LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

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Hi Sara-Leigh,

There is usually some breast development during the heat cycle due to the shift in hormone levels. During a pregnancy, that development continues. However, the same thing happens during a false pregnancy because the hormone levels do not revert to their normal levels.

There are many signs of pregnancy, and not every dog will display all of the signs. Additionally, there usually isn't much enlargement of the abdomen until around week six because that is when the pea-sized embryos begin a big growth spurt.

So, the main question right now is did your female have the opportunity to breed during her heat cycle? Was she ever alone outside, or do you perhaps have a fertile male in your home. If so, the chances she is now pregnant are a bit higher than average. If she is approximately at four weeks gestation, your vet can perform a blood test to detect a pregnancy. This is the surest way to find out exactly what's going on. If your dog is pregnant, we have a number of pregnancy articles on the site that covery everything from breeding through delivery.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope you find this info useful. Don't hesitate to ask more questions as they come up, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Major problem. I think my Staffordshire bull terrier may be pregnant? She had har heat cycle 4 weeks ago and although I haven't really seen any big changes in her behaviour or body shape, her breasts seem to be developing. Is this development a little late on to be pregnancy and am I being paranoid, or is it possible?

-- Contributed by: Sara-Leigh

Hi Celzon,

Exercise is still good, and for the most part a female will limit herself as needed. Just don't encourage strenuous play and everything should be alright. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

as i have said, it was just about 2 weeks after we mated my GSD... isn't it bad for her to run as if she was not mated and under observation?? will it be bad for the embryo if she's pregnant???

-- Contributed by: Celzon

Okay thanks. Bye... :|

-- Contributed by: Sammie

ok... thx anyway... ill keep in touch with you... ^_^ so i can assure that my GSD is pregnant...

-- Contributed by: Celzon

Hi Celzon,

Some females don't display a loss of energy in the early stages of pregnancy, so it's difficult to say. Keep watching for more signs in the coming weeks. It takes a little longer to tell with some dogs. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a year old german sherpherd... i had mated her twice with a male GSD... i notice while mating, my dog resisted... but it end as it should. i've observed that her nipples swell and become black... but, i also observe no change in her behavior... she's still active... do you think she's already pregnant??

-- Contributed by: Celzon Hernandez

Hi Paul,

Check out our article on Canine Gestation. It offers a table with a week-by-week guide to the changes going on during pregnancy. Until between five and six weeks gestation, the embryos are only about the size of peas. Up until this time, they are developing all of their organs, limbs, etc. Around six weeks, the embryos go into a rapid growth spurt, and this is when most females clearly begin to show, between six and eight weeks gestation.

Right now, there's no need for a vet trip at all. Just treat your female as though she is pregnant, and offer a high quality kibble that uses real meat for protein instead of corn fillers or meat by-products that are less digestible. This way she'll get the nutrition she needs to have healthy pups. You should begin to see her abdomen enlarge very soon if she is pregnant, but also keep in mind that how big she gets is also related to how many pups would be in the litter.

Keep in touch to let us know how things progress, and don't hesitate to ask more questions if you need to. We can also keep in touch through the pregnancy section of our Dogs forum. I encourage you to join so you can get advice from experienced breeders. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a female lab/pitbull and she had went into her first heat and had alot of male playing but idk if she had any mateing or atleast when i was around...but her nipples are increased in size..and only 4 of the 8 or so nipples are clearly bigger..and idk if she has became prego or not cause she still likes too play and super active and looking for help before i spend 100 + dollars at a vet..but its been nearly 35-45 days..and her stomach isnt any bigger she just looks like shes growing with just enlarged couple nipples..if u can help me it will be clearly helpful thank you

-- Contributed by: paul beaver

Hi Toni,

Unlike women, dogs don't go through menopause, so they have the opportunity to remain fertile their entire lives. That said, physical and medical conditions can contribute to a lower rate of fertility, but that can only be judged on a case-by-case basis. Bottom line, a healthy 14-year-old dog could probably produce a litter as long as she still has fertile seasons, so it's always best to take precaution to prevent her from encountering a stud during her cycle.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

When do dogs stop having babies. MY pom. is 14yr. old

-- Contributed by: Toni

Hi Rebecca,

It may be too early to tell, and a lot depends where your dog was at in her heat cycle. The heat cycle lasts about 21 days, and there is a period during the second week where it almost seems like the female isn't discharging any more, but them she begins to discharge more in the third week before she gradually goes out of heat. There is usually a little swelling if there has been a successful breeding. We have two more articles on this topic that I think you'll find helpful.

Hope this info helps. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I think my dog may be pregnant but i am not too sure. she was playing with a male dog while she was still bleeding but she stopped bleeding about 2 or 3 days later. but her nipples are bigger than before she went into heat and her private is swollen like it was when she was in heat, could she be pregnant or is this normal after she goes into heat???

-- Contributed by: Rebecca

Hi April,

I can't be certain, but this really just sounds like a false pregnancy to me. Your kitten's nursing is really prolonging the episode, so it would be better to wean her off your female. You don't necessarily have to separate these pets, but you might want to consider purchasing a belly band to cover your dog's teats. This garment is typically used to keep male dogs from house soiling, but it covers the general area quite well and should help prevent the nursing. Other than that, your dog will eventually give up the mothering behavior towards your kitten, although they will likely always share a great bond. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Sam, and welcome to the site.

If you saw your dog breed about four weeks ago, then that is about how far along she is. It's not that unusual to see some clear discharge during gestation, and it shouldn't be a problem as long as it doesn't turn foul because that would indicate a uterine infection. Some females also have greater than average breast development during the course of the pregnancy and even come into milk before the pups are born.

So far, it sounds like this pregnancy is developing normally. We have a good article on the various stages of pregnancy. Check out Canine Gestation. Also feel free to join us in the Breeder's Corner on the Dogs forum if you find you have more questions or need support. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a pit bull that was starting showing signs of pregnancy several weeks after her heat cycle. We live out in the country and never saw a male dog wandering around. It has now been 8-9 weeks and she has milk, but does not look pregnant. The funny thing is that our 5 month old cat has been nursing on her. They go everywhere together. My question is, is that will her milk dry up eventually? Do I need to take the cat away from her?

-- Contributed by: April

my 2 year old jack russell was bread just over 4 weeks ago and she has had her clear discharge and she was getting a lot of nipple groath and her tummy is rather firm but still slightly of her food do u think there is a chance she could be further on


-- Contributed by: sam

Hi Sam,

At three weeks gestation, your vet may be able to detect pregnancy through a blood test. On day 28, the vet might also be able to detect pregnancy by palpating the uterus to feel for embryos.

We have some other good articles on this topic. Check out:

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my 2 year old jackrussel was bread 3 weeks ago she has decreased appatight and she seems to get tied very quickly and she demands attention all the time how early can u tell if she pregnant

-- Contributed by: sam

Hi Michelle,

You've come to the right place. We have a wealth of information on canine pregnancy. Here are some articles you'll want to check out.

Additionally, we have a Breeders Corner on our Dogs forum where you can ask more questions and find support. I hope you'll visit us there. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

need information on pregnant as this is all new to me

-- Contributed by: michelle king

Hi Julie,

These two signs are consistent with a pregnancy, but they don't guarantee your dog is pregnant. Your vet can check for pregnancy with a progesterone blood test, and this would take the guesswork out of it for you. However, in about another two weeks, you may be able to feel puppies if your dog is truly pregnant.

Just in case she is, we have some good articles you may want to check out to help you prepare.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, my 3 yr old papillon has just got out of heat and mated with my other papillon. Its been about 3-4 weeks and all i noticed was a increase in weight and a decrease in appetite. Does this mean she is pregnant?

