For most Pit Bull parents, nothing is more exciting than welcoming their puppies into the world. However, people whose Pit Bulls are pregnant for the first time or those who are considering breeding their Pit Bull may have many questions about the pregnancy.
Pregnancy in most dogs, including Pit Bulls, lasts around 2 months, though it can be challenging to determine the precise delivery time.
To get the best chance of a smooth pregnancy and your Pit Bull being ready for her due date, read on to discover more about Pit Bull pregnancy, from the appropriate time for your Pit Bull to get pregnant to how long the pregnancy lasts and its stages.
What’s the Appropriate Age for Your Pit Bull to Get Pregnant?
Female Pit Bulls will have their first heat cycle once they reach puberty, typically around 6–9 months of age.1 However, that might not be the best time for your dog to get pregnant.
At 6 months of life, your Pit Bull is still considered a puppy, and her body is not developed enough to bring puppies into this world safely.
Most Pit Bulls are more fertile during their adult years, when they are older than 12–15 months of age. All dog breeds experience heat twice a year, so you’ll have plenty of time to breed your Pit Bull.
The Signs of Pregnancy in Pit Bulls
If you’ve had your Pit Bull go through the mating process, there’s a big possibility that pregnancy will occur. Therefore, you need to know how to recognize the signs of pregnancy in Pit Bulls before you take your dog in for a vet check-up.
Signs that your Pit Bull is pregnant include:
By noticing these signs in your Pit Bull, you can determine if your canine is pregnant. However, certain health problems could cause similar signs, so it’s best to contact your vet if you notice any of them.
How Can You Confirm Your Pit Bull’s Pregnancy?
There’s no such thing as pregnancy test kits for dogs, which is why you’ll need other methods to confirm your Pit Bull’s pregnancy.
The best way to know if your Pit Bull is pregnant is to take her to the vet, who will then perform one of the following methods to confirm the pregnancy:
How Long Does a Pit Bull Pregnancy Last?
Pit Bull pregnancy lasts around 2 months, generally between 62 and 64 days.2 Veterinarians typically can’t determine the precise due date, as the time of mating doesn’t always match the time of conception.
The best way to track your Pit Bull’s pregnancy and know what’s going on is to take her to the vet a month after the breeding.
Pit Bull Pregnancy Stages
You can follow your Pit Bull’s pregnancy through all its stages and prepare along with your dog to welcome puppies to the world. Your Pit Bull will go through eight stages before the delivery time.
Week 1
The first week during Pit Bull pregnancy is when the breeding and possible fertilization occur. Keep in mind that the conception day and the breeding day will likely mismatch, which may affect the precise delivery date for your canine.
After fertilization, the embryo will travel down the uterus and by the end of this week, the pregnancy will take root on the uterine wall, but there will be no changes in your Pit Bull’s appearance or behavior.
Week 2
The developing embryo is safely implanted and doesn’t need much so don’t change the diet just yet. Your dog will still look and behave the same during this stage of pregnancy.
The only noticeable difference that some dogs may experience is decreased appetite and vomiting. You may carefully groom them to reduce stress.
Week 3
At this stage of your Pit Bull’s pregnancy, the embryos attach to the uterus, enabling the growing puppies to get nutrients from their mother.
The third week is still too early to confirm the pregnancy, so you can wait a bit longer before taking your Pit Bull to the vet for further testing.
Week 4
Week four represents an exciting turnaround in your Pit Bull’s pregnancy because that’s when most of the development begins. The puppies start forming their spine and eye shape and growing slightly.
At this stage, you should be able to feel the puppies moving if you place a hand on your Pit Bull’s tummy. This week is a good time to take your Pit Bull to the vet to confirm the pregnancy and estimate how long your canine has been pregnant.
The vet will be able to determine a possible timeframe for the delivery time, as dog pregnancies last between 62 and 64 days. However, they won’t be able to determine an exact date, so you should start preparing for the puppies.
Week 5
During week five, the puppies in your Pit Bull’s tummy grow more and more, and the space around them starts to fill with amniotic fluid that protects them. In this stage, the puppies will also slowly start growing their teeth and whiskers.
You’ll likely notice your Pit Bull gaining weight, and she may experience an increased appetite. The developing puppies also start to increase their weight gain.
Week 6
During week six, it will be extremely easy to notice that your Pit Bull is pregnant, even if you’ve never seen a pregnant dog before. She will gain weight, have a large belly, and have swollen, dark nipples.
Most Pit Bulls become less active during this week, and they require more food than usual to support their body and the development of the puppies inside the uterus. Your vet might prescribe a vitamin supplement. At this stage, the puppies will start to grow fur and get the pigments and markings that will determine how each puppy will look once born.
Week 7
Starting week seven, you should seriously prepare for the arrival of your new Pit Bull puppies and create a designated whelping area for your dog. You’ll likely need to get your Pit Bull used to the idea of using the area and try to encourage nesting behavior.
Your pregnant Pit Bull will likely eat large amounts of food during this period and may be more affectionate and irritable than usual.
At this point, the puppies are fully developed, so the actual delivery may start at any time, though it typically does not occur until the pregnancy’s eighth week and forward.
Week 8
It is entirely normal for many dogs to give birth during the eighth week of their pregnancy. At this point, you’ll be able to see the puppies moving in the belly, and you may feel them if your Pit Bull lets you.
Many female Pit Bulls tend to become distant during this week, as they’re preparing to give birth and trying to focus on everything coming. The udder is swollen this time and teats begin to release milk.
Week 9
By this point, your Pit Bull could go into labor at any moment. You should prepare everything and provide a safe, clean, and comfortable space where your dog can give birth.
When labor starts, remember to remain calm and try to help your dog in any way until the labor is over.
How to Care For a Pregnant Pit Bull
Things that you’ll need to pay attention to during your Pit Bull’s pregnancy to ensure that you’re properly taking care of your furry friend include:
Final Thoughts
Pit Bulls are typically pregnant for 2 months or between 62 and 64 days. However, the due date may vary, as fertilization may not occur at the same time that the breeding does.
To be sure you’re prepared for the arrival of the puppies, be ready for potential labor starting by the end of week seven. Pit Bulls may give birth anywhere between the end of week seven and week nine, which is something to keep in mind.
Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock
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