How to tell if a dog is pregnant

For any pet owner, finding out if their dog is pregnant can be both an exciting and stressful moment. Pregnancy causes a variety of physical and behavioral changes in dogs, and recognizing these changes can help you get ready for the new baby.

We’ll go over the main signs that could point to your dog being pregnant with puppies in this guide. From minor behavioral adjustments to obvious physical changes, you’ll discover how to recognize these indicators and know what to anticipate during this crucial time.

Knowing when your dog is pregnant can make the experience easier and more pleasurable, regardless of how experienced you are with dogs. Let’s get into the specifics and work together to help you better understand what your pet needs during this unique occasion.

Signs of Pregnancy	Description
Changes in Appetite	Increased or decreased hunger can indicate pregnancy.

How to tell if a dog is pregnant: signs of pregnancy in dogs at different stages

Let’s be clear that, for convenience’s sake, the first day of a dog’s pregnancy is thought to be the day of the first mating; however, fertilization can only take place following a control mating, or, in other words, some of the eggs will be fertilized a few days earlier, and some – two to three days later. It is generally agreed upon to regard the first day of pregnancy as the day of the first mating in order to prevent confusion.

Small dog mating large dogs mating

1. Loss of appetite, refusal of treats – just like in people, in dogs, hormonal changes in the body can lead to changes in eating behavior and even toxicosis.
2. Decreased activity, drowsiness, solitude.

A dog’s drowsiness may indicate that it is pregnant.

Dog with protruding pink nipples during pregnancy

Crucial! Make sure the discharge is clear and clean; any bloody mixture could portend a miscarriage; an unpleasant discharge smell or color could be a sign of an infectious process. You must get in touch with a veterinarian immediately!

1. Nipples protrude clearly, hair falls out around them.
2. The lower ribs protrude slightly, a belly begins to appear, but in long-haired dogs this is almost imperceptible.
3. Around the 5th week, the dog begins to noticeably gain weight.
4. Appetite increases, the dog eats well and asks for more.

Pregnant dogs exhibit increased appetite at 5–6 weeks.

The belly is noticeably enlarged, can sag, especially in repeatedly pregnant bitches.

A late-stage pregnant Labrador bitch

The dog’s nipples enlarge significantly during the eighth week of pregnancy.

Take note! To prevent harm to the growing fetuses, it is not advised to palpate the dog’s belly yourself in the early stages.

Look for physical changes like enlarged nipples or an enlarged abdomen, as well as changes in appetite and level of affection or clinginess, to determine whether your dog is pregnant. Hormonal fluctuations can also cause behavioral changes, such as the inclination to build nests. Seeing these symptoms can assist you in diagnosing your dog’s illness and making sure she receives the care she requires.

How to conduct a pregnancy test on a dog

There are currently no express test strips available, at least not in our nation, for detecting pregnancy in humans. Additionally, human test strips are not appropriate since they detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is not produced by dogs. But relaxin, an analogue, is also produced in certain amounts. Since it is only secreted by the fetuses’ placentas, its presence in the blood is a surefire sign of a real pregnancy.

Donating blood for relaxin is possible as early as the 21st day following mating, although it is best to wait until 24-26 days to prevent erroneous negative results. There isn’t any special preparation needed for a relaxin blood test; just bring the dog in the morning, empty-handed, so blood can be drawn.

To check for pregnancy, a blood test can be performed.

1. It is not informative regarding the number of fetuses in the litter.
2. If a miscarriage or spontaneous resorption (absorption) of the fetuses suddenly occurs, the relaxin test can remain positive for up to 3 weeks.
3. Therefore, to make sure that the pregnancy is progressing, it is advisable to either retake the test in a week or conduct an ultrasound examination of the dog.

Ultrasound for a dog to detect pregnancy

It is advised to perform an ultrasound on the dog’s uterus between 24 and 28 days after the date of mating in order to confirm the pregnancy. Not only can the status of pregnancy be confirmed during this time, but the approximate number of embryos can also be ascertained. their location and even take a heartbeat recording.

Ultrasound: a dog’s prenatal examination

The ultrasound procedure is painless and will take no more than 15-20 minutes, while the owner should be as calm as possible, because his anxiety is always transmitted to the dog. It is desirable that when performing an ultrasound in the early stages, the dog has a full bladder – this is somewhat uncomfortable for her, but makes it easier for the doctor to diagnose. The procedure is carried out abdominally, t. e. the sensor slides over the surface of the dog"s belly, so some of the hair on the sides may have to be shaved. The hair will grow back on average in 2-3 months, and considering that the dog has a grown belly and nipples, and so, are practically naked, this will not be very noticeable.

Up to 35 days is the best window of time for an ultrasound because after that, the embryos have grown to the point where their images overlap.

Other methods for determining pregnancy

X-ray examination

Owing to the fact that canines nearly always have multiple pregnancies, it can be challenging to determine even the number of fetuses in the later stages of an ultrasound because their projections overlap. In order to precisely ascertain the number of puppies and their location within the uterus by observing the skeletons of the puppies, the dog may therefore be prescribed an X-ray on the 52nd or 58th day of pregnancy.

Four fetuses’ translucent skeletons can be seen on a pregnant dog’s X-ray.

Many dog owners worry that X-rays can damage their pet and its progeny. Of course, there are some drawbacks, but since the puppies are nearly fully developed and the surgery is only done once, there won’t be much damage. Furthermore, in order to prevent complications during childbirth, it can occasionally be crucial to determine the precise number and location of the fetuses. In your situation, the expected benefit of the procedure outweighs the expected risk if the veterinarian recommends an X-ray examination. As such, you should heed the advice of a specialist and not let fear stop you.

