Identifying pregnancy in dogs can be an exhilarating experience for a pet owner. However, it is crucial to look for the right signs and confirm the pregnancy with your veterinarian. It is essential to note that female dogs can experience false pregnancies, which mimic the symptoms of actual pregnancies. Therefore, it is best to consult with your veterinarian to determine whether your dog is pregnant.Â
Some common signs of pregnancy in dogs include a decrease in appetite, lethargy, and nipple enlargement. However, these signs can also indicate other medical conditions. Therefore, it is vital to visit your veterinarian to confirm whether your dog is pregnant. How to tell if a dog is pregnant? Your veterinarian may recommend various methods to determine your dog’s pregnancy, including palpation, ultrasound, or hormone testing.
Changes in Behavior
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy in dogs is a change in their behavior.
Here are some behavioral changes to look out for:
Increased Affection
Some dogs exhibit increased affection and become more attached to their owners early in pregnancy. This is likely due to hormonal changes. Don’t be surprised if your formerly aloof dog suddenly wants to snuggle more.
Nesting Instinct
Around 4 weeks into the pregnancy, your dog’s nesting instincts will kick in. You may notice them gathering blankets, towels, or other objects to create a nesting area. This is normal pregnancy behavior as your dog prepares to give birth.
Loss of Appetite
Morning sickness can strike dogs just like it does for humans. Your dog may go off their food or act nauseated. This usually subsides around week 3-4 of the pregnancy. Make sure they stay hydrated and eat small, frequent meals if vomiting occurs.
More Clingy
Some dogs become more affectionate and clingy than usual early on in the pregnancy. They may want to be by your side constantly. This is protective behavior as their hormones surge.
Less Playful
Don’t be concerned if your formerly energetic dog seems less interested in playtime. Their energy is being diverted to the pregnancy. Short, gentle walks are fine but avoid roughhousing.
Mood Changes
Just like human moms-to-be, dogs can have mood swings during pregnancy. One minute they seem fine, and the next they are cranky. Patience and understanding will help you ride out the moodiness.
Physical Changes
Along with behavior changes, your dog’s body will show distinct physical changes too. Here’s what to look out for:
Enlarged Abdomen
Around the 3rd or 4th week, you may be able to see or feel an enlarged or swollen abdominal area as the uterus fills with puppies. This is one of the more obvious pregnancy signs in dogs.
Enlarged/Darkened Nipples
Another distinct pregnancy sign is enlarged or darkened nipples. Pregnant dog nipples grow in size and become more pigmented around week 4 as the body prepares for nursing.
Appetite Changes
After morning sickness subsides (2-4 weeks), expect your dog’s appetite to increase around week 5 or 6. Making food available at all times allows them to eat multiple small meals to meet the demands of pregnancy.
Increased Urination
Around mid-term, your dog may need to urinate more frequently. This is due to increased steroid hormones. Make sure she has easy access to go outside.
Vaginal Discharge
A clear mucus discharge from the vaginal area may be noticeable around one month into the pregnancy. This “pregnancy discharge” is normal and indicates changes in hormone levels.
Lethargy
Carrying all those puppies takes a lot of energy. Expect your dog to be more tired and lethargic than usual. Let them rest as needed and avoid strenuous exercise.
Milk Production
Late in the pregnancy (around 7-9 weeks), you may notice milk leaking from your dog’s nipples. This signals that her body is preparing for labor and nursing her puppies.
Diagnosing Pregnancy
While the signs above can indicate pregnancy in dogs, confirmation from your veterinarian is important. Here are some methods vets use:
Physical Exam
Your vet will gently palpate your dog’s abdomen feeling for an enlarged, firm uterus and the presence of fetuses. They can often confirm pregnancy after about 4 weeks.
Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound allows your vet to see the puppies and get information like size, heart rate, and number of puppies expected. Ultrasounds can confirm pregnancy about 3-4 weeks in.
X-Rays
Abdominal X-rays can also be used to determine pregnancy after around 45 days. Puppies’ bone structure will show up on the radiographs. This method can also check the health and size of the litter.
Blood Tests
There are several blood tests that check for the hormone relaxin which is produced during pregnancy. These tests can confirm pregnancy as early as 3 weeks.
Timing
If you know the exact date your dog was bred, timing can help your veterinarian determine if she is pregnant without tests. Pregnancy in dogs lasts about 63 days.
Care for a Pregnant Dog
Once you have confirmed your dog is expecting puppies, you’ll need to adapt care to meet her needs.
Here are some tips:
Nutrition
Pregnant and nursing dogs need extra calories, protein, and nutrients. Talk to your vet about switching to high-quality puppy or nursing dog food during pregnancy and lactation. Avoid supplements without vet approval.
Exercise
Take your pregnant dog on short, regular walks to maintain fitness and health. Avoid strenuous exercise, rough play, or jumping during pregnancy. Swimming is a great, low-impact exercise when close to term.
Comfort
Provide a nesting box and comfortable dog bed in a quiet area with minimal disturbances. This will help your pregnant dog relax and reduce stress.
