{"id":2712,"date":"2022-10-13T13:29:33","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T13:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prettypetskennel.com\/?p=2712"},"modified":"2022-10-15T07:11:04","modified_gmt":"2022-10-15T07:11:04","slug":"how-to-care-for-pregnant-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prettypetskennel.com\/how-to-care-for-pregnant-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for Your Pregnant Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dog Pregnancy: Signs, Care, and Preparing for Puppies<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

If you ever want to start breeding your dog, there is a lot of information that all pet owners must know before doing so. It\u2019s one of the most wonderful things your pet can go through as it is incredibly rewarding in the end. But, of course, before the puppies come to the world, pet owners must be aware of how to know, care, and prep for expecting mother dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each dog breed has its own standard and health test recommendation that dog owners must be aware of. Before you start this pregnancy journey with your dog, you must also commit to the responsibility of caring for your pregnant dog – before, during, and after – to be able to care and raise healthy puppies. Read on further on the guide for pregnant dogs<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Dogs usually carry puppies for 62-64 days or approximately 2 months. There is no exact date of delivery date for the puppies since it varies and does not match the date of the conception. According to Merck Vet Manua<\/a>l, the length of a dog\u2019s pregnancy varies depending on the breed and size of the dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To add to that, American Kennel Club\u2019s chief veterinarian officer, Dr. Jerry Klein explains that during the first month of pregnancy, the fertilized eggs travel to the uterine horn where they attach themselves to the lining that lasts about 15-18 days. The growth of the fetus puppies is quick during early pregnancy and doubles in size every 7 days. After the first month, heartbeats can already be heard, and by the second month, embryos will start to form into puppies until they are ready to be born before the start of the third month or during the first week of the third month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Tell if Your Dog Is Pregnant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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One of the easy ways to tell if your dog is pregnant is through their changes in behaviour. They usually tend to feel more tired, decreased appetite, and even vomit. Along with those, you can see physical changes such as sudden weight gain and have more prominent mammary glands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also important to note that changes in hormones is similar to what happens after a heat – where it will be higher than normal. This results in a fake pregnancy which can manifest itself as pregnancy symptoms such as lactation and\/or behaviour changes. If these symptoms go away, there is no need for medical intervention and is usually harmless, but some side effects may occur. When that happens, it\u2019s best to bring them to the vet for checkup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To officially confirm if your pet is pregnant or not, you may bring your dog to the veterinarian for a proper pregnancy test. What usually happens is they will do an ultrasound if the pregnancy is already at 25-28 days. If the pregnancy is at day 45, an x-ray test will be performed on the abdominal area. The veterinarian will also conduct endocrine tests to check on the hormone changes of pregnant dogs. Blood tests for pregnancy confirmation are not as accurate compared to human testing, so it\u2019s best to confirm and see your veterinarian for the best and most accurate results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Dog Pregnancy <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To know if your dog is pregnant or not, you can look at the signs to confirm and help you prepare on what they may need. Here are the common signs to look out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n