If your dog is pregnant, you might wonder how long for dog pregnancy? The short answer is about 63 days. But a lot more goes into dog pregnancy than just how long it lasts. Read on to find out how to tell if your dog is pregnant, what tests veterinarians can do, how to care for your pregnant dog, and what to expect during labor.
Signs your dog is pregnant
Early pregnancy can be hard to detect without testing. However, as more time goes on you may notice several symptoms.
Increase in appetite
Appetite changes
Weight gain
Morning sickness vomiting
More easily tired
Swollen nipples
Swollen belly
More affectionate
Irritable
Please note that false pregnancy and other more serious things can cause these symptoms. It’s important to see a veterinarian to rule anything more serious out.
Tests to tell if your dog is pregnant
Blood tests can be performed to test for the hormone relaxin. However, false positives are possible if it’s done too early in the pregnancy or if your dog is only pregnant with 1 or 2 puppies. After 3-4 weeks after mating, a veterinarian might also perform a trans-abdominal palpation where they feel for enlargement of the uterus. Abdominal ultrasound is the preferred method of diagnosis by veterinarians and can be performed as early as week 3 of pregnancy. An x-ray done around week 7 of pregnancy can determine how many puppies the litter contains.
Caring for a pregnant dog
Food
You should not need to change your dog’s food so long as you feed them high-quality dog food with real meat as the first ingredient and at least 25% protein. (If you’re in need of an upgrade, consider Front of the Pack. They have minimal ingredients and leave our dogs happy.) You might be tempted to give your dog significantly more food at the beginning of pregnancy, but try holding off.
You want to avoid making your dog obese at the end of pregnancy because it can make labor more challenging and add extra stress to the puppies. During about the first 40 days of pregnancy, your dog’s dietary needs are about the same as those of a young adult dog. Because your dog is growing puppies, however, it is crucial that she does NOT lose weight or condition during this time. After about six to eight weeks, you’ll want to increase her caloric intake by 30-60%, depending on the litter size.
Due to your dog’s uterus expanding to hold the puppies, your dog will have little room for food in their stomach. Because of this, rather than increase the size of your dog’s meals, you’ll want to increase the number of meals your dog has. Folic acid and essential amino acids supplements may benefit the growing puppies. As always, consult your veterinarian about your dog’s needs.
Exercise
In early pregnancy, you can safely continue your regular walks. However, as your dog gets larger and closer to her due date, It is critical to NOT overwork your dog. Listen to your dog. If you see they are overly tired, best to let your dog rest.
If your dog is pregnant, be sure to prioritize her changing needs. Consult your veterinarian with any concerns you might have and be sure to enjoy the journey of puppy grandparenthood. (PS If you want inspiration for some cute puppy names, look no further.)
Can my dog eat ginger? You betcha! Not only can dogs eat ginger in small quantities, but it can also have some health benefits too.
Benefits of Ginger
Turns out Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Herbal Medicine both utilize ginger. Its many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects help with arthritis, nausea, vomiting, blood circulation, and more! While ginger isn’t enough to keep you from taking your pooch to the veterinarian in an emergency, it can help with mild symptoms and help with general health.
Feeding Ideas
How much ginger you feed your dog will depend on its weight. According to Ottawa Valey Dog Whisperer, you can see an easy dosage table below:
You can sprinkle ginger on the top of their food, brew a tea and soften their kibble, use supplements, or try Wild Bound’s Gingersnap Treats that naturally have ginger in them!
Potential Side Effects
While research into this supplement is limited and therefore our knowledge of side effects is also limited, ginger is generally considered safe. However, if you feed too much ginger to your pet, they can experience an upset stomach and heartburn. If they are sensitive or have an allergic reaction, they might experience skin redness, itching, or hives.
Because ginger thins the blood, avoid giving it to a dog about to give birth or have surgery, or who has diabetes. Do not give ginger to your dog if they are taking anti-coagulants or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Consult your veterinarian about any concerns and inform them of all vitamins, supplements, herbs, and medications your dog takes.
Generally considered safe, your dog can eat ginger if they are not taking medication or have any sensitivities or allergies to ginger. Remember to consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns. Otherwise, spoil your pooch with some ginger-y love and enjoy the health benefits they’re about to receive!
Who doesn’t love movies with a dog in them? No one! That’s why we’ve put together a list of amazing movies you should check out. They’re organized by the style of the movie so if you’re feeling animated, claymation, or live-action, we’ve got you covered.
