Does a dog act different?

Question

I have a dog and there is a good chance that she might be pregnant. I've never had a dog that has had puppies before so I was just curious if she will act any different if she is pregnant?

Oh and also, how long does it take for the signs of pregnancy to show up?

Answer 1

The gestation period for dogs is 63 days, so you should track back about two months from the date of conception to get a good idea of her due date. You may find that, just like pregnant women, she will become more tired and less active. As she approaches her due date, her mammary glands and vulva will become enlarged.

There are some things you can do to get her physically ready. Start her on a doggie-vitamin from your veterinary clinic. Switch her over to puppy food as she gets closer to help give her more calories and vitamins as she prepares for and begins nursing her puppies. When she is about two weeks from her due date, take her into your vet's office to take an x-ray of her abdomen; it won't hurt the puppies or Mom, and will give you an idea of how many puppies to expect. This way, when she goes into labor, you'll know how many puppies need to come out and when she's finished.

Some good things to have on hand with pregnant dogs are warm water bottles, a rectal thermometer with lubricant, and a whelping box. The best thing to use for a whelping box, in my experience, is a plastic kiddie pool (remember those blue ones with sides that are about 10" high?). The whelping box should have a "favorite armchair" concept - blankets and towels that Mom can birth on. Usually she'll become more active 24 hours before she'll go into labor and begin digging and ripping the towels in preparation. Some dogs do not use the whelping box you've set up, and instead decide on another place. Don't move her; instead give her privacy and comfort. Her body temperature will drop to around 98* when she's within 24 hours of labor. To check her temperature, use a glass or digital read thermometer. After lubricating it, insert the metal tip into her rectum. Digital readers will usually give you results in 10 or so seconds, but glass ones should be kept in place for at least one full minute.

After your dog goes into labor, she should produce puppies pretty regularly. If she goes more than two hours and still has not birthed, she needs immediate medical attention (this is where knowing the total number of puppies is most important). Green discharge not associated with a puppy being birthed is also a sign of a problem.

I would recommend getting your girl spayed after this breeding. Multiple pregnancies can be detrimental to a dog, and the complications can be a big risk, especially in smaller breed dogs. The heats can also be messy and a pain in the butt for you as an owner.

Good luck with your girl. Remember that your veterinarian's office is your best resource when you need some prompt help. Some people on here don't really give very good advice.

Answer 2

She might seem hungrier. Be sure to put her on puppy food, good quality. If you can stick within the line of food she eats now that would be good. Puppy food is good for pregnant and lactating mothers. After awhile she might start nesting, sort of trying to find a place to prepare for the pups. It's good to have an area prepared for her. She might take stuffed animals in there and baby them. I had a poodle that had a few litters before being spayed. She would be clingy around me when otherwise she had been pretty independent. Her last litter she had difficulties but I had a person over that was a Vet Tech to help with the delivery. She came and got me when she was ready but she was so laden with puppies that she couldn't reach to help the pups out. We had to help her. She had six! Usually she had four.
I had some warm towels on hand in case any of the puppies seemed to not be able to get their breath, then I could have massaged them but they were all fine. I'd suggest looking on line at as many sources as you can about dogs giving birth. Here's one:
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/whelping.html

Answer 3

Some dogs act different when their pregnant. Is she not really playing with you.

Answer 4

if shes very far along shell start trying to make a nest( like looking for a secluded place) of some kind and also her nipples will start to swell and also if shes pregnant congrats i love puppies!! oh and shell start going off by herself more often

Answer 5

You should take your dog to the vet and have her spayed immediately to avoid an unwanted litter!