Key facts at a glance
- Some of the signs that can indicate that a dog is about to give birth include restlessness, panting and loss of appetite.
- In many dogs, the body temperature drops by about one degree before birth.
- The actual birth begins with the dilatation phase, during which labor begins.
- In the subsequent expulsion phase, the puppies are finally born one after the other.
- After birth, the bitch licks her puppies clean and cuts the umbilical cord.
- Stay close during labour, and call a veterinarian if there are any complications.
When is the due date?
Gestation in dogs lasts between 58 and 68 days, with an average of 63 days until delivery. As a rule, fewer puppies mean longer gestation periods.
If your dog is only carrying a young animal, this will not normally be born before the 63rd day of pregnancy. Since a single puppy usually gets a little bigger, problems often arise at birth in this case.
If you still don’t see any signs of an imminent birth in your dog after the 65th day, a check-up by the veterinarian is advisable. However, if the bitch has been mated several times during her heat, it is sometimes difficult to determine the exact day of fertilization and thus the possible date of birth.
Signs of the forthcoming birth of the young dogs
When your dog is about to give birth, this is usually reflected in a number of typical behaviors. This phase can begin a few days before the actual birth and can vary from animal to animal.
Some of the possible signs your dog may show before birth include:
- Frequent urination
- Inner unrest
- loss of appetite
- scratching in the birth camp
- Conspicuous attachment
- Increased licking of the vagina
- Clear vaginal discharge
- Panting and rapid breathing
In most dogs, the body temperature also drops by around one degree about 24 to 36 hours before birth. You can check rectally with a clinical thermometer whether this is the case with your bitch. As soon as the opening labor begins, the temperature rises again until it reaches its normal level at the actual birth.
The onset of labor and the beginning of the opening phase
The actual birth in dogs takes place in two phases. It begins with what is known as the opening phase, when the dog goes into labor and the furthest pup presses against the cervix. This will open it up further.
This stage of birth cannot be seen from the outside. It is only noticeable through increased scratching and increased restlessness. It is also possible for clear mucus to come out of the bitch’s vagina.
The expulsion phase and birth of the first puppy
The opening phase usually lasts between 6 and 24 hours. This is followed by the actual birth, which is referred to as the expulsion phase. During the expulsion phase, the outer amniotic sac first bursts, causing amniotic fluid to escape.
With contractions, the bitch pushes the puppies out through her vagina. It can take up to two hours for the first puppy to be born. After that, several puppies may be born 15 minutes apart.
However, it is also possible that the dog rests in between and three or four hours pass before the next puppy is born. Overall, the expulsion phase at birth should not last longer than 12 hours.
After birth
After birth, the young dog is licked and cleaned by its mother. This not only serves to remove the remains of the amniotic sac, but also stimulates the breathing and intestinal activity of the little four-legged friend.
In addition, the bitch cuts the puppy’s umbilical cord. The so-called afterbirth is excreted after each individual pup and is usually eaten by the mother animal. This is normal and provides your dog, weakened from birth, with valuable proteins and minerals.
Assisting birth in dogs
As a rule, your dog does not need any help during the birth. Apart from the construction of a throwing bed, which you should provide the four-legged friend with about one to two weeks before the birth date, no further support is normally required from you.
Nevertheless, you should be close by during the birth so that you can intervene in the event of complications and call a veterinarian. But as long as this is not the case and everything is going normally, the best way to support your dog during the birth is to remain calm and not make him unnecessarily nervous.