How Long is a Pitbull Pregnant? Pitbull Parent Tips

So, how long do Pitbulls stay pregnant? Like all dogs, Pitbulls will stay pregnant for nine weeks, which is 63 days. Due to many variables, this number may vary by a few days and a veterinarian can run tests to help determine a more specific date for your specific Pitbull.

Whether you’re a long time pet parent to a Pitbull or a new one, the first time your Pitbull gets pregnant may conjure up a cocktail of emotions. 

Sure, you may be excited at the idea of having some new little fur babies added to your family, but you may also be wondering how you’re going to prepare yourself for the adjustment. Either way, you’re going to want to start planning, and knowing how long you have is a big piece to it.

Similar to humans, a dog’s pregnancy can be separated into three trimesters. In the case of Pitbull (dogs), each trimester will last approximately 21 days. In the early days of pregnancy, it can be very difficult to know whether your Pitbull is actually pregnant without diagnostics run by a veterinarian.

Pitbulls, and most dogs, can present with medical conditions that will produce symptoms making it seem like they are pregnant when they are, in fact, not pregnant.

Common Symptoms of Pregnancy in Dogs

Here is a list of some common symptoms for Pitbulls, and dogs in general, that are pregnant:

• weight gain
• morning sickness
• fatigue, lack of appetite
• nipples get darker
• nipples swell
• milky fluid discharged from nipples
• belly swaying (final stages)

As you can see with some of these symptoms it can be easy to confuse an early pregnancy with other medical conditions in Pitbulls.

And while it can be tempting when your Pitbull becomes visibly pregnant to feel their belly for puppies, it’s important to avoid this as there is a risk of harming the fetuses and/or causing a miscarriage.

Best practice is to always consult with a veterinarian to get their expert opinion on your Pitbull, especially when it comes to something as sensitive as pregnancy.

How do Pitbulls Get Pregnant?

In case you’re actively trying to have your Pitbull get pregnant or you are actively trying to avoid it, it will be helpful to understand how your Pitbull even gets pregnant in the first place.

The following is some information on the heat cycle for female Pitbulls.

What Does it Mean When a Pitbull is in Heat? 

Coming home to a dog who is excited to see you, even if all you did was go out to the car to get something you forgot, can have both its good and bad sides. Dealing with a dog in estrus or in heat can be trying, or it can be nothing more than a nuisance.

What does it mean when a Pitbull is in heat? This is when she is fertile and becomes interested in breeding. She will have a spike in the hormone estrogen, which will then drop as the mature eggs drop into the uterus. It is only at this time that puppies are possible. 

Knowing what estrus is may help you to understand your Pitbull a bit better. Whether you want puppies or you want to know so you can keep your intact Pitbull from having them, knowing how to identify the estrus cycle can help in making these decisions. 

Being in heat means that your Pitbull is either ready to breed or getting ready to. Most Pitbull will be in heat for 3 weeks. When your Pitbull is in heat for the first time, this is a sign that she is sexually mature and capable of breeding. Though if you do plan to breed her, this is not the optimal time to do it. 

Breeding at less than 18 months of age can be very hard on a dog and can even stunt her growth as she is still a growing puppy. A dog should NEVER be bred during her first heat, even accidentally. Measures should be taken to ensure that she is not bred, and these are measures that any responsible pet parent should be able to take. 

That being said, being in heat is actually just part of the estrus cycle that a female dog experiences most of her life. The roller coaster that is her hormone cycle will rise and fall just as they do in human females, but on a longer scale.

What Exactly is the Estrus or Heat Cycle in Pitbulls?

Basically, the heat cycle is how the hormones rise and fall in a Pitbull. In humans, this roller coaster runs its loop about every 28 days, but with dogs, it can run anywhere from 3 – 6 months. Dogs, Pitbull included, will typically have a heat two to three times a year. 

The entire heat cycle can last from 2-4 weeks, depending on the breed of your dog. Although the health and age of your dog can affect this as well. Smaller breed dogs like Pitbulls will usually have heat more often while larger breeds may stick closer to the 6-month cycle. There are 4 stages to the estrus cycle. I have listed them below with some information on what you can expect during each stage. 

Proestrus

This is the beginning of the cycle. This is marked by a swollen vulva (female genitalia) and one of the two physical signs of the heat cycle. This is when males will start to show interest when her personality will start to change a bit, and when she will start playing more “sexual” games with others. Mounting and chasing behavior will start to become more pronounced.

Your dog will also have some slight bleeding from her genitalia. This could be compared to a period in a human, but this is actually the beginning, not the end of the cycle, unlike humans. This bleeding is the second physical sign of the estrous cycle and will taper off around 5-7 days. 

Estrus

Your dog will continue to have a swollen vulva, and the discharge will be lighter, eventually becoming more clear although it is not urine. This is when males could become aggressive to try to mate with her. I have even had a male dog trying to break into my home to get to one of my females in heat. 