-- Contributed by: Julie

Hi Marty,

It sounds like your dog has experienced a false pregnancy after her last two cycles. This happens when the hormone level take longer to go back to normal. For the most part, it's nothing to worry about. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 2 yr old Shih tzu whom has had 4 heat cycles. She has not had a litter yet but I have noticed in the last two cylcles she has gained weight and her breast has swollen enormous. Why is this happening to her? I've noticed a couple of months after the heat cycle she loses weight and she goes back to her normal size. She is an inside dog so I would know if she had given birth.

-- Contributed by: Marty

Hi Emily,

There are a number of things that can cause a change in the sound of a dog's voice. Respiratory infections, damage to the larynx, growths in the throat and even Canine Myasthenia Gravis can alter the sound. This change combined with your dog's reduced appetite are both good reasons to bring everything to your vet's attention. Hopefully there's nothing serious going on, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi I have a bijon friche who has been with another dog for 2 weeks whilst we have been on holiday. We have noticed a change in her behavour, she isn't eating alot which is unusual and her bark has changed. We have another dog which is a puppy and my bijon doesn't like him near her.

-- Contributed by: emily

Hi Malichi,

This is a good question to run by your vet. My feeling is that a female can run into difficulty delivering her pups even when she is bred to a dog that is the same size she is. Her pups sired by a Rottweiler may be slightly larger, but I'm not sure it would make that much of a difference. Terminating a pregnancy comes with its own set of risks, so talk over the entire situation with your vet before you make a final decision.

Best wishes that all turns out well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hello I have a border collie cross corgy. and I think she may be pregnate with a rotty pups. She a small dog and someone said that I should termanate the pregnacy because she might have a hard time because rottys are such big dogs. what do you suggest?

-- Contributed by: malichi

Hi Gigi, and welcome to the site.

Hmm...Aggression isn't all that common in a pregnant female. A little grouchiness in the early weeks, yes. But not true aggression. It's also normal for a female to slow down somewhat during a pregnancy, but aggression coupled with lethargy could actually be a sign of illness. Under the cir...stances, it would be best to let your vet examine your pet to determine whether or not she is pregnant and if everything is alright. At least that way you'll know for sure what is going on.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope that everything turns out alright. Don't hestitate to ask more questions if you need to.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 1yr old foxy cross jack russel and i think she might be pregnant, your tips are realy helpful but what should i do? She is becoming agressive and lazy.

-- Contributed by: Gigi

Hi Patty,

Some shortness of breath is fairly normal at this point because the pups are starting to crowd mom's abdomen, especially if this turns out to be a large litter. Unless you see increased signs of distress, it's probably alright to wait to speak with your vet until you go for the x-ray. Just continue to observe your dog's condition, make her as comfortable as you can, and call your vet right away if you suspect she's really having a problem.

Best wishes, and let us know how the litter turns out. :)


-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Dian,

If the mother dog is doing well taking care of the pups, it is best to let her nurse them until they are old enough to introduce food. Just make sure that all the pups are getting a turn to nurse and that all are gradually gaining weight. For the most part, mom takes care of everything. We only have to intervene if she doesn't. If you can give me more details on your situation, I may be able to provide further advice. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 2 yr old Staffie Bull that is at 53 days gestation, she was AI'ed so this is her earliest date. She is panting more and groaning when she is resting and is startig to swell some with milk. I havent whelped pups for about 15 years, is the early panting normal? We go in a week for x-rays for a count --- are we good til then?

-- Contributed by: Patty

Can we leave the feeding to the mother dog? or we have to intervene in feeding the pups?

-- Contributed by: dian

Oh Sam, I'm so sorry to hear that, but at least you were able to find out what was happening. Did the vet put your dog on an antibiotic?

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi kelly thanx again i took my jackrussel to the vets and we found out she was having a miscarrage

-- Contributed by: sam

Hi Sam,

I really think the best thing you can do is take your dog to the vet for an exam. The vet can tell whether your dog is in heat or whether this might be a urinary tract infection. Some females do pick up a UTI after breeding, so it's well worth checking into.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi again my female jackrussel is bleeding every 2 days she had a pinkish discharge she is eating loads and she now of heat as from a month ago now the male did hump her but dont thnk the tied still not sure wether she is pregnant or she has a urine infection but my male still keeps trying to hump her all tha time

-- Contributed by: sam

Good luck Sam, let us know what you find out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

many thanx i will take her to a vet to get checked

-- Contributed by: sam

Hi Sam,

A tie usually helps assure delivery of the sperm for fertilization, but it is possible for a dog to sire a litter without achieving a proper tie. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi sam again thanx the that imformation i spoke to my partner and he saw my male jack russel mount her 2 or 3 times but not actuly tied do they have to tie for her to get pregnant sam

-- Contributed by: sam

Hi Sam, and welcome back.

I really can't be certain, but a pinkish discharge is usually associated with the heat cycle, not a pregnancy. If your dog is pregnant and having a pink discharge, this would indicate a light level of bleeding possibly caused by a urinary tract infection or a complication with the pregnancy. I think maybe it would be best to give your vet a call and schedule an exam. If this is a urinary tract infection, your dog will need an antibiotic. If it's just the end of her heat cycle, at least you'll know where she's at.

Thanks for your question, and keep us posted.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi this is sam again i have felt like bubbles in her tummy and i have noticed a pinkish discharge she is not as active and she is still scratching and biting her bed but she came of heat about a month ago do you think they have mated and he got her pregnant

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Cindy,

Yes, this is a normal part of a canine pregnancy. As long as the mucus doesn't have a foul odor, everything should be alright.

Good luck with the deliver, and let us know how the litter turns out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dogs pregnancy is going ok but she is leaking where she is to have the puppies is that normal? It is a clear kinda thick mucus stuff. I figure she is due in aug.

-- Contributed by: cindy

Hi Sam, and welcome.

Actually, this sounds more like your dog is in heat rather than pregnant. She may not be ready for breeding yet, and that could be why she's being aggressive toward your male. However, if she really is in heat, you'll want to keep a close eye on her or she could wind up pregnant.

Check out our articles on Dog Heat Symptoms and Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding. Compare your dog's symptoms, and it may help you determine whether she is in heat or possibly pregnant.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and do come back if you find you have more questions. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi im not sure wether my ... is pregnant she has gone of her food allways fighting with the male her nipples are sligtly bigger and she is scraping and biting her bed with a pinkish discharge

-- Contributed by: sam

Hi Cierra,

If you've had a good relationship with your dog prior to giving birth, there's no reason to fear her during delivery. I personally have never had a mom offer to bite me or show any aggression during the births. It's always good to interfere as little as possible if the dog is able to take care of the delivery herself, but you should be there to lend a hand in case she needs help.

We have a great article on Delivering Puppies. I think the info will help you feel more prepared.

Thanks for a great question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

should you be scared of your dog when they are giving birth to their puppies. I mean do they come aggressive to you when you try to help them..

-- Contributed by: cierra

Hi Sarah,

Breast enlargement can be a sign of a developing pregnancy. Has the size of your dog's tummy also increased? The average canine pregnancy lasts just over two months, so if she is pregnant, she'd likely be due to deliver soon.

Sit with your dog and place your hand on her abdomen and just hold it there. Can you feel any random movement as if from a puppy? Try this at different times of the day to see if you can catch any movement at all. If you do, you'll want to prepare a box for your dog to have her puppies in.

We have a couple of articles that offer more information and may come in handy. Check out:

Thanks for your question, and do let us know what happens. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

HI my red heeler utters have been growing alot over the last month or 2 and when we lay on the floor she will position her utters over us. What does this mean? Is she pregnant?