Palpation

Palpation is the process of feeling the fetuses through the abdominal wall with your fingers. The best time to give birth is between days 28 and 34 of pregnancy, when the fetal bladders are round and elastic to the touch. You can even count them! Thirty-five days later, the embryos elongate and become harder to distinguish from one another. Even though you can already feel each future puppy’s organ on day fifty-five or so, it’s still challenging to determine their precise number and location.

A veterinarian examines a pregnant dog

Palpation by a skilled veterinarian is a tried-and-true, low-cost way to diagnose pregnancy in dogs starting on the 28th or 30th day of gestation. However, avoid attempting to manufacture it on your own in the beginning as it may be hazardous!

False pregnancy in dogs

Because dogs in the wild lived in packs, their ancestors’ estrous cycles coincided, and even unfertilized dogs started to experience the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, such as the release of milk. This allows all of the pack’s dogs to take part in feeding the puppies.

The hormonal background and behavior of a non-pregnant dog can sometimes be similar to that of a pregnant dog in domestic dogs. She also swells her nipples, secretes colostrum, and builds a nest. Only an ultrasound examination or a blood test measuring the amount of the hormone relaxin in the blood can accurately identify a fake pregnancy from a real one.

Video – how to determine a false pregnancy in dogs:

1. Limit drinking and dairy products to reduce milk production.
2. Slightly limit the usual portion size of food.
3. Increase physical activity, distract the dog from making a nest and caring for toys.
4. Do not express milk, so as not to provoke its further production. If there is a lot of milk and this threatens mastitis, you can bandage the nipples with an elastic bandage.

See a veterinarian about the possibility of prescribing specialized medications that restore normal hormone levels if the condition does not improve.

How long does pregnancy last in dogs.

When counting from the first day of mating, a dog’s pregnancy lasts between 57 and 72 days, with an average of 63 days.

Days of fetal development

It would be more accurate to start counting from the day of ovulation, but firstly, this requires additional diagnostics, secondly, the eggs mature, and therefore are fertilized, not simultaneously, but over several days. At the same time, older fetuses “wait” for younger ones before giving birth.

Table 1: A day-by-day pregnancy calendar for dogs.

Days	Description
1	"Wedding" day – The female dog is mated with the male. Ovulation occurs, spermatozoa enter the female"s reproductive tract and can remain viable there for up to 7 days
3	A control mating is recommended, increasing the chances of fertilizing a larger number of eggs. Sperm movement up the fallopian tubes towards the eggs released from the ovarian follicles
4-5	Fertilization – formation of a zygote (fertilized egg)
5-11	Zygote division – formation of multicellular embryos and embryonic membranes characteristic of mammals. Embryo movement down the fallopian tubes towards the uterus
12-14	Implantation – implantation of embryos into the uterine wall and formation of placentas. Placentas begin to secrete hormones relaxin
15-16	The formation of internal organs in embryos begins, their size reaches 1 mm*
17-18	The head is differentiated, the spine and neural tube are laid
18-20	Internal organs are intensively laid down, the size of the embryos reaches 3-4 mm
21	The heart begins to form. The size of the embryos reaches 5 mm, the ultrasound can diagnose amniotic sacs and roughly judge their number. The level of the pregnancy hormone – relaxin in the blood reaches a diagnostically significant level
23-25	The best period for ultrasound. The size of the embryos is already about 1 – 1.5 cm, they already have tiny ears, noses, eyes, mouths and outlined limbs
27-30	The embryos have already reached 1.5 – 1.7 cm. The bones of the skull and skeleton of the puppies are intensively formed. Also a good period for ultrasound and for palpation by a veterinarian
30-31	The size of the embryos is about 2 cm, vibrissae are formed on tiny muzzles (whiskers)
32	The equator of pregnancy. Embryos enter the fetal phase. Their weight is already about 20% of the weight of newborn puppies
33-35	Strengthening and increased growth of the limbs of the fetus, the female begins to develop a tummy. The size of the fetus is 3 – 3.8 cm
36-40	The fetus is actively growing, its length is already about 6-7 cm, all internal organs are generally formed, hair begins to grow, primary sexual characteristics are laid
44-47	In dogs of most breeds, the tummy is already clearly visible, hair falls out in the nipple area, the fetuses grow to about 9 cm
48-50	The fetuses grow so quickly that their weight already reaches three quarters of the weight of newborn puppies. The dog begins to "nest" and constantly licks the nipples
53-58	The size of the puppies reaches 14-16 cm, they are almost full-term, colostrum is released from the dog"s nipples when pressed or voluntarily
60-65	Labor will begin any day now, it is necessary to prepare a place for the bitch and puppies, to which the dog has already become accustomed. It is advisable to measure the rectal temperature – a decrease of 1-2 ° C indicates that labor will begin in the next 24 hours

*The sizes are provided for medium and large breeds, where a newborn puppy’s height ranges from 15 to 23 cm and its weight ranges from 300 to 600 g or more.

Take note! You should call a veterinarian if the dog has been "overdue" for more than 68–72 days. Labor stimulation or even a cesarean section might be necessary.

For any owner of a pet, knowing the telltale signs of a pregnant dog is crucial. Early detection can assist you in giving the appropriate attention and assistance during this crucial period. Keep an eye out for variations in behavior, appetite, and physical appearance. You can tell if your pet is expecting by looking for these telltale signs.

Speaking with a veterinarian is a good idea if you think your dog might be pregnant. They can conduct tests to verify the pregnancy and provide expert advice. Throughout the pregnancy, routine examinations will guarantee the mother’s and her puppies’ continued health.

Finally, it’s important to be ready for the arrival of puppies. Assemble the essential materials and establish a secure, cozy area for the mother to give birth. With the correct support and care, you can guide your dog through this exciting transition to motherhood.

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