How Do I Know When My Dog Is Ready to Give Birth?

There are general and specific signs that will indicate when your dog is ready to have her puppies. 

The gestation period for a dog averages 63 days, and can be anywhere from 58 to 68 days. There are several key behaviors to look for when the time is getting near.   

• Nesting - When a dog is close to giving birth, or whelping, she will begin looking around for a suitable birthing place. You may find her looking into places she rarely would go. This can start up to a week before she is due. If you have a box with blankets or newspapers, she will rearrange the bedding to make sure it is suitable. Food and water needs to be close, so she does not have to walk too far.  
• Eating - As the time nears, your dog’s appetite will decline or she may not eat at all. You still need to have food and water available, though. She will especially need water after birthing.
• Temperature Drop - A dog’s normal temperature is between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Before labor begins, it will drop to around 97 degrees and will remain low for a day or so. If you want to pinpoint the time of delivery, you could keep a chart of her daily temperature. After this temperature drop, labor will begin within 24 hours. Since the time is fast approaching now, you may want to groom your dog for delivering her pups.  If she is very hairy, it would be a good idea to shave her around the birthing canal, and also around her teats, to make it easier for the puppies to nurse.
• Other signs include the dog’s teats getting larger and a small amount of vaginal discharge, which will increase as the time of delivery nears.  

Reproduction of Dogs

A female dog has an estrous cycle, or heat, during which she can get pregnant.  This starts when the dog is around six months old, and can occur as late as 14 months. 

The average cycle is about three weeks, so it can range from two to four weeks.  A bitch can have her cycle every six to eight months. During her cycle, some bleeding may occur, her vulva will swell, and she will urinate more often. 

One sure-fire way to tell if your dog is in heat is the presence of male dogs as they can detect a female dog in heat from a large distance. She will need to stay inside if you do not want her to get pregnant. Even if she is a well trained dog, the hormones will take over and she will let a male mount her. Do not leave her in the yard for any amount of time, as the male dogs will find a way to get in.

Pay close attention to your puppy for the signs of her first cycle. If it has not occurred by the time she is 14 months old, you need to see the vet. Also, the symptoms of the estrous cycle are less apparent in small dogs, so if you have a little dog, she will need to be carefully watched to know when she is in heat.

The most fertile days of the dog’s cycle are between the 11th and 15th day of her cycle. Breeders will measure progesterone levels to pinpoint the exact time. It is not good for a dog to get pregnant during her first few cycles. Responsible breeders know this, but laymen may not. As with humans, the dog needs to mature a bit before reproducing. You don’t want to have to ask the question, “How do I know when my dog is ready to give birth?” if she is still a puppy herself.

A bitch can be spayed as young as six weeks. If you don’t want to deal with her cycles and don’t want to breed her, the best thing to do is to have her spayed. A female dog can continue to conceive throughout her life, so spaying is a good idea when you feel it is time for her to stop having puppies. 

Signs of Labor

After your dog’s temperature drops, you definitely know the answer to “How do I know when my dog is ready to give birth?” as it is less than 24 hours away. You will notice some shivering as your dog’s temperature rises back to normal. You will begin to notice her contractions and she may seek your company and have a worried look on her face.

It can be scary for her if it is her first time, and she will need a little support.  Labor can last for several hours before the pushing begins. Your dog may pant heavily as hard labor begins and she may appear angry. She may vomit a time or two, but if she does more than that, there is cause for concern. Some dogs lie down to give birth while others squat. The vaginal discharge will become a dark, greenish black color. That means the placenta has detached and they are on their way.