Pugs are affectionate, intelligent dogs. In fact, they are only about a step below human children both in intelligence and cuteness that’s why we need to be aware of our pug’s health every step if the way. One question that frequently arises with pugs is how long are pugs pregnant? Short answer, 11 weeks. But if you want to know what happens on each stage, continue reading.
Once a female pug becomes pregnant it is necessary to watch her progress. Because there are things we can do to ensure her health and well-being during the birth process.
What’s in the Article:
How to Know if Your Pug is Pregnant
Gestation Period
Stages of Pug Pregnancy
Pug Pregnancy Calendar
Natural birth vs C-section
Pugs can be impregnated within 24-72 hours. The female Pug’s anatomy is such that her reproductive tract is near her rectum. Which makes it easier for infection and birth complications to occur. Her uterus is narrow and difficult to examine during pregnancy. But she can have anywhere from 6-10 puppies per litter.
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How to Know if Your Pug is Pregnant
If your Pug has been bred, there are a few things you can look for to determine if she is pregnant. Most notably, her nipples will become enlarged and may start to leak milk. She may also start to eat more and lose weight as the puppies grow. It is pretty clear that a female is pregnant when her stomach increases in size.
Another way to tell if your Pug is pregnant is when she has mucous discharge from the vagina. Finally, some pug breeders will choose to run an ultrasound on the dog so they can determine how many puppies she has inside of her.
However, Do not jump to conclusions if your Pug does not have the signs mentioned. Females can be in their first stage of pregnancy for weeks without showing too much outward evidence. This is why it is a good idea not to breed your female Pug unless you are planning on having the puppies.
If she doesn’t seem like she is pregnant, there is no reason to take her through the stress of pregnancy and labor. If you have any questions, please consult your veterinarian.
Pug Gestation Period
Pugs have a gestation period of around 11 weeks which is equivalent to 63 days. This is not too far off what you would expect from a dog’s pregnancy. When first expecting the puppies, you should see signs of pregnancy after her fourth week of pregnancy or the third week after mating.
There are usually between three and six puppies in a litter, although the Pug’s small size means that most litters consist of only two or three.
Stages of Pug Pregnancy
From the moment that two pugs meet each other to nine weeks after, you will be able to learn about all stages of pug maternity as well as how your female and male pugs are growing.
In general, she will be a bit more lethargic, lose her appetite, be less energetic and not want to do any of the things that she used to enjoy. It is normal for your dog to gain weight during pregnancy, in fact, she may gain up to 10% of her original body weight during pregnancy.
When the puppies are coming close to being born, you will notice that her stomach will begin to protrude. She will begin nesting and getting the bed ready for when the pug puppies are born.
Pug Pregnancy Calendar
A chart tracking the pregnancy, labor, and delivery of your dog is an important tool for any prospective first-time pug owner. This calendar is designed to help Pug owners understand the various stages of their Pug’s pregnancy. This pug pregnancy calendar is based on general averages across the breed.
Week 1
This is the week that your Pug will start to show signs of pregnancy such as:
- Burping
- Passing gas more than usual
- Craving stomach
Week 2
Your Pug will begin to look for a nesting spot in which she can build her whelping nest. This is where she will give birth to her puppies. Some Pugs are known to make their nests in bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, even closets.
As the puppies are developing rapidly inside their mother, they are at risk for complications during birth. Death is common in very large litters (6+) because there may not be enough room in the mother’s uterus for them all to fit safely. However, this is only one of many potential complications.
Week 3
This is when your Pug mother’s nipples will begin to swell and prepare for the birthing process of nursing her puppies. You will need to ensure that the mother has a constant supply of fresh, clean water and is not kept in drafty conditions. A cushion under her bedding will also help keep her comfortable and warm.
Week 4
The pug puppies’ ears are beginning to develop, although they are still only small lumps at this stage.
Your Pug’s belly will start to expand and her nesting instincts continue. Pugs may become more aggressive towards other pets or other members of the family, depending on what kind of personality she has. Some breeds need a lot of attention while others like to be left alone.
Week 5
You will be able to feel the puppies’ movements in your Pug’s belly. This is especially noticeable in first-time mothers who have not yet grown used to having them there. You should start introducing solid food to the mother at around this time to ensure that her milk supply is well supported.
Your dog’s belly will continue to grow as milk production begins in her nipples. She may pant more and show an increase in appetite, while also sleeping more than usual.
Week 6
At around week 6, the growing puppies’ limbs will be visible and they will begin to look like distinct little fetuses. The Pug’s abdomen may expand visibly as the litter grows in size.
Puppies inside will look like they’re bathing in their mother’s amniotic fluid when she is at this stage. They’ll be nursing and resting up for the more active weeks to come.
Week 7
As your Pug’s belly starts to swell, you may notice that the puppies are beginning to move around in response to sounds and touch. You can actually see the puppies wiggling and hear them squeaking, it’s their way of communicating.
You want to use this time to bond with your Pug, by talking to her and touching her as much as possible.
Week 8
The Pug’s belly will start to enhance noticeably by week 8, at which stage it is possible for her teats to begin to “goosebump”, with small bumps appearing when she lies down or moves. This is a normal part of the pregnancy.
As the puppies begin to grow, your Pug may restrict her movements or become very tired at times. If she begins to lose weight or appears lethargic then please take her to see your vet as she may need some extra vitamins and nutrients.
Now it’s time for your dog to start thinking about where she is going to have her puppies. In general, dogs prefer a quiet and safe place for their young. For this reason, I recommend that your Pug’s whelping box be away from sources of potential disturbance such as loud noises, other pets, or even human activity.
Your dog will need somewhere warm so you may want to place the box near an internal heat source such as a radiator so that her puppies are kept nice and warm. This will help your Pug feel secure, which in turn will help to ensure your Pug’s milk supply is abundant.
You may also want to place the box near to where you spend most of your time so that you can interact with your dog and the puppies. This will help to ensure your Pug remains in a calm and relaxed manner, which can only be beneficial for her health and that of her puppies. In fact, try to have the box in your house before you get your Pug pregnant so that she gets used to it being there from an early stage.
Week 9
This is when your Pug will begin to deliver her pups. Puppies are typically born at around 60 days gestation, but this will vary according to the litter size and the overall health of the mother. If you feel the need to assist at birth, there are techniques that can be used if your veterinarian can show you how. If possible it is best to let nature take its course and avoid unnecessary intervention.
If you do not see any signs of labor during week six, contact your veterinarian immediately for advice on what you should do next because it could be very dangerous to give birth at home without a veterinarian’s assistance.
Natural birth vs C-section
There are pros and cons to both natural birth and c-section births for pugs. With a natural birth, the pup is born without any help from doctors or surgery, and the risk of complications is lower.
However, the process can be long and difficult, and there is a higher chance of the pup becoming stuck in the birth canal. With a c-section, the pup is born through surgery, which is safer but comes with a higher risk of infection. The recovery process for the mother is also more difficult.
Pugs that are born via c-section will show signs of neurological damage, which includes seizures and trouble sitting/standing up straight. However, these pups will often catch up to their natural birth counterparts in the end, but may not be able to live as long.
In comparison to bigger dogs, Pugs like humans have longer gestation periods so that the development of their unborn babies can be better monitored by veterinarians. What’s important is that we are always there to take care of our pug parents and pug puppy.