Animated Movies
One Hundred and One Dalmations
One Hundred and One Dalmations follows puppies snatched by Cruella De Vil, who has a twisted plan for the pups in order to complete her fur-obsessed wardrobe. Made in 1961, this movie serves as a staple in many of our childhoods. This movie has also been adapted into a live-action movie in 1996 by the name 101 Dalmations and again in 2021 by the name Cruella. Whichever way you go, you can’t go wrong. Not only does this movie have a dog, but it also comes with 101 dogs.
Lady and the Tramp
Made in 1955, Lady and the Tramp serves as another Disney staple on this list. It takes place after Lady, a pampered cocker spaniel, is left with her Aunt Sarah after her parents leave town for a few days. Blamed for causing a mess, Lady escapes while Aunt Sarah tries to find a muzzle. Now she and Tramp walk the streets of the city while Elliot, an upset dogcatcher, searches for them. This movie was also remade in 2019 into a live-action movie.
Bolt
If you want to watch movies with a dog in them, Bolt is a GREAT option. In it, Penny, Bolt’s owner, and Bolt work on a tv show together. To get the best production, the producer has Bolt living on set and convinces Bolt he truly possesses superpowers by using special effects. After ending an episode on a cliffhanger where Penny is kidnapped, Bolt escapes from the set in search of his owner but ends up in New York. Now with the help of a cynical cat and excited hamster, Bolt journeys his way back to Penny.
Scooby-Doo
If you’ll notice, we didn’t specify a movie when it comes to Scooby-Doo. This is because there are so many options to choose from! Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School, the live-action Scooby-Doo movie, and many more are just some of the MANY options within the Scooby-Doo universe. Follow Scooby and his crew of mystery-solving teens as they bust open another mystery.
The Secret Life of Pets
If you want to envision the life your pet lives while you’re at work, consider watching The Secret Life of Pets. Watch as Max, a jack Russel terrier’s, life is upended when his owner adopts Duke. When a band of cats attacks them and removes their collars, Max and Duke get picked up by animal control. After escaping, they now have to work together to get back home safely.
The Fox and the Hound
The Fox and the Hound does a fantastic job illustrating young innocence and growing up into your own person. Following Tod, an orphaned fox who is rescued by a friendly widow, we watch as he forms a friendship with Copper, the bloodhound next door. Tod swears they’ll be friends forever, but the following spring when Copper reaches adulthood, he returns as an expert hunting dog.
All Dogs go to Heaven
After Carface kills Charlie, a canine casino owner, Charlie goes to heaven. There, he realizes he can wind back his life clock and return to Earth to seek revenge on Carface using an orphan, Anne-Marie, to his advantage. However, once back, Charlie realizes Carface is exploiting Ann-Marie and must now decide if he wants to stick to his goal of revenge or switch to one of rescue.
Balto
After illness strikes a remote town in Alaska, residents decide to get a sled team together to get life-saving medication located a few hundred miles away. Balto, a half-wolf dog, wins the dog race that determines which dogs can join the dogsled to get the supplies. However, Steele, a fierce malamute, exposes Balto as half wolf and disqualifies him. After the sled dog team gets lost, with the help of a fatherly goose and two polar bears. Balto risks his life to rescue them and retrieve the medicine. (This phenomenal movie is actually based on a true story!)
Claymation Movies:
Frankenweenie
If you love Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, you’ll love Frankenweenie too! This movie follows a young Victor Frankenstein, a nerd and school outcast. Luckily for Victor, however, he does have one good friend: his dog, Sparky. When tragedy strikes and Sparky dies, Victor is heartbroken until his science teacher gives him the idea to jolt him to life. The experiment is a success! All goes well until Victor’s classmates steal his secret to reanimate other animals. Then chaos ensues.
Isle of Dogs
Dog flu spreads throughout Japan, including the city of Megasaki, with the potential to become contagious to humans. Due to this threat, Megasaki’s mayor banishes all dogs to Trash Island. There, a group of alpha dog mongrels bands together. One day a 12-year-old orphan, Atari, hijacks a plane and flies to Trash Island in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. Once there, with the assistance of the band of mongrels, they set out on an epic journey that will determine the fate of the entire province.
