What To Do When Your Dog Is Pregnant For The First Time?

Pregnancy in dogs requires attentive observation and planning to support the health of the mother and her developing puppies. Below are practical steps and considerations for owners facing a first canine pregnancy.

Recognize and confirm pregnancy

Early recognition and reliable confirmation set the stage for appropriate care and planning.

Common early signs include subtle behavior changes, reduced activity, appetite shifts, and nipple enlargement or pinking that is often noticeable by about week 3 to week 4 of gestation^[1].

Home observations are useful but limited: abdominal palpation can sometimes detect fetuses most reliably between days 28 and 35 after breeding, but after day 35 palpation becomes less reliable as fetuses grow and can be missed or confused with other abdominal contents^[1].

Diagnostic options include transabdominal ultrasound to visualize embryonic sacs and fetal heartbeats as early as day 25–30, and blood testing for relaxin — a hormone detectable around day 28 that confirms pregnancy; choice of test depends on timing and the need for definitive confirmation^[2].

Veterinary prenatal care schedule

A vet-guided prenatal plan ensures maternal and fetal health through the pregnancy.

An initial prenatal exam is typically scheduled around 25–35 days after the last breeding to perform a physical exam, palpation or ultrasound, and to review vaccination and parasite history^[1].

Recommended tests commonly include baseline bloodwork (CBC and chemistry), fecal parasite screening, and an ultrasound scan; blood panels help identify anemia or metabolic issues while fecal testing addresses intestinal parasites that can affect puppies^[3].

Follow-up visits are often scheduled every 3–4 weeks or as advised by your veterinarian, with records kept of weight, body condition, and any test results to track maternal and fetal progress^[1].

Nutrition and weight management

Proper diet and controlled weight gain are critical for healthy gestation and strong puppies.

Feeding goals shift during pregnancy: maintenance-calorie feeding is usual during the first trimester, moderate increases begin in the second trimester, and substantial increases in caloric intake are often needed in the last trimester; many guidelines recommend an overall increase up to about 25% by late gestation^[3].

Typical feeding guidance by trimester and expected caloric change

Trimester	Gestation weeks	Feeding guidance	Approx. caloric change
First	Weeks 1–3	Maintain normal adult diet and portions while monitoring appetite[3]	No change expected[3]
Second	Weeks 4–6	Gradually increase total food and consider switching to high-quality puppy-formula food if recommended[3]	Increase ~10% total calories[3]
Third	Weeks 7–whelping	Feed multiple small meals and ensure high-calorie nutrient density; use a growth/maintenance puppy diet for extra nutrients[3]	Increase up to ~25% (or more for large litters) over normal maintenance calories[3]

Portion guidance is best individualized: monitor weight and body condition score and aim for steady, moderate gain rather than sudden excess; weigh the dam every 1–2 weeks during pregnancy to track progress and adjust portions^[3].

Supplements should be considered with veterinary guidance; excessive calcium or human prenatal vitamins can cause problems, whereas balanced multi-nutrient pregnancy support is typically unnecessary if feeding a complete commercial puppy diet^[3].

Exercise, environment and comfort adjustments

Safe activity levels and a calm, clean environment reduce risk and support maternal wellbeing.

During early pregnancy light to moderate exercise like regular leash walks and gentle play is appropriate, with a gradual reduction in high-impact or strenuous activity during the last 3–4 weeks before expected whelping^[1].

Provide a quiet, draft-free resting area with stable temperature and easy access to water; a slightly warmer ambient temperature helps neonates and a dam recovering from labor should have a comfortable, low-stress nesting space^[2].

Grooming remains important: keep the mother clean and check nipples and mammary tissue for swelling or discharge; avoid stressful grooming procedures in late pregnancy and trim hair around the vulva and mammary area if requested by your veterinarian to assist with nursing and hygiene^[2].

Medications, vaccines and parasite control

Reviewing medications and preventive care with your vet prevents harm to fetuses while controlling disease risk.

Routine vaccination decisions depend on vaccine type and risk; modified-live vaccines are often deferred during pregnancy while inactivated vaccines may be used if the risk of disease exposure outweighs fetal risk, so timing should be decided with your veterinarian^[4].

Heartworm preventives with macrocyclic lactones are generally continued when recommended in endemic areas, and many topical flea/tick products have safety data for use in pregnant dogs, but specific product safety and timing must be confirmed by the prescribing veterinarian^[5].