Veterinary Care
Take your pregnant dog to the vet for regular check-ups to monitor Mom and puppies’ health. Your vet may recommend tests or supplements like deworming.
Grooming
Maintain your dog’s hygiene by regularly brushing and bathing them during pregnancy. Clean their bedding frequently. Trim toenails if needed to prevent injury from scratching.
Prepare for Whelping
About two weeks before the due date, prepare a whelping box or area with blankets in a private place. Have clean towels on hand to dry and stimulate puppies after birth.
Monitor for Problems
Watch for signs of pregnancy complications like vaginal bleeding, decrease in appetite or activity, fever, or vomiting. Contact your vet immediately if concerned.
No Travel
Avoid car travel or visits to dog parks/other public places in the final few weeks to reduce disease exposure and potential stress.
When to Expect Puppies
One thing to remember about dog pregnancy is that the puppies are fully developed at around 9 weeks. But dogs typically give birth (whelp) between days 60-64.
Here’s a handy timeline:
- Week 1-2: Fertilization occurs, embryos travel to the uterus
- Week 3-4: Embryos implant in uterus, begin developing
- Week 5-6: Abdomen begins growing, milk glands develop
- Week 7-8: Abdomen noticeably enlarged, milk visible
- Week 8-9: Puppies are fully formed, labor prep begins
- Week 9-10: Puppies born between days 60-64!
So if you don’t notice birthing beginning by day 64, it’s time to call the vet for assistance. Most dogs whelp their litters without complications, but veterinary supervision is recommended.
Signs that labor is imminent include enlarged abdomen, milk leakage, restlessness, nesting behavior, and vaginal discharge. Be prepared for long labor as large litters can take 12+ hours. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about the birthing process or your dog’s health.
Caring for Newborn Puppies
Those adorable, squirming bundles of joy need special care once they arrive.
Here are some tips for looking after newborn puppies:
- Check each puppy is breathing and gently clear mucus from mouth/nose with a towel if needed
- Rub puppies with towels to dry them and stimulate breathing. Return them to mom immediately for nursing.
- Make sure mom is positioned on her side and puppies can easily access nipples to nurse.
- Check that all puppies are nursing every 2-3 hours in the first days. Assist weak puppies.
- Keep the whelping area at 85-90°F for the first week. Puppies cannot regulate body temperature.
- Weigh puppies daily to ensure they are gaining weight from nursing. Supplement with milk if needed.
- Monitor mom’s health, appetite, and recovery after birth. Contact the vet for any concerns.
- Handle puppies minimally in the first two weeks. Allow mom to focus on caring for them.
- Discuss deworming, vaccinations, and health checks with your veterinarian.
With attentive care in the first days and weeks, your puppies will continue to grow into happy, healthy dogs – thanks to their doting mom!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How early can you tell if a dog is pregnant?
Pregnancy can be detected in dogs as early as 3-4 weeks into gestation through blood tests and an ultrasound from your vet.Â
2. Can you feel puppies moving in a pregnant dog?
Yes, you can sometimes feel the puppies moving inside the abdomen when petting or gently palpating a pregnant dog in the later stages of pregnancy. The fetuses are quite small early on, but by 6-7 weeks you may be able to feel noticeable shifting, kicks, or bumps under your hand as the puppies jostle for space. This is a good sign of normal fetal movement.
3. How can you tell how many puppies a dog is having?
The number of puppies a dog is carrying can be determined in a few different ways. Your veterinarian can palpate the abdomen and estimate litter size. However, the most accurate way is to have an ultrasound done around 3-4 weeks into the pregnancy. The ultrasound allows vets to get an exact puppy count and determine if they are healthy. X-rays in the final trimester can also give an estimate of litter size.
4. What food is best for pregnant dogs?
The best diet for a pregnant or nursing dog is high-quality puppy food or food formulated specifically for pregnant/lactating dogs. These foods provide extra calories, protein, calcium, and other important nutrients. It’s best to consult your vet on an optimal nutrition plan based on your dog’s needs. In general, feed smaller meals more frequently and make sure clean water is always available.
5. How long do dogs bleed after giving birth?
It’s normal for a dog to have a bloody vaginal discharge called lochia after giving birth. This discharge replaces the placenta’s function of exchanging oxygen and nutrients with the puppies. Lochia can last 2 to 4 weeks after whelping, and the color lightens from bright red to pink, and then brown over a 7 to 10-day period as the discharge slows. Contact your vet if bleeding is excessively heavy, foul-smelling, or continues beyond 4 weeks.
6. Can dogs sense pregnancy before you know?
There is some evidence that dogs may detect pregnancy earlier than humans are able to confirm it. Subtle hormonal changes and scent differences in early pregnancy may be perceptible to your dog, even if you don’t notice behavioral signs. Dogs also have an uncanny ability to sense physiological changes through smell long before pregnancy is confirmed. Their early perception is likely due to these enhanced sensory capabilities.
