You never plan for this. Maybe the garden gate was left open for them to wander in, or perhaps the dog from the neighborhood visited you. Or maybe it was planned — your decision to breed your family dog before being desexed. Either way, your dog is pregnant, and your children are excited about the birth of the puppy. As the father, you’re wondering what exactly happens next.
Dog pregnancy is a natural process. However, with the proper knowledge and preparation, you can take care of your pregnant dog with confidence. This article covers everything you need to know for the next nine weeks of your dog’s pregnancy.
First Things First: Confirm the Pregnancy
Confirm that your dog is pregnant before you jump into the pregnancy care process. A veterinarian can use ultrasound to confirm pregnancy as early as three to four weeks after mating or run a blood test for pregnancy hormones. A swollen belly is a late sign of pregnancy and may indicate other conditions as well.
If you know the mating date of your dog, write it down. This will be one of the most useful pieces of information you have regarding your pregnancy.
How Long Does Dog Pregnancy Last?
Breeding intervals last between 57 and 65 days, with most dogs giving birth around day 63 — roughly nine weeks of pregnancy. Regardless of a dog’s breed, the length of pregnancy is the same. From the smallest breed of dog to the largest, the pregnancy length is maintained. For a full breakdown of the pregnancy period for dogs by week, Responsible Pet Breeders Australia has a useful overview of dog pregnancy time that can help you track where your dog is in her journey.
The Three Stages: What to Expect
First trimester (weeks 1–3): The first three weeks are deceptively quiet. Your dog will look and act (mostly) like her normal self. Some dogs will experience a brief period of loss of appetite or nausea – the canine equivalent of morning sickness – but many dogs sail through this phase without any difficulty at all. Continue to keep your dog to her normal routine during this time.
Second trimester (weeks 4–6): This is when things start to become visible. Her belly will begin to round out, and her nipples may become more prominent as her body prepares for nursing. She’s not fragile, but now is a good time to dial back roughhousing and high-impact activities. The kids will probably notice the changes before you do — use it as a teachable moment about how life develops.
Third trimester (weeks 7–9): The home stretch. Her belly will be notably large and she’ll begin to display nesting behaviour. This is when you’ll want to set up your whelping area – before she turns the kids’ wardrobe into a maternity ward!
Setting Up a Whelping Area
A whelping box is simply a contained, comfortable space where your dog can give birth and nurse her pups. You can buy purpose-built boxes or make your own from a large plastic storage container or a wooden frame with low sides — enough to keep pups in but low enough for mum to step over easily.
Place it somewhere warm, quiet, and away from high foot traffic. Introduce her to it in the final two weeks so she gets comfortable before labour begins. If you leave it too late, she’ll choose her own spot — and it probably won’t be one you’d have picked.
Feeding Your Pregnant Dog
During the first two thirds of pregnancy, your dog’s nutritional needs are the same as when she was in her normal life cycle. Feed her her regular food during this time. However, in the last third of pregnancy, her caloric needs will increase. Change her diet to a high-quality puppy food and feed her smaller meals due to the compressed space in her stomach caused by the growing puppies.
Always provide fresh water for your pregnant dog.
Vet Visits: Don’t Skip Them
Plan at least two vet visits during the pregnancy. One of them should be early in the pregnancy to confirm the pregnancy and discuss pregnancy care with your veterinarian. The second visit should be in the third trimester of pregnancy. If your dog has a small breed or brachycephalic breed, she may require a caesarean section to deliver the puppies. Knowing this in advance ensures that you will not find yourself in an emergency situation in the middle of the night with a dog in labour.
Your veterinarian can use ultrasound or X-rays to determine the litter size of your dog (X-rays are the more accurate of the two options and should be performed later in pregnancy). This will allow you to know when labour is complete for your dog.
Involving Your Kids: The Right Way
A pregnant dog offers you an opportunity to teach your children about responsibility and biology. However, there are a few ground rules you should establish. Children can often create stress for pregnant dogs, especially in the last few weeks of pregnancy when the dog is uncomfortable.
Teach them to approach the dog gently and not to disturb her when she is resting. Discuss with your children the process of how puppies develop and how labour works for dogs. Tell them that not all puppies make it to birth. If your children are old enough to be excited about puppies, they are old enough to understand that things do not always go as planned in the animal kingdom.
When Labour Begins
Once the litter arrives, your dog will be tired but capable of caring for her pups. She will clean and stimulate their bellies to encourage them to nurse. Your job is to make sure the den is warm, quiet, and clean, and that all of the pups are nursing.
Keep the children at a distance for the first few days after the pups are born. A mother dog can be protective of her pups, and they need time to form a bond with their mother.
The Aftermath: Newborn Pups and a Tired Mum
Once the litter arrives, your dog will be exhausted but instinctively capable. She’ll clean the pups, stimulate their breathing, and guide them to nurse. Your role is to ensure the environment stays warm, quiet, and clean, and that all pups are feeding.
Keep children at a respectful distance for the first few days. A new mother can become protective, and the pups need uninterrupted time to bond with her and establish feeding routines.
Final Thoughts
Having a pregnant dog in the family comes with a great deal of responsibility. However, it also provides your children with an experience that they can’t have from the screen. With the proper preparation and the right relationship with your vet, you’ll make it through this with a smile.
The next nine weeks will go faster than you think. Make the most of them.