-- Contributed by: Sarah

Hi Venise, and welcome to the site.

It's difficult to say what these bumps might be without being able to see them. Are they more like pimples, or do they seem like growths? The best course of action would be to have your vet examine the bumps. They could be caused by a skin infection such as pyoderma, but your vet could sort out the proper diagnosis and treatment based on all the observations from the exam. However, skin problems are sometimes an outward sign of a more serious illness, so it's good that you've noticed the bumps early before things get out of control.

Hopefully this isn't anything serious, but do have your vet take a look right away. Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My ... Sheba (Rottweiler/G.Shepherd) has some small but visible bumps on the top of her head. They appeared about 2 weeks ago. What could this be.

-- Contributed by: Venise

Hi Tory, I'm glad this info helped. If you haven't already done so, you might want to check out our article on Delivering Puppies. It may come in handy once delivery day arrives. Do let us know how things turn out, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

thanks soo much all the sighns are all that happened shes definetly to the late signs the movements well shes pretty hughe she a matese mix soo no one belived me until now thanks u sooooo much man ill tell a note once she has her pups

-- Contributed by: Tory

Hi Gabby, glad the info helped. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thank you for this page... my chihuahua must be having a false pregnancy. Her mate is neutered, haha..

-- Contributed by: Gabby

WOW thanx a lot Kelly¼

-- Contributed by: Tanishia

Always happy to help. Let us know how the pups turn out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thanks Kelly, I agree, she'e grounded for now maybe 1yr. from now will we try again lol.....Thanks for all your help

Sassy

-- Contributed by: Sassy

Hi Sassy, glad to hear the situation is settling down.

Your dog won't come back into heat until four to six months after the deliver, but I recommend skipping the next heat to give her a good rest before she has another litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thanks Kelly, No I didn't take her in yet.I moved her from our room to the guest bathroom shower where she is cooler and both her and the pups sleep all night (thank god) now I could sleep she wants her favotrite blankey there and 2 of the pups always want to sleep on lumps and hills and she seems to calm down.A friend told me that it takes about 4 months for her to mate again,is that possible? Thanks for all your help...maybe just maybe I wont be just a reck next time around. Sassy :)

-- Contributed by: Sassy

Hi Sassy,

Some nesting behavior is normal, but you may want to switch from blankets to newspaper since it's growing warmer lately. If by "dehydrated" you mean "panting", many females pant while the pups nurse because the nursing causes uterine contractions. Overall, this behavior could be normal, but did you take your dog in for a post partum exam to make sure all the afterbirths were expelled? A retained afterbirth or a mastitis infection could cause excessive restlessness. You may want to give your vet a call and run all this by him/her just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope everything will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Lindsay,

This does sound like some of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Check out our article on Dog Pregnancy Symptoms and keep comparing your dog's signs. Don't hesitate to ask more questions as they come up. We'll help all we can. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Tanishia,

Some softening of the stool is normal due to the hormone fluctuation during pregnancy. However, cow's milk can cause diarrhea, so that's most likely the reason for your dog's current loose stools. There's really no need for the milk or raw egg. Just feed your dog a high quality kibble and let her have as much as she wants. That should be sufficient to support a growing litter. You can begin adding a spoonful of cottage cheese to her dinner a couple of weeks before the delivery. This provides added calcium to help the pups build bone density.

Thanks for your question, and keep us posted about how things go. Feel free to start a thread about it on our Dog forum and share the experience. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly, My dog Bella gave birth to 3 little pups on May 17th.and she was alone when it happened,now all she does is going underneath and behind the sofa and scrape the floor and she still gathers the blankets that the pups are in and messes it all up,she makes nests out of that.Is this normal.Also at night she sounds like shes dehydrated when the water is next to her.Is this normal behavior for first time mommies?

-- Contributed by: Sassy

i mated my dog while she was on heat just under 3 wks ago, we didnt see the male dog to anything to my ... as we just put them in a room together and left them to it! but now she is sleeping lots and doesnt seem to be eatting very much and im having to feed her from my hand for her to eat anything, also her nipples are lookin a little saggy compare to usual! are these signs thats she is pregnant or could it be just a phantom pregnancy? if some1 could please shed some light on this i would be very greatful.... thanks linzy

-- Contributed by: lindsay

Hii Kelly,

Hope you're doing gr8t. My girl Fluffy ( around an year old)cld be pregnant. But we still have to wait til next month just intime for her annual jabs to find out if she is preg or not from the vet. So til then we are just thinking all kinds of things. Loss of appetite is definitely a sign in her of late. But the prob now is that she has loose motions. Yday night and this morning her stools were firm and looked ok..bit soggy but firm too. But this evening it was watery and yellow. Her tummy has been like that for the past whole week. Is this also part of the early stages of pregnancy? but i did give her some milk and a raw egg in the afternoon, so not sure if it was the reason but anyways she has been having loose motions. What do you think? :)

Thanx a lot.

-- Contributed by: Tanishia

Hi Carol,

In addition to the article above, we have a couple others on the site that should prove helpful. Check out:

These articles also offer info on how vets can check for pregnancy. Don't hesitate to come back with more questions after you read them. We'll help in any way we can. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My beagle/rott may be pregnant... she has a belly lyk she is and acts like she is how do I tell if she is or isnt?? also she is now not letting any male animals near her NOT EVEN HER BROTHER!!!

-- Contributed by: Carol

Hi Danielle,

Don't count out the end of the heat cycle just yet. Most cycles last about 21 days, and most females are ready for breeding during the beginning of the second week. During this time, the discharge is so light that it's almost nonexistent. However, the disharge generally reappears during the third week and trails off until it eventually ceases. This could be what you're seeing now since your dog was only bred ten days ago. For now, just keep an eye on her, and if she begins to show any sign of ill health, call your vet for an exam just to be on the safe side. Hopefully this will turn out to be nothing to worry about. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I bred my Siberian Husky around 5-7, and she is showing early signs of pregnancy, but we are seeing a reddish brown liquid coming from her vaginal area. Its only in spots like a heat, but whether she's pregnant or not her heat is long past. What is going on?

-- Contributed by: Danielle

Hi Cassie,

I can't be sure, but it sounds as though your dog may have absorbed her embyros. This is dissapointing, but it does happen occasionally. Right now it sounds as if she's going through a bit of a phantom pregnancy, but those symptoms should subside in a few weeks. Try to take your dog out for walks in the fresh. It should do her a world of good. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I bred my min dach on 2-14 and she seemed to act like she was having early preg stages then returned to normal. She did not get large in belly at all and now 5-5 (way past poss due date)she is nesting a bit, general acting like not feeling well and has develop quite a bit of milk build up. Could she actual be delivering a pup soon or could this be a result of a miscarrage and having dead pup still un delivered?

-- Contributed by: Cassie

Hi Meng,

I found your original question at Female Dog Heat Cycle and answered it there. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Approximately 2 weeks ago my dog was bred. She was about 12 days into her season and appeared ready, i.e. flagging. The breeding seemed to have gone fine, dogs tied. Now the poor little thing is spotting. Could this be a miscarriage or is spotting normal

-- Contributed by: Meng Daoo

Hi Jamie,

Actually, that's not a silly question at all. Grass eating isn't one of the classic signs of pregnancy, but it could be related. Some dogs eat grass when they feel nauseated, and it's not uncommon for a pregnant female to feel sick during the early weeks of pregnancy. So, the grass eating might be an indication in your dog's case.

Now, here's the problem with grass eating. Some lawns are treated with chemicals. Grass that's near a road catches exhaust fumes from vehicles. For these reasons, you have to be very careful about where you let your dog eat grass. If you have untreated lawn, that's fine. The worst that will happen is that your dog will throw up the grass.

