It’s always an exciting time when it comes to preparing for your dog to have puppies, and can seem like it takes forever for their pregnancy to end and you may find yourself wondering how long are dogs pregnant? Knowing just how long you can expect your dog to be pregnant can help you plan out when to get her nesting area ready for use or if you should have a check-up done.
Signs Your Dog is Pregnant
In the beginning, you may not notice your dog is pregnant. Dogs rarely show physical signs of pregnancy during the first few weeks. However, as the end of their first trimester approaches, it’s more evident they’re pregnant. Early on, you may notice your dog gain a bit of weight, but it’s nothing to be alarmed about. You might notice they’re more tired or they’re throwing up occasionally, but those are all the early warning signs you’ll get until the second trimester. However, if this is a planned pregnancy for your dog, you might notice those tell-tale signs a little easier and be able to track how far along they are.
If you suspect your dog is pregnant, consider taking her to the vet for confirmation and a check-up to make sure she’s healthy and doesn’t have worms, as they can be passed onto the puppies.
Stages of Pregnancy
Like people, dogs have three trimesters in their pregnancy. These trimesters are 21 days long, or 3 weeks each, leading to a pregnancy for your dog that is roughly 9 weeks long, as there is an acceptable time frame for your dog to have her puppies within 58 to 70 days, usually giving birth somewhere around 63-65 days.
First Trimester
The first trimester is the first 1-3 weeks of pregnancy and during this time, dogs rarely show outward signs they’re pregnant. Usually, they’ll be more lethargic during the first few weeks. You may notice a little bit of weight gain, but nothing outrageous to be concerned about. Some dogs may vomit occasionally as dogs can also experience morning sickness.
During the first trimester, the embryos have attached to your dog’s uterus and are working on slowly growing.
During this time, you can take your dog to the vet for a prenatal check-up and ultrasound imaging to confirm the pregnancy.
Second Trimester
The second trimester is weeks 4-6 of pregnancy and this is where you’ll start to see changes in your pregnant dog. You may notice an increased appetite and further weight gain. You should be sure to provide her with nutritional food when she wants it. You may also notice the development of your dog’s breasts near the end of the second trimester as the time for her to nurse gets closer.
In this trimester, the fetal tissue starts to form into actual organs and the beginning of bone structure for limbs.
Depending on your vet, they may see you for an appointment at the beginning of this trimester to make sure the puppies are developing correctly.
Third Trimester
This is the last trimester and consists of weeks 7-9. You will notice further weight gain as the puppies get larger. Be sure to provide your dog with lots of nutritional food, as she especially needs it during this time. As the end of her third trimester approaches, you may notice your dog lactating. You may also notice her start nesting, which is when your dog finds a place suitable for her to have puppies and prepares the area, usually with blankets, bedding, or other things she can lay on. It’s highly recommended to prepare a comfortable nesting area for her. If you notice your dog start nesting, it’s a good sign that puppies are only a few days away.
During this time, the puppies finish developing and are birthed.
Your vet may ask for a check-up or two during this trimester to give your dog an x-ray to make sure the puppies will be born okay and to make sure a cesarian isn’t necessary.
“How long are dogs pregnant” is something we all ask ourselves when awaiting puppies. They usually give birth after about 9 weeks, so if you’re tracking her pregnancy, that time period is a good time to prepare for puppies, as they should be coming soon.
