How Long Are Pitbulls Pregnant For? Pitbull Pregnancy Timeline (Weekly)

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Some Pitbull owners might consider getting into breeding their dogs as a source of income. However, it’s important to keep in mind that breeding is a very complicated practice and that pregnancy will take time and a toll on the dog’s physical and mental health.

So, how long are Pitbulls pregnant for? Pitbulls are pregnant for about 58 to 68 from the day of conceiving. The dog might give birth at any time in those 10 days, but it’s very common to give birth on the 63^rd day. To determine the dog’s pregnancy schedule, you need to keep track of its heat cycle as well as any symptoms it exhibits.

Keep reading to learn more about how to tell if your Pitbull is pregnant, the Pitbull’s week-by-week pregnancy schedule, how to take care of a pregnant Pitbull, and how Pitbulls give birth.

How to Tell If Your Pitbull Is Pregnant?

Pregnant pitbull to explain how long are pitbulls pregnant for

It might be a little difficult to tell if your Pitbull is pregnant without visiting a vet or getting an ultrasound. That is because the dog usually won’t exhibit any clear physical changes until it’s about 40 days pregnant

So, here are some of the signs and symptoms you need to look out for to tell if your Pitbull is pregnant:

Lack of Energy – Pregnant dogs will have extremely low energy levels. You’ll notice that your dog becomes exhausted very quickly after doing simple activities or that it’s sleeping more than usual.
Changes in Temperament – Pregnant dogs tend to go through frequent mood swings and sudden changes in temperament. You’ll notice that at some times, your dog will be affectionate or clingy, while at other times, it will be grumpy or distant.
Nausea and Vomiting – Pregnant dogs tend to have problems with their appetites and they constantly suffer from nausea and vomiting which is commonly referred to as “Morning Sickness”

Increase in Appetite –Pregnant dogs need to consume enough calories and nutrients to remain healthy and maintain their energy levels. So, you’ll notice that your dog is eating more than it usually does.
Nipple Changes – Pregnant dogs will go through various physical changes over the course of their pregnancy. You’ll notice that your dog’s nipples are becoming slightly darker and more rounded in shape. You’ll also notice some hair loss around the nipple area as the dog’s body prepares it for nursing.
Swollen Vulva – The dog’s vulva will swell when it’s in heat, then it will gradually start to soften before returning to its normal size. However, if the dog is pregnant, its vulva will not return to its normal size, but it won’t be as swollen as it was during heat.

Knowing your dog’s heat cycle is going to be extremely beneficial in helping your find out they are pregnant sooner. That’s why I have made a guide with literally everything you need to know about it, and you can learn everything about the Pit Bull’s Heat Cycle here.

How Long Does Pregnancy Last for Pitbulls?

Pitbulls tend to follow the same pregnancy schedule period as any other dog breed.

Their pregnancy lasts for about 58 to 68 days from the day of conceiving. They might give birth at any time during this 10-day period, but it’s very common for them to give birth on the 63^rd day.

It might be difficult for some owners to determine when their dog is expected to give birth because they are not keeping track of its pregnancy schedule.

A Pitbull’s Pregnancy Schedule (Week-by-Week)

The Pitbull Pregnancy Timeline - Week by Week infographic — The Pitbull Pregnancy Timeline (feel free to share and pin it)

Over the course of their pregnancy, Pitbulls will go through various physical and behavioral changes. To determine the dog’s pregnancy schedule, you need to be aware of these changes and keep track of when they happen.

So, here’s a week-by-week breakdown of a Pitbull’s pregnancy schedule:

Week 1 (days 0 to 7)

The dog might conceive on the day of the breeding or a few days later.

This early on in the pregnancy, the embryo cells wouldn’t have developed and there will be no physical or behavioral changes in the dog. So, you can continue with the dog’s routine as normal in regards to its diet or exercise.

Week 2 (days 7 to 14)

At this point in the dog’s pregnancy, the fertilized embryo cells will develop and move to the uterus where they will remain and grow for the rest of the pregnancy.

