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Jul 1, 2023 · Need to know how to tell if your dog is pregnant? Look out for these common dog pregnancy symptoms from week one to help notice if puppies are on the way.
- Kelly Roper
- Kelly Roper
- Drop in Body Temperature. Keeping a daily chart of your dog's rectal temperature during the final week of pregnancy can help you determine when labor will begin.
- Nesting Behavior. Nesting behavior is another sign labor will soon begin, because dogs instinctively look for a safe place to deliver their pups. This activity usually begins about a week before the due date, but your dog will seriously begin to nest a day or so before delivery.
- Loss of Appetite and/or Vomiting. In many cases, a pregnant dog will stop eating a day or two before she goes into labor. Even if she does eat, she may throw up in the early stages of labor.
- Milk Production. Most pregnant dogs begin producing milk a few days or up to one week before they go into labor. Watch for extended nipples and swollen breasts.
Jun 2, 2024 · If you are unsure about whether of not your dog is pregnant, here are some of the first signs a dog is pregnant you can look out for: Changes in vaginal flow : the first thing you should know if you suspect they may be pregnant is that dog's estrus cycle is not a reliable indicator.
- Overview
- Enlarged or discolored nipples
- Weight gain
- Swollen belly
- Increase in appetite
- Tires easily
- More affectionate or irritable
- Nesting behavior
- Physical examination
- Hormone test
So, your dog’s acting different, but she’s not in heat…could she be pregnant? The early stages of pregnancy can be a bit tricky to spot right away, but if you know what to look for, you’re golden. Luckily for you, we’ve laid out everything you need to know in this article, including what to look for and veterinary tests. Knowing if your dog is pregnant is a breeze with our help, so read on to learn about the leading signs.
A pregnant dog will start to gain weight around her stomach and waist before her pregnancy starts to show.
A tell-tale sign that your dog might be pregnant is if her nipples “pink up” and become rosier and more pronounced.
If your dog’s pregnant, she may start eating more, get tired easily, or crave more or less attention than usual.
One of the earliest signs that your dog is pregnant is if she “pinks up.”
A pregnant dog’s nipples will be rosier in color (more so than usual) and grow in size, so they’re more prominent.
If your dog’s put on a bit of weight, it may be because she’s pregnant.
Pregnant dogs tend to gain weight around their stomach and waist during the 2nd or 3rd week of pregnancy. This is completely normal—your dog is making more room for her puppies!
A rounder and firmer stomach could be a sign of pregnancy.
Believe it or not, most dogs don’t “show” their pregnancy until the third half of pregnancy, which is 6 to 9 weeks since conception. If your dog’s stomach is more pronounced than usual, she’s most likely pregnant (especially if her nipples and mammary glands are swollen and plump).
Try gently placing your hand on your dog’s belly. As the dog’s pregnancy progresses, there’s a greater chance you’ll be able to feel the puppies inside.
The mammary glands produce the milk the puppies will drink, which causes a pregnant dog’s nipples to swell.
If your dog is pregnant, she’ll most likely eat more than usual.
As her tummy grows, expect her to want to eat bigger meals and snack more throughout the day. After all, she has more mouths to feed!
Talk to your veterinarian about how to
care for your pregnant dog
and when to increase her food rations, as additional calories could benefit her and the growing pups.
Know that your dog will likely have a reduced appetite 12 to 24 hours before whelping or giving birth.
A sudden change in a dog’s energy levels could signify pregnancy.
A pregnant dog may be drowsier or more lethargic than normal, especially as her belly grows. This is most noticeable if your dog is naturally full of energy.
Take note if your dog would rather take an abnormal nap than play fetch like usual.
This isn’t necessarily a sure sign of pregnancy, as many other underlying illnesses and conditions could cause changes in behavior. Always bring your dog to the vet, just to be sure.
Your dog’s behavior could change subtly or drastically if she’s pregnant.
How a dog emotionally reacts to her pregnancy all depends on her personality. Some dogs become more affectionate and attention-seeking, while others shy away from pets and cuddles.
So, notice if your dog suddenly wants to be pet all the time or hides in a room away from people and other animals.
This change doesn’t automatically mean your dog is pregnant, but it could be a good indicator if she’s showing other pregnancy symptoms.
Like humans, a dog will start preparing for her baby’s arrival.
Your dog may gather blankets, shred paper, or bunch together bedding or clothing to make a warm nest for her puppies. This behavior isn’t always observed, but if your dog does this out of the blue, she’s most likely about to whelp (give birth).
by providing her with a cardboard whelping box and plenty of extra blankets or towels.
Talk to your veterinarian about
helping your dog give birth
and specify any health or behavioral concerns to get the most personalized care.
A veterinarian will most likely do a palpation test to check for pregnancy.
This physical examination is painless, and only requires the veterinarian to feel the outside of your dog’s belly with their forefingers. This helps them examine the womb and feel the outline of the potential puppies.
Palpation works best when the dog is between 3 and 4 weeks pregnant, as the embryonic vesicles can be easily felt.
If the veterinarian feels anything, they’ll move on to an ultrasound or X-ray test to ensure they’re feeling fetuses rather than feces.
A veterinarian can take your dog’s blood to run a pregnancy hormone test.
With this test, they’re looking for the hormone
, which is generally present during the 4th week of pregnancy. If relaxin is present, your dog is definitely pregnant.
A relaxin hormone test is often used to decipher pseudo pregnancies from real pregnancies, as a dog won't produce the hormone unless she’s actually pregnant.
Oct 20, 2023 · Early signs could be that your dog is gaining weight or changing her behavior but to really identify symptoms, you will need to visit your veterinarian. A vet has various tools to test for pregnancy, among them the hormone test, ultrasound, x-ray, or palpation. Possible symptoms include:
Oct 21, 2023 · If You Think Your Dog May Be Pregnant, Start Doing These 4 Things Now. If you know your dog was bred, but is too early to test or to see your veterinarian, it is important to to assume pregnancy to protect the puppies to be.
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Jun 28, 2023 · On days 8 to 14, the fertilized eggs make their way to the uterus for implantation. You may notice behavioral changes in your dog that represent the first signs of pregnancy. For example, she may be moody or more affectionate. On days 15 to 21, implantation has taken place, and the embryos begin to develop.
