How to Tell if Your Dog is Pregnant

It can be difficult to tell if your dog is pregnant until she’s about 9 weeks into her pregnancy. At this point, you'll notice a clear increase in the size of her belly. The best way to confirm this is by taking your dog to the vet for a thorough check-up. However, it would be even better if you could spot the physical and behavioral changes in your pet during this period. Female dogs tend to show signs of pregnancy during the early, middle, and late stages.

Changes in nipple color. One of the earliest signs that your dog is pregnant is noticeable reddening. This means that her nipples will become pink, swollen, and more prominent than usual. This change typically becomes visible about 2 to 3 weeks after conception.

Watch for changes in your dog's body. A pregnant dog won't show drastic physical changes until the second half of her pregnancy. Around weeks 4 to 5, her waistline will begin to expand, and her belly will stay round and full.

Avoid rushing to increase food portions. You should only increase her food intake during the last trimester of pregnancy. Some dog owners tend to increase food portions too early. Excess calories can lead to fat accumulating around the belly, which may make you think she is pregnant. Even experienced veterinarians might struggle to tell if the enlarged belly is from the puppies or excess fat.

Continue monitoring body changes. In the third and final trimester (around weeks 6 to 9), your dog's belly will become noticeably rounder and expand further. Her nipples will enlarge and become firmer as they prepare to produce milk after delivery.

Check for the movement of the puppies inside her belly. During the final stage of pregnancy, you might notice slight movements in her hips. Don’t worry! These movements are caused by the puppies squirming inside. If you place your hand on her belly where you feel the shifting, you may be able to feel them too.

• Don't feel discouraged if you don't feel anything. The puppies are often deep inside the belly, each surrounded by an amniotic sac. It’s perfectly normal if you can't pinpoint where each puppy is.

Don't expect obvious changes. Each dog behaves differently during pregnancy. Some may appear calmer and more tired. However, these symptoms are also common when a dog is unwell, so they shouldn't be considered definitive signs of pregnancy. Typically, the dog will act much like she always does until the third trimester.

• During this stage, your dog's round belly may make it difficult for her to move around, and she might prefer to sleep more often.

Changes in appetite. As the pregnancy nears its end, the uterus grows larger and occupies more space. Large meals may no longer appeal to your dog. Instead, she may prefer to eat smaller, more frequent amounts.

Searching for a nesting spot. As the birth date approaches, your dog will begin looking for a place to give birth. She may drag blankets or old clothes to arrange them into a cozy spot. She'll do everything she can to create a warm, safe place to welcome her newborn puppies.

• The nesting process may take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to just 2-3 days before labor begins.

Consult a veterinarian. If you suspect your dog is pregnant, eliminate any doubts by taking her to the vet. The vet will use various methods to help confirm the pregnancy.

Health check for dogs. The vet will perform a general checkup and pay special attention to the dog's abdomen. When feeling the pulse (by placing a hand on the belly), the vet may be able to sense the uterus and identify the shape of the puppies inside. However, this is not an easy task, as the vet may confuse the puppies with stool in the large intestine or vice versa.

• The ideal time to determine the pregnancy stage is between the 28th and 35th day after conception. Before this period, no noticeable changes will indicate that the dog is pregnant. After this stage, the puppies inside the uterus may be mistaken for excess food in the intestines.

Checking the heartbeat. Later in the pregnancy (from the 6th week onward), the vet may be able to hear the heartbeat of the fetus by placing a stethoscope on the dog's belly. However, this is more challenging than checking the heartbeat of a human baby in the womb because of the dog's thick fur and the animal's round shape, which is less conducive to clear sound transmission.

Blood test. The gold standard to determine if a dog is pregnant is to have the vet check the blood glucose levels. This process helps detect Relaxin, a hormone secreted by the placenta towards the end of pregnancy.

• This hormone only appears after the 28th day of pregnancy. If the test results are normal, you might falsely assume your dog isn't pregnant. But be cautious because that's an inaccurate result, and the dog could indeed be pregnant.
• If the result is positive at any point, even before the 28th day, the likelihood of your dog being pregnant is very high.

Ultrasound. An ultrasound scan can help detect if your dog is pregnant, even in the early stages. An experienced vet can locate the puppies in the mother's belly using a scanner from day 16 onward.

• If your dog is calm, the ultrasound procedure can be performed without the need for pain-relieving drugs.
• If the dog has thick fur, the vet will shave a small patch on the abdomen so that the probe can directly contact the skin.

X-ray request. Due to the widespread use of ultrasound, the demand for X-rays seems to be declining. The main reason for this is that X-rays are typically done later in pregnancy to determine how many puppies are in the mother's belly.

• In fact, this information is very useful because the owner can ensure that all the puppies are born safely or prevent situations where the dog has given birth but one puppy remains inside.

Be patient. During the first 2 to 3 weeks (early stage of the third trimester), your dog may not show any signs of pregnancy. Meanwhile, it will still exhibit its usual appetite.

• Just like humans, dogs experience morning sickness, but it doesn’t last until the 21st day after mating. Instead, it lasts only about 1 to 2 weeks. On the 21st day, check the gums of your dog. If mating was successful, the gums will turn white instead of the usual pink. This is because the embryo is attaching to the uterus and the blood is gathering in that area. The gums will stay white for about 1 to 2 days. Don’t worry! If this condition persists after 2 days, it’s advisable to consult a vet immediately.

Watch for any mood changes. Some dog owners suspect their dog might be pregnant because it seems gentler than usual. However, this is more of an observation based on perception than scientific evidence. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes, which affect each dog differently.

• Some dogs may become calmer, others may cling to their owner all day, while some may withdraw to quiet spots.

Check if your dog shows other symptoms of illness. Changes in a dog’s appearance and temperament can indicate pregnancy, but they could also signal illness. That’s why you should regularly monitor your dog to catch any unusual symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, or even discharge.

• If your dog has mated and is skipping meals in the days or weeks following, this doesn’t necessarily mean she’s pregnant. To be sure, take her to a vet for an examination, especially if you notice abnormal discharge (not related to pregnancy symptoms) or frequent vomiting.

• Always ensure you are gentle when petting your dog's belly, even if you’re not sure if your dog is pregnant. You wouldn't want to endanger the puppies inside, would you?
• Some dogs may experience morning sickness due to hormonal changes. It’s completely normal to see clear discharge from her body during this stage. However, if the discharge has an unpleasant odor, consult a vet.
• Avoid touching newborn puppies, as the mother might reject them if they carry your scent. Newborns need to have their mother’s scent, and it can be harmful if the mother isn’t familiar with your scent.

• Always be cautious because if the mother dog has never been petted or caressed before, she might bite you. Notify children and strangers to stay away from the dog’s nest or areas where the puppies are located.
• False pregnancy in dogs is also quite common. A few weeks after mating, dogs may exhibit signs of pregnancy such as enlarged nipples and increased appetite. But the truth is, the dog is not actually pregnant. It’s best to consult a vet to get a definitive answer on whether your dog is truly pregnant.