Having a dog give birth can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially if you’re not sure when the process is complete. One of the most common questions dog owners ask during whelping is how do you know if all puppies are delivered? This uncertainty can cause stress for both you and your canine companion.
As someone who’s assisted with multiple litters I’ve learned that Mother Nature usually handles things perfectly, but knowing when the process is complete gives peace of mind. I’ll share the definitive signs that indicate your dog has finished delivering her litter.
The Importance of Knowing Puppy Count Beforehand
Before we dive into the signs, let me emphasize something crucial. The best way to know if all puppies are delivered is to have your vet perform an ultrasound or X-ray during pregnancy (usually between days 39-50). This gives you a reliable estimate of litter size.
Having this number in mind helps you track progress during whelping and alerts you if there’s a potential problem I’ve found this information invaluable during my breeding experiences!
12 Clear Signs Your Dog Has Finished Whelping
1. Contractions Have Stopped
When a dog is actively in labor, you’ll notice visible contractions – rippling movements along her flanks or sides of her tummy. These contractions will gradually diminish and eventually stop completely when all puppies have been delivered.
During active labor, you should typically see one puppy delivered per hour. If your dog was pushing but suddenly stopped having contractions and appears calm for more than 2 hours, she might be done.
2. Mother Dog Becomes Calm and Relaxed
One of the most obvious signs that your dog has finished whelping is a complete shift in demeanor. A dog in labor is typically:
- Restless
- Panting heavily
- Frequently changing positions
- Whimpering or moaning
Once the last puppy is born, she’ll become noticeably calmer and more relaxed. This isn’t just a brief pause – it’s a sustained change in behavior that continues for hours.
3. Focused Attention on Puppies
After delivery is complete, your dog will shift her attention entirely to her newborns. She’ll begin:
- Cleaning them thoroughly
- Encouraging them to nurse
- Arranging them in the whelping box
- Responding attentively to their cries
When I observed my dog’s first litter, this was the clearest sign – her laser focus on the puppies rather than continuing to prepare for more deliveries.
4. Matching Placenta Count
For each puppy born, there should be one placenta delivered. Sometimes these come right after the puppy, and sometimes they’re delivered after several puppies. Count the placentas – if the number matches the number of puppies, it’s a good indication all puppies have been delivered.
Be aware that dogs often eat the placentas (gross but natural!), which can make counting difficult. If you’re concerned about missing placentas, contact your vet, as retained placentas can cause infections.
5. Appetite Returns
Many dogs refuse food during labor, but once whelping is complete, their appetite typically returns. If your dog suddenly seems interested in food or water after delivering puppies, it may indicate she’s finished.
I remember being surprised when my dog eagerly accepted food just an hour after what turned out to be her final puppy!
6. No More Panting or Straining
Heavy panting and straining are hallmarks of the delivery process. When these symptoms subside completely and your dog appears comfortable, it likely means no more puppies are on the way.
7. Sustained Period of Rest
A mother dog who has finished whelping will settle down with her puppies for an extended period of rest. This isn’t just a brief break between deliveries (known as a whelping pause) but a sustained period of calm that lasts for hours.
8. Emptied Uterine Horns
A dog’s uterus has two “horns” shaped like a wishbone. Sometimes all the puppies from one horn are delivered first, followed by a pause before puppies from the second horn are born. If you’ve observed a significant pause (30 minutes to several hours) followed by more deliveries and then a longer period of calm, this often indicates complete delivery.
9. No Lumps Felt During Palpation
An experienced breeder or veterinarian can sometimes determine if puppies remain by gently palpating (feeling) the dog’s abdomen. If no distinct lumps or bulges are felt, it may indicate all puppies have been delivered.
This requires experience and should be done very gently. I wouldn’t recommend trying this without proper training!
10. Nursing Puppies Contentedly
When all puppies have been delivered, they will typically settle into nursing contentedly, and the mother will accommodate them calmly. This peaceful nursing scene often indicates the whelping process is complete.
11. Toilet Break
After completing delivery, many dogs will want to go outside to urinate or defecate. This is another good sign that whelping is complete and normal bodily functions are resuming.
12. Veterinary Confirmation
If you’re uncertain whether your dog has finished whelping, a veterinary examination is the most definitive way to know. Your vet can perform an ultrasound or palpation to check for remaining puppies.
Understanding Whelping Pauses
One important thing to remember is that dogs sometimes take breaks during the whelping process. These “whelping pauses” can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours (in rare cases, up to 24 hours!).
During a whelping pause:
- The dog may appear calm temporarily
- She might rest or even nap
- She might tend to already-born puppies
This doesn’t necessarily mean she’s finished! True completion of whelping shows multiple signs from the list above, sustained over time.
