Is Your Dog Pregnant? 9 Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs
Is your dog pregnant? Perhaps you’ve been seeing little signs here and there that make you think that your dog may have some babies developing in her womb. Maybe you noticed that seems pretty moody and lethargic recently, or that her eating habits seem to have changed.
Similar to human pregnancies, there are some signs to look out for if you think your furry friend may be expecting. In this article, we’ll show you how to recognize nine signs of pregnancy in dogs.
9 Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs
Now you know what happens during the three trimesters of a dog’s pregnancy. But what are the exact signs that you need to look out for?
1. Behavioral Changes
Dogs may get behavioral changes early on in the pregnancy. A typically playful and naughty dog may suddenly become detached and sulky. Your strong and independent dog may become a clingy furbaby all of a sudden. Some dogs may also show other changes, like aggression, agitation, and anxiety.
If you see these symptoms in a dog that you suspect to be pregnant, then don’t fret–behavioral changes are just caused by the rapidly changing hormones during pregnancy. It’s best to just wait it out until she goes back to normal, which should take no longer than a few days. Any longer than this and it’s probably best to check with your vet.
2. Decreased Activity
It’s not uncommon to see a pregnant dog start to slow down and become less energetic in the first few weeks of pregnancy. This is caused by hormonal changes and occurs at roughly the same time that they will show other symptoms, like vomiting.
Although it’s understandable for some pet parents to worry if they see their normally playful dog refusing to get up, it shouldn’t be too concerning. This stage in a dog’s pregnancy doesn’t last very long and typically, the symptom will disappear on its own after a week or so. After this, your dog’s energy levels will go back to normal, at least until the end of the pregnancy.
3. Vomiting
Do dogs get morning sickness? Actually, one of the first signs that owners notice in their pregnant dogs is vomiting. This is caused by the same thing that causes morning sickness in human pregnancies: hormonal swings.
A pregnant dog may start vomiting clear or white foamy liquid in the morning about three weeks after mating. It’s not exactly an early-pregnancy symptom, but most owners don’t really notice the more subtle signs until they see this one.
That said, while vomiting is completely normal, it should only last about a week or so. If your dog still vomits after a week, there could be another underlying issue that’s causing the problem. Make sure to take her to the vet to get her checked for sure.
4. Enlarged Nipples
Enlarged nipples are a good sign that your dog may be pregnant. This appears about three weeks in. A pregnant dog’s nipples will become noticeably bigger and may even take on a more pinkish tone than usual. The hair around them may also recede to make way for breastfeeding. This is a sign that her body is preparing for her to give birth in the near future.
Some owners may even notice a milky discharge called colostrum coming out of the nipples as the due date comes near. This is also completely normal so there’s no need to get worried if you notice this happening.
5. Vaginal Discharge
Your dog might start showing small amounts of mucus discharge coming from her vulva around a month after mating. This is perfectly normal and could last for the entire duration of the pregnancy.
Nevertheless, it’s also important to know the difference between a normal vaginal discharge and an abnormal one. For instance, an odorless white discharge is typically caused by the mucus plug that will develop over every pregnant dog’s cervix. This plug protects the fetus by keeping all bacteria away.
On the other hand, a red or bloody discharge is typically indicative of a miscarriage. A watery brown discharge can be usually seen right when the dam is about to give birth and, when coupled with other signs, could signify imminent delivery. Meanwhile, a green discharge means your dog’s placenta is already separating, and she has to give birth immediately or the puppies could die in the womb.
6. Appetite Changes
You may notice a drop in your dog’s appetite in the early stages of pregnancy when she’s still getting used to the puppies inside her. As the weeks go by though, it may change drastically.
In fact, in the second half of the pregnancy, most pregnant dogs tend to have increased appetite. After all, at this point, they’re basically eating not just for themselves but also for an entire litter inside them.
Owners need to increase their pregnant dog’s food and ensure that she’s getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, as this will greatly help her during the nursing process. But as tempting as it may be to provide supplements, there’s really no need to do so. As long as she’s getting quality food in the right portions, she should already be getting all the nutrients she needs.
Keep in mind that increasing her food portions and encouraging weight gain during the first half of pregnancy is not recommended, since gaining too much weight can negatively affect the health of her growing puppies inside.
7. Unnatural Weight Gain
Pregnant or not, too much weight gain is not recommended for dogs. However, pregnant dogs will almost always gain more weight, either because of increased appetite or simply because they’re carrying babies inside of them.
Again, be careful not to let your pooch get too heavy! Obesity can cause serious problems in dogs, let alone pregnant ones. Many obese dams end up having to go through cesarean sections or difficult labors due to their weight. Worse, they also have a higher chance of ending up with stillbirths.
And even if they do manage to get through that just fine, obesity in new mothers can decrease their milk production during lactation. This, in turn, can negatively affect the health of newly-birthed puppies.
8. Larger Abdomen
Did you know that dogs get baby bumps too? In the third trimester, or roughly 40 days after mating, your dog may show symptoms of a larger abdomen. For first-time mothers or mothers with a small litter, however, it may not be as prominent.
Do take note that a larger abdomen doesn’t always mean your dog is pregnant. There are many reasons that a dog could have an enlarged abdomen, such as illness, obesity, and even parasites. If your dog doesn’t exhibit any pregnancy symptoms other than this, it’s best to check with a vet just to be safe, as there might be something else going on.
