With Mother’s Day this month, we thought now would be a good time to share a few things about pregnancy in dogs. Here are some key facts!

Pregnancy (or the gestation period) in bitches normally ranges from 58 to 65 days with an average of 65 days

During pregnancy your bitch should be on a balanced diet. Ask Dr Kathryn or Dr Peter for the best recommendation. It can be dangerous to supplement her diet with extra calcium or vitamins

A bitch should be dewormed with an all wormer at week 4 and 6 of pregnancy. This is important to ensure she does not infect her newborn pups. You should vaccinate your bitch prior to mating to ensure maximum immunity is passed on to her puppies.

When a dog gives birth to puppies it is known as “whelping”, and the bitch usually rests between the delivery of individual pups. The rest time can range from fifteen minutes to an hour, but you should seek veterinary attention if:

Half an hour has passed since the onset of abdominal contractions and a puppy has not been born or; Half an hour has passed after the birth of a pup, your bitch is still having strong contractions and there is no sign of another pup.

Pet Doctors will be happy to assist you with any queries you have regarding your dog’s pregnancy and whelping.