If you believe your dog is taking a whelping pause, continue to monitor her closely. Most vets recommend contacting them if a pause exceeds 4 hours, especially if you know there are more puppies to come.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
While most dogs deliver without complications, certain situations require emergency veterinary assistance:
- Strong contractions for 30+ minutes with no puppy – This could indicate a puppy is stuck
- Green or black discharge before first puppy – This is a placental detachment emergency
- More than 4 hours between puppies when you know more are coming
- Extreme exhaustion or weakness in the mother
- Trembling or shivering that continues hours after delivery
- Fewer placentas than puppies
After the Last Puppy: What Happens Next
Once your dog has finished whelping, there are several things you should do:
- Monitor closely for 24 hours – Sometimes rare complications can occur
- Ensure all puppies are nursing – Make sure each puppy gets colostrum (first milk)
- Schedule a vet visit – Your dog and puppies should be examined within 24 hours
- Provide proper nutrition – High-quality puppy food gives nursing mothers needed nutrients
- Keep the whelping area clean – Change bedding frequently to prevent infection
My Personal Experience
When my Lab was having her second litter, I was convinced she had finished after delivering 7 puppies. She was calm, nursing them attentively, and seemed completely done. I even called my vet to report the successful delivery!
To my surprise, about 3 hours later, she suddenly became restless again and delivered one final puppy. This taught me that multiple signs over an extended period are the only reliable indicators that whelping is truly complete. Now I always wait at least 4 hours after what seems like the last puppy before concluding the process is finished.
Determining when your dog has finished whelping requires careful observation of multiple factors. The most reliable signs include:
- Cessation of contractions
- Sustained calm behavior
- Dedicated attention to puppies
- Return of appetite
- Matching placenta count
Remember that every dog and every whelping experience is unique. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian. They can provide guidance specific to your dog’s situation and ensure both mother and puppies remain healthy.
Have you experienced a whelping where you weren’t sure if all puppies had been delivered? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Reader Success Stories
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Anonymous “Most of the topics here are very helpful,e specially to those like me, first time having a pregnant dog. The most helpful in this article is how to help your whelp, and how to help your dog after giving birth.”…” more
Recognizing the End of Whelping
- 1 See if contractions have stopped. If contractions have stopped, there is nothing you need to do. If you are expecting more puppies, your dog will continue giving birth when it has rested. If you are not, your dog has finished giving birth![8]
- There may be a few contractions after the last puppy so that the dog can push out the last placenta.
- 2 Look for signs that the dog is calming down. If the dog is no longer whimpering, moaning, or panting, it may be a sign that it has finished whelping.[9] Count the puppies just to make sure that you have the right number.
- 3 Supervise your dog for at least two hours. If you’re not sure if your dog is taking a break, continue to supervise your dog. If it is taking a break, it will start contracting again within two hours. If two hours pass and you are not expecting any more puppies, it may be reasonable to assume that your dog has finished.[10]
- If you are expecting more puppies yet two hours have passed without your dog giving birth, call your vet.
- The dog should be calm and resting when it is finished. If two hours have passed and your dog appears restless, it may be preparing to give birth again.
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FAQ
How can you tell if a dog has delivered all her puppies?
However, if your dog is eating, drinking, urinating, nursing her puppies, cleaning them and basically acting normal, she has most likely delivered all her puppies. Sometimes females will take a break of an hour or so in the middle of having puppies especially if it is a large litter.
How do you know if a puppy is coming?
Don’t stress your girl. There are other ways to tell if the puppies are coming. If your dog stops eating, that’s a sign the puppies are on their way. She may not eat for a couple of days before going into labor, and she may also vomit.
How do I know if my dog is in labor?
When early labor starts in a dog, you’ll notice behavioral changes such as restlessness, frequent getting up and down, pacing, panting, or trembling. She might not want food, but make sure she has water available. While some dogs want to be alone, many start clinging to their person.
How do I know if my dog is having problems?
Here are somethings that would signal your dog is having problems after delivery. If your dog has intense abdominal pain, pale gums and tongue, sudden drop in temperature or collapse, she needs to be seen as soon as possible as she may have uterine torsion.
Should I take my female puppy to the vet?
If you feel there is a puppy still inside your female and she shows no signs of contractions, then you should take her to the Vet to be sure. It’s a good idea to take her and the pups in anyway for a post whelping checkup to ensure all placentas were delivered as well in the morning.
How do you know if there is still a puppy inside?
Palpation, the technique of gently feeling the abdomen, can help determine if all puppies have been born during the whelping process. By feeling the dog’s abdomen, especially after each puppy’s delivery, it is possible for an experienced hand to identify any remaining puppies – felt as distinct lumps or bulges.
How do you know when all puppies are born?
Hello, As long as she’s no longer having active contractions, then she’s likely done. The only way to know for sure is to do an x-ray and verify that all the puppies have passed. If she’s still having active contractions, then no longer than 1-2 hours should pass before a puppy presents itself.
How long can it take for a dog to deliver all her puppies?
On average, giving birth to an entire litter takes 3-12 hours from the start of contractions/straining. Exact timing varies, but most dogs give birth to their whole litter with 6 hours. The process should never take longer than 24 hours – any longer and the risk of a problem becomes very high.
How do I know if my dog has an incomplete birth?
Failure of delivery of all puppies in a timely fashion
Call your vet for advice if there is: 30 minutes of strong contractions with no puppy born. 2-3 hours of weak contractions without a puppy being born. 4 or more hours between puppies.