Deworming protocols targeted at common intestinal parasites often include fenbendazole regimens; for some infections clinicians use fenbendazole dosed at 50 mg/kg daily for 3–5 days during pregnancy, but definitive protocol choices and timing should be directed by your veterinarian based on testing and local parasite risk^[5].

Avoid known teratogenic drugs such as certain antiepileptics and chemotherapeutics during pregnancy; always check with a veterinarian before giving any prescription or over-the-counter medication or supplement to a pregnant dog^[4].

Preparing the whelping area and supplies

A prepared, comfortable whelping area and ready supplies reduce complications during labor and early puppy care.

Choose a quiet location with minimal foot traffic and a whelping box that allows the dam to lie comfortably and puppies to be contained; many breeders use boxes at least 36–48 inches (91–122 cm) long depending on the dam’s size^[5].

• Essential supplies: a reliable scale that measures in ounces and pounds, clean towels and blankets, a low-wattage heat source or heat pad, sterile scissors and dental floss or suture for cutting and tying cords if instructed by your vet, disposable gloves, and gauze or dilute iodine for cord care^[5].

Set up the whelping area 1–2 weeks before the expected due date and stage bedding in layers so you can remove soiled layers quickly; maintain sanitation with mild disinfectants and ensure easy access for both you and your veterinarian should assistance be needed^[2].

Monitoring health and warning signs

Regular monitoring and knowing red flags enables timely intervention for maternal or fetal emergencies.

Daily checks should include monitoring appetite, activity level, mammary changes, presence and character of any vulvar discharge, and taking rectal or axillary temperature; a drop in temperature to around 99–100°F (37.2–37.8°C) that persists near the expected whelping date can indicate labor is imminent^[1].

Warning signs requiring immediate veterinary attention include a prolonged stage I labor without progression into active labor, strong continuous contractions for more than 30–60 minutes without delivering a puppy, green or bloody vaginal discharge inconsistent with expected progression, or any sign of maternal distress such as collapse or severe lethargy^[2].

Document daily observations and any deviations from expected patterns in a log you can share with your veterinarian, including times of contractions, puppy deliveries, and any treatments given^[1].

Labor and delivery: what to expect and how to assist

Understanding labor stages prepares you to support a safe delivery and recognize when professional help is needed.

Normal labor progresses through stage I (cervical dilation; restless behavior and nesting), stage II (active pushing and delivery of puppies, often with one puppy every 30–120 minutes but sometimes with intervals up to 2 hours), and stage III (expulsion of placentas); prolonged delays between puppies or signs of severe maternal distress warrant veterinary evaluation^[2].

When assisting, ensure the dam is comfortable, clear airways from newborns only if necessary, rub a puppy with a clean towel to stimulate breathing, and clamp and tie the umbilical cord about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) from the puppy’s abdomen if the dam does not sever it naturally and your veterinarian has instructed you in technique^[5].

Seek emergency veterinary care if a puppy is stuck in the birth canal, if there are more than 2 hours of strong contractions without a puppy delivered, or if weak, infrequent contractions persist for longer than 4 hours without progress^[2].

Postpartum care for the mother and puppies

Focused postpartum care promotes recovery for the dam and healthy development for newborns.

Immediately assess each newborn for breathing, warmth, and successful nursing; puppies should begin nursing and receiving colostrum within the first 1–2 hours when possible to obtain essential antibodies and nutrients^[5].

Monitor the dam’s uterine discharge and temperature; a persistent fever, foul-smelling discharge, depression, or refusal to allow puppies to nurse are reasons to contact your veterinarian, and a postpartum check is commonly advised within 24–72 hours after whelping^[1].

Puppy health schedules typically include the first deworming at about 2–3 weeks of age and initial vaccinations starting around 6–8 weeks, with exact timing determined by local disease risk and veterinary recommendations^[3].

Sources

• merckvetmanual.com — authoritative veterinary reference and clinical guidelines.
• wsava.org — global professional guidance on small animal care.
• aaha.org — American Animal Hospital Association nutrition and preventive care recommendations.
• avma.org — vaccine and medication policy guidance from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• vcahospitals.com — clinical patient education on whelping, neonatal care, and parasite protocols.