Dog Pregnancy Intervals: How Often Do They Give Birth?
The Birth of the First Puppy:
Typically, the first puppy is expected to be born within 30 minutes after the water breaks. If not, the owner can inspect the mother dog's reproductive area to check for the presence of a fetus, which appears as a black bubblelike object. If a bubble is present, the owner can gently pull it out when the mother dog's abdomen contracts. The mother dog will instinctively bite through the placenta. The owner should simply observe and assist. The mother will then slowly clean the puppy, sever the umbilical cord, and lick the puppy clean.
During cold weather, it's advisable for the mother dog to sever the umbilical cord after the birth. The owner should then dry the puppy with clean paper towels. A special tip: the puppy's mouth will be full of amniotic fluid. To dry it, the owner should cradle the puppy's neck as if holding a baby, open the puppy's mouth with a hand, and wipe away the fluid from the mouth until the puppy cries. If the fluid remains in the puppy's mouth, it can be harmful, so make sure to check that the puppy is dry everywhere before placing it in a clean area. Remember to keep the puppy warm: you can place the puppy elsewhere if needed, as it won't starve. This allows the mother dog to focus on giving birth to her second litter.
Interval Between Puppies During Labor:
After the first puppy is born, the second one usually arrives within 30 minutes to an hour. However, this doesn't guarantee that the mother dog won't experience dystocia after the first birth; she could still. If the second puppy hasn't been born within an hour, it's crucial to seek veterinary assistance immediately and not delay.
To determine if there are still puppies in the mother dog's womb, it's quite simple! Feel the mother dog's abdomen: if it's firm, there are still puppies inside; if it's soft, there aren't. Another method is to observe the mother dog during the birth of the last puppy. A very dirty, black and green baglike object will come out with the last puppy. If nothing is seen, you can simply check if the dog's abdomen is firm or soft to determine if there are still puppies inside.
We hope this comprehensive information on the interval between puppies during labor is helpful to all pet owners. If you have any questions during your dog's labor, don't hesitate to call a veterinarian. In case of an emergency, take your dog to a pet hospital immediately. For more information on dog labor, check out our pet labor information page!