So, continue to keep an eye on your pet, but it's just possible that a litter is on the way. Take care, and let us know what happens. Feel free to keep us posted on our Dog forum. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i've got a silly question: is eating grass a symptom of canine pregnancy? my dog was bred about a month ago and now she aint eating that much food. but when i take her out to use the bathroom she wants to eat grass. is that normal for pregnant dogs?

-- Contributed by: jamie

Hi Badette, and welcome to the site.

Crying in pain is not part of a normal pregnancy, although some dogs will whine a bit when in labor. At this point, it might be a good idea to take your dog in for a physical exam to find out if she is really in pain or if the whining is simply related to anxiety. If there is a medical problem, it's better to find out sooner rather than later.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and please let us know what you find out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Steph,

It could be a sign of pregnancy, but it might also indicate a false pregnancy caused by the flux in hormone levels from your dog's last heat cycle. If it has been at least three weeks since the last heat cycle ended, you may want to ask your vet to perform a blood test to look for pregnancy hormones. If it turns out to be a false pregnancy, it will pass on its own in a month or so and there really isn't anything you need to do about it. The symptoms will simply fade away. Some dogs adopt a toy or two as surrogate pups for a while, but there's no harm in it.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I suspect that my dog is pregnant but she cries so hard like she's in pain. Is it still part of the pregnancy stage or it already means something else. Thanks!

-- Contributed by: badette

My dog Domino has swelling in her nipples, it looks as if she has milk, however there are no puppies anywhere! I don't know if this could be a early sign of pregnancy?

-- Contributed by: Steph

Hi Roxxi,

If I understand you correctly, you didn't witness a mating. Some males have no reaction whatsoever to a pregnant female. However, some males tend to be a little nosey, and perhaps they smell the change in hormones that comes with pregnancy. We really can't use a male dog's behavior to accurately detect a pregnancy, but the behavior sometimes seems like a milder version of when a female comes into heat.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this answer provides at least a little help. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i was wondering of the signs for the male dogs,im not sure my female is pregnet, i wasnt tendng on breding her it was her first heat and she never showed signs of it now my male is acting very strange aroung her and i was wondering if you may know anything on this and give me some help about what to expect fom him also just in case she is, thank you

-- Contributed by: roxii

Hi Jared,

We're glad you found the info useful. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Rose,

The jumping shouldn't be too much of a problem, but you'll want to keep it to a minimum. Try to keep your own energy level low when you arrive home, and pick your Chi up to greet her so you can prevent excess jumping. The jumping will naturally cease as your dog gains weight, if she is indeed pregnant.

Thanks for the update, and keep us posted. By the way, we now have a Dog forum where we can all meet and talk together. You'll find the link for it in the left side page column. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

thanks

-- Contributed by: jared huckabee

Hi it's me again.....I a small pouch under her belly (feels like a small water balloon)....I think she is pregnant. My question, if she is, she likes jumping up and down when we come home. She jumps up to her favorite chair where she sleeps. Is this a problem while she is pregnant? She is a 3 year old Chi.

Thanking you in advance. rose

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Cloe,

A sudden personality change like this could be due to many things, but it would be a good idea to begin with a trip to your vet. You can discuss your dog's behavior, and then the vet will examine her to see if there's a physical cause for the changes. If she gets a clean bill of health, it could be an anxiety issue. Try to think of anything that has changed around your home before the new behavior began. That might help you figure out what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what you find out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog cloe has been acting different latley and she wines for no reason and hides somtimes

-- Contributed by: cloe

Hi Shannon,

I once had a Shih Tzu that absorbed her litter about midway through gestation. She did go on to have one more normal pregnancy after that. It sounds like your dog might actually be pregnant right now, but it's just one of those things you have to watch for. I hope you don't have any complications this time around. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

This is my first female dog. She is nearly 2 yrs old. She had a pregnancy alittle over a year ago that she absorbed about half way through term. She was in heat a couple of months ago. Two weeks ago we noticed her breasts were enlarging and today she started expressing milk from all her nipples. She is a long hair Jack and she has not gained any weight or gotten thicker. Last time it was obvious when she started gaining weight and when she stopped half way through her pregnancy that something was wrong. Has anyone had any experience with this?

-- Contributed by: Shannon

Hi Cristie,

That sounds like a lovely litter. Those eyes should begin to open in another day or two. About four weeks old is my favorite age for a litter. They are moving about by then, and they recognize you, but they are still pretty easy to deal with.

By the way, we are working on putting together a Dogs forum, which should be up within the next couple of months. Watch for the link to go up in the lefthand page column. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

She had 5 boys and 4 girls, but it was one of the girls that didn't make it. All puppies are doing great! They are 8 days old right now. No one has opened there eyes yet, but you can tell that they are trying to open them.

-- Contributed by: Cristie

Hi Cristie,

I'm sorry to hear you lost one of the pups, but the rest is fantastic news. Eight is a very nice size litter. So, how many boys and girls?

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Christy,

What these multiple breedings mean is that any resulting pups could have a slightly different gestational age by just a couple of days. Most of the time this doesn't make much difference, but if the breedings are spread out over the course of a week, some of the last eggs fertilized may be slightly premature when the entire litter is delivered. You can usually tell those pups apart from the others because they have no fur on their paws and look quite pink.

Additionally, it is possible for more than one male at a time to impregnate your female. If this were to happen, some of the pups in the litter would have different fathers, even though they would all be born during the same delivery. For this reason, it's important to make sure no other males have access to your female right now.

We have some helpful articles that I think you'd enjoy reading. Check out:

Thanks for your question, and I hope I've answered what you wanted to know. Please don't hesitate to come back if you need more help. :)


-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly, My Shepherd had 9 puppies last night. We lost 1 through the night, but we have 8 beautiful puppies. All 8 are healthy and mom is doing great too. Thanks, Cristie

-- Contributed by: Cristie

I have a shih-tzu ... and a male poodle, she is just at a year and came into heat. Unfortunatly my male has gotten to her, more than once, my question is can a dog be impregnated more than once in her cycle?, like a cat can...I am concerned, because every time I turn around they are tied together? Thanks, Christy

-- Contributed by: Christy

Hi Gee,

I wouldn't expect your dog's tummy to be hard at appoximately four weeks gestation, but it's possible she could be pregnant. I recommend letting your vet examine her to find out for sure.

Thanks for your question.


-- Contributed by: Kelly

My 6yr old Pug mix came into heat on Jan 25 2008, my neighbors male Shihtzu got into the yard somehow I dont think they tied together. Her stomach is hard, nipples are pink and swollen, drinking alot, sleeping alot, whining, eating a lil more. Do you think this is a false pregancy? Or she is pregnant? It will be a month on March 7 2008!! Please help!!

-- Contributed by: Gee

Hi Shiraz, and welcome to the site.

Since you're not sure exactly when your dog was bred, it would be a good idea to let your vet examine her to try to determine when she is due. If you can actually feel puppies moving, she may be farther along than you think.

Although some females are capable of handling the delivery on their own, Chihuahuas have a notoriously difficult time delivering their pups because the heads are often too large to fit through the tiny pelvic opening. This often leads to the need for a C-section.

