Signs of Labor in Dogs

For a dog, pregnancy lasts a mere nine weeks (about 63 days). This can vary depending on the size of your dog, and your veterinarian can help you determine when her puppies are due. You probably won't need to rush your dog to the vet when she goes into labor, but you should to know what to expect.

  1. Falling Temperature

    • According to Ron Hines, DVM, your dog's temperature should stay around 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. This will fall before your dog gives birth, so take her temperature daily starting a week or two before you expect the puppies to arrive. You will know the time is approaching when your dog's temperature dips below 100 degrees. If the puppies are not born within 24 hours of this drop in temperature, take your dog to see a vet. This can be a sign of complications.

    Sudden Loss of Appetite

    • Pregnant dogs experience increased appetites shortly into their pregnancies. When your dog goes into labor, however, she may refuse food. This can be because contractions are causing her discomfort. In addition to a loss of appetite, a dog in labor may also vomit. This too is a result of the discomfort caused by contractions.

    Anxiety

    • Your dog may start to show symptoms of anxiety when she goes into labor. As contractions begin and she starts to experience pain, she may become nervous. She might pace or stay close to your side. Shivering is another sign that your dog is in labor. As contractions become stronger you may be able to see your dog's stomach tensing and she may whine. Eventually she will start straining, as if she were having a bowel movement.

    Nesting

    • When the time approaches for the puppies to be born, your dog may start to nest. She might hide in a corner or a closet as she searches for a suitable place to deliver her pups. You can prepare a whelping box for her beforehand and teach her that it is a safe and comfortable place if you want to prevent her from delivering her puppies elsewhere in the house. As part of the nesting behavior, your dog may also drag blankets and towels around, trying to make a bed for herself and her puppies.