Just like humans, dogs also experience certain symptoms during labor. However, some of these symptoms might be a little different from those humans experience.
- Loss of appetite: Dogs love to eat unless they are sick or experiencing labor. This should always be a telltale sign, as it is one of the most prominent symptoms. Try to observe it, and don’t overlook the importance.
- Vomiting and shivering: Just as the dog refuses to consume her male, she will often puke the contents of her stomach. She might shiver as well. The best thing you can do is to give her clean, fresh water when she needs it, to minimize discomfort.
- Finding a den: As animal instinct, the dog will look for an dark corner or cosy place where they can give birth in private. One common area is under your bed, because it is enclosed and dark and the dog feels safe. To avoid the trouble of finding a place, it is best that you placed her somewhere safe or create a den before labor.
- Temperature drop: It is common for a dog’s body temperature to decrease before delivery. A normal temperature for a dog is roughly 100-102 degrees, and when the temperature drops to below 100 degrees, labor is imminent and about to take place.
- Wanting someone nearby: Just like humans going into pregnancy, pregnant dogs like to have a familiar face nearby, just for comfort. It is imperative that you stay close to her and try to make the delivery as smooth and comfortable as possible.
The person who knows your dog best is none other than yourself, so if you notice any out of place behaviour or symptoms, your dog could be approaching labor. Depend on your intuition and always be perpared.
A dog pregnancy can be as short as two and half months, so get ready. Talk to your vet and try to feed your dog nutritious food during her pregnancy. Remember that for the dog, comfort is prime, so you must as much as possible try to ensure it. The dog labor symptoms are telltale, so be prepared.
