right after all?" are quite normal. We can say: the birth of puppies is one of the most natural things and healthy dogs usually do not have any problems during birth.

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How long are dogs pregnant? - pregnancy in dogs

In this article, you will learn how long females dogs are in heat, how to detect pregnancy, 5 steps how to help your bitch before and during birth, how many puppies a bitch can give birth to, and what you need for puppy nursery.

How long are dogs in heat in general?

From when a female dog is sexually mature, is different from breed to breed and can differ. In principle, the larger a dog breed is, the longer it takes for the dog to become sexually mature. Depending on the breed of dog, this time ranges from about six months to eighteen months.

How can I know if my female dog is in heat?

The fact that your female dog is sexually mature doesn't mean that she is directly ready for pregnancy. In the very first heat, the dog's birth canals are not fully developed and ready for birth. Female dogs come into heat approximately every six months, depending on the breed.

When your female dog is in heat, her vulva has more blood flow than normal and becomes swollen. In addition, the vulva secretes a bloody fluid. This fluid has a very special smell, especially for male dogs, which signals that the bitch could be pregnant soon.

Your bitch's attitude will also change during this time, especially towards other males. About two days before the bitch reaches ovulation, she is ready to be mated. She signals this by pushing her tail root aside and pressing down on the ground in a familiar position. In the direct ovulation phase, the vaginal discharge is clearer and more mucous. This makes it easier for the male to mate the bitch. It is during this phase that the bitch's progesterone level is at its maximum.

Ways to detect pregnancy

Whether the mating of the male dog was successful and your bitch is pregnant, veterinarians can determine in the following ways:

• Ultrasound testing: the variant that can most reliably diagnose pregnancy is the ultrasound machine. Very similar to us humans, the bitch is "scanned" and the puppies in the belly can be seen on a monitor. Pregnancy can be diagnosed from the 18th day, but it becomes more certain from the 25th day.
• Relaxin test: As soon as the bitch is pregnant, her body produces the so-called relaxin. Relaxin is produced only during pregnancy and is a sure indicator of pregnancy. Hormone testing can be performed on the bitch as early as day 24 after mating and provides clear results. Hormone testing can thus clearly distinguish a pregnancy from a false pregnancy.
• X-ray examination: Another method is the X-ray examination. Here the bitch is x-rayed similar to a bone fracture and the fetuses become visible. However, this method is only an option after the 42nd day.

How long does the pregnancy take?

The pregnancy period of a bitch is approximately 60 to 65 days. Fluctuations may happen because the sperm of the male dog remain alive in the uterus of the bitch for six to ten days. If the bitch is mated five days after ovulation, birth can occur in 57 days. If she is mated five days before ovulation, it can take up to 68 days.

5 steps to a birth

Step 1: The first 5 - 6 weeks:

The changes in your bitch are almost imperceptible. By the end of the first month, the mammary glands enlarge and the hair around the teats slowly begins to fall out. Around day 30 of pregnancy, transparent or whitish mucus begins to run from the bitch's vulva. During the first few weeks, not much attention needs to be paid and the amount of food can remain the same as before. Slight weight gain is normal and need not be a cause for concern.

Step 2: the last third of pregnancy +:

During this time, the bitch's appetite increases and she gains weight rapidly: she may even gain almost double her weight. (This depends on the size and breed of the bitch) In the last third, noticeable signs of pregnancy begin: sluggishness becomes noticeable, the abdominal girth increases, the weight goes up. The bitch's teats and vulva enlarge and thicken, and at this stage, fetal movements in the mother's abdomen can already be seen and felt.

Step 3: just before birth:

Ten to six days before birth, the bitch's body temperature rises slightly. The temperature should be between 37 and 38 °C. The bitch's temperature should be taken daily during these days.

Other accompanying signs before birth include frequent urination, licking of the vulva, nesting behavior, loss of appetite, restlessness, trembling, and panting.

Parturition:

Just before parturition, the bitch's vulva secretes a clear fluid. In the following 20-30 minutes, the first puppy should be born. After that, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour for another puppy to see the light of day. If the time between pups exceeds 2 hours, a veterinarian should be notified.

After birth, the bitch cuts the umbilical cord of the puppy itself and eats the. This contains important minerals and vitamins that help the bitch regain her strength. Licking the puppies promotes their breathing and supports blood circulation.

After giving birth:

It is possible to tell by the bitch's behavior if the birth is over. Only after the last puppy is born does she begin to clean herself and lie on her side so that the puppies can reach her teats. Give the bitch all the time she needs and provide cool water.