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What to Expect When You're Expecting Puppies

11 November 2015 by Victor James

If your dog has recently been in heat and you are now wondering whether or not it may be pregnant, there are some signs you should watch for. If your dog does end up being pregnant, then this article will help you to familiarize yourself with what to prepare for, the stages of your dog's pregnancy, and items you may want to get to help your dog out.

What to prepare for

If your dog does end up being pregnant, you can expect the pregnancy to last about two months. Changes in your dog will be mostly physical at first. When it starts getting closer to having the puppies, you may notice your dog begins wanting more space.

Signs of pregnancy

You shouldn't notice any changes in your dog the first few weeks. However, after this point it may seem like every day brings something new. The first thing you will notice is your dog will start to gain weight. Around the same time you notice the weight, your dog may experience a few days of morning sickness. With dogs, this lasts for a very short period of a few days. It may consist of some bouts of minimal vomiting and a decrease in her appetite.

As the pregnancy progresses

Once your dog's belly gets bigger, you will be able to feel some of the puppies with your hand. It's important that you don't press too hard or you may cause the puppies to miscarry. About two-thirds of the way through the pregnancy, you will notice your dog's nipples will get larger, and as the days go on, they may start to leak.

The later stages of the pregnancy

In the last few weeks of pregnancy, your dog's belly may get so large that it causes her to sway back and forth as she walks. If you look closely, you may be able to see the puppies move around in her belly.

Your dog will start to nest in the last couple of weeks, and this will cause her to begin searching for a place to give birth. You can show her a place that you have set up and would prefer, but the decision of where the puppies are born will ultimately be up to your dog.

If there are any areas around your yard that would be dangerous for her to have the puppies in, then those areas should be completely sealed off ahead of time.

Have helpful supplies on hand

You can help your dog through her pregnancy and labor by purchasing items to make her more comfortable. Having a couple comfortable beds around and setting up a dog house will give her options for where she can go for comfort. Your dog may also choose to have the puppies in one of these locations.

You may also want to invest in a larger water bowl since your dog will need to drink more while she is lactating. A higher-calorie diet can also help to make sure your dog gets enough nutrition throughout her pregnancy and while the puppies are being nursed. Contact a representative from a service like Petland of Crystal Lake for more advice.

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