Signs Your Dog Is Going Into Labor (and When to Call the Vet)

By Tarik Aziz · November 10, 2026

Most dogs give birth (whelp) without any help, but knowing what is normal (and what isn’t) lets you step in quickly if something goes wrong. Start by finding the expected date with our dog pregnancy calculator; labor usually begins 58–68 days after breeding.

Early signs that labor is near

• Temperature drop: the most reliable sign. Take a rectal temperature twice a day from about day 56. A normal reading is 100.5–102.5°F (38–39°C). When it falls below 99°F (37.2°C) on two readings, labor usually starts within 12–24 hours.
• Nesting: digging, shredding bedding, seeking out a quiet hidden spot.
• Loss of appetite in the final 24 hours.
• Restlessness, panting and shivering.
• Milk in the teats, though some dogs produce milk days earlier, and some not until after birth.

The three stages of labor

Stage 1: Preparation (6–12 hours, up to 24–36 in first-time mothers)

The cervix relaxes and the uterus begins contracting, but you won’t see straining yet. Your dog may pant, pace, tremble, vomit, refuse food and repeatedly rearrange her bed. Keep her calm and the room quiet.

Stage 2: Delivery of the puppies

Visible abdominal contractions begin. A fluid-filled sac may appear first, then a puppy usually arrives within 20–30 minutes of strong straining. Puppies may come head-first or tail-first. Both are normal. The mother normally tears the sac, licks the puppy to stimulate breathing and chews the cord.

Intervals between puppies vary from a few minutes to about 2 hours. It is common for a dog to rest for a while in the middle of a large litter.

Stage 3: Delivery of the placenta

Each puppy is followed by its placenta (afterbirth), usually within 15 minutes. Stages 2 and 3 alternate until all puppies are born. Count the placentas. A retained one can cause infection. A greenish-black or reddish discharge for several days to weeks after whelping is normal.

When to call the vet

Call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately if you notice any of the following:

• More than 24 hours after the temperature drop without labor starting.
• Strong, continuous straining for 30–60 minutes without a puppy.
• More than 2–4 hours between puppies when you know more are inside (from an X-ray count).
• Green or black discharge before the first puppy is born (it signals placental separation).
• A puppy visibly stuck in the birth canal for more than 10 minutes.
• Heavy bleeding, collapse, extreme weakness or trembling.
• Day 68 after breeding has passed with no signs of labor.

Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers) and very small or very large litters are more likely to need a caesarean section. Discuss a plan with your vet in advance.

Caring for mother and puppies after whelping

• Make sure every puppy nurses within the first few hours to receive colostrum.
• Keep the whelping area warm (about 85–90°F / 29–32°C for the first week) with a cooler area the mother can move to.
• Weigh puppies daily; they should gain weight every day and roughly double birth weight in 7–10 days.
• Feed the mother a high-quality puppy food, freely or in several meals. She may need 2–4 times her normal calories at peak milk production.
• Watch the mother for a fever, foul-smelling discharge, hot or painful mammary glands, or trembling and stiffness (possible eclampsia, a calcium emergency).
• Book a post-whelping check for mother and puppies within a few days.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your pet, please call your vet.