Your girl has been mated, and crossed fingers, she’s pregnant! But . ..how can you tell? What do you need to do to care for her properly? We’ve put together the following as a guide:

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms by Week

Week 1 (Days 1–7)

There are usually no obvious signs yet in the bitch.

Possible early changes can include:

  • Slight increase in affection or clinginess
  • Mild tiredness
  • Reduced appetite in some dogs
  • Sleeping than usual

Week 2 (Days 8–14)

Hormonal changes begin this week, but it’s still hard to tell if your bitch is pregnant.

Possible symptoms can include:

  • Mild “morning sickness” (nausea or occasional vomiting)
  • Appetite may decrease briefly
  • Nipples may become slightly larger or pinker – particularly a candy pink colour
  • Mood changes. She may be:
    • more affectionate aka as ‘smoochy’ in our home
    • more withdrawn
    • more sensitive

Week 3 (Days 15–21)

This week, the embryos implant into the uterus.

Common signs can include:

  • Increased appetite
  • Noticeable nipple enlargement (“pinking up”)
  • Mild, clear vaginal discharge with no odour may appear
  • Weight gain may begin
  • Energy levels may fluctuate

Week 4 (Days 22–28)

Her pregnancy becomes more detectable.

Symptoms:

  • Belly begins to slightly enlarge
  • Appetite increases
  • Weight gain becomes more noticeable
  • Nipples enlarge further
  • More calm or maternal behaviour

Veterinary milestone

Pomeranian Puppies on board
  • An ultrasound can usually confirm the pregnancy around Day 28–35. Please check with your vet to confirm what day they prefer to scan.
  • Ultrasounds are notoriously unreliable for counting the number of puppies that are present, but are helpful to confirm the pregnancy.

Week 5 (Days 29–35)

Puppies begin developing rapidly.

Common changes include:

  • Abdomen enlarges noticeably
  • Appetite increases significantly
  • Weight gain accelerates
  • Increased thirst
  • Need for more rest
  • Mammary glands become more prominent

Care tip

At this time, it’s important to transition your bitch to high-quality puppy food gradually.

Additionally, around this time, she may benefit from smaller meals, with more frequency across the day.

We recommend that you have your whelping area set up around this time, to allow her to get used to it before she goes into labour.

Week 6 (Days 36–42)

Pregnancy becomes obvious. You may find yourself already amazed at how she’s growing!

Symptoms:

  • Clearly enlarged abdomen
  • Puppies may sometimes be felt by an experienced vet
  • Hair thinning around nipples
  • Nesting behaviour may begin
  • Shorter walks are preferred
  • Increased appetite continues

Week 7 (Days 43–49)

Late pregnancy stage.

Signs:

  • Visible abdominal movement may occur
  • Mammary glands enlarge further
  • Possible milk production begins
  • Restlessness at times
  • Increased nesting behaviour:
    • Digging blankets
    • Seeking quiet areas
  • Reduced stamina

Veterinary milestone

  • X-rays can usually confirm puppy count from around Day 50 onward. Please check with your vet to confirm what day they prefer to x-ray.

Week 8 (Days 50–56)

Preparing for birth.

Symptoms:

  • Heavy abdomen
  • Puppies are visibly moving
  • Panting more often
  • Frequent urination
  • Appetite may reduce again
  • Increased clinginess or isolation
  • Nesting intensifies

Watch for vaginal discharge:

  • Clear vaginal discharge with no odour is normal
  • Green/black discharge before labour is NOT normal unless a puppy has already been delivered

Week 9 (Days 57–63)

Labour approaches.

Common signs of labour:

  • Temperature drop below ~37.2°C (99°F) often occurs within 12–24 hours of labour
  • Refusing food
  • Pacing
  • Panting
  • Shivering
  • Digging/nesting intensely
  • Wanting constant company or hiding away
  • Milk may be present
  • Vulva softens and enlarges

Signs labour has started

  • Strong contractions
  • Straining
  • Water sac appearing

Important Notes

Contact a Veterinarian if you notice:

  • Bright red bleeding
  • Bad-smelling discharge
  • Severe vomiting
  • Collapse or weakness
  • Fever
  • No puppies delivered after strong contractions for 20–30 minutes
  • More than 2 hours between puppies during active labour
  • Pregnancy exceeding 65 days from ovulation/mating

Average Canine Pregnancy Length

Most dogs are pregnant for:

  • Approximately 63 days from ovulation
  • About 58–68 days from mating depending on timing

Common Normal Pregnancy Behaviours

  • Increased appetite
  • Sleeping more
  • Clinginess
  • Nesting
  • Enlarged nipples
  • Mild clear discharge
  • Weight gain