Signs of Dog Labor: How to Tell Whelping Is Starting
By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·
Labor in dogs usually begins with behavioral changes you can see hours to a day before the first puppy arrives. The clearest early signs of dog labor are restlessness, nesting, panting, and a drop in rectal temperature below about 99°F. Knowing these signals helps you prepare and decide when to call your veterinarian.
This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
Quick Answer
- A drop in rectal temperature is one of the most reliable early signs. Temperature often falls during the last 24 hours before birth [1].
- Nesting, pacing, and restlessness typically start 24 hours or less before the first puppy [2].
- Panting, shivering, and looking at her flank are common as contractions begin.
- Stage one labor (cervical dilation and early contractions) can last 6 to 12 hours before active pushing starts [3].
- Call your vet if she pushes hard for 20 to 30 minutes with no puppy, or if more than 2 hours pass between puppies with no progress [3].
What Are the First Signs of Dog Labor Starting?
The earliest signs are behavioral. Your dog may become restless, pace, dig at bedding, or try to hide in a closet or under a bed. This nesting behavior is normal and often begins within 24 hours of the first puppy [2]. She may also refuse food, vomit, or have loose stools in the hours before labor.
Panting is one of the most noticeable signs of a dog in labor. You may see heavy panting, shivering, and a glazed look. She may turn and lick her vulva or stare at her belly. These behaviors reflect the discomfort of early contractions [4].
A drop in body temperature is the most objective sign. In one study, rectal temperature fell significantly during the last 24 hours before parturition [1]. A temperature below about 99°F (37.2°C) suggests labor is close. Take her temperature twice daily during the last week of pregnancy so you know her normal baseline.
Some dogs show a clear "drop" and then go back up right before pushing starts. Others drop gradually. Either pattern can be normal.
Step-by-Step: How to Tell Whelping Is Starting
Step 1: Know Your Due Date
Gestation in dogs averages about 63 days from ovulation, but it can range from 58 to 68 days depending on how you count. Your veterinarian can estimate the date with ultrasound or X-ray. X-ray after day 45 can also tell you how many puppies to expect, which matters because retained puppies are a common problem.
Step 2: Start Taking Temperature Twice Daily
Begin about one week before the due date. Use a digital rectal thermometer with a little lubricant. Record the number each time. A sustained drop below 99°F is a strong signal that labor is within 24 hours [1].
Step 3: Watch for Nesting and Restlessness
Set up a whelping box a week or two early so she gets used to it. When she starts digging, circling, and rearranging bedding, labor is likely close [2]. Some dogs want you nearby. Others want to be alone. Let her choose, but keep her in a safe, warm, quiet area.
Step 4: Note Panting and Other Discomfort Signs
Heavy panting, shivering, and looking at her rear are normal signs of early labor [4]. If she seems to be in severe pain or cries out constantly, call your vet.
Step 5: Time the Stages
Stage one is cervical dilation and early contractions. It can last 6 to 12 hours [3]. You may see no obvious contractions yet, just restlessness and panting. Stage two begins when she starts actively straining and a puppy is delivered. Stage three is delivery of the placenta, which can happen between puppies.
Step 6: Prepare for the First Puppy
Have towels, a bulb syringe, unwaxed dental floss, scissors, and a heating pad ready. Keep the room warm, around 85°F for newborns. Most dams handle everything themselves. Intervene only if she does not break the sac or clean the puppy within a minute or two.
Dog Labor Signs Timeline and Checklist
| Time Before Birth | What You May See | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 24 to 48 hours | Restlessness, nesting, hiding, refusing food | Set up whelping box, take temperature twice daily |
| 24 hours | Rectal temperature drops below 99°F [1] | Stay close, keep the room quiet and warm |
| 6 to 12 hours | Panting, shivering, pacing, licking vulva | Time contractions, call vet if worried |
| 0 to 2 hours | Strong straining, water breaks, puppy appears | Help only if needed, keep puppies warm |
| Between puppies | Rest, nursing, placenta delivery | Note the time, call vet if over 2 hours pass [3] |
Signs of Dog Labor Panting and What They Mean
Panting during labor is normal. It helps her manage discomfort and stay cool during contractions [4]. But panting can also signal pain, anxiety, or overheating. Watch for these differences:
- Normal labor panting: comes in waves, she rests between contractions, she responds to you.
- Concerning panting: constant, frantic, with crying or inability to settle. This may mean dystocia (difficult birth) [3].
- Panting with no progress: if she pants heavily for hours without straining or delivering, call your vet.
If your dog is panting and whining outside of labor, that can have many causes. See Why Is My Dog Pacing and Whining? for more on that behavior.
Dog Nesting Behavior: What Is Normal?
Nesting is one of the most reliable behavioral signs of dog labor starting [2]. She may dig at blankets, shred paper, or try to build a den. Some dogs nest in a closet, behind furniture, or in a laundry basket. This is instinct.
What to do:
- Give her a whelping box with clean, soft bedding.
- Put it in a quiet, warm room she already knows.
- Let her rearrange the bedding. Do not scold her.
- Keep other pets away.
If she nests for more than 24 hours with no other signs, call your vet to check on her progress.
Dog Temperature Drop Before Labor: How to Track It
The temperature drop is the most useful at-home tool you have. Here is how to do it right:
- Use a digital rectal thermometer. Label it "dog only."
- Lubricate with water-based jelly.
- Take the temperature at the same times each day, morning and evening.
- Write down each reading.
- A drop below 99°F means labor is likely within 24 hours [1].
Do not rely on ear thermometers. They are not accurate enough for this purpose. If you are not comfortable taking a rectal temperature, ask your vet to show you how.