Wallace and Gromit
The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, A Matter of Loaf and Death, A Grand Day Out, and more! Clearly, when it comes to Wallace and Gromit, the options are near limitless. In fact, there’s even news that another Wallace and Gromit movie will come out in 2024! Follow the endless journies of cheese-loving Wallace and his well-educated beagle Gromit.
Live-Action Movies:
Marley and Me
If you want to cry, Marley & Me will leave you sobbing. The movie starts off following a newly married John and Jenny Grogan as they move to Florida and buy their first house. Soon after they adopt Marley, a cute yellow lab puppy. Although Marley grows up to cause quite a bit of havoc destroying furniture and failing obedience school, he always brings out the best in his growing family. This movie truly shows the impact of a sweet family dog.
Old Yeller
If you also had to read the book for elementary school, you know tears are coming. When his dad leaves for a cattle drive, Travis, his brother, and his mother tend to their Texas ranch. One day a stray dog named Old Yeller causes some damage in one of the fields and Travis chases him off. While they had turbulent beginnings, Travis and his mother warm up to the stray when he saves Travis’s brother from a bear attack. Soon, Travis and Old Yeller grow closer than ever and form an incredibly formidable bond. Concerns grow however as rabies breaks out in the area.
Best in Show
If you want to laugh, watch this movie! It follows several contestants around America as they prepare to head to Philidalphia for the Mayflower Dog Show, aka the greatest event to ever happen in their lives. Join them on their hilarious journey as they seek gold!
Eight Below
How come so many of these movies leave you in tears? Eight below takes place in Antarctica, where a scientific expedition takes place with three scientists and their beloved sled dogs. When an accident happens and horrible weather conditions set in, the scientists must leave their sled dogs behind. Now alone, the dogs struggle to survive until their people can make it back for them.
Finding Rin Tin Tin
This movie tells the real-life story of Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd found in France by an American serviceman after the end of WWI. Thereafter, the soldier takes Rin Tin Tin to America, where he grows into a Hollywood star.
Lassie
As the Turner family heads from the city to their new life in rural Virginia, an accident that takes the life of a truck driving stops them along the highway where they see a now orphaned collie. The Turners take pity on her and adopt her before making their way to their new home. Now adjusting to a new life away from the city and dealing with neighbors who want nothing to do with them, Lassie helps them adjust to their new surroundings.
A Dog’s Purpose
In A Dog’s Purpose, a dog discovered the meaning of its existence through the lives of the humans he influences. We watch as he is reincarnated into many lovable pups over several decades and forms and formidable bond with a boy named Ethan. As Ethan grows older and comes crossroads, the dog comes back into Ethan’s life to remind him of who he really is.
Red Dog
After taking his sons to see Red Dog, Michael Carter tells his oldest son how the movie was based on his part-Dingo dog he had growing up. There we are taken back into Michael’s childhood as he lives with his imposing grandfather on a cattle farm. After he discovered a pup covered in muck, a young Michael cleans him off and takes him home. Together they go through trials and tribulations and form fierce bond.
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
Ronnie tells his class his personal hero is his grandfather’s dog Hachi. There we see a flashback of his grandfather Parker who finds a young dog lost at the railroad station he takes to commute to work. As Parker takes the dog everywhere he goes, they quickly grow close. Parker names his new dog after the number left on his ripped transit tag and calls him “Hachi,” the Japanese word for eight. When tragedy strikes, Hachi demonstrates the true meaning of love and loyalty.
The Call of the Wild
Buck is stolen from his domestic life in California and shipped to the Yukon. From there, Buck is sold to a man who hopes to use Buck as a sled dog to make a long trek to the mail depot before the deadline. Buck gains his humans and that of the other sled dogs, save the vicious pack leader, Spitz. Through many trials and adventures of a lifetime, Buck discovers his true place in the universe.
Beethoven
The Newton family decides to adopt a cute St. Bernard puppy, whom they name Beethoven. As he gets older, he grows considerably, which ultimately leads to a lot of household accidents. While everyone in the family adores their dog, the patriarch of the family needs a little more time to warm up. Ultimately, however, we see how much love the entire family has for Beethoven when a sleazy vet tries to steal Beethoben for a deadly experiment.
Cats & Dogs
Cats & Dogs really takes the natural disdain of our two beloved family pets to a whole new level. Turns out, it’s not as simple as we thought. Instead, cats and dogs engage in high-tech war in neighborhoods all over the world, all without alerting their human owners. The cats have a diabolical plan and it involves a vaccine that, if administered, registers a human allergic to dogs. Now dogs must do whatever it takes to stop them before it’s too late.
