If your dog is expecting puppies, being prepared for birth (whelping) is one of the most important things you can do to protect her health and that of her pups. Many dogs give birth without complications, but when problems do arise, they can escalate quickly.
If your dog is straining strongly for 20–30 minutes without producing a puppy, or if something doesn’t seem right, contact your vet immediately. Prompt action can be lifesaving.
Unplanned litters are a common reason dogs end up in rescues, and pregnancy carries real health risks. For this reason, neutering is recommended to prevent unwanted pregnancies and related complications.
This page focuses on the whelping process itself, but pregnancy and the weeks that follow are just as important. During this time, your dog will need appropriate veterinary care, good nutrition and a calm environment to support both her and her puppies.
Dogs are usually pregnant for around 63 days. It’s important to know roughly when your dog is due so you can prepare for the birth and monitor her closely.
Register with a vet as soon as you know or suspect your dog is pregnant. Keep both daytime and out-of-hours contact numbers easily accessible in case of emergency.
A quiet, comfortable space will help your dog feel safe and relaxed when labour begins.
A whelping box can be bought or made at home and should be:
Setting this up well before the due date allows your dog time to get used to it.
Pregnant dogs often need adjustments to their diet and parasite control. Your vet can guide you on feeding, flea and worm treatments that are safe during pregnancy.
This stage can last from several hours to more than a day, particularly for first-time mothers.
You may notice:
As labour approaches, your dog should begin to settle in her whelping box.
Strong contractions and straining begin once your dog is ready to deliver her puppies.
The first puppy often takes the longest to arrive and may take up to two hours or as little as 20 minutes to arrive.
There will be a gap between each puppy, and this can range from 5 minutes up to 1.5 hours.
If your dog has been straining for 20-30 minutes at any point of the birthing process, without progressing or producing a puppy, please contact you vet immediately.
Most puppies are born head-first, but some can arrive into the world tail-first.
Each puppy is born inside a thin sac, which their mother usually removes so they can breathe.
After each puppy is born, your dog should pass a placenta (afterbirth), which they often eat. If your dog has a large litter of puppies, it’s best to prevent her eating too many of the placentas as this can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Most dogs pass a placenta about 15 minutes after each puppy but sometimes, a few puppies can be born before their placentas are passed. It’s very important to ensure every placenta is passed as your dog could develop an infection (metritis) otherwise.
Your dog should be comfortable ad interacting with her newborn pups between each birth.
Some fluid and light bleeding is expected, but heavy bleeding or thick green discharge without a puppy is not normal and needs urgent veterinary advice.
Although it’s natural to want to help, most dogs should be left to give birth without interference. If you are worried at any point, contact your vet rather than attempting to intervene.
Most dogs give birth to their full litter within 3–12 hours. Once labour is complete, your dog should eat and rest, then feed her puppies and bond with them in a quiet, undisturbed space.
Most dogs give birth without needing help, but difficulties can sometimes arise. Vets refer to this as dystocia, meaning trouble giving birth. Certain dogs, particularly flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs, are at higher risk, but whelping issues can affect any dog.
Trust your instincts. If your dog seems unwell, distressed, or not herself at any point before, during or after labour, it’s always safest to contact your vet for advice.
If your dog is having strong contractions and straining for 20–30 minutes without producing a puppy, this is an emergency. Ongoing straining without progress can quickly become life-threatening for both mother and pups, so please contact your vet immediately.
A small amount of fluid or light blood during labour can be normal. However, a thick green discharge without a puppy being born may indicate a puppy is in distress.
More than a few drops of blood is not normal and needs urgent veterinary attention.
Long or difficult labours can leave a dog extremely tired, especially if she is older or carrying a large litter. If she becomes exhausted, stops straining, or seems unable to continue, she may need veterinary support.
Large puppies, awkward positioning, or abnormalities can sometimes cause a puppy to become lodged in the birth canal. If you can see a puppy that is not progressing, do not pull unless specifically instructed by your vet, as this can cause serious injury. Please call your vet straight away.
Puppies are born inside a thin membrane which the mother usually removes immediately. Some dogs, particularly first-time mums, may take longer, or may not do this at all.
If a puppy is born and the sac hasn’t been removed quickly, you may need to help so the puppy can breathe. Gently tear a hole in the sac using your fingers and free the puppy’s head. Avoid using scissors. If you are unsure or struggling at any stage, contact your vet immediately.
Most mothers chew through the umbilical cord shortly after birth. While cords don’t need to be removed straight away, those left attached for several hours can become infected. Occasionally, cords may bleed if chewed too enthusiastically.
If a cord is still attached several hours after birth, or if bleeding continues, speak to your vet for advice. Tying and cutting a cord must be done carefully and hygienically but doing this incorrectly can cause infection or injury to the puppy.
If your dog’s pregnancy has been confirmed but she has not shown any signs of labour a few days after her expected due date, contact your vet as delayed labour can be dangerous.
Sadly, stillbirths do sometimes occur. If your dog gives birth to any puppies that are not alive, she should be examined by a vet as soon as possible to ensure there are no complications and that the remaining puppies are safe.
Newborn puppies are very fragile.
Contact your vet immediately if any puppy:
Early veterinary care can be lifesaving for young puppies.
If your dog is struggling to give birth, your vet may recommend monitoring, imaging such as scans or X-rays, medication to stimulate contractions, assisted delivery, or a caesarean section. The safest option depends entirely on the situation and must be assessed by a vet.
Check your dog’s mammary glands daily.
Contact your vet if you notice:
These can be signs of mastitis, a painful infection that needs prompt veterinary treatment.
This is rare but serious. Signs include lethargy, poor appetite, fever, foul-smelling discharge and reduced milk production. Seek veterinary advice immediately if these occur.
Please note, a small, non-smelly discharge for several weeks after birth is normal.
Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition caused by low calcium levels, most often seen in small dogs with large litters. Symptoms include stiffness, trembling, weakness, behavioural changes and seizures. This is an emergency so you will need to contact your vet immediately.
Some dogs, especially after stressful births or caesareans, may struggle to bond and care for their puppies. Providing a calm, private environment and avoiding unnecessary interference can help. If you’re concerned about your dog’s behaviour, seek prompt veterinary advice early.
Female dogs do not need to have a litter to live a happy or healthy life. Pregnancy and birth place significant strain on the body and can carry serious risks. With so many dogs already in need of homes, preventing unplanned litters through neutering is the kindest option for most dogs.
On average, around 63 days, though this can vary.
If she is overdue or showing no signs of labour several days past her expected date, contact your vet.
A small amount is expected, but anything more than a few drops, or discharge with a bad smell, needs veterinary advice.
