For dogs, the gestation period, or length of pregnancy, can range from 59 days to 65 days. The average pregnancy lasts 63 days. This may seem like a short amount of time, considering that it takes human babies nine months to be born.
Since puppies arrive into the world so quickly, it is important for a responsible pet owner to be aware of this fact, and to have a safe, warm place set up for the puppies in advance.
Litter Size
The size of a litter can vary, especially between breeds, although the average number is six. Smaller dogs usually have fewer puppies, with toy breeds having about one to four puppies on average.
Large dogs can have up to 14 healthy puppies in a litter, and occasionally a few more. Other factors that influence the litter size are the season in which the dog became pregnant, the sperm count of the father, and the age and health of the mother.
If more than eight puppies are born, it may be necessary to help feed some of the puppies to ensure they all get enough milk.
Care Tips for Pregnant Dogs
If you suspect that your dog may be pregnant, the first thing you should do is take her to a veterinarian to confirm the pregnancy and get her health checked. If she has any health problems, make sure to address them as best you can throughout the pregnancy.
Also, make sure she is getting high quality dog food to ensure the proper nutrition. Even after the puppies are born, she needs good quality food to make good milk. As the pregnancy progresses, she will need more and more food to support the nutritional needs of her growing puppies.
Make sure your dog gets enough exercise, but don’t let her overdo it and exhaust herself.
Having a pregnant dog can be a stressful time for both you and her, especially if this is your first experience. Keeping a time line in mind for when the puppies will be born and making sure to get things ready in advance can help to relieve this anxiety.
Make sure to have the vet’s phone number handy in case you encounter any problems you are unprepared for during the labor. Also, make sure that the mother is well fed and well cared for during the pregnancy and while she is nursing.
Your attentiveness and care will pay off when it is time to find new homes for your puppies. Seeing them go will no doubt be sad, but you will feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that you provided good care for them, and seeing the joy the puppies bring their new owners will make the whole experience seem worthwhile.