How long does it take for dog to get pregnant

Índice Show

When Do Dogs Reach Sexual Maturity?
How Often Do Dogs Go into Heat?
When Should a Dog Get Pregnant?
Getting Pet Care in Tyler, TX
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine

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Dog Pregnancy

Dogs are able to get pregnant when they come into season, which happens about once every eight months. This fertile period is also known as ‘being in heat’, and lasts for up to three weeks.

You may notice your bitch looking for somewhere quiet to give birth towards the end of her pregnancy. You can help her by creating a ‘nest’ in a secluded, warm area. Read tips for a healthy pregnancy for more advice on caring for your pregnant bitch.

If you are interested in breeding your dog and canine reproduction, it’s important to know the best age for your dog to get pregnant. For canine reproduction for your specific breed of dog, have a discussion with our veterinarians at Shelley Drive Animal Clinic in Tyler TX.

When Do Dogs Reach Sexual Maturity?

Your dog won’t go into heat until she reaches sexual maturity, which begins at six months. This can also depend on the dog and breed. Some smaller breeds can go into sexual maturity at four months, while larger breeds may need to wait until they are two years old. The best age for a dog to get pregnant will depend on when she reaches sexual maturity. This is different than physical maturity. However, sexual maturity does not necessarily mean that your dog is ready to get pregnant.

How Often Do Dogs Go into Heat?

This will usually happen twice a year, but it also varies depending on the dog. For some dogs, having three cycles in a year can be normal. The cycles can vary and each cycle can happen at a different time. It can take some time before a dog’s cycle becomes regular.

When Should a Dog Get Pregnant?

It’s best not to breed your dog until she is on her second or third cycle. This can be very different depending on the dog. Even though most dogs can get pregnant between six and twelve months, this doesn’t mean that it’s best for the dog. The dog must be matured before getting pregnant and breeding, as it can lead to some behavioral or physical problems. Your dog should have a chance to grow up. It also helps to know what kind of inherited or genetic disorders your dog has and you won’t know this until after some time has passed with regular visits to the veterinarian.

Getting Pet Care in Tyler, TX

Before your dog gets pregnant, it’s best to speak with a veterinarian in Tyler, TX. Our veterinarians will explain more about your dog’s cycles and the best age for your specific breed of dog. Having an established relationship with your vet can allow your dog to get the best pet care while pregnant. To learn more, contact Shelley Drive Animal Clinic today at (903) 561-7373.

Are puppies in your near future? Here’s a week-by-week timeline of your dog’s pregnancy and what you can expect to see and experience.

Anyone who's ever been pregnant will be a bit envious after reading this tidbit: A dog’s pregnancy is remarkably short—just two months—and the development of puppies happens at a rapid pace. “Gestation is 62 to 65 days,” Lonna J. Nielsen, DVM, of Winterset Veterinary Center in Winterset, Iowa, says. Certainly, you will notice changes in your momma dog, but most of the action is happening to the puppies inside her. Here’s a week-by-week timeline of the gestation period.

Note: Be sure to chat with your veterinarian about warning signs you should be on the lookout for during pregnancy and during the delivery (called whelping). You will want to know what things are normal and what is a cause for concern.

- vlad_karavaev / Getty

vlad_karavaev / Getty

Week One

Breeding occurs when the female dog is receptive to the male, usually, 10–20 days into her heat cycle, and her eggs are fertilized. Note that because canine ovulation results in a number of eggs, it is possible for dogs to conceive with more than one father in the same litter of puppies.

Week Two

Once fertilization occurs, the embryos travel into the horns of the dog’s Y-shaped uterus and embed into the uterine lining.

Week Three

Embryo development is occurring. You may start to notice changes in your dog’s appetite and energy levels.

Week Four

By days 25–28 of gestation, a veterinarian can feel the growing embryos with her hands (please leave this exam to a trusted professional so the pregnancy isn’t put into jeopardy) and can detect heartbeats with an ultrasound. In the coming days, increasing fluid in the uterus will prevent the palpation of the puppies until closer to delivery. Your dog’s appetite will increase as her litter’s development continues at a remarkable pace.

“Have plenty of food available to her during these high-demand times,” Nielsen says. She also recommends feeding your pregnant and nursing dog a high-quality puppy food to ensure her nutritional needs are met.

Week Five

Your pregnant dog is now in stage two of her pregnancy. In this stage, the term for her yet-to-be-born puppies changes from embryos to fetuses. As the fetuses continue to grow and develop organs they will increase dramatically in weight (as much as 75 percent!) and your dog’s belly will become noticeably larger. You may notice that she starts to eat smaller meals more often throughout the day.

Week Six

The coats and skeletons of the fetuses are developing as your dog’s belly becomes larger and more rigid and she might become uncomfortable depending on how many are in her litter and their sizes.

Week Seven

You will notice your dog’s breast tissue is swollen, her nipples are prominent and dark, and you may notice colostrum, a cloudy fluid known as “first milk” leaking from her nipples. She may start to shed the hair from her belly. You may also be able to see and feel the fetuses move beneath her skin.

Week Eight

The puppies are now fully developed and beginning to move into position in the birth canal. You may notice a lot of movement in your dog’s abdomen and she may be exhibiting anxiety or a determination to find a safe, quiet place to deliver her litter. Help her build her nest by offering her clean blankets, towels, and/or newspapers in a kiddie pool or crate or another enclosure that gives her privacy and comfort. Keep in mind the bedding in her nest will be ruined during the birth. You will want to have another set of bedding to line the nest after the birth.

Week Nine

It is time for whelping. You may start taking your dog’s temperature daily. “A rectal temperature is preferred,” Nielsen says. “Normal is 100.5–102 degrees Fahrenheit. Prior to delivery, her temperature will drop by a few degrees. That’s a sign that labor is very close—it will usually start within 24 hours.” Once labor begins, Nielsen says to keep an eye on your dog’s progress, but let nature take its course. “Don’t freak her out by having the whole family and all the neighbors over to watch,” she says. “Most often, it all goes off without a hitch.”