Maternity Care for Dogs: Practical Guide for a Healthy Pregnancy

A dog’s pregnancy runs about 58–68 days—short and intense. That tight timeline means quick action matters more than long plans. This page gives straight, useful steps for spotting pregnancy, preparing for birth, handling common problems, and caring for mom and puppies after delivery.

First check: visit your vet as soon as you suspect pregnancy. A vet can confirm with ultrasound around 25–30 days and estimate litter size later by X-ray. Get a clear plan for vaccinations, deworming, and any drugs to avoid during pregnancy. Your vet’s advice is the baseline—follow it.

Nutrition changes are real. Switch to a high-quality puppy or growth formula during the last third of pregnancy and while nursing; it’s higher in calories and calcium. Feed smaller, more frequent meals as the belly grows. Don’t add calcium supplements without vet approval—too much can cause problems after whelping.

Keep exercise gentle. Daily walks and light play help muscle tone and stress, but avoid jumping or roughhousing. Create a quiet, warm nesting spot early on—a whelping box with low sides, clean bedding, and a heat source for the first weeks works well. Let the mother get used to it before labor.

Whelping: what to expect

Labor usually starts with nesting, restlessness, panting, loss of appetite, and a drop in body temperature 8–24 hours before the first pup. Stage one can last 6–12 hours; stage two is active pushing and delivery. Pups often arrive every 15–60 minutes, but some litters take longer pauses. Have your vet’s emergency number handy if labor stalls—if there’s strong pushing for more than 30 minutes with no pup, or more than two hours between pups, call for help.

Keep supplies ready: clean towels, a bulb syringe to clear airways, digital thermometer, disposable gloves, scissors or hemostats (for the vet if needed), and a scale to weigh puppies. Count placentas—each pup should have one. If a placenta is missing, contact your vet; retained placentas can cause infection.

Postpartum care and gentle massage tips

After birth, monitor mom for appetite, energy, and normal urination. Check nipples for redness or hard lumps—mastitis needs quick treatment. Puppies should nurse frequently and steadily gain weight; weigh them daily for the first week. Keep the area warm and clean and limit visitors for the first two weeks to reduce infection risk.

Gentle massage can help a tired mother: light strokes along the neck, shoulders, and back ease tension and promote circulation. Avoid deep pressure on the abdomen or breasts. If mom seems painful when touched or shows unusual behavior, stop and call your vet. For any fever, severe bleeding, or weakness, seek immediate veterinary care.

Quick checklist: vet check early, switch to nutrient-rich food late pregnancy, set up a whelping box, have emergency contacts ready, watch labor timing, and monitor mom and pups closely after birth. If you’re unsure at any step, your vet is the best help—maternity care is hands-on, and fast action keeps moms and puppies safe.