How to Take Care of a Pregnant Dog at Home

Finding out your dog is going to have puppies brings a whirlwind of emotions. It is exciting, heartwarming, and honestly, a little bit scary. You probably have a million questions racing through your mind right now. Is she eating the right food? Should she be running around outside? What exactly do I need to buy?

It is completely normal to feel a mix of joy and anxiety. After all, you are about to become a “grandparent” to a litter of tiny furballs! Whether this was a carefully planned breeding or a complete surprise, the responsibility is now on your shoulders to make sure everything goes smoothly.

But don’t panic. Dogs have been doing this for thousands of years, and their instincts are incredibly strong. Caring for a pregnant dog isn’t about playing veterinarian; it’s about being her support system. Think of yourself as her personal assistant. She handles the biology; you handle the logistics.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of dog pregnancy care at home, keeping things simple, stress-free, and safe for both you and your furry friend.

Understanding Dog Pregnancy Basics

Before we jump into the daily care routine, it helps to know what is actually happening inside your dog’s body. A dog’s pregnancy is much shorter than a human’s, usually lasting about 63 days (roughly nine weeks). Because it goes by so fast, the changes happen quickly.

Unlike humans who have nine months to prepare, you only have about two months to get everything ready. This compressed timeline means you need to be attentive. One week she might be her energetic self chasing squirrels, and the next she might be visibly rounder and moving slower.

The Three Trimesters Breakdown

Dog pregnancy is typically divided into three distinct stages:

• Weeks 1-3 (The Invisible Phase): Fertilization happens here. You likely won’t see many physical changes yet. Inside, the embryos are traveling to the uterine horns and implanting. This is a critical time for cell division, even if she looks exactly the same on the outside.
• Weeks 4-6 (The Growth Phase): The fetuses grow rapidly. You might notice weight gain and her nipples darkening and enlarging. This darkening is sometimes called “pinking up,” and it’s one of the clearer visual signs of pregnancy. Her waistline will start to vanish as the puppies take up more space.
• Weeks 7-9 (The Final Stretch): The puppies are almost fully formed, and your dog will start “nesting.” At this point, you might even be able to feel or see the puppies moving inside her belly when she is lying down quietly. It is a magical, albeit slightly alien, sight!

Nutrition: Feeding for Two (or More)

One of the biggest questions owners have is about food. It’s tempting to start piling extra food into her bowl the moment you confirm the pregnancy, but you need to resist that urge.

Overfeeding too early is a common mistake. Obesity can lead to complications during labor, known as dystocia. A dog carrying too much body fat might have weaker contractions or a narrower birth canal due to fat deposits.

The First Month: Maintenance

For the first four weeks, her nutritional needs don’t actually change much. If you overfeed her now, she adds fat, not healthy puppy weight. Stick to her high-quality adult dog food in her normal portions.

Focus on quality rather than quantity right now. Ensure her current food is rich in good proteins (like chicken, beef, or fish) and doesn’t rely heavily on fillers like corn or wheat. A healthy baseline diet is the best foundation for the weeks to come.

The Second Half: Ramping Up

Around week five or six, the puppies start growing exponentially. They are developing skeletons and organs, which drains a massive amount of resources from the mother. This is when she needs the extra boost.

• Switch to Puppy Food: Slowly transition her to a high-quality puppy food. Puppy food is higher in calories, protein, and calcium—exactly what she needs to support the litter and eventually produce milk. Look for a formula with DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid crucial for puppy brain development.
• Increase Portions: By the time she is ready to give birth, she might be eating 25% to 50% more than her usual amount. Don’t double her food overnight. Gradually increase the amount week by week so her digestive system can adjust.
• Small, Frequent Meals: As her belly gets full of puppies, there’s less room for her stomach to expand. Big meals might make her uncomfortable. Try feeding her small amounts three or four times a day instead of one or two big feasts.

Important Note: Always provide fresh water. Hydration is crucial for making milk and keeping her blood volume up. Dehydration can lead to premature labor, so keep multiple water bowls around the house.

Exercise: Keep Her Moving, but Gently

Just because she is pregnant doesn’t mean she should become a couch potato. Keeping her muscles strong will actually help her during labor. However, you need to adjust the intensity.

Labor is an athletic event. It requires stamina and muscle tone. A dog that has been sedentary for two months will struggle more with the physical exertion of birthing puppies than a dog that has remained moderately active.

Safe Activities

• Leisurely Walks: Short, gentle walks are perfect. Let her set the pace. If she wants to stop and sniff every bush, let her. If she sits down and refuses to move, it’s time to head home.
• Mental Games: Puzzle toys or gentle training sessions keep her brain active without straining her body. Teaching her simple tricks or using treat-dispensing toys can burn off energy safely.

What to Avoid

• Rough Play: No wrestling or roughhousing with other dogs. Even friendly bumps from other pets can be dangerous to the developing puppies.
• High Impact: Avoid jumping off furniture, frisbee catching, or long, strenuous hikes. The extra weight she is carrying changes her center of gravity, making her clumsy and prone to joint injuries.
• Overheating: Pregnant dogs overheat faster. Walk during the cool parts of the day. Her body temperature is already slightly elevated, so hot pavement or midday sun is a no-go.

