The puppy birthing process starts long before actual labor begins and continues even after the puppies have been born. Female dogs undergo significant physical and behavioral changes throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and the postpartum period.
In the weeks leading up to birth, expectant mother dogs will start nesting – gathering bedding material and finding a quiet, comfortable place to have their puppies. When labor begins, it occurs in three distinct stages – contractions and cervix dilation, active pushing and delivery of puppies, and delivery of placentas. The mother dog rests between births and the entire litter is usually delivered within 3-12 hours.
After puppies are born, the mother dog enters a recovery period where she cares for, feeds and keeps the newborn puppies warm and clean. She will eat the afterbirth for nutrition and have vaginal discharge for a few weeks afterwards. Within 4-6 weeks, the mother dog’s behavior returns to normal as puppies are weaned.
Understanding the complete birthing process helps dog owners know what to expect and identify any potential issues requiring veterinary assistance. This guide covers the major behavioral and physical changes female dogs undergo before, during and after giving birth.
Nesting Instincts Before Labor
In the days and hours leading up to labor, pregnant dogs begin exhibiting nesting behaviors to prepare a whelping area for delivering their puppies. Nesting behaviors are driven by hormones and instinct to get ready for the puppies’ arrival.
One of the most noticeable nesting behaviors is digging. The pregnant dog will dig at blankets, pillows, or anywhere else that is soft to create a hollowed-out area as a nest. According to https://veterinaryemergencygroup.com, this nesting instinct stems from dogs in the wild needing to dig out dens to give birth in a safe, protected space.
In addition to digging, the pregnant dog will also begin gathering bedding materials like blankets, towels, or anything soft she can find. She may even steal household items like shoes, clothes, and children’s toys to create her nest. This gathering behavior ensures the nest will be nice and cozy for the arrival of the puppies. According to https://evcc.com, dogs want to pick a safe place to give birth due to their survival instincts.
First Stage of Labor
The first stage of labor is characterized by restlessness and anxiety in the pregnant female dog. This stage can last anywhere from 6 to 24 hours before active labor begins1. You may notice panting, pacing, shivering, and refusal to eat in the pregnant dog as her body prepares for the hard work ahead. As contractions begin, the pregnant dog may vomit as well. She will seem anxious and may follow you closely during this stage. The cervix dilates during the first stage of labor and the dog’s temperature will drop below 100°F, signaling that active labor is approaching2.
Second Stage of Labor
The second stage of labor begins when the cervix is fully dilated and visible abdominal contractions become more frequent and forceful.[1] This stage is when the puppies are delivered, usually head first with the feet following.[2] The uterine contractions help push the puppy through the birth canal. The amniotic sac containing the puppy will become visible at the vulva as a glistening bulb and will burst, releasing amniotic fluid in what is commonly referred to as the “water breaking.”
When a puppy is being born in second stage labor, the mother dog will likely assume a squatting position and begin forcefully straining and pushing. Active straining may last from a few minutes to over an hour and is extremely strenuous for the mother dog. Puppies are usually born every 30-60 minutes, but the duration varies.
It’s important to monitor the mother dog closely through this stage. Contact a veterinarian if you notice signs of prolonged straining with no puppy being born, or more than 2 hours between puppies. Caesarean sections may be required in some cases.
Third Stage of Labor
The third stage of labor in dogs involves the expulsion of the placentas. This usually occurs 5-30 minutes after the puppy is born. The contractions continue during this stage to help detach and expel the placentas. The mother dog may eat the placentas as they come out.
Some signs during the third stage are the appearance of a greenish-black discharge and the mother dog straining and licking her vulva. The strong contractions help shrink the uterus back down to size and control bleeding. Panting, shaking, and vomiting are also common during this stage as the dog continues having contractions. Monitoring for prolonged straining is important, as retained placentas can cause infection. Normally the third stage lasts under an hour. Once all placentas have passed, the delivery is complete.
Caring for the Puppies After Birth
Immediately after birth, the mother will lick the puppies to clean them and stimulate breathing. The licking also dries the puppies and develops the bond between them. It is important not to disturb this natural process unless the mother seems distressed or is ignoring a puppy.
