Nothing is as satisfying and fulfilling as embracing a brand-new being into the world, peculiarly if that new life appears to relate to a litter of pups. 

This litter is of course very exciting but if you have ever seen or experienced human pregnancy, this one is as confusing and messy as that one. There is a lot of information that you need if your dog is pregnant or if you are planning on breeding your pet, right from the signs of pregnancy in dogs to heeding for your pregnant bitch.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, you’ve probably come to the right place. Here are the answers to your questions.

How to Tell if Your Dog Is Pregnant

There is no pregnancy test kit for your dog to check, this means we have to rely on other methods to determine if a dog is pregnant. 

Diagnostic Tests

If you know the date your dog was bred, your veterinarian will perform abdominal palpation starting at approximately the 28-day mark to see if your dog is pregnant. At this stage in the pregnancy, the puppies feel like little golf balls, or grapes depending on the size of the dog. These “balls” are fluid-filled sacs surrounding the fetus. Abdominal palpation is tricky and should not be attempted without the assistance of a veterinarian, as it could damage the pups. The sacks lose their distinct shape after one month, which is why the timing of this test is so important.

Signs of Dog Pregnancy

Although the most accurate testing is Diagnostic testing there are other ways to know if your dog is pregnant. The signs include:

•  Improvement in hunger
• Mass gain
• Increase in areola size

Caring for a Pregnant Dog-

Decent Nutrition

It is recommended to increase her food intake gradually until she consumes 35-to-50 percent more than usual. Increase her intake slowly and feed her small, frequent meals, as large meals can cause discomfort.

Appointments to the Vet

If you were the one to confirm her pregnancy, let your vet examine signs of illness or discomfort. This is also a good time to discuss taking precautions if your dog became pregnant by accident. Spaying would be suggested to avoid surprises in your dog's body.

How to prepare for Puppies

You will have to assemble the important supplies that you will need during whelping, here is a list for you to them in hand when your dog approaches her labor.

• Newspaper 
• Bath mats for bedding 
• Towels 
• Paper towels 
• Thermometer 
• Unwaxed dental floss 
• Scissors 
• Hot water bottle
• A baby scale in ounces

You will have to keep these supplies in a very hygienic place. When your pregnant dog’s time approaches, watch out for the warning signs of labor in dogs. Gravid dogs might stop eating just before whelping and may also start trying to build a “nest” feasibly in the whelping crate. Just before going into labor your dog's usual temperature will drop to around 99 degrees or even lower. Roughly 24 hours after this temperature drop, she will start whelping, and you will become the lucky and gratified owner of very cute puppies.