How To Identify Dog Labour Symptoms

September 30, 2008 by Richard Cross

It is definitely an exciting time when your dog gives birth, but many owners don’t know what to look out for when trying to work out when the birth will actually take place. One of the hardest parts of your dog giving birth is the waiting without knowing when the puppies will arrive, but luckily if you know what to look for you can take some of the guessing out of the equation.

Be aware that your dog may show some of these signs, all of them or none. It varies with every dog, but in general you should look out for:

1. The mother dog refusing food. If your dog isn’t eating then that is a sure fire way to tell there is something up. It could mean they are ill, or if it is close to giving birth it could mean labour is about to begin. Most female dogs will not want to eat anything before labour starts.

2. It is natural for the dog to try and find a safe place to give birth. This is usually somewhere warm and enclosed, so if you find the dog hiding under the bed then it could mean the puppies are on their way. It’s always a good idea to have a safe and warm place prepared for the labour as it will make your dog feel more comfortable and at ease.

3. An expecting female dog usually experiences a temperature drop around 24 hours before giving birth. Many owners think this means there is something wrong, but it is actually completely normal. However if the temperature drop lasts for more than 24 hours you should contact a vet immediately.

4. Like humans, dogs find giving birth extremely stressful. Because of this it is likely that your dog will want to be around you when the labour is about to begin.

Dog owners usually know when there is something wrong with their dog as the behaviour will change from the daily things we expect. If this happens, even if it isn’t in the form of the above guide, you should get ready for the birth. Dog pregnancies are much shorter than humans – only around 62 days – so always be prepared.