There will still be no physical or behavioral changes in the dog. So, you won’t need to change anything about its routine.

Week 3 (days 14 to 21)

At this point in the dog’s pregnancy, the embryos will be attached to the uterus to get the nutrients they need. They will also begin to develop into distinct shapes and their size will be at 1cm (0.3 inches)

There will still be no obvious physical changes, but you’ll notice that the dog has a sudden increase in appetite, so you need to increase the number of calories in your dog’s diet and make sure it’s eating only healthy nutrients.

Week 4 (days 21 to 28)

At this point in the dog’s pregnancy, the embryos will start to look more like puppies with their spine and facial features becoming more developed.

You will start to notice some physical changes as there will be a tine lump in the dog’s belly and you might even be able to feel a slight movement. You’ll also notice that the dog is exhibiting a clear lack of energy and a continued increase in appetite.

It’ll be essential to change the dog’s routine as this is when the developing puppies will be most at risk of miscarriage. You need to limit any intense physical exercise and make sure that the dog’s diet contains enough calories and healthy nutrients.

Week 5 (days 28 to 35)

At this point in the dog’s pregnancy, the embryos will develop into fetuses and their movement inside the dog’s belly will be easier to detect.

They will have more distinctive features such as their paws or whiskers. You might also be able to determine the number and genders of the puppies through an ultrasound scan as their genital areas would be somewhat developed.

You’ll notice that your dog is gaining more and more weight and that its appetite is increasing. So, you still need to limit any intense physical exercise and make sure that the dog’s diet contains enough calories and healthy nutrients.

Week 6 (days 35 to 42)

At this point in the dog’s pregnancy, the fetuses will start to grow their coats and they will be a lot larger in size.

You’ll notice that your dog is showing clearly that it’s pregnant. You’ll also notice that its nipples are swelling and getting darker in preparation for nursing.

You still need to limit any intense physical exercise and make sure that the dog’s diet contains enough calories and healthy nutrients.

Week 7 (days 42 to 49)

At this point in the dog’s pregnancy, the fetuses will be fully developed.

You’ll notice that dog is losing more hair near its belly and around its nipples in preparation for birth and nursing.

You still need to limit any intense physical exercise and make sure that the dog’s diet contains enough calories and healthy nutrients.

Week 8 (days 49 to 57)

At this point in the dog’s pregnancy, the fetuses will be almost ready for delivery and some dogs might deliver give birth prematurely.

You’ll notice that the dog is getting restless and showing some early signs of labor such as nesting, pacing around, or digging in the ground.

You need to keep your dog as relaxed as possible and avoid over-exerting with intense physical activities.

Week 9 (days 58 to 68)

At this point in the dog’s pregnancy, the fetuses will be fully ready for delivery. The dog might give birth at any time during that week, but it’s more common for it to give birth on the 63^rd from conceiving.

You need to be on the lookout for signs that your dog is going into labor including severe lack of energy, loss of appetite, rapid drop in body temperature, quietness, restless pacing, and nesting.

It’s highly recommended to have a vet within reach once you notice any signs of labor to ensure that everything will go smoothly during the delivery.

How to Take Care of a Pregnant Pitbull?

Pregnancy can be very taxing for the dog’s physical and mental health. The dog will be in a very vulnerable state, so you will need to take care of it properly and help it cope with all the changes happening to its body to ensure that will deliver its puppies safely.

Here are some tips you can follow to take care of a pregnant Pitbull:

Make sure to keep the dog comfortable at all times by providing it with a warm place to rest and sleep. You can also give it some of its favorite toys.

Make sure to deal with your dog’s mood swings appropriately. If your dog is in a clingy mood, make sure to cuddle and spend time with it. Meanwhile, if your dog is in a distant mood, make sure to give it some space until it seeks out your company.
Avoid punishing your dog harshly if it displays any bad behavior or if it has an accident inside the house.
Make sure your dog is eating enough calories to help sate its increasing appetite and maintain its energy levels. Make sure that the dog’s diet contains the nutrient necessary for the healthy development of the puppies.