My advice is to do your best to be present for the delivery and watch for signs that your female is having a difficult time. Our article on Delivering Puppies offers tips on when a C-section may be needed. I think you'll find it helpful, but don't hesitate to discuss a C-section ahead of time with your vet so you'll have a better understanding of the procedure as well as what to expect afterward.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know how things turn out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hey, I have two Chihuahuas..both are two years old. the female's abdominal area however has gotten a bit thicker.. but it is not moving any less..on the contrary its more active..there is a big growth in the size of nipples..a lot more moody, cries a lot, and started scratching couches and carpets and ripping them i know these all are the symptoms of pregnancy..they started showing on the 4th of february..should i be expecting birth on april? and do i need to take it to a vet? or does it do all the work alone cuz i've seen many vids where there is no human interference, but then again..its the first time..so who knows? and it forgot about all the rules of no getting on couches and no messing in the house.. many thanx

-- Contributed by: Shiraz

Hi Cristie,

It sounds like your dog could be about six weeks pregnant based on your information about her heat cycle. Most vets will not vaccinate a female during pregnancy, but I do think you should call your vet for advice. You'll still want to purchase your license, but if the vet confirms the pregnancy, he/she may be able to write a temporary waver on the rabies vaccine that will help you with purchasing the license if proof of rabies vaccination is required.

In case she is pregnant, I recommend that you set up a box for her to have the puppies in and let her begin using it now so she gets used to it. Line it with newspapers and old blankets so she has some bedding to use for nesting.

Her temperature is probably normal right now, 100-101 F, but it will take a drop down to about 97 F for about 24 hours prior to the onset of labor. For more info about temperature taking, see the section in the article above under the heading "Signs Delivery Is Imminent".

We also have a couple other articles on dog pregnancy that I think you might find helpful. Check out:

Thanks for your questions, and I hope you find this info helpful. Don't hesitate to come back if you have more questions. We'll help however we can. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I was also wondering if it is safe to have her vaccinated during pregnancy? She is due for her rabies shot this month, and licenses are due by the end of the month. I'm stuck and don't know what to do. Please help.

-- Contributed by: Cristie

Hi, I have a 2 year old German Shepherd that I think may be pregnant. If she is pregnant, the dad would have to be our English Springer Spaniel. What a combo, huh? Her abdomen is hard, and instead of looking skinny as she normally does, she is beginning to look a bit on the heavy side. I checked her belly today and now she seems to be getting ready to produce milk. I have no idea for sure how far along she is, but I think her heat cycle ended about a month and a half ago. At this point is there anything I can do for her to make her more comfortable? Will there temperature be a normal temp during pregnancy?

-- Contributed by: Cristie

Hi Liz,

If your female isn't already in heat, she may be about to come in. Males can sometimes smell the shift in hormone levels before any swelling or discharge is noticeable.

You'll need to confine your female from male company if you want to avoid an unplanned breeding. We have a couple of good articles that I think you should check out. Visit Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding and Dog Heat Symptoms.

I'm glad you came to us for help. I hope you find this information useful. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Heidi,

I'm so sorry to hear the smallest puppy didn't make it. I've been through it and know it's a heartbreaker. Try to concentrate on the seven beautiful pups you do have. I'm sure they're going to keep you very busy in just a few weeks.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, i have an eight month old golden retriever and i have kind of been on the fence about breeding her so she isnt fixed. well,she is very good friends with a lab across the street and they were playing together today and he mounted her a few times, he does this everytime he sees her but usually he is never showing and when we stop him he gives up for good but today he was crazy and we couldnt catch him every time and im really worried that his persistence might mean my girl (heidi) is in heat and that he may have bred her...what do i do??? her vulva doesnt look swollen at all but it was crazy how bad he was today, im really worried...

-- Contributed by: liz

Hey Kelly, well my lil girl didn't make it. She died last night. The vet tryed everything but she just didn't make it. So I still have 7 lil ones to take care of. They so sweet. Thanks for all your help!!

-- Contributed by: heidi

Hi Lori,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. It's important to get her outside and moving about to give her a new perspective. It's okay if she wants to bring the toy with her, just pick her up (if you can) and take her to the park or some other interesting place. Try to stay out for an hour so she has time to adjust. Perhaps meeting some other dogs will help bring her out of her depression.

As far as getting her to eat, you could try boiling some chicken and adding it and some of the warm broth to her dog food. This just might entice her to eat again.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these suggestions help. Don't be afraid to call your vet if your dog begins to drop weight due to the lack of appetite.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Heidi,

I'm so glad to hear about the litter, but I am sorry to hear the little one isn't doing well. Sometimes there are internal issues that keep a puppy from progressing. Did your vet check for a cleft palate? This is usually one of the first things they check.

Since the little girl isn't able to suckle, you might want to ask your vet to set you up for tube feeding. However, the vet may advise you not to attempt tube feeding depending on how well it goes at the clinic. Sometimes if you can get a little food in them, weak puppies bounce back. It's a delicate issue.

Let us know what your vet advises. I hope the puppy makes it.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, my dog has gone though a false pregancy. She has a toy that she is mothering. She is also very depressed. I dont know what to do for her. It is very sad watching her. I cant get her to leave it to go out side. Shes not taking the time to eat, and looks really sad.Can you help me. How do I get her back to her old self? This has been going on for about 5 to 6 days now.

-- Contributed by: Lori

Hey Kelly, thanks for all your help! My Lilly had 8 pups!! She did very good for her first time! She is a good mommy, but I'm worried about my runt she's not gaining weight. I took them to get there tails cut today and the vet wouldn't cut hers because he said she might lose to much blood and she might not make it. I've been pulling the mother by herself and trying to nurse the pup on the mother by itself. the pup doesn't have any entergy to suck. Do you know anything else I should try to give her entergey?

-- Contributed by: heidi

Hi Heidi,

Was that the first time the temperature dropped that low? It usually has to stay that low for two readings taken 12 hours apart, and then labor usually begins within 24 hours. The waiting can be a real challenge, but it does sound like things are in motion. If your dog hasn't been straining to push out any pups yet, don't worry. It's only when a female has been laboring hard with no results that you should suspect trouble.

Keep me posted, but you should have the litter very soon. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi its heidi again, today makes it the 68 day for my lilly! I took her to her vet monday and tuesday, he gave her a shot to help her and this morning at 5am she started her first stage and her temp is 96.9 it is now 3:46 pm and still no pups!! I'm not see any pushing yet. How long does this stage last or when do you think I will start seeing the pups? Any help please!!

-- Contributed by: heidi

Hi Lori,

Even though you don't feel any pups or see an increase in the size of your dog's abdomen, there's still a chance this could be a single puppy litter if your dog is indeed pregnant. For the time being, it wouldn't hurt to continue treating your dog as if a litter is on the way. It's possible the eggs didn't get fertilized for several days after the breeding.

Yes, there's a possibility that this is just a false pregnancy, but for the moment there's no way to be sure about that unless you ask your vet to examine your dog.

I realize none of this is a firm answer to your question, but I do hope the info helps. Keep us posted. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 4 year old Shih Tzu her heat cycle ended about 68 days ago. Well the last 4 days she has been nesting and very protective of her bed attacking the other dogs that come by it. She is full of milk and will only leave her bed for a very short time. I have been taking her temp for the last 3 days and its at 100.4 and has not really changed. Her belly does not seem to have grown any, and I feel no puppy movement. Is this a false preg.? or should I get ready for her to have babies? I just dont know. could you please help????

-- Contributed by: Lori

Hi Heidi, and welcome to the site.

I wouldn't be too worried yet. Although 63 days is the length of an average pregnancy, some go longer, some go shorter. Sometimes the eggs might get fertilized as much as a week after the actual breeding, and this will result in a later due date. The problem is, we can't be sure when that happens, so it's a case of "wait and see".

As long as your dog isn't showing any sign of stress or pain, things are probably normal at this point. In the section of the article above titled "Signs Delivery Is Imminent" you'll see instructions for taking your dog's temperature to determine when labor might begin. You can go ahead and take it this afternoon, and then take it again tomorrow morning. Keep a record and watch for that drop down around 97 degrees F that stays there for two consecutive readings about 12 hours apart. When you see that happen, labor usually begins within 24 hours. Believe me, this method really does work.

