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Dog Pregnancy Week by Week
- Responsible Pet Breeders Australia
RPBA stands for the ethical breeding of all dogs, whether purebred or crossbreed. One of the most fulfilling moments as a registered breeder is guiding a litter of puppies into the world. But, it’s not always a simple task—especially when it catches you by surprise.
Confirming your dog’s pregnancy allows you to prepare for the puppies’ arrival and ensure she gets the care she deserves. Let’s uncover how to spot pregnancy and how to support her every step of the way.
Recognition and support for breeding responsibly at every life moment.
How can you tell if your dog is pregnant?
The first sign that your dog may be pregnant is a change in her appetite. Most dogs will start eating more food than usual during pregnancy, so it’s a good idea to monitor your dog’s food intake.
In addition, you may notice that she begins to gain weight or looks bloated due to the extra fluid retention common in pregnancy.
Another sign of pregnancy in dogs is behavioural changes such as increased restlessness, irritability or clinginess. She may also seem more affectionate than usual, seeking out more cuddles and attention from you than normal.
Behavioural changes are often accompanied by physical changes like swollen nipples and an enlarged abdomen.
If your dog appears to be getting larger around the midsection and has darkened nipples, this could indicate that she’s pregnant.
Of course, the most accurate way to determine whether your dog is pregnant is through testing.
Your veterinarian can conduct a simple blood test or ultrasound exam – a blood test can detect hormone levels that are elevated during pregnancy, while an ultrasound can show images of developing puppies inside the uterus after about three weeks of the dog gestation period.
Alternatively, they may perform abdominal palpation. By feeling the abdomen, a veterinarian can assess whether a dog is pregnant or not, as well as determine how far along she is in her pregnancy.
It’s important to note that abdominal palpation isn’t always 100 percent accurate and should never replace other diagnostic tests.
However, it remains one of the most reliable methods available and with proper training and experience can offer valuable insight into a dog’s condition prior to birth.
Dog pregnancy week by week
A dog’s pregnancy generally lasts 63 days, though there is some variance depending on the dog.
| Week | Notes |
|---|---|
| Week 1 |
This is the first week after your dog has mated and is officially pregnant.
During this period, there are no physical signs that your dog is pregnant;
however, her reproductive organs are beginning to prepare for the upcoming puppies.
Her uterus will start to thicken as it fills with fluid and goes through other changes to prepare for the puppies’ growth. |
| Week 2 |
By this point in your dog’s pregnancy, her body should have started producing progesterone.
This hormone helps support the growing puppies in utero. |
| Week 3 |
During this week, your dog’s embryos will embed in the uterine lining and will start to grow.
At this stage in the pregnancy, she may start showing more obvious signs of being pregnant, such as increased appetite and more frequent urination due to her growing uterus pushing against her bladder. |
| Week 4 |
By now, all of the puppies in your dog’s womb are starting to grow rapidly. Your vet may be able to detect them on an ultrasound at this point in their development.
Your dog may also begin to produce milk or colostrum (the nutrient-rich fluid produced before true milk). |
| Week 5 |
At this stage in your dog’s pregnancy, the foetuses are larger and more developed, with internal organs starting to form.
Your dog should still be relatively mobile and energetic at this point, though you may want to be more careful with how she plays. It’s likely that your dog will gain weight, and you may need to adjust her diet if her appetite increases. |
| Week 6 |
At this stage in your dog’s pregnancy, the foetuses are larger and more developed, with internal organs starting to form.
Now your dog’s puppies are almost fully developed. The puppies’ skeletons and claws will start to solidify and harden. It’s at this point that the puppies will be visible through an x-ray. Your dog’s nipples will become enlarged and pigmented at this point, since lactation has begun and she is preparing to feed her offspring when they arrive. |
| Week 7-9 |
This is usually considered “full-term” in canine pregnancies; however, it can range anywhere from 56 to 72 days depending on breed size and other individual factors.
Your dog’s puppies will be ready to come out any day now. You might notice that she has stopped eating much at all as labour nears and her discomfort grows. |
When in doubt, consult your veterinarian
While most pregnancies will go smoothly, there is always a chance for something to go wrong. Monitor your dog’s health closely throughout their pregnancy, and bring them to the vet if you are ever in doubt or have any concerns.
Your vet will have more specific recommendations as they will have a clearer understanding of your dog’s health and needs.
RPBA encourages all breeders to be responsible when breeding their dogs. To help our members get through the 9 weeks of dog pregnancy with a little stress and worry as possible, we provide our members with downloadable and printable templates to assist breeders throughout different stages of life.
Get access to these resources and more by clicking the button below.
Easy to follow dog pregnancy checklists & templates
Easy to follow puppy checklists & templates
Newborn puppies are at a critical stage of development. RPBA provides its members with downloadable and printable templates to assist breeders throughout different stages of puppy life:
- Puppy Birthing Whelping Record
- Puppy Birth Certificate
- Puppy Weight Chart
- Puppy Worming and Vaccination Calendar
- Early Scent Introduction for Puppies
- Early Scent Introduction for Puppies
- Puppy Healthcare Record
- Puppy Temperament Assessment
- + Access To Many More
Access to exclusive RPBA-Member discounts
Customer reviews
Hanna
They have great resources for first time breeders like myself which made me feel a lot more comfortable knowing I have their ongoing support and guidance.
The discounts and specials they offer members saved me 10 times more than their membership fee. A no brainer. And the support from fellow RPBA breeders has been reassuring and welcoming too. Very happy!
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Rick
RPBA has been excellent to deal with from start to finish. My application was processed within 24 hours and their breeder offerings are great.
I’ve already used some of their templates and the learning documents they provide also has made it easier for me to educate new families on health matters and ongoing care of the pups once they leave our home. Great to be part of a proactive and supportive group.
Rated 5 out of 5
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Pregnant Dog Nutrition
Pregnancy
The nine weeks between a confirmed mating and a whelping box full of pups go quickly, and the work you do in that window shapes how smoothly the birth goes. A well fed, well monitored bitch who is already comfortable in her whelping area is far easier to support when labour starts.
This collection brings together what you need across the pregnancy itself: nutrition and supplements, a safe place to rest and settle, temperature monitoring, and the practical extras that belong in reach on the day.
Feeding and Monitoring Through the Nine Weeks
Energy needs rise mainly in the last third of pregnancy, when the pups grow fastest and your girl has less room for large meals. Smaller, more frequent feeds of a high quality diet usually suit her better than two big ones. High calorie supplements can help a bitch who is struggling to hold condition, and calcium supplementation is commonly discussed for whelping support, though timing and dose are genuinely a veterinary decision, not a guess. Talk to your vet before starting anything, especially calcium, because giving it at the wrong stage can work against you.
Getting Set Up Before Week Nine
A reliable thermometer is the single most useful item you will own in the final week. A drop in her resting temperature is one of the clearest signals that whelping is close, so take a baseline reading twice daily from around day 55 and write it down. Introduce the whelping box or pen a fortnight early so she chooses it herself rather than the laundry cupboard, and keep it somewhere quiet and draught free. Have your whelping kit and obstetric lubricant packed and within arm's reach well before you think you need them.
Counting down the weeks? Explore the RPBA collection of dog pregnancy supplies to get your girl and your whelping area ready in good time.