A Dog’s Journey
In A Dog’s Journey we watch Bailey, the loving dog of Ethan and Hannah, as he makes friends with Ethan’s granddaughter CJ. When CJ’s mother takes her away and as Bailey’s soul prepares to depart, Bailey promises Ethan he’ll find CJ again and protect her. And so starts the adventure of Bailey’s many lives. (If you couldn’t tell, this is a sequel to A Dog’s Purpose!)
Heart of a Dog
Laurie Anderson, a musician and performance artist, reflects on the death of her husband, her mother, and her dog. It truly takes a philosophical look at life and death.
Grab a bowl of popcorn and be prepared to share a handful or two with your pooch as you watch your way through this list. (Don’t worry, popcorn isn’t on this list of foods you should never feed your dog.) If you don’t already own the movies, sign-up for a free 30-Day Trial of Amazon Prime Video to spend some quality time watching these movies with your pooch.
If you’ve been around dogs, you know how important it is for dogs to have good toys to keep them entertained. Sometimes, looking at all your options can be a bit overwhelming. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best dog toys for every interest.
Everyone knows how long Kongs can keep their dog preoccupied. For that reason, it made it onto this list. Additionally, natural rubber makes up the Kong Classic, making it a more eco-friendly dog toy. Fill it with Kong Easy Treat or peanut butter and treats for a stimulating time.
The Toppl provides ample space for hiding treats. The inner “teeth” provide a creative way to hold smaller treats or kibble in place. With the option to purchase of the XL Toppl, you can connect it to the Toppl and increase the challenge for your pooch. If your dog likes to drop their toys in your pool or local ponds, the Toppl also has the benefit of floating. You can also use the dishwasher to clean the Toppl easily. Lastly, it uses zero-waste manufacturing and can be recycled through the Join the Loop recycling program. (Pretty awesome win for the environment!)
Snuffle mats provide great enrichment during feeding time. Simply hide your dog’s kibble or treats) throughout the mat and let them sniff out their food. This allows your dog to use their instinctual smelling and hunting skills. Using Routesun’s snuffle mat also means you use a more eco-friendly sustainable antipilling fleece material.
Kong frisbees are amazing!!! The soft rubber allows for more grace when throwing than other more rigid frisbees. As your dog jumps to catch the frisbee, you also don’t have to worry about the soft material hurting their mouth or if it accidentally hits them. Made of durable, eco-friendly natural rubber, Kong frisbees have a substantial amount of strength and can hold up against dogs that want to switch to tug of war.
Not everyone plays professional baseball. If you struggle to throw the ball far enough for your dog, consider buying the Chuckit! launcher. Not only does it keep you from feeling like you’ve dislocated your shoulder, but it also throws the ball far.
If you can’t keep up your dog’s throwing demand, consider the iFetch ball launcher. Whether you drop the ball into the launcher yourself or train your dog to do so, once the ball makes its way into the launcher, the iFetch then launches it 10 to 40 feet. Sit back and relax as your pooch gets their steps in for the day and wears themselves out.
Kurgo skipping stones come in three different sizes and easy-to-spot colors. While not designed for chewing, the Kurgo stones will still float even if your dog gets a little overzealous. The material is also dishwasher safe and non-toxic.
The Kong Aqua works great for strong swimmers. With the help of the rope part of the toy, you can throw the Aqua even further for your dog. An inner foam layer enables the Aqua to float while the bright orange color helps your pooch spot the toy in the water. The Aqua provides great water retrieving practice.
West Paw rocks for its use of more environmentally friendly dog toys! This zero-waste, recyclable toy has three arms your dog can grab onto when it swims out to catch this floating beauty. If you’ve got more than one dog, this means two or three dogs can potentially all grab onto the same toy at once. Let the games begin!
If you bring your dog to work or just enjoy the silence, consider the HearDoggy toy! With an ultrasonic, quiet squeaker that produces sounds outside of the human hearing range, your dog can go wild while you enjoy peace and quiet. It also comes with minimal stuffing for minimal clean-up, reinforced seams, and a chew guard lining to extend its life.
BarkBox’s platypus provides a quieter crinkle wrap to keep your dog engaged. This platypus provides an excellent option for pet parents who don’t mind noise but don’t want it waking up the house. Additionally, if your dog chews or plays aggressively, you’ll be delightfully surprised to learn that this platypus hides additional toys inside once it has been destroyed.