Try not to overexert your dog by limiting exercise or any other intense physical activities. You can still take it for daily walks, but make sure to give it a break whenever it needs to rest.
Make sure to monitor all physical and behavioral changes in your dog and make note of the day to properly keep track of its pregnancy schedule.
Make sure to take your dog to a veterinarian for regular check-ups and ultrasound scans to check on its health as well as the state of the puppies.

Make sure to prepare a whelping area that your dog can feel comfortable and safe in when it’s time for delivery. It’s recommended to prepare a room separate from other pets and humans in the house with a door that closes to keep everyone out while she delivers.

How Do Pitbulls Give Birth?

In most cases, Pitbulls will give birth naturally by pushing the puppies out on their own or with aid from a professional.

The delivery process normally takes around 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of the litter. Once the dog goes into labor, it will start to tremble and its body temperature will drop before it finally lies down and start pushing the puppies out.

If the dog has been pushing for over 20 minutes and you still can’t see any of the puppies’ heads, then it’s highly recommended to take your dog to a veterinarian clinic as there might be complications with the birth.

In case of any complications, Pitbulls might have to get a C-section which is a surgical procedure that involves cutting the dog’s belly and uterus open to remove the puppies.

Now let’s take a look at some of the possible complications that might occur when Pitbulls give birth naturally or when they get a C-section.

Possible Complications with Natural Birth

The Puppies Getting Stuck

Some dogs have small hips and narrow birth canals which won’t be able to accommodate the relatively large size of the puppies’ heads, so it’s very common for the puppies to get stuck during birth.

You can tell that the puppies are stuck if the dog has been actively pushing for over 20 minutes and there are no obvious signs of the puppies coming out.

Anasarca

Anasarca is a medical condition where the dog suffers from severe swelling in its belly right before giving birth.

It can cause various problems with the dog’s ability to push the puppies out as well as its ability to breathe and control its heart rate.

It requires immediate veterinarian intervention, otherwise, it will end up being fatal for the dog and its puppies.

Dystocia

Dystocia is a medical condition where the puppies will be positioned abnormally in the dog’s uterus right before giving birth which will make it difficult for the dog to push the puppies out.

It requires immediate veterinarian intervention to help guide the puppies to the right position for safe delivery, otherwise, it will end up being fatal for the dog and its puppies.

Possible Complications with C-sections

There’s a significantly lower risk of complication when it comes to delivering puppies with C-sections compared to natural birth as this procedure is performed by an experienced veterinarian.

However, there are still a few possible complications that come with putting your dog under anesthesia that you should be aware of.

One possible complication is the lack of oxygen as Pitbulls have flat faces and short muzzles which makes it difficult to ensure that they’re breathing properly and getting enough oxygen during the procedure.

Another possible complication is vomiting as it the dog won’t be able to control their throat muscles under anesthesia which will cause the, to choke on their vomit during the procedure.

How Many Puppies Do Pitbulls Give Birth to?

On average, Pitbulls give birth to a litter of 5 to 6 puppies. By the time the dog is at week 5 to 7 of pregnancy, you can take it to a veterinarian and get an ultrasound scan in order to determine the exact number of puppies your dog will give birth to.

You should also know that the number of puppies your pitbull can have will depend on many factors, some of which you can control and others that you can’t. You can learn about that in this guide to how many puppies can Pitbulls have.

It’s very important for dog owners to know how many puppies their dog will give birth to, especially if their dog is pregnant for the first time, so they can prepare accordingly and make arrangements to accommodate the new litter of puppies.

How Long Are Pitbulls Pregnant For? Pitbull Pregnancy Timeline (Weekly)

How to Tell If Your Pitbull Is Pregnant?

How Long Does Pregnancy Last for Pitbulls?