Your female will usually be more willing to “play” with unknown males and will be more likely to let a known male mount her. However, if she absolutely hates a particular male, even though the hormones will push her breeding instinct, she may not let him mount her. You may notice some changes in her personality at this point as well, but this varies on the personality of your dog.

This part of the heat cycle will usually last about 5-7 days. You will know if she is receptive to males by scratching above her tail. If she moves her tail to the side, she may be receptive to males. Do NOT let her go outside unsupervised. Untethered males will jump fences, dig under them, and do anything they need to get at a receptive female, including attacking humans. 

Diestrus

This is the period after her heat and will last the length of a typical dog pregnancy (about 54-60 days). Whether she gets pregnant or not, this will still last about two months. Unlike with humans, pregnancy does not interrupt the estrus cycle. The discharge will end, and the swelling of her vulva will return to normal. 

Your dog’s personality will return to normal, and the males will no longer be hounding your dog. Some dogs may experience pseudo-pregnancy during this time. This is a false pregnancy, and while it is not usually anything to worry about if you are concerned, you can see your vet about it.  

She may have lactation and may mommy any stuffed animals she has access to. While this is not typical, it is normal. If your girl has packmates, she may protect her “puppies” from them which may result in some arguments between them, especially if one of the stuffed animals is a favorite of a packmate. 

Anestrus

This is basically a lack of hormonal activity. Play will go back to normal. Your dog will no longer be protecting her stuffed animals as the hormones responsible for pseudopregnancy are no longer existent. If she was pregnant, she would be caring for puppies for about half of this time. This time can last from about 30 to 90 days. 

Should You Get Your Pitbull Fixed to Prevent Heat

This is a personal choice and a decision that should not be made lightly one way or the other. There are both pros and cons to getting a dog fixed. Getting a dog fixed will NOT prevent all reproductive cancer, even though many vets and even the ASPCA will state it does. 

According to a study done by the University of California Davis, getting a dog fixed can potentially increase the risks of some joint disorders and other types of cancer than the ones that spaying may prevent. While the study does specify that differences between breeds and the general dog population differ, it does make one reconsider previous recommendations made. 

One thing I did find in all of my research is that regardless of your plan to have your Pitbull fixed, waiting until after her first heat is best. Fixing a female Pitbull before she is sexually mature can seriously increase bone issues as they get older. This is due to the hormones signaling bone growth to slow or even stop never getting released. 

One of the other main things to consider is the risks associated with spaying. Other than the obvious slight risk of death, either from a doctor’s mistake or more likely a reaction to the anesthesia., there is also a risk of incontinence as well. 

The advantages of spaying are also to be taken into account. Some of these would be the mating drive would no longer exist, nor would the risk of unwanted puppies. Due to the absolutely horrendous amounts of stray and homeless dogs, getting a female fixed may be a choice that is best for your family, if you cannot care for a litter of puppies throughout their lifetime. 

Swollen Teats After Pitbull Has Been in Heat?

Some pet parents become worried if their Pitbull’s nipples are still swollen after being in heat. Although it’s more common for a female dog’s nipples to not be swollen after their heat cycle, it can occur and, for the most part, it is nothing to worry about.

One reason for nipple’s still being swollen is due to “phantom pregnancy”. This means your dog is showing signs of being pregnant, even though she is, in fact, not pregnant. A phantom pregnancy will usually resolve itself within a few weeks after the heat cycle has ended.

How Long Do Pitbulls Stay in Heat?

Heat cycles in dogs usually last between 2-4 weeks and a Pitbull’s heat cycle will, on average, last 3 weeks. 

You can also expect your Pitbull’s heat cycle to begin between the ages of six months to a year. There are cases, however, of smaller and miniature breed dogs having their first heat cycle as early as 4 months and as late as 18 months. If this is the case for your Pitbull then don’t panic.

Don’t expect your Pitbull’s heat cycle to become regular after the first one, either. Some dogs can take up to 18 months before their heat cycle becomes regular after the first one, Pitbull included. And with small dogs like Pitbulls, a regular heat cycle could be as frequent as 3-4 months.

The best practice, as always, is to check any worries out with your vet, especially if your Pitbull’s heat cycle is early, late, very frequent, or very irregular.

Final Thoughts

I hope this post has helped answer some of your questions and or worries about your Pitbull’s heat cycle. The fact that you’ve read this far shows you are committed to the well-being of your Pitbull.

Doggies rely on their pet parents to look out for them. This can be a big responsibility, especially for newer pet parents. I understand that many of these pet parents will take to the internet and the all-powerful “Dr. Google” to find some answers. 

My hope with this post and with this website is to help pet parents navigate the murky waters of the internet in relation to their dogs. As always, the best practice is to consult with your vet to ensure expert knowledge is given for your Pitbull’s health and well-being.