In the meantime, keep an eye on your dog and don't hesitate to take her to your vet if you feel she needs to be examined. Otherwise, I think she just might have conceived a little later than you originally planned. Good luck, and let us know how things go. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I'm heidi I have a ...erspan. She has been pregnet for 64 days and has not dropped them yet! I'm really worried about her and this is her first time and mine as well any help would be nice!!

-- Contributed by: heidi

Hi Marie,

If your dog's vulva has begun to swell, chances are good she is coming into a heat cycle. Watch for dripping to begin. Our article on Dog Heat Symptoms tells you all the signs. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hiya i have a black tan cav ,i think she's have come into heat, her nipples are bigger and she has a lump near the girly bits. my other dog is fixed so she cant be pregnant. ta marie

-- Contributed by: marie williams

Hi Helen, and welcome. I accidentally deleted your question about your dog's pregnancy, but here's your answer.

Yes, if your female has severe dysplasia, there's a strong chance that the puppies will wind up having it too. Given the rate of dysplasia in German Shepherds (the stud's breed), the odds look even worse.

It would really be better to terminate the pregnancy because the extra weight is really going to put stress on your female's joints. If you think your vet wants to charge too much, call around to several other vets to find out what they would charge. You may find that 100 pounds is the going rate in your area. You should also enquire about the cost of spaying your female. This is another way to end the pregnancy and it guarantees you'll never have to deal with this situation again. Some vets can refer you to a low cost spaying program to help defray the cost.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope you have the best possible outcome.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Jessica,

The size of the litter will likely be determined by a bit of both size and genetics. Additionally, the timing of the mating also affects how many eggs are available for fertilization after the sperm are delivered. If your dog was already ovulating before the breeding, some of the eggs could have been missed.

We have a few other articles I think you'll find helpful for getting you through the pregnancy. Check out:

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a wonderful 23 month old Papered American Pitt Bull Terror. She is at the end of her third heat and I just Bread her for the first time. I am worried about her pregnancy because she only weighs 52 lbs. compared to her mother (65 lbs.) which had 14 pups, and her grandmother (70 lbs.) that had 17 pups. Will the number of pups be determined Genetically or by her size?

-- Contributed by: Jessica

Hi Kim, and welcome to the site.

Yes, you are correct to assume your puppy is too young to breed. You'll want to wait until she is at least 18 to 24 months old before you decide to breed her.

It sounds like this is your dog's first heat cycle. Most females cycle either every six months or once a year. You'll need to wait until her second heat cycle to know which schedule she'll follow.

I think you'll find the information in our article on Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding helpful. Be sure to come back if you find you have more questions. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a blue Heeler female & she is about 8mos.& i realize she's spotting so i put her in a pen,she is too young to breed with a male blue Heeler? How often will she come back in season? Thanks,Kim

-- Contributed by: kim

Hi Amanda,

We have a lot of information on dog pregnancy on the site. Check out the following articles for more information:

As for the need for a C-section, it is a possibility, but it's not definite. Breeds like Pugs, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus and Bulldogs produce puppies with larger rounded heads that are sometimes difficult to pass through the pelvic opening. My advice would be to try to call the nearest vet to discuss some sort of plan for the delivery since you don't have a local vet of your own. Hopefully you won't run into a problem, but it's always best to prepare in any way you can.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this information helps in some way. Good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My female pug was stuck to a male pug twice. There is no vets in our area. Anything I need to know? Should I worry?? I've heard pugs have c-sections. I could take her to a vet but it is a 5 hour train ride in a boxcar for her, I dont like the idea of that too much. She has never had puppies. She is a year & 1/2. any info would be great!!

-- Contributed by: amanda

Hi Donna,

Some dogs deliver as early as day 58 of gestation, but it's far more typical to deliver between days 60-65. In fact, a majority of females deliver right on day 63.

As for milk production, I wouldn't worry about that yet. You may see signs of a little colostrum product now. This is the first milk that will deliver immunites to the pups. Many females begin true milk production during labor or just after the pups are born. Allowing your female to eat the puppy afterbirths helps stimulate production because they contain oxytocin.

I honestly can't tell you how many pups to expect because it varies so much between breeds and sizes. If by "exposed" you mean that four nipples aren't covered by fur, I recommend having a groomer shave your dog's belly to expose all eight nipples so the pups have ample room and opportunity to suckle.

You might also want to check out the following articles for more information.

Thanks for your questions, and I hope the delivery is a smooth one. :)


-- Contributed by: Kelly

My chihuahua is due within the next 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. What is the earliest she could deliver her 60th day will be Jan 30. Should i see signs of milk yet and if i dont start seeing signs of milk what should i do. I appears there is milk there from her size. One last thing she has 4 exposed nipples how many pups should i expect?

-- Contributed by: DONNA

HI Kerri,

I wouldn't worry too much about the size of the puppies. There's not a huge difference in the size of newborns between these breeds, and your dog is just as likely to need a C-section no matter which dog or dogs are the fathers. We have two articles on site that I think you will find helpful for gaging if your female gets into trouble during the delivery.

Check out:

Just to be on the safe side, give your vet a call and let him/her know about your dog's situation. This way the two of you can discuss how to get in touch in case your dog winds up needing a C-section after regular clinic hours.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for an easy delivery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Mandy,

I can't tell you exactly which week of gestation your dog is on, but it does sound like she is pregnant and could be getting closer to the end. Is it possible she could have had a heat cycle around October? This would be within the time range for a current pregnancy.

Since you can't be certain of her gestational stage without having a vet perform an ultrasound, the next best thing is to get a whelping box ready for her now and encourage her to sleep in it. Line it with newspapers and perhaps an old blanket or towels that she can bunch up for bedding. We have a few articles for your to read that should help prepare you for the birth to come.

Check out:

Don't hesitate to come back with more questions after you read them. I'll try to help in any way I can. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Amanda,

No, you wouldn't see much sign of anything just a week after the breeding. It usually takes a few weeks for the hormone levels to elevate enough to begin producing physical changes. You might begin to see signs of breast tissue development shortly, but that is also normal for any female right after her heat cycle.

Continue to watch for the signs listed in this article, and you might also want to read the info in the following articles to learn more. Without having a vet take a blood test or check her for pregnancy in some other way, waiting it out and watching for the signs is really all you can do.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all works out well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a beagle she went into heat and during the time we had a few stray dogs come by the house we thought we caught them before the act but must have missed one dog because she is now pregnant the problem is we are not sure which dog got her either a weiner dog or a Lab if the lab was the culprit will her having the puppies hurt her and how do we know if something might be wrong when she is ready to have the puppies this was a complete actcident and we are lost.

-- Contributed by: Kerri

To whom may help me. Hello my name is Amanda and I have a female Chihuahua about five years old now in human years. My female Chihuahua Sabrina and my male Chihahua Romeo have started to be active since June 10. Shorty after I noticed signs of pregancy but Sabrina got very sick, my family and I beleived that she had a miss carrage. Now Dec. 29 and late November is when I noticed that Sabrina has grew very large in a short period of time, thing was we didnt record when Sabrina and Roemo where last active, but I do know she was in her heat moment. Now my question is, Sabrina today is very heavy, her nipples are very large and there is show of a belly of pregancy, from June to now in Dec. can you help me on how many weeks she can be on of pregency and how much longer I should wait? I know its not easy to know if I didnt keep record but theres no money now with the ecomony being bad to get to a vet. My family and I are doing a home birth and are getting everything ready for her delivery but worried on now knowing how many weeks of pregancy shes on. Thanks for your time and hopefully you may help me out.

