The Complete Guide to Preparing for Puppy Birth and the Labor Process

ImmunityQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

We’ve outlined the entire birthing process that pet owners should know, from preparing for late-stage pregnancy to the three stages of labor and recognizing emergencies. We also cover emergency first aid for newborn puppies.

What Is Puppy Birth? Key Points Every Owner Must Know

A pet owner gently stroking the belly of a dog in late pregnancy.

Puppy birth is a natural physiological process that typically occurs 63 to 65 days after the first mating, with a broader range of 60 to 70 days. It consists of three stages: prodromal, expulsion, and placental. Preparation is 80% of the success. Starting one week before the expected due date, have a whelping box, thermometer, clean towels, and your veterinarian’s after-hours contact information ready. If contractions begin but no puppies are born within two hours, or if strong contractions continue for more than 20 minutes without progress, seek immediate veterinary care.

Predicting Gestation Period and Due Date

A dog’s gestation period averages about 63 days, but individual variation is significant, with delivery typically occurring between 60 and 70 days. To determine an accurate due date, calculations should be based on the timing of ovulation rather than the date of mating. Even if mating occurs on the same day, differences in ovulation and fertilization timing can lead to variations in the delivery date. Veterinary tests, such as luteinizing hormone (LH) assays or progesterone level measurements, can help pinpoint ovulation and estimate the delivery window. As delivery approaches, a dog’s rectal temperature tends to drop slightly below normal; mild hypothermia around the time of birth can be normal. At this stage, labor is likely to begin soon, so closely monitor the mother.

Birth Preparation Checklist

Item	Purpose	Preparation Timing
Whelping Box	A safe space for the mother and newborns to stay	2 weeks before delivery
Digital Thermometer	Predict the timing of delivery by detecting a temperature drop	1 week before delivery
10 or more clean towels	Wiping newborns, keeping the mother warm	1 week before delivery
Dental floss & sterilized scissors	Ligating and cutting the umbilical cord (if needed)	1 week before delivery
Electronic scale (1g increments)	Measuring newborn body weight	1 week before delivery
Animal hospital after-hours contact	Preparing for emergencies	2 weeks before delivery

Set up the whelping box starting 2 weeks in advance so the mother can adapt to it beforehand

Three Stages of Labor — Progression by Time

Canine labor progresses through three stages. Stage 1 (dilation) lasts 6 to 24 hours, during which uterine contractions begin and the mother may appear restless, pant, and exhibit nesting behavior. Stage 2 (expulsion) involves active contractions and the delivery of puppies; the first puppy typically emerges within 30 minutes to 2 hours after contractions start. The interval between puppies averages 30 minutes to 1 hour, but can be normal up to 4 hours. Stage 3 (afterbirth) is when one placenta is expelled for each puppy delivered.

A mother dog nursing her newborn puppies in the whelping box after giving birth.

Danger Signs Requiring Immediate Veterinary Care

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if any of the following occur: 1) Strong contractions lasting more than 20 minutes with no puppy delivered; 2) Weak contractions persisting for over 2 hours; 3) More than 4 hours between the birth of consecutive puppies; 4) Dark green discharge from the vulva without a puppy being born; 5) The dam’s body temperature exceeding 39.5°C or dropping below 36°C; 6) The dam showing signs of confusion or seizures. In these cases, conditions such as uterine inertia, dystocia, or eclampsia may be present, and a cesarean section may be necessary.

How Owners Can Assist During Labor

Dogs are naturally equipped to deliver their puppies, remove the amniotic sac, and sever the umbilical cord on their own. As an owner, your top priority is to quietly observe the process. However, if the mother struggles to remove the sac, gently wipe the puppy’s face with a clean towel to help clear its airways. If she doesn’t bite the umbilical cord, tie it with dental floss about 2–3 cm from the puppy’s navel, then cut the cord on the outer side using sterilized scissors. Immediately after birth, place the puppy with its mother to nurse; this stimulates maternal instincts and helps the uterus contract.

A neatly arranged set of sterilized scissors, dental floss, towels, and a digital scale used for puppy births.

Care Points for Newborn Puppies in the First 24 Hours

Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature, so keeping them warm is the most important priority. Please maintain the temperature inside the whelping box at 29–32°C during the first week. - Colostrum intake: Puppies must consume the mother’s colostrum as soon as possible after birth to receive essential antibodies. - Weight monitoring: Weigh your puppies at the same time each day, recording to the nearest gram, to ensure they are gaining weight steadily. - Breathing and crying: If a puppy does not cry or appears bluish immediately after birth, take it to a veterinarian right away. Puppies born weighing more than 25% below the breed average are at high risk of neonatal mortality.

Postpartum Care Precautions for the Mother

For the first 24 hours after giving birth, it is normal for the mother to pass green to dark red lochia (discharge). However, if the discharge has a foul odor or appears purulent, it may indicate a uterine infection (pyometra). Additionally, if the mother exhibits trembling, seizures, or panting within one to three weeks postpartum, there is a risk of eclampsia (hypocalcemia), which requires emergency veterinary care. Small-breed dogs are at higher risk for eclampsia and should be monitored closely. Because energy requirements increase significantly during lactation, provide an adequate amount of food formulated specifically for pregnancy and lactation on a free-feeding basis to ensure sufficient milk production.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

The due date has passed, but there are no signs of labor. Is this normal?

If 65 days have passed since mating and no labor pains have occurred, please visit a veterinary clinic for an ultrasound and hormone testing. Overdue pregnancies increase the risk of stillbirth, which may necessitate induced labor or a cesarean section.

Is it normal for the puppy to be coming out backwards?

It’s common for puppies to be born in a breech presentation (hind legs first), and this is generally considered normal. However, if only the legs emerge and labor stalls for more than 20 minutes, your puppy may need assistance—please contact your veterinarian right away.

My mother isn’t taking care of her puppies. What should I do?

If the mother dog is indifferent or rejects her puppies, you must step in to keep them warm, feed them, and stimulate elimination by gently rubbing their anal area with warm gauze. Feed them puppy-specific formula every two to three hours and consult a veterinarian immediately.

How many days after giving birth should I take my pet to the vet?

It’s a good idea to have both the mother and her puppies examined within 24 to 48 hours after giving birth. The vet will check the mother for any retained placenta and assess her uterine health, while also examining the puppies for cleft palate, umbilical cord infections, and proper weight.

When can the next pregnancy begin?

In veterinary reproductive science, we recommend skipping one to two estrus cycles—waiting about 18 to 24 months—before breeding again to protect the dam’s health. Consecutive litters place significant stress on both the mother and her puppies.

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References

[1] Münnich, A. and Küchenmeister, U. (2014). Causes, diagnosis and therapy of common diseases in neonatal puppies in the first days of life. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 49 (Suppl 2): 64–74.

[2] Mila H, Grellet A, Chastant-Maillard S. Prognostic value of birth weight and early weight gain on neonatal and pediatric mortality: a longitudinal study on 870 puppies. 7th International Symposium on Canine and Feline Reproduction, 2012.

[3] Johnston, S.A. (2017). Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal, 2nd Edition.

[4] Lavely, J.A. (2006). Pediatric neurology of the dog and cat. Vet. Clin. North Am. Small Anim. Pract. 36 (3): 475–501.