Finding about dog pregnancy can be tricky initially. You can start with the pregnancy tests with the vet after 4 to 5 weeks of pregnancy.{1} However, there are some physical as well as behavioral signs as well that can give you an idea if your dog is pregnant. In some situations, all these physical as well as behavioral signs of pregnancy are false.{2} We will give you all the information here in this blog because we understand how important this question is: How to tell if a dog is pregnant?
Dog Pregnancy Checklist
If you are doubting that your dog is pregnant, check for these general symptoms:
- Weight gain
- Increased nipple size
- Swollen belly
- Gets tired quickly
- Increased appetite
- Nesting behavior
But before you take these signs too seriously, read more.{1}
Early Signs of Dog Pregnancy
In the first couple of weeks, everything will seem normal except her weight might increase. In some cases, morning sickness may also begin around the third or fourth week. Symptoms may include fatigue, lack of interest in food, vomiting, etc. If your dog throws up and is not able to eat much, offer her smaller meals throughout the day.{3}
Time to See Your Vet
If you have a strong feeling that your dog is pregnant, it is a good idea to visit your vet for a prenatal check-up around 2 to 3 weeks after mating. In case the pregnancy is confirmed, you may ask these questions to your veterinarian:
- Is there a special food for pregnant dogs?
- What changes should I expect?
- What tests are required?
- Is there any need for parasite-treatment?
If your dog is already 4 weeks pregnant, your vet may recommend an ultrasound to check the growing puppies. A blood test may be recommended to check the hormone-levels. Pregnant dogs have higher levels of relaxin hormone.
In case you visit your vet after the fourth week of pregnancy, the doctor can confirm pregnancy by feeling the belly. Only an experienced vet can check pregnancy with this method because if touched too roughly, growing puppies may get harmed and cause miscarriage. At this stage, puppies will be just the size of walnuts and spaced out evenly around the uterus in the shape of V. Each half is called horn and contains embryos.{3}
Later Stage Signs
Trimesters exist in dog pregnancy as well. Each trimester consists of approximately 21 days, that is, around 3 weeks. By the end of the second trimester, the belly starts to grow bigger. Around day-40, nipples start to grow darker and larger. As the due date gets closer, breasts start to enlarge and a little milk may come out.
At the beginning of the third trimester or around day-45, your vet may want to take x-rays of the puppies. X-rays are helpful in checking the bone structure of the puppies. Also, you will know the exact number of the puppies in the litter.
Around the last couple of weeks, you may visually see puppies moving inside your dog’s belly. At this time, your vet may want to do a final check on your dog. Sometimes, they recommend an x-ray to ensure that the puppies are not too big to pass through the birth canal. If they turn too big, the vet may recommend surgery.{3}
If you know the date of mating, try our free pet pregnancy calculator to know your dog’s possible due dates: Dog Pregnancy Calculator
In case you want to understand the length of dog pregnancy, you may like this blog: How long are dogs pregnant?
False Dog Pregnancy
Now you know about enough signs to find out about your dog’s pregnancy, but you must also know a few things about false pregnancy. Also called phantom pregnancy in dogs, some dogs may experience all the symptoms of pregnancy without getting pregnant for real. There are many symptoms of phantom pregnancy in dogs. However, there is one major symptom that may help in differentiating between real pregnancy and false pregnancy, which is “appetite”.
It is true that initially, a pregnant dog may lose appetite for a couple of weeks in pregnancy, if suffering from morning sickness. In real pregnancy, the appetite will increase after a couple of weeks along with weight. On the other hand, in a false pregnancy, the appetite might not increase and your dog might lose some weight. So lack of appetite and loss of weight along with all the symptoms of pregnancy could be a sign of phantom pregnancy.{2}
Check your dog’s appetite and weight with our food tracker and weight tracker to ensure that everything is going right.
We will tell you all about the phantom pregnancy in dogs in an upcoming blog in detail. With this blog, we are hoping that you will be able to find out the pregnancy in your dog at the right time to take the right measures.
At DuePet, we have designed our mobile app very well to help you manage your dog’s pregnancy like an expert. You can use DuePet as your dog pregnancy tracker app.
Download DuePet’s iOS App Now Download DuePet’s Android App Now
FAQs
Dog pregnancy tests can take place after around 3 weeks of mating.
No, human pregnancy tests do not work on dogs.{4}
After around 40 days of pregnancy, nipples start turning larger and darker. Also, weight increases along with the appetite.
A dog has a false pregnancy due to disturbed hormone levels (rapid decrease in progesterone and increase in prolactin).{5}
Sources
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-pregnancy-care-prep/
- https://www.purelypetsinsurance.co.uk/blogs/what-are-phantom-pregnancies-in-dogs/#:~:text=Phantom%20pregnancy%2C%20also%20called%20pseudocyesis,your%20household%20any%20time%20soon.
- https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/signs-dog-pregnant#1
- https://allpetslife.com/dog-pregnancy-test/
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/c_dg_false_pregnancy
