Is It Bad to Exercise a Pregnant Dog? (3 Exercises Perfect for Pregnant Dogs)

A lot of dog owners and professionals talk about how important it is to exercise a dog. In fact, it is recommended that the more active your dog is, the more exercise it will need. Why? Because, like humans, a dog engaged in regular exercise would build a healthy immune system, and become faster and smarter than other dogs. And above all, it would live longer, because of blood vessels constantly pumped and working properly. But what about pregnant dogs, do they need exercise?

The straightforward answer would be yes! Pregnant dogs need exercise to help keep them fit and healthy. Exercise also helps them sleep better, improves their delivery performance, and also regulates their diet. This information is solely from our experience working with dogs. Yes, we believe that exercise is truly a game changer when it comes to strengthening the odds of success of each pregnancy.

But you might be wondering, how much exercise is okay for my pregnant dog? Are there specific exercises you could start implementing with your pregnant dog to help improve your chances of successfully delivering your puppies? All these questions will be covered in this post.

How Much Exercise Is Okay For A Pregnant Dog?

At the early stages of dog pregnancy, it is okay to maintain your regular routine. This also includes your exercise routine. You do not want to drastically change your dog’s diet or routine as this might stress her out and cause harm to the pregnancy.

At the third week of pregnancy though, things will start to get serious inside your female German Shepherd as the puppies would have already embedded themselves in the linen of the uterus and the growth process begins. At this stage, it would be nice to moderate the intensity of her exercise routine.

This is important because at this stage you can not risk putting your dog under any type of stress. You also do not want to risk her getting injured or perhaps forced into premature labor. So little walks around the house at this stage would be fine.

Your goal with each exercise session is to help keep your dog sharp and active as this would help promote a healthy delivery. But what are the actual benefits of exercising a Pregnant dog? Let’s highlight seven next.

7 Reasons You Need to Exercise Your Pregnant Dog.

Exercising a pregnant dog, when done in moderation and with proper care, can offer several benefits for both the mother and the developing puppies. Here are some of the advantages:

1. Maintaining Physical Health: Regular, moderate exercise can help keep the pregnant dog in good physical condition. This promotes muscle tone, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness, which can be beneficial during the pregnancy and delivery process.
2. Mental Stimulation: Exercise provides mental stimulation for your dog, which can help reduce stress and alleviate boredom during pregnancy. Mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise in keeping a dog’s mind engaged and happy.
3. Socialization: Walking and other forms of exercise allow your dog to interact with other dogs and people, which is important for her socialization. A well-socialized dog is more likely to be well-behaved and confident during pregnancy and after giving birth.
4. Weight Management: Regular exercise can help control weight gain during pregnancy, reducing the risk of obesity and its associated health problems.
5. Improved Muscle Tone: Maintaining muscle tone through exercise can be especially helpful in preparing the dog for labor and the physical demands of giving birth.
6. Better Circulation: Exercise promotes better blood circulation, which can benefit the overall health of the pregnant dog and her developing puppies.
7. Reduced Anxiety: Exercise can help alleviate anxiety and restlessness, which is common in pregnant dogs. Reducing anxiety and stress can improve the dog’s well-being.

It’s essential to consult with a veterinarian to create an exercise plan that suits your specific dog’s needs and stage of pregnancy. Always prioritize your dog’s comfort, safety, and well-being, adjusting the exercise routine as needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Now to finish up this post we will leave you with three great exercise choices that are just great for pregnant dogs.

Three Exercise Routines Great For a Pregnant Dog

Walking

Short, daily walks at a moderate pace can help keep your pregnant dog in good shape and provide mental stimulation. Walking on a leash allows you to control the intensity and duration of the exercise. Be attentive to your dog’s comfort and adjust the length and pace of the walk as needed.

Swimming

Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise for pregnant dogs. It’s easy on their joints and provides a full-body workout. Many dogs enjoy swimming, and it can help maintain muscle tone without putting too much stress on the body. Ensure that the water is clean and safe for your dog, and supervise her while swimming.

Basic Obedience

Basic obedience training can be a great form of exercise for pregnant dogs because it combines physical activity with mental stimulation. Here are some reasons why basic obedience training can benefit pregnant dogs:

1. Mental Stimulation: Obedience training engages a dog’s mind as they learn and respond to commands. This mental exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, which is important during pregnancy.
2. Light Physical Activity: Basic obedience training typically involves gentle physical activities, such as sitting, lying down, or coming when called. These actions can help maintain muscle tone without putting excessive strain on the dog’s body.
3. Bonding: Training sessions offer an opportunity for the dog and owner to bond and strengthen their relationship, which can be emotionally beneficial for the pregnant dog.
4. Preparation for Parenthood: Obedience training can teach a pregnant dog valuable skills that will benefit her when caring for her puppies. For example, commands like “stay” or “leave it” can help her manage and protect her puppies effectively.

It’s important to ensure that the training sessions are not overly strenuous and are conducted in a positive and reward-based manner. Again, consulting your vet wouldn’t hurt as he will help advise you on the right obedience training fit for the stage of pregnancy she’s at. If you need additional info on why it is important to exercise your pregnant dog, check out this video below.

Final Thoughts

We have successfully answered the question of whether it is acceptable to exercise your pregnant dog. Just in case you missed it, the answer is yes, it is very okay to exercise your pregnant dog. We have also seen that each exercise session should be moderate and be carried out with the dog’s Pregnancy stage in mind. We also covered three great exercise routines we absolutely love using for pregnant dogs. These three exercises include…

1. Walking
2. Swimming
3. Basic Obedience Training.

Though exercise is important to a successful pregnancy and delivery for your dog, knowing more about what happens in the belly of your dog at each stage of pregnancy could really help you make an informed decision. Not to worry, in this post on easily understanding German Shepherd stages, we give you all the information you need. We really hope you would find it helpful as we hope you have found this post helpful.