What Supplies and Setup Matter for Health
A clean, warm, quiet space lowers the risk of problems. Here is what to have ready:
- Whelping box with low sides so you can reach in.
- Clean towels and blankets, plus a laundry basket for soiled ones.
- Heating pad or heat lamp set on low, with a cooler corner so puppies can move away.
- Bulb syringe for clearing airways.
- Unwaxed dental floss and small scissors for tying and cutting cords if needed.
- Kitchen scale to weigh puppies daily.
- Notebook to record times, weights, and placentas.
- Your vet's phone number and the nearest emergency clinic.
Good breeding management and vaccination before pregnancy improve newborn survival [5]. Keep the area clean to reduce infection risk, since septic infection is a leading cause of neonatal death after hypoxia [5].
Signs That Something Is Wrong
Most whelpings go smoothly, but problems can happen fast. Call your veterinarian right away if you see:
- Strong straining for 20 to 30 minutes with no puppy delivered [3].
- More than 2 hours between puppies with no progress [3].
- A puppy stuck in the birth canal.
- Green or black discharge before the first puppy.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Fever above 103°F, collapse, or seizures.
- A puppy born with the sac still on and not breathing after you clear the airway.
Hypoxia during a long labor is the main cause of newborn death, so time matters [5]. If you are unsure whether things are progressing normally, seek veterinary care immediately [3].
Common Mistakes Owners Make
- Waiting too long to call the vet. If you are worried, call. Early help is better than late help [3].
- Not knowing how many puppies to expect. An X-ray tells you, so you know when labor is not finished.
- Taking temperature with an ear thermometer. It is not accurate enough to detect the drop [1].
- Interfering too much. Most dams know what to do. Step in only when needed.
- Skipping the whelping box setup. A dog that has not adjusted to the box may refuse to use it.
- Ignoring pain signs. Parturition involves pain in all mammals, and severe distress should be evaluated [4].
- Forgetting to weigh puppies. Daily weights catch problems early.
Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian
No article can tell you exactly what is happening with your dog. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine her and the puppies.
Call your veterinarian the same day if:
- Her temperature drops below 99°F but no labor starts within 24 hours [1].
- She has been in stage one labor for more than 12 hours with no straining [3].
- She seems uncomfortable but is not progressing.
- You are unsure whether she is in labor.
Go to an emergency clinic now if:
- She strains hard for 20 to 30 minutes with no puppy [3].
- More than 2 hours pass between puppies [3].
- She has heavy bleeding, collapse, or a fever.
- A puppy is stuck or she seems unable to deliver.
Schedule a routine visit if:
- You want to confirm pregnancy or the due date.
- You want an X-ray to count puppies.
- You want help learning to take a rectal temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does dog labor last?
Stage one can last 6 to 12 hours before active pushing begins [3]. The pushing stage is usually faster, but the time between puppies can vary. Call your vet if more than 2 hours pass between puppies [3].
Can a dog go into labor at night?
Yes. Labor can start at any time. Some data suggest parturition may cluster around certain lunar phases, but this is not reliable for planning [6]. Be ready day or night during the last week of pregnancy.
What if my dog is panting but no puppies come?
Panting alone does not mean she is in active labor. If she pants heavily for hours without straining or delivering, call your vet. Prolonged labor without progress can harm the puppies [5].
Should I help my dog during labor?
Most dams do not need help. If she does not remove the sac or clean the puppy within a minute or two, you can gently wipe the face and clear the airway. Call your vet if you are unsure.
How do I know when labor is over?
You know labor is over when she settles, stops straining, and starts nursing and resting. If you had an X-ray to count puppies, you can confirm all are delivered. If you are unsure, call your vet for a check.
Can I give my dog pain medication during labor?
No. Do not give any medication unless your veterinarian prescribes it. The dose depends on her weight, health, and stage of labor. Giving human pain meds can be dangerous. If you think she is in severe pain, call your vet [4].
What if my dog has worms and is about to whelp?
Worms can pass from mother to puppies. Talk to your vet about safe deworming during pregnancy and after birth. See Signs My Dog Has Worms for more information.
Why is my dog whining during labor?
Whining can be normal discomfort, but constant crying or crying with no progress is a red flag. If she whines and cannot settle, call your vet. For whining outside of labor, see Dog Whining All the Time: What Is Your Dog Trying to Tell You?.
How do I know if my dog's pain is controlled after labor?
After whelping, watch for normal nursing, eating, and resting. If she seems painful, call your vet. For more on judging pain control, see [How to Tell If Your Dog's Pain Medication Is Working](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/dog-pain
Related Articles
- Dog Whining All the Time: What Is Your Dog Trying to Tell You?
- Why Is My Dog Pacing and Whining?
- Signs My Dog Has Worms
- Dog Scratching Ears And Whining
- How to Tell If Your Dog's Pain Medication Is Working
- Dog Crate Training Whining
References
- Applicability of fetal heart rate variation, umbilical artery resistivity index and maternal body temperature for predicting imminent parturition in bitches. Animal reproduction, 2026.
- Factors influencing ease of whelping and its relationship with maternal behaviour and puppy perinatal mortality in commercially bred dogs. Scientific reports, 2022.
- The normal whelping process. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- How Do Women and Domestic Animals Share Parturition Pain? A Systematic Review. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2026.
- Staying alive: a questionnaire study on pregnancy outcome and pre-weaning puppy health in Swedish dogs. Theriogenology, 2026.
- Distributions of Conception and Parturition in Dogs According to the Lunar Phase. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2025.