Pregnancy

The nine weeks between a confirmed mating and a whelping box full of pups go quickly, and the work you do in that window shapes how smoothly the birth goes. A well fed, well monitored bitch who is already comfortable in her whelping area is far easier to support when labour starts.

This collection brings together what you need across the pregnancy itself: nutrition and supplements, a safe place to rest and settle, temperature monitoring, and the practical extras that belong in reach on the day.

Feeding and Monitoring Through the Nine Weeks

Energy needs rise mainly in the last third of pregnancy, when the pups grow fastest and your girl has less room for large meals. Smaller, more frequent feeds of a high quality diet usually suit her better than two big ones. High calorie supplements can help a bitch who is struggling to hold condition, and calcium supplementation is commonly discussed for whelping support, though timing and dose are genuinely a veterinary decision, not a guess. Talk to your vet before starting anything, especially calcium, because giving it at the wrong stage can work against you.

Getting Set Up Before Week Nine

A reliable thermometer is the single most useful item you will own in the final week. A drop in her resting temperature is one of the clearest signals that whelping is close, so take a baseline reading twice daily from around day 55 and write it down. Introduce the whelping box or pen a fortnight early so she chooses it herself rather than the laundry cupboard, and keep it somewhere quiet and draught free. Have your whelping kit and obstetric lubricant packed and within arm's reach well before you think you need them.

Counting down the weeks? Explore the RPBA collection of dog pregnancy supplies to get your girl and your whelping area ready in good time.