Whether you have been mating your dog with another intentionally, or afraid your dog has encountered another while on heat, you may be wondering if your dog is now pregnant. It is something you should know as soon as possible, and as a responsible pet owner, learning some information about dog pregnancy, and knowing what signs to look out for, can help you to best prepare and enable you to provide the best care possible for your dog.
What Are the Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs?
If you suspect your dog may be pregnant, it helps to know what are some of the common signs of pregnancy. While not all dogs will show the same signs, there are a list of common signs to watch for that can help confirm if in fact your dog is pregnant.
Dog Behavioral Changes in Pregnancy
Probably the first signs a dog is pregnant can be seen in changes of behavior. Pregnant dogs may become more affectionate and clingy than usual, and may become more protective of the home and family members. Signs such as being more vocal, barking more often, and perhaps becoming more sensitive to touch can all be early signs that your dog is pregnant.
You may also notice your dog is always hungry, eating more than is usual. This will be more apparent during the later stages of pregnancy, but as the pups grow inside her, your dog will want additional food and nutrition as they develop.
Other behavioral signs to look out for are your dog frequently pacing, panting more often, and sleeping more.
Dog Physical Changes in Pregnancy
You may not notice many of the physical changes till pregnancy begins to advance. The most obvious sign will be a swollen abdomen. But your dog will be eating a lot more than is usual, her appetite will increase, as will her weight.
In the later stages, watch out for enlarged nipples and vulva, milk production, which will occur a few weeks before the pups are born. You may be able to feel the puppies moving around at this time.
Confirming a Pregnancy in Your Dog
While signs can alert you to the possibility that your dog may be pregnant. Physical and behavioral changes are positive indicators, but to confirm your dog is pregnant without doubt, you should take her to the vet to be checked out. There are a few different methods a vet may use to confirm the pregnancy of your dog.
Ultrasounds
An ultrasound is the most accurate way to confirm pregnancy in a dog. An ultrasound can provide detailed images of the puppies in the womb and can also help to determine how many puppies are present. Ultrasounds are usually done after the fifth week of pregnancy. An ultrasound will give you far more information than a blood test.
Blood Test
Blood tests can also be used to confirm pregnancy in dogs. This test measures the amount of progesterone in the dog’s blood, which increases during pregnancy. Blood tests are usually done after the eighth week of pregnancy.
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What to Do if Your Dog is Pregnant
Confer with your vet about the kind of diet and how much you should feed your dog during pregnancy. This should be a high calorie diet than ensures your dog gets all the nutrition it needs during this time. You should also ensure she gets plenty of exercise and follow up visits to the vet as required.
It is important to ensure your dog is living in a calm and stress-free environment during her pregnancy. Move your dog bed to a warm and comfortable, but quieter place for it to rest, away from family noise and loud music and tv. Also, as much as possible keep your dog away from other dogs. Mood changes may make your dog irritable in the company of other animals, so best to keep her safe and away from any boisterous doggy friends.
Conclusion
Learning about the signs of a possible pregnancy and knowing what those signs are will help you care for your dog earlier and more responsibly once you suspect she may be pregnant.
While behavioral and physical changes can be serious indications of pregnancy, the only way to positively confirm this is with a visit to the vet.
If your dog is confirmed as pregnant, it is important to adjust her diet and exercise regime for the length of the pregnancy, which is usually around nine weeks, and this is something that can be discussed and implemented fully with your vet’s advice. If you have any doubts at all about how to care for your dog while it is pregnant, then confer with the vet and follow any advice given. This will ensure your dog will have as carefree a pregnancy as possible.
