Witnessing a litter be born at your house is an amazing and incredibly formative experience, so long as you treat the mother and her puppies with respect. However, you must educate yourself about dog pregnancy and the necessary care you must give during this time before your dog gives birth to puppies.
It’s also crucial to be aware of the signs of canine labor so that you can spot them and take the appropriate action. Although nesting behavior is typically the primary indicator, there are other signs that a dog is about to give birth. Continue reading at AnimalWised to learn if your dog is about to give birth! You might also be interested in:
A dogs pregnancy lasts about 9 weeks. A dog can actually give birth at any time during the ninth and final week of pregnancy. A dog will exhibit obvious signs that she is about to give birth prior to labor, so how can you tell when a dog is actually in labor? If your dog is planning to give birth at home, keep an eye out during the ninth week and ensure she has everything she needs to deliver comfortably.
A bitch instinctively knows that her body has everything it needs to go into labor and deliver without assistance, but it’s still crucial that she is aware of her human family’s presence. Your dog may experience stress during pregnancy and labor, so make sure she understands that you are there for her. How can you tell if your dog is about to give birth? Continue reading to find out.
Check out our article on dog pregnancy – week by week to learn more about the various stages of dog pregnancy.
What are the signs of dog labour: Know the 10 signs of dog labour to look out for
One of the first signs of labor to watch for is your dog’s temperature. A drop in the mother’s body temperature from 38 degrees is one of the first indicators of impending labor in dogs. 5° to 37°C; labor typically starts 12 to 24 hours later.
Take your dog’s temperature twice daily with a rectal thermometer during the last week of pregnancy to detect when this occurs. If you’re unsure how, ask your vet to show you. If you discover that taking your dog’s temperature is making her anxious, stop. Your dog needs your assistance at this time in remaining as calm as possible.
Moms-to-be may feel a little restless in the final week of a dog’s pregnancy and isolate themselves in a quiet place. In the 12 to 24 hours prior to giving birth, a loss of appetite and wriggling in her bed are frequent symptoms.
On rare occasions, your dog might relocate the nest you built for them to a different part of the house. If this occurs, if at all possible, try not to move it from the desired location.
Other labor signs you might notice in dogs include nausea and vomiting. Make sure your pet has access to plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Another sign of impending labor could be a lack of interest in their food. Here are some additional causes of your dog’s possible appetite loss.
Your dog’s shivering may indicate that labor has begun and she is in pain. This is typical, and you should try to reassure the animal during this time. Visit our article to learn more about trembling and shivering in dogs.
Another sign that a dog is in labor and beginning to experience pain from the contractions is panting.
Dogs who are pregnant can be less energetic than usual, but you will notice a decline in their energy levels just before they go into labor.
Once contractions start, you will be able to tell if your dog is pregnant. Look out for a hardened abdomen. By gently placing your hands on their stomach, you might even be able to feel the contraction.
Some dogs will start producing milk before they give birth. Another sign that they will go into labor soon is if their breasts have hardened.
Milk Production Is An Early Sign
Not all females come into milk before they deliver their pups, but some do. Watch for extended nipples and swollen breasts. You may even notice a little leakage just before labor begins. For some dogs, this is a good sign to let you know labor is coming. However, given the range of time it can take for a dog to start lactating before labor, this is one of the hardest signs to use.
Due to the energy drain caused by carrying a litter, particularly in the final days before delivery, many females spend a lot of time resting before giving birth. When a pet is approaching her due date and appears even more lethargic than a day or two ago, it may be an indication that labor is about to start.
Momma dog will begin nesting at this time and will produce a white to gelatinous discharge for up to 48 hours prior to whelping (Note: If the discharge develops a bloody tinge, the first puppy is about to be born). On occasion, they experience food poisoning or stomachaches. Momma dog might be jittery, clingy, or even cramping. (I jotted down the following in the margin of my study guide for this section: “Uterine contractions make them feel like they need to use the restroom, but she has a puppy instead of poop. *Go potty with her. “).
The vast majority of my patients are spayed. When clients inquire about whether they should breed their dogs, I advise them to set aside between $700 and $1,000 in case an emergency C-section is required. Then they usually spay their dog.
The placenta emerges during the third stage, which immediately follows the second stage. The uterus then takes a brief break. The uterus rests for ten to one hundred minutes. Every 30 minutes or so, on average, the mother dog gives birth to a new puppy. The total average whelping time is 6-12 hours.
Second stage is the real deal: labor. Generally they show abdominal contractions for around 10-30 minutes. Usually, the amniotic sac is visible before a pup emerges three pushes later. You may need to aid the mother (using the lubricant) if the sac ruptures and fluid leaks out before you see a puppy. Normally momma pops the amniotic sac by licking/chewing it. If she doesn’t, you — the canine midwife — must intervene and provide assistance.
In dogs, the first stage is 12-30 hours before labor. Rectal temperature of momma dog will fall to a low of 98 to 99 degrees. The pre-whelping decrease may only last a few hours. (You should take the dogs’ temperatures three times per day beginning about 10 to 14 days prior to whelping, and keep a temperature chart. ).
FAQ
What are the first signs of a dog going into labor?
Stage I labor, which is characterized by restlessness and anxiety, starts once the temperature drops. You might observe panting, pacing, food refusal, and possibly vomiting. Nesting behavior begins. She should now be placed in the whelping box; ideally, she is already accustomed to it.
Do dogs nest before giving birth?
Due to their survival instinct, dogs prefer to choose a safe location when giving birth. This behavior is called nesting. It is dangerous for them to give birth in the open in the wild. They will seek out a cozy location to have their children because it gives them a sense of security.