How long is a dog pregnant? That depends on the size and breed of the dog, but in general, dogs have similar gestation periods to humans. A dog’s pregnancy lasts an average of 63 to 65 days, though the first time it can be as short as 55 days or as long as 70 days.
How long is a dog pregnant?
A normal dog gestation period (or pregnancy) is 63 to 65 days, regardless of the size or breed of the dog. For example, a Chihuahua is pregnant for the same amount of time as a Rottweiler. Though how long dogs are pregnant is shorter than humans, like humans, each dog’s pregnancy can vary slightly. Some may be as short as 58 days while others may be as long as 72 days. Factors that can affect a dog’s pregnancy length include the number of puppies she’s carrying and her overall health. On average, though, a healthy dog with one litter of pups will deliver around 68 days after conception.
When Can You Tell a Dog Is Pregnant?
You might be able to tell your dog is pregnant by her behavior as early as three weeks after conception. She may become more affectionate, or she may want to spend more time alone. She may also start nesting, which means she’ll start collecting soft items to make a cozy spot for herself and her puppies. You might also notice that her nipples are starting to enlarge and darken, and that her appetite has increased. If you suspect that your dog is pregnant, bring her to the vet for an examination and confirmation.
What Do Dogs Look Like When They Are Pregnant?
Most dog owners don’t know what to expect when their furry friend starts showing signs of pregnancy. Here are a few things you can look for:
- A change in appetite – either your dog becomes ravenous or loses her appetite altogether.
- Enlarged nipples and increased urination – as the puppies grow, they start putting pressure on their mom’s bladder, causing her to pee more often.
- A distended abdomen – as the puppies grow, they’ll start to show, making your dog’s tummy look bigger than usual.
- Mood swings – your once even-tempered pup may become irritable and snappy during pregnancy.
- Loss of hair around her privates – it might be hard to see at first, but as she grows closer to delivery time, your dog will have bald patches around her vaginal area where fur has been rubbed off from carrying the babies. 6. Reduced activity level – most dogs will slow down significantly during their final weeks of pregnancy because carrying these extra puppies takes a lot out of them. 7. Preparation for birth – Your dog will begin nesting by digging a little spot in one corner of the room that she uses for giving birth and then staying there until it’s time for her pups to arrive.
Why Are Some Puppies Resembling Each Other When in the Womb/Uterus?
Resembling each other while in the womb is more common than you may think! If two puppies are conceived around the same time and from the same litter, they may share characteristics because they were exposed to the same environment while in the womb.
This is especially true if the puppies are of the same breed. For example, two Labrador Retriever puppies may look more alike than two Cocker Spaniel puppies because they were both exposed to similar genes and proteins while in utero. It’s also not uncommon for one puppy to inherit physical traits from their mother, like coloration or eyesight – but that doesn’t necessarily mean that those features will be passed on to any future offspring.
It’s also possible for genetic traits or abnormalities like polydactyly (extra toes) or polycystic kidney disease (PKD) – which is only found in some breeds – to be inherited by one puppy and not another even though they were born at the same time. There’s no way of knowing exactly how much genetics will play into your pet’s appearance until they’re born!
What Does Human Pregnancy Feel Like for Your Dog?
If you’re wondering what your dog’s pregnancy is like, think of it this way: during the first few weeks, your pup’s body is preparing for pregnancy and nothing much is happening. For the next few weeks, things start picking up as hormone levels rise and your dog’s belly starts to swell. The final weeks are when things really get going, with rapid fetal growth and milk production. By the end, your dog will be exhausted but excited to meet her new puppies!
The First Trimester
For the first three weeks of pregnancy, dogs will show no outward signs. During this time, the embryos are growing and developing inside the dam (mother). The female dog’s mammary glands start producing colostrum, which provides nutrients for the puppies when they’re born.
Mammary glands also produce milk once her pups are weaned off the colostrum and onto regular milk at around 8-10 weeks old.
The Second Trimester
The Second Trimester: Dogs usually go into heat two or three times during their second trimester of pregnancy, which can cause discomfort in some females due to hormonal changes. Females may even go into false labor before going back into heat. False labor typically consists of contractions and vaginal discharge that occurs for a few hours and then stops abruptly. Female dogs will also show nesting behavior at this time as well, such as digging up dirt or chewing on blankets or old clothes (this is thought to mimic the smell of her den).
The Third Trimester
By the third trimester, your dog’s energy levels will start to dip as they prepare for labor. You may notice that they want to sleep more and may not be as playful as usual. This is normal and nothing to worry about. The average gestation period for dogs is 63-65 days, so if your dog is around day 58 or 59, keep an eye out for labor signs!
Knowing That Labor Day Is Near
As your dog’s due date approaches, keep an eye out for labor signs. The most common sign that labor is imminent is nesting behavior, where your dog will start looking for a quiet, secluded spot to have her puppies. She may also seem restless, stop eating, and vomit or have diarrhea. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to head to the vet! Your dog will likely go into labor within 24 hours if not already in process. Labor usually lasts between 2-6 hours depending on the size of the litter and whether there are any complications during delivery. Typically, after giving birth your dog will lick and clean off her puppies as they nurse from her nipples
Labor and Birth
Most dogs will give birth without any intervention from their owners or a veterinarian, but it’s important to be prepared in case something does go wrong. If your dog is having trouble giving birth, call your vet immediately. In the meantime, here are some things you can do to help:
-Make sure the area where your dog is giving birth is quiet and calm.
-If possible, help your dog into a comfortable position (on her side or standing).
-Do not try to pull the puppies out yourself – this can cause serious damage.
-If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the puppy, gently loosen it.
-Do not cut the umbilical cord – this can also cause damage. -Keep watch over your dog so she doesn’t get too tired or stressed.
-Clean up after the birth to prevent infection and collect any afterbirth material for inspection by a veterinarian if necessary.
-Have someone on hand who can take care of other pets while you’re busy with the new arrival.
-Talk to your vet about vaccinations for pups born outside of their mother’s womb.
Conclusion
A normal dog gestation period is 63 to 65 days, regardless of the size or breed of the dog. For example, a Chihuahua is pregnant for the same amount of time as a Rottweiler. Though how long dogs are pregnant is shorter than humans, like humans, each individual dog may have a slightly different pregnancy length. Some factors that can affect this include the health of the mother and litter size. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian.
