Fostering a Pregnant Dog: What You Need to Know
Fostering a pregnant dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences for animal lovers. However, it also requires a lot of hard work and patience. Caring for a pregnant dog means ensuring that she receives proper nutrition, medical care, and love. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dog pregnancy and birth, and how to care for the mama dog and her puppies.
How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?
Dog pregnancies usually last about 65 days from the time of ovulation to birth. However, it can be difficult to estimate the exact due date as we don’t always know the timing of ovulation or conception. In most cases, pregnancies are estimated to last between 58-68 days. A veterinarian may be able to give a general timeline for when the puppies will be born.
Dog Pregnancy Week by Week
During the first three weeks of pregnancy, fertilized eggs begin to divide within the uterine tube. Embryos enter the uterus by day 11, and implantation occurs between days 16-18. By the fourth week, the head, eyes, and vertebrae form, along with internal organs. Between weeks five and six, external features like skin color, nails, and whiskers begin to form, along with sex organs. The fetus experiences the most growth between days 40 to birth. By weeks seven to eight, the skeleton is fully formed and may be visible on x-rays around day 45. At week nine, the fetus is fully formed and preparing for birth. Most puppies can be safely delivered after day 57. Their eyes are sealed at birth, and they cannot hear.
How To Tell If Your Dog Is Pregnant
A pregnant dog will show physical and behavioral changes. Some of the most common signs early in pregnancy are enlarged mammary glands and nipples, changes in the color of the nipples, clear vaginal discharge, and changes in appetite (either decreased or increased). Later in the pregnancy, additional changes such as weight gain, enlargement of the belly, swelling of the vulva, and milk production may occur. Pregnant dogs may act more clingy and start showing signs of nesting behavior, such as collecting blankets, towels, and toys to create a nest-like space for their future puppies.
At Home
If you suspect that your dog may be pregnant based on the signs such as swelling of the mammary glands and vulva, weight gain, and/or changes in behavior, it’s best to consult a veterinarian. Many other conditions can have symptoms similar to pregnancy, so it’s best to see your vet to make sure. However, if you have a pup that is easy to handle and allows you to, you can gently press on her mammary glands to see if milk comes out, which would indicate she is lactating and likely pregnant.
Dog Pregnancy Symptoms to Watch For
Enlarged mammary glands and nipples, nipples that change color to a darker or pinker shade, swollen vulva, clear vaginal discharge, changes in appetite (increased or decreased), weight gain, growing belly, milk production, clingy behavior, nesting behavior
At The Vet
Vets use a number of tools to diagnose a pregnancy and learn about the fetuses. The first step is usually abdominal palpation, where gentle pressure is applied on the belly to feel if the uterus is enlarged and/or if they can feel any fetuses. X-rays or ultrasound can be used to get more visual clues or look for heartbeats. A hormone test can also be performed on a urine or blood sample to test for the presence of Relaxin, a hormone secreted by the placenta. However, these techniques are not always 100% accurate, especially for counting the number of fetuses. There may be some surprises to come after birth.
False Pregnancy in Dogs
Some dogs who appear pregnant are actually experiencing false pregnancies. As the name suggests, a false pregnancy mimics many signs of pregnancy, including enlarged mammary glands, milk production, and nesting behaviors, except the dog is not pregnant. This can occur due to hormonal changes, and most cases resolve on their own, but there are some treatments that can help. Any complications resulting from a false pregnancy, such as mastitis or infections of the mammary glands, must also be treated.
How to Care For a Pregnant Rescue Dog
A pregnant rescue dog is more likely to have underlying medical problems that may make pregnancy more difficult, so it’s important to see a vet. All pregnant dogs need to eat a special diet that supplies extra calories and nutrients during pregnancy and nursing. Pregnant dogs need to eat more frequently, too. Other important considerations during pregnancy include modifying exercise as the dog’s belly grows, minimizing stress, avoiding situations where your dog may get sick from other dogs, and preparing for the arrival of the puppies.
Vet Visits
Rescue dogs may have additional medical problems that need to be addressed to ensure they are strong and healthy for pregnancy. It is especially important to see a vet as soon as you suspect a rescue dog is pregnant so they can be treated for common conditions such as intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, skin problems, or infections. However, some treatments, medications, and vaccinations are not safe to give to a pregnant dog, so it is important to consult with a vet before giving any treatments, including over-the-counter products.
Exercise
Pregnant dogs need to exercise, but they must avoid excess weight gain because excessive fat can cause problems during delivery, such as interfering with uterine contractions and the dog’s ability to push out the fetuses. Walking is a great exercise for pregnant dogs.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition can prevent a lot of complications in pregnancy and nursing. Pregnant dogs need to eat food that is labeled as appropriate for “growth and development,” “pregnancy and lactation,” and/or “all life stages.” These foods contain enough calories and important nutrients like calcium to meet pregnant dogs’ needs. Pregnant dogs benefit from eating small and frequent meals, as their digestive tract gets squished by their growing uterus.
Overall, fostering a pregnant dog can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Patience, love, and proper medical care are the keys to take care of your mama dog and her puppies through pregnancy and birth.
