Pregnancy Health for Dogs: Clear, Practical Care You Can Use

Pregnancy in dogs lasts about 58–68 days, with an average of 63. That short window matters — small changes can affect moms and puppies fast. Below are simple, specific steps you can follow from confirmation to delivery so you feel ready and your dog stays healthy.

Checkups, tests, and timing

Book a vet visit when you suspect pregnancy. An ultrasound at 25–30 days confirms pregnancy and shows heartbeat. Around day 45 an x‑ray helps count pups and shows their positions. Keep those dates handy so you know whether labor is near.

Watch temperature: a healthy dog usually runs 101–102.5°F (38.3–39.2°C). A drop to roughly 99°F (37.2°C) often signals labor within 12–24 hours. Take temperatures twice daily in the last week so you notice changes fast.

Nutrition, exercise, and safe meds

Switch to a high‑quality puppy food during the last third of pregnancy and while nursing. Energy needs rise gradually; aim to increase calories by about 25–50% in late pregnancy and during lactation so milk supply meets demand. Feed smaller, more frequent meals if the belly limits intake.

Some supplements help, but don’t give calcium or high‑dose vitamins without talking to your vet — improper calcium can cause life‑threatening problems after birth. Omega‑3 (DHA) from a vet‑recommended source supports fetal brain and coat development.

Keep activity gentle. Short walks and play are fine; skip intense training or long runs. Avoid new vaccines or medications during pregnancy unless your vet approves. Use only flea/tick and deworming products labeled safe for pregnant dogs and prescribed by your vet.

Set up a quiet whelping area 1–2 weeks before due date. Provide a low, draft‑free box with clean towels and easy access. Prepare a small birthing kit: clean towels, bulb syringe, dental floss or sterile thread to tie off umbilical cords if needed, an extra heat source (hot water bottle wrapped in a towel), and your vet’s emergency number.

Know normal labor stages: Stage 1 (nesting, restlessness) can last 6–24 hours. Stage 2 (active delivery) usually begins with straining and delivers puppies; the first pup often arrives within a few hours. Puppies should follow placentas; count placentas so none are retained.

Red flags — call your vet now if you see: strong contractions for more than 30 minutes with no puppy, more than 4 hours between puppies, green/black discharge with no puppy within 15 minutes, heavy bleeding, or a rectal temperature below 98°F. Also call if the mother seems very weak, refuses to care for puppies, or puppies appear limp and pale.

Being prepared and staying calm help the whole process. Routine vet checks, a steady feeding plan, and knowing when to get help are the biggest wins for a safe pregnancy and healthy litter.