Signs of a Dog Ready to Have Puppies
- Even if you've made a nice whelping box for your dog, as her due date nears, she will exhibit nesting behaviors. This can include moving the bedding from the whelping box to another area of the house where she is comfortable, digging at the bedding to rearrange it or becoming protective of her bedding. This behavior can happen anytime during pregnancy, but will become more pronounced the closer she gets to her delivery.
- As the delivery time nears, your dog will start acting odd. She may seem nervous or stressed and start pacing. Other nervous behaviors include physical symptoms such as heavy panting, whining or shivering. These are good indicators that she is already in labor.
- Your pregnant dog will probably be eating more during her pregnancy to provide her body energy to producer healthy pups. Just prior to giving birth, some dogs' appetites decrease. Watch for this decrease in eating. If she doesn't deliver within a few days of this behavior, take her to the vet for an exam. Always keep fresh water out for your dog.
- If you're able to take your dog's temperature, this will give you a strong clue of when your dog is about ready to give birth. Take your dog's temperature on a weekly basis before you think she is due. This gets her used to the procedure and gives you a baseline temperature. Most dog's have a temperature between 101 and 102 degrees. When her temperature drops to 98 to 100 degrees, she should give birth within the next 24 hours.
