Signs Of Dog Pregnancy

Although most owners are very careful to keep their pets confined when they are in season, sometimes a breeding does take place; perhaps without the owner realizing it. In other instances, a breeding may be purposely undertaken with the goal of producing a litter. No matter what the circumstances, knowing the signs of dog pregnancy can help you determine if conception has taken place.

Dog Pregnancy Primer

A female dog, correctly referred to as a bitch, can only become pregnant if she is bred during her heat cycle. The pregnancy generally lasts about 63 days from the date of the first breeding, although this period may be slightly shorter or longer.

Signs of Dog Pregnancy

Let's break the signs of dog pregnancy into stages.

Early Signs

• Decreased appetite is usually one of the earliest signs that your bitch might be pregnant. Not all females go through this doggie version of "morning sickness", but a small percentage will eat less during the first few weeks of gestation, usually making up for it later in the pregnancy.
• A sudden decrease in activity can indicate that your bitch is pregnant. Just like some women, canines may also experience feelings of exhaustion as their hormone levels change to support embryo production.
• Nipple growth is a good indicator that your bitch's body is going through pregnancy changes. The nipples of an unbred female are usually quite small, and the area immediately beneath them will feel flat. However, once a pregnancy is in progress, breast material will develop beneath the nipples, which will also increase slightly in preparation for eventual milk production.
• Behavioral changes may also be noticed, with either an increase in affectionate behavior or an expressed desire to be left alone.

Progressing Signs

As the pregnancy progresses, you will notice further changes.

• An increase in appetite is usually noted about three to four weeks into the pregnancy and is especially noticeable if your female slacked off her food after her heat cycle ended.
• Weight gain should be noticeable by one month into the pregnancy. The bitch's abdomen will thicken, and gentle examination of the belly will reveal a firm, rather than fat feeling to the area.

Late Term Signs

The signs of dog pregnancy will increase dramatically in the last weeks of gestation.

• A definite increase in abdomen size will be hard to miss if your bitch is carrying the average size litter for her breed. However, if there are only one or two pups, the abdomen may seem only slightly increased but still be firmer than her pre-pregnancy condition. A lot depends on the size/breed of the dog involved. Larger dogs have more room to carry pups, and if the litter is small, they won't show as much. Smaller breeds usually show more since they don't have as large an area to house the pups, and some small breeds' abdomens will literally drag the ground near the end of the pregnancy.
• Puppy movement can be felt and seen during the last weeks of pregnancy, with a definite increase in movement a few days before delivery as the pups get into position for birth.
• Milk production begins in earnest and colostrum, the first milk, can be gently expressed from the nipples, sometimes leaking a bit on its own as the time for delivery draws near.

Signs Delivery Is Imminent

• Nesting behavior is usually displayed by a bitch in the 24-48 hours proceeding delivery, although some females begin a little sooner. You'll notice a general restlessness, and she will likely prepare the area where she intends to deliver the pups by scrunching up blankets, newspapers and such.

If you haven't provided your bitch with a suitable whelping box, you're likely going to suffer some household damage, as she may decide your bed or couch cushion seems like the perfect place, and tear it up accordingly. If this happens, blame yourself, but don't punish your bitch for this perfectly normal behavior. She is simply operating on instinct.

• A temperature drop down to 97-99 degrees Fahrenheit and held for two readings taken twelve hours apart signals impending delivery within the next 24 hours.

A normal dog temperature hovers around 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you begin taking your bitch's temperature daily from about 58 days gestation, you will be able to establish her normal temperature, as well as when the drop takes place.

Veterinary Testing

Rather than depend on your own observations, your veterinarian can easily help you determine if your bitch is pregnant.

• Palpating (feeling) the uterus around the 28th day after a planned breeding or end of a heat cycle will reveal a slight thickening of the uterus, as well as small pea-sized lumps that are actually embryos. Some breeders have also learned to palpate safely, but generally speaking, it's better to leave this to your vet to avoid damaging the pups.
• An ultrasound will also reveal pregnancy.

About False Pregnancy

Sometimes a bitch will display general signs of dog pregnancy without actually being pregnant. This will happen as she comes off a heat cycle, and it doesn't seem to matter whether or not there was any breeding activity. Rather, it seems to be brought on psychologically, and the symptoms usually subside within about a month.

Your bitch may also decide to "adopt" some babies to fill the void during this time. This may be puppies from another litter on the premises, or she may substitute objects such as toys or stuffed animals. Borrowing puppies from another bitch can lead a potentially dangerous situation and calls for your intervention; however, if she is only playing mom with toys, give her time to come to terms with the situation on her own before removing the items, then try to get her focused on other activities.