If you don’t mind the sound of squeakers, this mat is for you. With six to 32 squeakers (depending on the size you get), your dog will almost certainly bite down on a squeaker every time. Additionally, the minimal amount of stuffing keeps cleaning to a minimum. If you aren’t afraid of using a needle and thread, you can even extend the life of this toy by buying a pack of replacement squeakers.
You might’ve heard about this Hide-A-Squirrel toy and for good reason. This cute toy hides 3 to 6 different squeaky squirrels. They can search around this soft, plush log in search of the squirrels. If your dog gets bored of taking the squirrels out of the log, consider throwing the squirrels and playing fetch.
This puzzle rocks! Place some treats in one of the holes and then slide to cover it. Give your dog the shuffleboard and let them figure out how to access their treats! If you crate-train your dog, this toy will keep them preoccupied. Since SPOT uses wood for this toy, you don’t have to worry about adding to plastic waste!
Medium and larger dogs will love Frisco’s Volcano! It hides six squeaky dinosaurs for your dogs to discover. Similar to Outward Hound’s Hide-A-Squirrel, the dinosaurs also have a squeaker and can easily serve as a fun ball alternative if you want to play fetch.
It seems everyone loves this little lamb. With a soft exterior great for cuddling and a squeaker for playful puppies, this toy captivates everyone that owns it, puppy or not. Although this might not be the best choice for aggressive chewers, people love it so much it’s not uncommon for people to buy and replace them anyways. This is a long way to say that this thing rocks!
Your puppy will eventually enter the teething phase. Start them early on this toy so they can quickly learn appropriate things to chew on that relieves their teething discomfort. While Nylabone uses plastic, it is still non-toxic and has a nice bacon flavor for your pup.
Kong Puppy rocks because it uses softer, natural rubber than the Kong Classic. This means your pup can work out their teething frustration and minimize discomfort. You can also stuff the sides and insides with treats to promote appropriate teething behavior. It comes in both baby blue and light pink colors.
The Snuggle Puppy works great for anxious dogs, young and old. Using AAA batteries and a Heat Pack, you can simulate a heartbeat and the warmth of another dog. This toy has helped over 1,000,000 dogs to date – pretty impressive! Because it can help alleviate anxiety and make crate training easier by limiting whining and barking, YOU and your pup will benefit from a good night’s sleep.
Beewarm uses non-toxic, food-grade rubber to make this delicious pineapple. You can also use this toy to control plaque and tartar buildup. Fill it with treats or peanut butter and let your dog go to town. Once your pup finishes up, just pop it in the dishwasher for a quick clean.
West Paw truly prioritizes environmental health when it crafts its toys. They use excess fabric from their Big Sky Blanket to make this Grizzly. Given fast fashion hurts the environment due to water consumption and unnecessary fabric waste, this says a lot about West Paw. Additionally, they use recycled plastic bottles to make their soft filling. Each grizzly also comes with a squeaker to keep your pup entertained! A quick warning though, if your dog has a habit of ripping its toys to shreds instantly, you might want to go for one of the other toys listed instead.
With reinforced seams and a chew-resistant lining, this dinosaur will surely captivate your pooch’s heart. While soft, the checkered texture and squeaker will fascinate your pooch.
This octopus has it all – squeaker, crinkly paper, soft fluff, and elastic legs. Here at Wild Bound, our dogs personally love this toy and carry it around constantly. While it’s great for snuggling, it also makes a great throw toy too. If your dog doesn’t instantly rip apart all its toys, give this octopus a try.
Sometimes large dogs can do some serious chewing damage. If your dog is one of them, try this wishbone! It can come in a variety of flavors – bacon, chicken, and peanut. This toy truly holds up against the most aggressive of chewers.
The average sloth might look soft, but this toy sure isn’t! With two layers of ultra-strong fabric that are bound together by kevlar yarn and reinforced seams, this sloth is a BEAST. It’s a great plush toy option for large pups with strong jaws!
There are a ton of good toys for dogs as you can see above. While many more toys exist out there, at Wild Bound, we feel that we’ve selected some of the best toys out there for almost any dog. In fact, we’d argue that good toys for dogs will not only help you check off an item on the New Puppy Checklist, but it’ll help extend your dog’s life through mental stimulation. Whichever dog toy you choose, they’re sure to love every moment of playtime with you!
