Dog pregnancy is always full of unknowns and raises many doubts in those who have no experience with it. Not everyone knows how long a dog's pregnancy lasts, for example, or what care is needed with a pregnant dog. Because it is a delicate moment, the ideal is to plan and calculate the dog's gestation time very well so that there is no surprise when the puppies are born.If you want to know how long the gestation period is for a Shih Tzu, Pitbull or any other breed of dog - including mongrels - just keep reading!

How do I know if my dog is pregnant?

This is undoubtedly one of the main doubts about dog pregnancy. As the pregnant dog's belly takes a while to appear - about 1 month, more or less - it is difficult to detect canine pregnancy in the early stages. However, the most attentive can notice changes in the dog's behavior around the third week of pregnancy. The main symptoms of a dog pregnancy arepregnant dog are:

• Reduced appetite
• Nausea
• Breast swelling
• Tiredness
• Drowsiness
• Weight gain

It is worth remembering that the signs that indicate a pregnant dog are non-specific and can be confused with diseases, so it is always good to consult a professional. In addition, veterinary ultrasound is essential to know how the health of the puppy and puppies is going and is also a way to detect possible cases of psychological pregnancy in dogs.

How long is a puppy's gestation period?

Unlike humans, dog gestation time is faster and does not last 9 months. In general, the pregnant dog goes into labour around day 60 - but it can vary between 58 and 70 days. Size is not a deciding factor for this, so both large and small dogs follow this same gestation pattern. So if you are wondering how long gestation lastsThe only factor that may or may not influence these logistics is the health conditions of the dog and whether she is receiving all the necessary care.

For those who like to do a very detailed planning of the pregnant dog, there is a kind of "calculator". Canine pregnancy is measured as follows: the guardian fills in some data, such as the possible period of fertility or crossbreeding, and the calculator makes an estimate of when the birth should take place.

6 important precautions for a pregnant dog

1) Have an antenatal care. Yes, the pregnant dog also needs to have prenatal care with ultrasound, radiography and constant veterinary monitoring throughout the gestation period. This is the best way to ensure the health of the mother and the puppies.

2) Provide quality food. As obvious as it sounds, pregnant dogs need special care with their food, after all, this is also the source of nutrients for the babies that will be born. Talk to your veterinarian to find out the best food options for your pregnant dog.

3) Increase the amount of feed. It is important to keep in mind that during canine pregnancy, the bitch eats for herself and for the whole litter. If you don't know how many puppies a dog can have, here's a spoiler: the number varies from 1 to 10. That is, the amount of food needs to increase!

4) Create a peaceful environment. The best way to ensure that the pregnant dog will have a peaceful and comfortable delivery is to provide as much comfort as possible for her. Stress, fights and conflicts should be avoided.

5) Physical activities should be reduced. As a puppy's pregnancy is very demanding on the canine organism, it is best to respect your dog's limitations during this period. No intense physical exercise or long walks in the street.

6) Find out all about puppies. After all, they're coming soon to add to the family, right? So it's important to research very well about all the care that puppies require so that they don't lack anything.