Symptoms of a Pregnant Dog

Female dogs can get pregnant during a four to 21 day period during their heat cycle, which occurs every four months to a year. During the nine-week gestation period before her babies are born, a female dog will often show signs of being pregnant.

  1. Weight Gain

    • After the first five weeks of pregnancy, a female dog may start to gain weight if she is carrying a large litter of puppies. A dog that is only carrying one or two puppies may not gain weight until right before they are born, according to the Claws and Paws Veterinary Hospital.

    Mammary Glands Changes

    • During pregnancy, a female dog's mammary glands will begin to swell. According to Doggies.com, her nipples also start to turn red. Prior to delivering her babies, a female dog's teats will start to produce milk.

    Behavioral Changes

    • Right before giving birth, female dogs usually act restless, experience a loss of appetite or eat increasing amounts of food, try to find a secluded spot or go to the bathroom in the house. They also often shred newspapers or blankets to create an area, or "nest," to give birth.

    Baby Movements

    • According to Doggies.com, puppies start to crowd each other and move around in the uterus after six weeks. During this time, it is possible to feel puppies' movements by touching the mother's stomach. The abdomen is also hard and stretched by this point in the pregnancy.

    Temperature Changes

    • About 24 hours before giving birth, dogs' rectal temperature decreases about two degrees. Female dogs normally have a rectal temperature of between 100.5 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Petplace.com.