Pregnancy is an exciting time for your female golden retriever but as her caretaker, you need to brush up on the information that keeps her healthy over the next couple of months. Learn how long the gestation period is and understand the weekly milestones during golden retriever pregnancy!
Golden Retriever Summary
Female golden retrievers typically grow to 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall and can weigh between 55 and 65 pounds on average. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years and are known for their loving, affectionate nature, which makes them fantastic for family life that includes young kids and other pets. These pups may be either a light golden color, a golden color, or a dark golden color. Not only do they make great companions in the home, but they also do excellently when working as guides for the blind. They are also fantastic when they do search and rescue work!
Golden retrievers are known for their affectionate personalities.
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Golden Retriever Pregnancy Symptoms
One of the first changes you’ll notice when your golden retriever is pregnant is her behavior. Whereas some goldens may get extra clingy and cuddly, following you around the house and vying for your attention, others may retreat and seem unusually solitary. You may also notice other signs that include an increased appetite, some weight gain, larger nipples, and of course, a swollen belly.
Your golden may also lack the same energy she used to have and get tired a bit more easily. Although she may display more affectionate behavior, especially initially, she may also have bouts of irritability as her body goes through all the changes. Though there are some pregnancy symptoms that can help you determine whether or not your golden is pregnant, it’s best to see a veterinarian for confirmation of the pregnancy.
Gestation Period: How Long Are Golden Retrievers Pregnant?
The average number of days your golden will be pregnant is 63. The gestation period for dogs lasts nine weeks, give or take a couple of days.
Pregnancy Care for Golden Retriever
As your golden grows babies inside her belly, she needs a nutrient-rich diet. Make sure you’re feeding her high-quality food and increasing the amount you provide her with as her pregnancy develops. This could be a 25 to 50% increase in food for her. Since her puppies are growing, large meals get uncomfortable. She may not be able to comfortably digest a large meal despite having increased hunger.
To make things better for her, break down her meals into at least two each day so she has an easier time with digestion. There will be moments of discomfort for your golden, which is expected. Make sure you provide her with ample, comfortable space to rest as needed. She won’t be excited about strenuous exercise, but you can definitely keep her active by taking her on short walks. The most important action you can take during your golden’s pregnancy, however, is staying up to date with your vet visits so you are apprised of any changes that require your attention.
Average Litter Size for Golden Retriever
Your golden retriever may have anywhere between four to 12 puppies. Your veterinarian can confirm the total via x-ray before your pup gives birth.
Golden retriever litters may be as small as four or as big as 12!
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What to Expect in Week 1
After your female golden retriever successfully mates with a male, several eggs get fertilized within her uterus. The hormone changes start this early, but you still won’t see any physical changes. At this stage, you and your pup can continue with normal behavior.
What to Expect in Week 2
During week two, you can also continue behavior as usual, including play and grooming. This is a maintenance week. Even if your pup displays more hunger than usual, you want to prevent her from gaining any weight this early in her pregnancy. Unless your veterinarian specifies anything different, just focus on maintaining her weight at the stage.
What to Expect in Week 3
Week three is the nidation stage. The puppies are now getting nutrients within a membrane layer. Again, behavior can continue as usual. There won’t be any noticeable physical changes just yet.
What to Expect in Week 4
Week four is an exciting time because it’s when you can finally confirm your dog’s pregnancy. Reach out to your veterinarian and request an ultrasound to see how many puppies she has growing inside her and to get a date for when she’ll give birth. This vet visit is important not just to confirm pregnancy but also to determine if there are any medical issues you may need to address.
What to Expect in Week 5
Week five is the fetal stage. At this stage, the puppies are growing beautifully. They’re starting to develop their own organs and the embryo stops being referred to as an embryo! It is now a fetus. Throughout this stage, you’re going to notice some major physical changes in your dog. She’s going to gain weight and look as pregnant as she is. As she puts on weight, it’s appropriate to feed her more to make sure she’s getting proper nutrients.
What to Expect in Week 6
At week six, the puppies are developing even more cells. Their organs are more defined, and they are even developing their claws at this point. Your golden retriever’s diet needs to include nutrient-dense foods, fed multiple times a day. She needs all the protein and minerals she can get as her body is now the source of sustenance for her and her ever-growing litter.
What to Expect in Week 7
During week seven, your golden’s puppies are developing their hair. They’ve got their organs, their claws, and they are getting furry inside their mama’s uterus. Your golden is likely more uncomfortable during the stage and requires more rest. Her body is working overtime, which means she needs a diet that supports her through these last couple of weeks.
What to Expect in Week 8
By week eight, you should be getting an x-ray at your veterinarian’s office to check on the litter. Your golden is very close to the delivery time and needs your support. Make sure she’s eating comfortably, resting comfortably, and getting all the love and encouragement she needs to make it through this last phase. Her nipples are significantly larger at this stage and they may even be discharging a milky fluid. You may even be able to feel the puppies moving around inside her belly.
What to Expect in Week 9
Week nine is finally delivery time! Though the labor and delivery portion of this pregnancy is going to be the most challenging for your dog, within moments, she will instinctively move into mama mode and rest alongside her puppies while nursing them.
By week nine, your golden retriever is ready to deliver her puppies!
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How to Prepare for Labor and Delivery
To properly prepare for labor and delivery, get your golden a whelping box. This should be set up in a draft-free environment and is meant to provide your golden with a warm, comfortable, and a safe place for her to deliver her puppies. You can certainly make your own but there are some available for purchase as well. Your golden should be able to step in and out of it with ease but it should have edges that are high enough to prevent puppies from exiting. The whelping box and your golden should be well acquainted by the time she’s ready to deliver her puppies.
If she doesn’t have an opportunity to sniff around and get comfortable with it, she may decide to deliver elsewhere. Be sure to check with your veterinarian for any specific instructions when it comes to your unique soon-to-be mama golden. Make sure water and food are readily available as well! As she births each puppy, her natural instincts kick in and she will clean each one. She may even eat the placentas. If she needs your help during this process, collaborate with her to get her puppies clean.
How to Care For Your Golden Retriever Afterward
After your golden has birthed all her puppies, help her by making sure that each of the puppies is nursing. Your golden will be exhausted and her body will still be in shock after the ordeal. Make sure that the whelping box she has nestled into with her puppies remains warm and comfortable. Keep any other pets away and let the new mama rest. Take her to the veterinarian along with the puppies for a check-up and allow her time to get used to her new role as a mother and her new schedule.