Health Checks and Vet Visits

Even if you are managing everything at home, your vet is your partner in this journey. You should schedule a check-up early in the pregnancy to confirm it and check her overall health.

Ultrasounds can generally be done around day 25-30 to confirm pregnancy and see heartbeats. Later on, around day 45-55, an X-ray can give you an accurate count of how many puppies to expect. Knowing the count is vital so you know when she is actually finished giving birth.

Key Conversations with Your Vet

• Parasite Control: Some worming medications are safe for pregnant dogs, and it’s important to minimize worms so they aren’t passed to the puppies. Roundworms and hookworms can be transmitted through the placenta or milk.
• Vaccinations: Generally, you shouldn’t vaccinate a pregnant dog, but discussing her immunity levels is wise. Ideally, she should be up to date on shots before pregnancy to pass high levels of antibodies to her puppies.

For reliable information on animal health standards, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is an excellent resource to bookmark.

Creating a Comfortable Environment

As the due date approaches, your dog will start looking for a safe place to have her puppies. This behavior, called “nesting,” might involve digging at blankets or hiding in dark closets. Help her out by setting up a whelping box.

Setting Up the Whelping Box

A whelping box is just a designated safe spot for birth and the first few weeks of puppy life.

1. Location: Choose a quiet, low-traffic area of the house. It should be warm and draft-free. Avoid main hallways or rooms with loud TVs. A spare bedroom or a quiet corner of the laundry room often works well.
2. The Box: It needs to be big enough for her to stretch out but low enough that she can step over the sides (while keeping the puppies inside). You can buy pre-made whelping boxes, use a rigid plastic kiddie pool, or even build one out of cardboard or plywood.
3. Bedding: Use towels or blankets that you don’t mind getting messy. Avoid loose fabrics that puppies could get tangled in. “Pig rails” are a great addition—these are ledges along the inside walls that prevent the mother from accidentally crushing a puppy against the side of the box.

Introduce her to this box a week or two before her due date so she feels comfortable sleeping there. Put her favorite treats inside so she associates it with safety.

Preparing for Labor (Whelping)

Knowing the signs of labor will help you stay calm when the big day arrives. It is helpful to have a “whelping kit” ready with clean towels, blunt scissors, and your vet’s emergency number.

Signs Labor is Starting

• Temperature Drop: Her rectal temperature will drop below 100°F (37.8°C) usually within 24 hours of labor starting. Start taking her temperature twice a day around day 58 so you can catch this drop.
• Restlessness: She may pace, pant, shiver, or refuse to eat. She might look at her rear end frequently.
• Nesting: Intense digging in her whelping box. She is trying to make the perfect bed for her babies.

Most dogs handle birth instinctively. Your main job is to watch from a distance and step in only if something goes wrong. Keep the room quiet and dim.

Red Flags: If she is actively straining for more than an hour without producing a puppy, or if more than two hours pass between puppies, call your vet immediately.

Post-Birth Care

Once the puppies are here, the work isn’t over! The first few days are critical. The mother will rarely leave the box, often only stepping out for quick bathroom breaks.

• Keep Her Fed: She needs tons of calories to produce milk. Keep her on the high-calorie puppy food and let her eat as much as she wants. Producing milk takes more energy than pregnancy did. You might need to bring food and water right to the edge of the box so she doesn’t have to leave the puppies.
• Hygiene: Keep the whelping box clean. Change the bedding daily to prevent infection. Discharge is normal for a few weeks, but it should not smell foul.
• Watch Her Mood: She should be attentive to the puppies. If she seems lethargic, feverish, or ignores them, call the vet immediately. This could be a sign of infection (metritis) or calcium deficiency (eclampsia).

Conclusion

Caring for a pregnant dog is a special experience. It requires patience, a bit of preparation, and a lot of love. By paying attention to her diet, keeping her comfortable, and knowing what to expect, you’re giving those puppies the best possible start in life.

Seeing your dog transform into a mother is a beautiful process. The bond you share with her will likely deepen as you support her through this vulnerable time. Remember, every dog is different. Trust your instincts—you know your dog better than anyone.

Ready to give your dog the best care possible? Read our Blogs at Dog Wellness Hub for more tips on puppy care, nutrition, and happy dog parenting!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long is a dog pregnant?

A dog’s pregnancy typically lasts about 63 days, though anywhere from 58 to 68 days can be normal, usually calculated from ovulation.

Can I give my pregnant dog calcium supplements?

Generally, no. Giving calcium during pregnancy can disrupt her body’s natural regulation and lead to eclampsia; only give supplements if prescribed by a vet.

Is it normal for a pregnant dog to stop eating?

Brief “morning sickness” around week 3 is common, as is refusing food right before labor. If she stops eating for more than 24 hours otherwise, consult a vet.

Can I bathe my pregnant dog?

Yes, but be gentle and keep the water warm. Avoid bathing her too close to her due date to reduce stress.

How do I know if there is a puppy stuck?

If she strains hard for 30-60 minutes without a puppy appearing, or a puppy presents but doesn’t move forward, call your vet immediately.