-- Contributed by: Amanda aka Mandy

Thanks, but what if we dont have the money to get her tested for it? Are there other ways to tell other than the vet than just waiting? Its been about a week now, should any symptoms be visable yet?

-- Contributed by: Amanda

Hi Amanda,

It's difficult to know for sure what happened to your dog. However, if you suspect she was bred while she was gone, you could ask your vet to examine her. A blood test could reveal the presence of pregnancy hormones, and depending on the outcome of the test, this will help you know how to prepare.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your situation has a happy outcome. Good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My lab is a little over 10 months old now (old enough to be in heat) she is not spayed yet. my 2 dogs run about all day long if i do not keep them indoors. both are female but the older is spayed. after they came back today (december 21) she was acting very strange. she was very scared seeming. she didnt want to comne at all just stand there whinning. i felt all her bones and found nothing. could she be pregnant from a coyote?

-- Contributed by: Amanda

Hi Stephanie,

If your dog was recently in heat and that Spaniel was fertile, it is a possibility. Your vet can confirm or rule out a pregnancy with a simple blood test that will reveal your female's hormone levels. It would be good to know so you can make plans if she is indeed carrying a litter.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a lab female. Is it possible she was bread by a male ...er spaniel? Its the only male dog that was around her and she's showing some of the signs of pregnancy so I was trying to figure out if it was possible.

-- Contributed by: Stephanie

Hi Kat,

For the most part, you don't have to worry about the size of the male that bred your female, but I would advise you to discuss with your vet the possibility of having an x-ray done during the final week of the pregnancy. This way your vet can check the head size of the pups and try to determine if your female will be able to have a natural delivery or if she might require a C-section. There's no guarantee that any female won't require a C-section with any given litter, but this gives you a better idea of what you're dealing with when delivery time comes.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i know my corgi is pregnant she has all signs. should i be worried if lets say she got bred by a germanshepard or labrador. will her puppies be to big for her to birth.

-- Contributed by: kat

should i be concerned about the size of dog that bred my welshcorgi mix.

-- Contributed by: kat

Hi Teresa,

Yes, to get a full breeding and a tie, your female must have still been in heat. The heat cycle lasts for about three weeks total, and during that middle week the discharge becomes very light, and the vulva softens up and can even look like the swelling is going away. I don't know if this the case with your dog, but it's still very possible she will produce a litter from this breeding if she was still releasing eggs. You'll want to watch her for signs of pregnancy in the coming weeks. Your vet can also perform a blood test to check for pregnancy hormones in about three weeks from the breeding.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope things work out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

just when i thought it was safe to turn my female out again,, to my surprise that very same day she became tied with a stray thats been here for about 2 months.. the swelling and bleeding where no longer visible.. was she still in heat?? please tell me NO!!!

-- Contributed by: TERESA

Hi Kat,

Do you remember when your dog's last heat cycle was? Typicallly, the abdomen doesn't really begin filling out until the female is about six weeks along. At this point, the embryos go from being pea-sized into a rapid growth spurt. This means your dog could still be pregnant, even if her tummy isn't showing just yet. Keep watching her for signs, or you can ask your vet to examine her. A simple blood test will reveal whether she's actually pregnant.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes no matter how things turn out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My mini doxie is showing signs of being pregnant. Her nipples are large and have thick tissue below them. However, I don't notice anything getting firmer in her abdomen. Any suggestions?? We did not specifically breed her.

-- Contributed by: Kat

Hi Linda,

It's possible that fertilization didn't occur until a few days after the last breeding. The sperm can actually survive at least three days after delivery, and I've even heard up to five days. It's possible that your female is going to have a smaller litter, and that could be why her upper abdomen seems so firm. As long as she isn't showing any sign of distress, you can probably wait another day or so before you ask your vet to examine her. Hopefully, she'll go into labor before then. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my yorkie is on day 64 today, she has milk and her upper abdomen is firm,,she shows no signs of having puppies yet,,and i dont feel anything moving around in there,,what do you think, her last litter came on day 60 with absolutely no problems

-- Contributed by: linda claeys

Welcome to the site Pam. I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hello all, 

i am a true all type's of dog lover.i have had 4 litter 1 litter from my lab and 3 from amix shepherd/hound mom dog,and now i am having one of her baies is now almost 2 year's old and getting ready to have puppies.i am so excited .i feel like they are my children.i would love to have puppies all the time's .i love comforting my mama dog and being there for her.i have for all my litter;s and help deliver as well, as my kid's.i live now on a farm moved here 2 year's aso,i raised chicken's as well.i have 2 cats ,bull,cow,pony,and if it was up to me i would just join taken females mom dog's and helping them.god bles you all who have hearts for animals.i love all mine they all are loved and very friendly yes even my red bull 600pds lol.my dog's love him and my male dog Rock he is a bull dog he is daddy.lol...I can't find it in my heart to call my lil girl a ... i know common name but she is my baby girl Lil Bit...god bless the dog loves here..i hope all have great success.if you need any help i think i have experienced alot doing now will be my 5th delivery.pam
-- Contributed by: Pam s. in NC

Hi Kelly,

Embryos don't begin to grow much in size until around six weeks gestation, so you may begin to see more signs then. Some females breeze through a pregnancy with very little outward sign besides a swollen abdomen, so there's still a chance your dog is pregnant. Your vet can easily take a blood sample to check for the presence of pregnancy hormones to eith confirm or rule out a litter.

All of that said, I never recommend breeding a female beyond five years old because the uterus begins to loose elasticity. Whether or not your dog delivers a litter, this might be a good time to plan having her spayed as soon as it's all over.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi my ... and dog were locked about 3-4weeks ago, my ... doesnt seem to have any symptoms, other that nipples being outwards but this was the case ever since she had pups in may, she is 8 years old, isnt she too old also?

-- Contributed by: kelly

Hi i have a yorkiepoo and about 50 days ago we tried to bread her with a Miniture poddle we took her to see the vet but he as unsure. Since then she has gone through a lot of changes such as nipple growth mode changes and now she is walking around Like she is really sad she also mer not want to play with our other dog. Is there still a chance she could be pregnent.

-- Contributed by: Davina nicholson

Hi Ruben,

These signs fit both profiles for pregnancy and urinary tract infections. The best thing you can do is take your dog in for an exam. It's possible for a female to be pregnant and to have developed a UTI from the breedings, so best to address it right away. In the meantime, you might also find our article on Canine Gestation helpful.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi! I am a bit confused if my dog is pregnant. She is having a white discharge and is frequently urinating. Pls. do update me me if these signs are signs of pregnancy.

-- Contributed by: ruben bersamin

Hi Karen, and welcome to the site.

I think you'll find our article on Dog Heat Symptoms helpful for trying to identify when your dog is in season. Breast development can signal a hormone change, but at this point I can't say whether it's due to an approaching cycle or happening in the aftermath of one. If you continue to see development, it may be well worth it to have your vet check your dog for pregnancy.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly, I have a stafford bull terrier ... who is 7 months old. I have never had a ... before and am concerned that I may have missed her coming into season. Her "boobs" seem a little fuller than usual and I am not sure if that is a sign of coming into heat or if she has got out of the garden and got herself pregnant.

-- Contributed by: Karen

Hi Sheryl,

The nipple development is hormone related. It could be a sign that your dog is going to have a false pregnancy, but most females experience some development after a cycle. Overall, it shouldn't present any problems for your dog, and if this is a false pregnancy, the symptoms will disappear in a month or so.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this sets your mind at ease. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My chihuahua was in heat approx 3 weeks ago. Her first. She is 7 mos. The bleeding is gone but the swelling is still there but subsiding. The thing that has me worried is the nipples. They are knobby. I am positive she has not been with a male. We have a privacy fence and no way a dog can get in. If so, She would have got out. other then that, no signs of pregnancy.What is this with the nipples? Normal?

