My first-time dog mom is due soon. What are the labor signs?

Unfortunately it is difficult to say when exactly her delivery date is. Even with an ultrasound or X-ray, you cannot say for sure. If her belly looks big and rounded then I would say she is closer - probably expecting around the 1-2 weeks. Again, I cannot guarantee that because it all depends on how big the dad was as well. Just continue to give her lots of love and if you are okay with having the pups inside your house or in a safe area of your garage I would put some soft blankets or even a large plastic bin or kiddy pool with a lot of bedding in it now so she can get use to it. It isn’t guaranteed that she will choose to use that area but hopefully she will! Also, I would start transitioning (mix old food with new food for 7-10 days) her to puppy food as she will need the extra calories and nitrition while nursing her pups. I hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Your Vet is correct! The average length of a canine pregnancy is 60-63 days. We consider dogs overdue if 72 days. If she is acting fine and you are monitoring her temp just continue to watch her. Here are some tips: Stages of Labor: -Stage 1 tends to start 10-24 hours after temperature drop (usually below 99 F). -Stage 1: nesting. Can persist for 3-24 hours before abdominal contractions begin -Stage 2: Visible abdominal contractions. FIRST PUPPY SHOULD ARRIVE WITH IN 1-2 HOURS. -Stage 3: passage of placenta. Usually occurs within 15 mins of passing puppy. If it does not happen, don’t worry. When to worry/Call: -Strong contractions > 45-60 mins without birth of a puppy -Weak and infrequent contractions >4-6 hours without birth of puppy ->4-5 hours between puppies (after birth of first puppy without birth of the next puppy). On average a puppy is born every 45-60 mins. HOWEVER, the mother can often rest for several hours between puppies. This rest period is NOT associated with contractions and usually doesn’t exceed 4-6 hours. -If one puppy is born and she is having VISIBLE contractions for >2 hours without 2nd puppy. Recommend calling around 1 hour mark to talk to someone. -Failure to enter active labor (contractions) 24-36 hours after rectal temp falls below 99 F -Mother is in obvious pain: biting at vulva, crying) -No puppy within 2 hours of seeing green vaginal discharge -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing clear fluid from vulva (rupture of allantochorion) -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing a clear/water filled balloon at vulvar lips (puppy is in birth canal) Good luck!!

56 days is a bit early, but it is possible she could be in labor, or closer to her due date than thought. Signs of labor can include visible contractions, changes in body temperature, lack of appetite, and waxing of the nipples (producing a milk substance). I would keep an eye on her, and if she doesn't have any puppies within a few hours of signs of labor, or she seems in great distress/is extremely exhausted take her into your vet ASAP for care to make sure there isn't a stuck puppy or other illness or complication causing her early symptoms.

Hello. Dogs are pregnant an average of 63 days, so your girl is probably due any time now. If she is acting relatively normal, just give her a little more time. Keep a mental note on how much movement you are feeling in her abdomen & if it begins to diminish, or she acts lethargic, ill, vomits or develops a dark discharge from her vulva without going into labor, see your vet immediately. She may need a C-section. Otherwise, your dates may be off a bit & labor will proceed when her time is due. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi there. Mali will more than likely exhibit nesting behavior (creating a bed or looking for a good place to birth her pups) when she is ready. Her temperature will also drop-but not drastically. She may pace and seem anxious as it grows closer to time. Good luck and congratulations!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Girttie's belly is huge and she is producing milk she is very likely pregnant. If he belly wasn't big and she was producing milk she could be experiencing a false pregnancy. I would count back to when she was in heat. Dogs are pregnant for about 63 days. They do have a temperature drop most of the time BUT not always. It usually drops below 99 a few hours to 1 day before the start of labor. Dogs can start to product milk up to a week to a few days before labor. It is hard to feel the puppies move. If you want to confirm the number of puppies make a Vet appointment to have an X-ray taken to count the skeletons. Since she is so small it is good to talk to your Vet in case you run in to complications where you may require their help with delivery or a C-section. My guess is that she is due very soon, less than 7 days. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dogs are pregnant for on average 63 days from the breeding date. So if she is currently 7 weeks or 49 days, you have anywhere from 10-14 days. In 9 days starting taking her temperature rectally the same time each day. They usually go in to stage 1 labor with in 24 hours of a temperature drop below 99F. But some don’t follow the rules. Stage 1 labor consists of nesting, pacing and panting. Good luck!