hi i have a bitch who is 5 weeks pregnant when would i be able to clip her, as she looks a little scruffy,many thanks

I don't have a breed which needs to be clipped but I really don't see any harm in clipping her at any time throughout the pregnancy.  IF it is a really long haired breed then it is useful to have them clipped before the happy event especially around the area of the vulva and around the nipples.  Although bitches usually shed the hair around the nipples a few weeks before giving birth, in long haired breeds it helps if you give them a helping hand in this.  Regarding when, I have never heard of any time periods.  Clipping won't do any harm to the growing whelps.

I suppose it could depend on how happy she is to be clipped? If she doesn't get stressed at all about it then I don't see any harm in clipping her whenever you want?

Do you mean you? or a qualified groomer?  ( unless you are one :-) )

I trim mine the week before whelping and 5 weeks post whelping.

You would be better off if you can to trim her yourself so she does not suffer with any stress as she is still at the moment ( 5 weeks ) in the danger zone for re-absorbtion. But if you are going to cut /or clip the belly area so the puppies can get  to the teats easy do it about a week and half before they are born so the hair has grown back slighty and is softish as if  the hair is prickly like ( designer stubble ) the puppies wont like to suckle.

Kodie

I do mine when they come into season but there should be no harm doing it now as long as you are doing it.  Then I trim around the teets and down below a week before they are due.

yes i clip my own breed have done for years,just was not sure incase i caused her any upset many thanks for your replies ..

As with everyone else, yes, definitely, I actually think it is important to do so in preparation of whelping, especially the back end and leg hair, whelping can make hair get terribly sticky and clump together, I don't even attempt to clean up my girl for at least a couple of days after whelping so hair not trimmed can soon clump with blood etc. I always make sure that nails are clipped too, as they can get caught in ear hair after whelping as if you have a breed with long or hairy ears they may trail in puppy wet and blood, so give her a real trim of any excess or dangling hair to help keep her clean and tidy. :-)