How to Know When Your Dog Is Going Into Labor

If your bitch has been in 'season', which means she had an oestrus, and if she mated with a dog (or more than one) then there's a good chance that there are puppies in your future! It's exciting, but if you don't know much about when your dog is going to go into labour, it can also be daunting!

How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?

The first trick to predicting when your dog will go into labor is understanding how long dogs are pregnant. From the time that they mate, until the puppies are born, you are looking at around 63 days.

Of course, if you don't know exactly when your dog mated, because it was accidental, then you might not be able to pinpoint exactly when her puppies are due, but it's enough to know that dogs are pregnant for about two months, and to start looking for the signs of labor towards the end of that time.

Early Signs

The good news is that you don't have to guess when your dog is going to go into labor. Most dogs will give you plenty of signs that she'll be having her puppies soon, including:

• About a week before labor, your dog will start 'nesting.' She will look for a quiet corner of the home, and start moving objects blankets and toys into her nest.
• You may notice that your dog becomes more clingy, or that she seeks more 'alone time' in the days before whelping.
• Some dogs will have swollen nipples, although that's not always an accurate sign, and isn't always present.
• Your dog's vulva will swell a little during the days leading up to whelping.
• Your dog's temperature will fall about one degree Celsius in the day before whelping, although you'll only notice this if you take her temperature rectally!
• You will notice mucous in your dog's genital area - this is usually evident about a day before the first contractions start.

Once you've noticed all the signs, or many of them, it's safe to assume that whelping is imminent. Watch out for signs of contractions, and if you haven't already done so, move your bitch to a whelping box, or a quiet area of your home, away from other pets and children.

Remember that not all whelpings go smoothly, and if you have any suspicion that your dog is in distress, it's always best to contact your vet. Sometimes, caesareans or other medical interventions are necessary to ensure your dog, and her puppies' good health!