Complete Guide to Dog Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Care。Understanding Heat Signals and Determining Optimal Breeding Timing The most critical factor in su…
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Complete Guide to Dog Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Care。Understanding Heat Signals and Determining Optimal Breeding Timing The most critical factor in su…
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ペットライフ
ペット可物件・ブリーダー直販・ペット可スポットの3軸連携。
The most critical factor in successful dog breeding is accurately understanding your female's estrous cycle. While individual variations exist, female dogs typically go into heat every 6–8 months. Small breeds often cycle twice per year, while larger breeds may cycle only once yearly. It's essential to consistently track your dog's cycle using a notebook or app from the start.
During proestrus (pre-estrus), the vulva becomes swollen with reddish, bloody discharge. This stage typically lasts 7–10 days but is not yet suitable for breeding. The following estrus phase shows a lighter pink to clear discharge, and the female will display receptive posturing (lordosis reflex—raising her hindquarters). This estrus phase is the optimal breeding window, typically lasting 2–3 days to one week.
For more precise timing, veterinary progesterone testing or vaginal cytology is effective. Peak ovulation occurs around progesterone levels of 5–10 ng/mL, with the optimal conception window appearing 1–2 days later. For planned breeding as a responsible breeder, we strongly recommend utilizing hormone testing.
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The canine gestation period lasts approximately 58–65 days (averaging around 63 days) from the breeding date. After 3–4 weeks, fetal heartbeat can be confirmed via ultrasound. From mid-pregnancy onward (day 45+), radiographs reveal fetal skeletal development and help determine litter size. Knowing how many puppies to expect before delivery is crucial for assessing complications during labor.
Proper nutrition must be maintained throughout pregnancy. During early pregnancy, maintain normal feeding amounts; from mid-pregnancy onward (week 5–6+), switch to high-nutrient pregnancy and lactation formula with smaller, more frequent meals. Excessive calcium supplementation increases the risk of "postpartum hypocalcemia (milk fever)"; avoid adding supplements independently without veterinary guidance.
Regarding exercise, gentle walks are fine during early and mid-pregnancy, but in late pregnancy, avoid abdominal impact and restrict strenuous activity and climbing stairs. Maintain regular veterinary check-ups and monitor progress in close coordination with your veterinarian.
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Prepare a whelping box 1–2 weeks before the expected delivery date and acclimate the mother to it. The ideal whelping box allows easy entry and exit for the mother while having partitions high enough to prevent puppies from escaping. Line it with absorbent, easily replaceable sheets or newspaper, keeping multiple sets on hand. Maintain room temperature around 28–32°C (82–90°F) to prevent hypothermia in newborn puppies. If using heating pads or lamps, watch for burns.
Several signs precede labor in the mother. A drop in body temperature (0.5–1°C below normal) signals delivery within 24 hours; twice-daily temperature checks help you notice changes. The mother may also become restless, show nesting behavior, and lose her appetite.
Once labor begins, the first puppy may take several hours to be expelled. When a puppy arrives in the amniotic sac, the mother typically breaks the sac and cleanses the puppy; if she doesn't, promptly rupture the sac and clear the nose and mouth, then check for breathing. One placenta is expelled per puppy; always verify the number of placentas matches the number of puppies (retained placentas risk infection). The interval between puppies is typically 15 minutes to 1 hour, but varies.
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Difficult labor (dystocia) in dogs is life-threatening. Contact an animal hospital immediately if any of these occur:
Difficult labor may result from oversized puppies, abnormal fetal positioning (breech or transverse), or uterine inertia (weak contractions). While oxytocin may be administered under veterinary judgment for uterine inertia, self-administration is dangerous. Emergency cesarean section may be necessary, so establish contact with your veterinarian before delivery. Have contact information for 24/7 emergency clinics available beforehand.
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Newborn puppies cannot regulate body temperature, so warmth is the priority. Keep the whelping box at 28–32°C (82–90°F) for the first week, then gradually reduce temperature. If puppies cluster together, it's too cold; if scattered, it's too warm.
Puppies must nurse colostrum (first milk) immediately after birth. Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, providing passive immunity when ingested within 12–24 hours. Monitor nursing and daily weight gain using a kitchen scale. Puppies may slightly lose weight after birth, but should gain steadily within a week. Stalled weight gain signals inadequate nursing or health issues.
Postpartum mother care is essential. For several weeks after birth, "lochia" (normal discharge) continues; excessive amounts, foul odor, or greenish-black color may indicate uterine infection. Nursing mothers have greatly increased energy demands proportional to litter size; provide high-calorie, high-protein food generously for large litters.
"Postpartum hypocalcemia (milk fever/eclampsia)" may develop 2–3 weeks postpartum, with particularly high risk in small breeds. Symptoms include muscle tremors, stumbling, and seizures appearing suddenly. Seek veterinary care immediately; intravenous calcium often produces dramatic recovery. If it occurs, temporarily stop nursing and switch to bottle feeding.
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Puppies develop remarkably rapidly in their first weeks. Knowing developmental milestones helps detect problems early.
During weeks 1–2, eyes and ears remain closed; puppies sleep and nurse exclusively. Ideal weight gain is 5–10% daily. Eyes open around days 10–14, and hearing develops by week 3. Puppies begin walking and exploring. By 3–4 weeks, introduce soft wet food or soaked dry kibble in small amounts.
Weeks 4–6 are critical for socialization's first phase. Interaction with littermates develops bite inhibition (learning bite control). Frequent gentle human contact during this period greatly impacts future sociability.
Vaccination typically begins at 6–8 weeks; consult your veterinarian for the schedule. Parasite control (internal and external) must begin early. Puppies are generally ready to go to new homes at 8 weeks (2 months) or older. Japan's Animal Welfare and Management Law prohibits selling or transferring puppies under 56 days old; compliance is essential for breeders.