The mother will bite through the umbilical cord and eat the placenta after each puppy is born. This provides her with nutrients and stimulates the uterus to continue contractions for birthing the next puppy. You can tie the cord with unwaxed dental floss and cut about 1-2 inches from the puppy’s belly if the mother does not do this herself.
Nursing should begin right away, ideally within the first hour after birth. The mother’s colostrum milk provides antibodies and nutrition critical for the newborn puppies. Make sure each puppy is nursing every 2-3 hours in the first week. Gently picking up any stray puppies and placing them on the mother’s nipples encourages them to suckle.
According to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, it is essential to monitor the newborn puppies in the first 48 hours for signs of poor health like vomiting, diarrhea or lack of interest in nursing [1]. Contact your veterinarian immediately if any issues arise.
Postpartum Resting Phase
In the first few days after giving birth, the mother dog will spend most of her time resting next to the puppies to allow bonding and nursing to occur. She will lie still for hours at a time so the puppies can nurse whenever they need to. This resting phase is essential for the puppies to get the nutrition they need from nursing to survive and grow in these early days.
During this period, the mother dog should not be disturbed and the area kept quiet and calm. Loud noises or too much activity can stress the mother and disrupt the feeding and bonding with the puppies. It’s important to allow the mother dog to rest undisturbed with her puppies in a designated whelping area.
The mother will only leave the puppies for very brief periods in the first few days after birth. These breaks allow her to relieve herself, get water/food, and stretch her legs. However, she will not want to be separated from the puppies for longer than 5-10 minutes during this phase.
Ensuring the mother dog has ample time to rest and bond with her puppies in the early postpartum period allows maternal behaviors to develop properly. This resting phase is crucial for both the health of the puppies and the mother dog’s recovery after the strenuous labor process.
Eating the Placenta
It is common for mother dogs to eat the placentas after giving birth. There are several reasons for this instinctual behavior:
The placenta contains nutrients and hormones that can help stimulate the mother’s milk production and aid in contractions to expel any afterbirth left in the uterus (1). Eating the placentas allows the mother to regain some of the protein lost during delivery (2).
Consuming the afterbirth may also serve to get rid of the potential smell that could attract predators to the den where vulnerable newborn puppies are housed (3). By eating the placentas, the mother dog essentially helps clean the area and eliminate something that could indicate a recent birth.
Additionally, in the wild, eating the placenta would help hide any signs of a birth from predators. So this instinctual behavior is likely deeply ingrained even for domesticated dogs (3).
Sources:
(1) https://www.quora.com/Why-do-female-dogs-giving-birth-want-to-eat-the-placenta-of-their-pups-just-after-they-are-born
(2) https://www.retrievertraining.net/threads/do-you-let-the-momma-dog-eat-placentas-after-birthing.118791/
(3) https://www.quora.com/Why-do-female-dogs-giving-birth-want-to-eat-the-placenta-of-their-pups-just-after-they-are-born
Postpartum Discharge
After a dog gives birth, it is common for her to have a bloody vaginal discharge for 2-4 weeks, known as lochia. This discharge starts out a dark greenish-black color and then lightens to a brownish red shade before tapering off. The discharge helps flush bacteria and fluids from the uterus as it contracts and the cervix closes. Normal lochia should not have a foul odor.
According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, lochia discharge usually persists for around 2 weeks after whelping but can last up to 4 weeks [1]. The High Street Epping Veterinary Clinic states that affected bitches normally present with a foul smelling red discharge if there are postpartum complications [2]. Monitoring the mother dog closely and contacting a veterinarian if the discharge seems abnormal is crucial for her health after giving birth.
Returning to Normal Behavior
After about 1-2 weeks, the mother dog will start to return to her normal pre-pregnancy behavior and energy levels as she regains independence from the puppies. The hormones from pregnancy and birth will begin to decline, and milk production will start to naturally decrease. She will spend less time confined to the whelping area, instead seeking more time away from the puppies, returning mainly to nurse them. Her activity levels and appetite will slowly return to normal.
The mother dog can return to regular exercise and activity about 2 weeks after giving birth, once bleeding has stopped and her discharge is minimal. However, her abdomen may remain slightly enlarged for 1-2 months. Strenuous exercise should be avoided during this time to allow her body to fully recover. Overall, it takes 4-8 weeks for a mother dog’s body to completely return to normal after having puppies.