9. Nesting Behaviors
Nesting behaviors, whether we realize it or not, are actually common in humans as well. Ever noticed how expectant human mothers tend to become fussy about the nursery room as their due date gets near? When we know that a new family member is coming, we want everything to be perfect when they arrive. Dogs are no different.
Near the end of the pregnancy, you may notice your dog starting to exhibit nesting behaviors. This includes finding a quiet spot, rearranging blankets, and even scratching at various areas as if to test which one is the best. Like all mothers, her goal is to make a safe and comfortable place for her babies to sleep in.
It’s important to keep her nesting spot at room temperature to ensure that it won’t be too hot for her or too cold for the puppies. She may also want to avoid activity or exposure, so it’s best to pick a place that is away from prying eyes to help her feel more relaxed.
Dog Pregnancy in a Nutshell
When a dog reaches their age of sexual maturity, they will start seeking out potential mates. For females, this stage is called estrus, more commonly known as being in heat. How early your dog will experience her first heat depends on her breed. Larger breeds may experience heat at around 1-2 years of age, while smaller breeds may be ready as early as 6 months. Once they are in heat, they are able to get pregnant should they mate with a male dog.
Dog pregnancies typically last around 63 days, though pregnancies lasting between 61 and 65 days are also not uncommon. Like humans, they also go through trimesters, with each one lasting about 21 days. During this time, they will exhibit different symptoms that will let you know, even without going to the vet, that they are likely pregnant.
First Trimester
The first trimester covers the first 21 days of your dog’s pregnancy. Her estrogen levels will start to decline within the first week, but the pregnancy symptoms typically won’t show until the second or third week.
As the pregnancy hormone, progesterone, increases in her body, you’ll see a couple of subtle signs. She might undergo some behavioral changes and may appear moodier and sleepier than normal. Near the end of the first trimester, she may also start experiencing morning sickness, which includes vomiting.
Second Trimester
As your dog enters the second trimester, more signs will show that point to her pregnancy. Her nipples will become much bigger and she might even develop a small baby bump. She’ll want to eat more, but be careful not to let her gain too much weight. She might also start secreting some vaginal discharge.
If you’re only starting to notice the symptoms now, be wary of a condition called “false pregnancy” where dogs, after undergoing estrus, begin to manifest symptoms of pregnancy without being actually pregnant. If you want to make sure, you can take your dog to the vet and have her checked with a blood test or an ultrasound.
Third Trimester
From the 43rd day onwards, you can expect to see a lot more changes in your dog. By this point, she should have a noticeably pregnant belly. She might start exhibiting nesting behavior, like gathering random clothes or finding quiet, hidden spots around the house. You may also start seeing some fluid come out of her nipples.
Once the final week comes around, start keeping a close eye on her temperature and her behavior. Most dogs can do home-births just fine, but others, especially smaller breeds, may need to be taken to the vet for a safe pregnancy.
False Pregnancy in Dogs
False pregnancy, also known as pseudo-pregnancy or phantom pregnancy, is a strange phenomenon that sometimes occurs in dogs. The condition is caused by the same hormonal changes that happen in pregnant dogs, even though no actual pregnancy occurred.
Dogs will experience many pregnancy symptoms during a false pregnancy. They may start vomiting in the morning, gaining weight all of a sudden, and exhibiting nesting behaviors even though there are no actual babies in their womb.
Once the symptoms start, it could be very difficult or even impossible to distinguish a false pregnancy from a real pregnancy. This can be extremely confusing and even heartbreaking to human owners who may already be expecting a litter.
False pregnancies typically start about a month after mating and will only last for about three weeks. They’re not particularly harmful for your dog, but you may also want to check at the vet if you’re worried about the symptoms. That said, if she’s still showing pregnancy signs after three weeks, she’s probably actually pregnant.
Confirming Your Dog’s Pregnancy
There’s no such thing as a home pregnancy test kit for dogs, so at the end of the day, the best way to know for sure is simply to get her to the vet.
You can have her checked as early as three weeks or 21 days from the time of mating, though the recommended time is usually 30-35 days. The vet will usually give her a blood test to measure her relaxin levels or an ultrasound to check for physical signs of the puppies.
Ultrasounds are typically more expensive and will require you to prep your pet beforehand, but they’re very reliable and can even show you the heartbeats of little pups forming in their mother’s womb.
Your vet can also do abdominal palpation, a process wherein the vet carefully massages your dog’s abdomen in order to get a feel of the puppies inside.
Warning Signs to Watch Out For
While most canine pregnancies are uneventful, keep in mind that there are also some warning signs that could suggest some complications in your dog’s pregnancy.
Things such as discolored discharge, illness, and prolonged symptoms can be indicative of a problem. If your dog has been pregnant for over 65 days, vomits excessively, and shows extreme lethargy, you should take her to the vet immediately. Some breeds are also naturally predisposed to difficult pregnancies, such as boxers and bulldogs.
Again, for the safety of your dog, don’t forget to contact your vet if any issues arise.
Understanding Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs
Knowing, as well as understanding, the signs of pregnancy in dogs is the best way to make sure that your favorite furry friend has a comfortable and safe pregnancy. It may not always be easy to take care of a pregnant dog, but once you see all those cute puppies cuddling with their happy mama dog, you’ll know it was certainly worth it.