-- Contributed by: Sheryl

Hi Amy,

I think your dog would be very happy to have a nice warm box to whelp in. Go ahead and set it up now and encourage her to use it. You'll just need to wash the blanket before delivery and have a second blanket ready after she whelps so you can wash the wet one.

Good idea. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My doxie is prego and I wanted to know if I make her a box and put blankets in it will she use it to give birth in. I just want to prevent any household damages that may be caused

-- Contributed by: amy

Hi Flor,

Yes, it's well within normal range although, depending on your dog's breed, it may be above normal. Basically, your dog must have been bred at just the right time to fertilze as many eggs as possible. Just keep an eye on the pups to make sure everyone is getting enough milk and growing steadily.

Thanks for your question, and congratulations on a fabulous litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My female dog had 6 puppies in one birth. it is normal that a small dog can have six puppies.

-- Contributed by: Flor

Hi Cathy,

It's possible that your female is going through a false pregnancy. This occurs sometimes after a female has been in season. Even though it shouldn't be a serious issue, you may want to speak with your vet about it just to make sure. You could also talk about the possiblity of artificial insemination on her next heat cycle.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a female black lab.she is 7 years old. and i also have ayellow male. for 6 years now we have been trying to breed them.my female lays down and does not want anything to do with it.but today i found milk coming out of her nipples.is there any other med. problem that would cause this.

-- Contributed by: cathy

Hi Marlene,

I think the best thing you can do is let your vet examine your Shih Tzu. He will check her for pregnancy as well as investigate any other possible causes for her lethargy. Hopefully there's nothing seriously wrong, but the vet will be able to tell you what you're dealing with.

In the meantime, you might find our article on Dog Pregnancy Symptoms helpful to compare with the signs your own dog is showing.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i dont know if my dog is pregnant because she has been with another dog but i dont know if she is pregnant she is always on the couch resting or sleeping please help me to find out if my dog is pregnant

-- Contributed by: carolina

i have a mini ...zu dog an i dont know if shes pregnent shes always laying down i dont know if shes sick or pregnant please help me to figure it out

-- Contributed by: marlene

Hi April, and welcome to the site.

Yes, it would be best to prepare a clean place somewhere inside your home for your dog to have her puppies. The weather will be turning colder very shortly, and you don't want the pups to catch a chill and become sick. An indoor birthing place will also help protect the pups from a variety of bacteria that can contribute to infant mortality.

I think you may also find our article on Delivering Puppies very helpful. Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a healthy litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi,

It's a little difficult to judge how far along a pregnancy is just by milk production. Some females produce milk early, some begin about two weeks or less before delivery and some even wait until the pups arrive and begin nursing.

The best way to judge how much time is left would be to have a vet perform and ultrasound to try to guage the size of the developing pups. This would give you a closer estimate of the due date, but probably not an exact date. In the meantime, it would be a good idea to go ahead and prepare a whelping area for your dog so she can get used to it ahead of time. You may want to check out our article on Delivering Puppies. It contians some useful information.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a safe delivery and a healthy litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is pregnant already showing, she is an outside dog and sleeps under our mobile, should we blosck off the under house and help her to find a place in the dog house or on the porch??

-- Contributed by: April

my dog has alil milk now how long is it till she will deliver?Does anyone know?

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Christi,

Welcome to the site and thank you for your kind comment.

We have other articles on the topic of dog pregnancy that I think you'll also find helpful.

Check out:

Hope you enjoy them!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have been searching for a week on this topic and this has been the most informative and helpful site. thanks

-- Contributed by: Christi

Hi Tee,and welcome. :)

Is the mom-to-be still a puppy herself? If so, good nutrition will be more important than ever to help your female support a litter of growing puppies as well as her own growth needs. Neither Puppy Chow nor Gravy Train are very good brands because they use fillers and cheaper protein sources. I would recommend feeding a healthier brand with more available nutrition. You should check out brands like Wellness or Orijen Dog Food for a better feeding option. Your own vet may also have a few suggestions for you. It would be a good idea to schedule a pregnancy exam for your dog to discuss all the issues.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a happy and healthy litter.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We have put the Cats food up out of her reach but she still WONT eat her Puppy Chow.Can we give her something like Gravy Train without alot of Intestinal Distress? Is this behavior Normal this soon in her Pregnancy? This is her First Pregnancy.

-- Contributed by: Tee

Hi Krissee, and welcome to the site.

If your female escaped during the fertile period of the cycle and was bred, there's a chance she could be pregnant. The easiest thing to do would be to get a blood test from your vet to check for pregnancy hormones. This would either confirm or rule out a pregnancy in definite terms.

You'll need to wait until about three weeks after the end of the heat cycle to have the blood test done, but in the meantime, the following articles may prove helpful.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out for the best for you. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is 18mon old and is coming out of her second "heat", in the beginning of the heat, noticed the "swelling" but no spotting, about 5 days later, somehow gate got opened during the night and she got out someone found her at 2am and called me at 7 am the next day, about 10 after that noticed the spotting....Not sure if her teats did look bigger, but now look more "normal" she is gaining weight, but with the cooler months we are giving more food..could she be pregnant???

-- Contributed by: krissee

Hello T,

I can't say for sure, but it sounds as though your female may really be pregnant this time. The surest way to find out is to have your vet do a check for pregnancy hormones in the bloodstream. This will eliminate the guessing and help you know how to prepare for whatever comes.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out the way you want them to!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi April, and welcome.

It's possible your could be pregnant, but the surest way to find out is to have your vet do a blood test for pregnancy. The vet will find pregnancy hormones in the blood if your pet is truly pregnant.

You might also find our articles Dog Pregnancy Symptoms and Canine Gestation helpful.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is suddenly putting on weight and her teets are definatley bigger.She is always been a picky eater but will eat anything and alot now.She loves to be w/me know when before she wasnt very affectionate.She had one false preg before but not like thia at all.Can you help me figure it out if she is prego now or is it a falsey!

Thanks t,in Kentucky!

-- Contributed by: T in Kentucky

Hello. my dog has changed in mood,She has been vomiting often, using the restroom in her cage, and eating less, and sleeping more. She doesnt like people to mess with her stomach. I s my dog pregnant ? thanks

-- Contributed by: april

Hi Deanna, and welcome.

It's going to be a little difficult to guage how far a long this dog might be on your own. Since the breeding had to have taken place before you found her, she's probably somewhere between six and eight weeks. If you can afford it, a vet could perform an ultrasound and try to guage the puppies' gestational age by their current size.

In theory, this dog could be due any time, so the best thing you can do is get a whelping box ready for her. Personally, I've found a small child's plastic swimming pool makes a great whelping box because you can wipe it clean.

I also have a few articles that I think will help prepare you.

I hope this info helps you. Feel free to come back and ask more questions if you need to. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dogis obviously pregnant, but I don't know when she was bred. She was abandoned near my house about 6 wks ago.I know she is atleast that far along.I've read the pregnancy calendar and have been trying to figure out how long til she delivers. I'm worried about recent behaviors. She is eating grass, but not her food; is not displaying any nesting behavior, but will not leave my side. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Deanna

-- Contributed by: Deanna

Hi Eli,

The vaginal bleeding you see most likely indicates your dog is in heat. I think you'll find our article on Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding and Dog Heat Symptoms very helpful.

If your dog is cycling right now, and the breeding you mentioned just took place, there is a possibility she could become pregnant. My advice is to keep her separated from all male dogs, and ask your vet to check her for pregnancy in about another three weeks. If it turns out she is pregnant, you'll want to check out the following articles for a lot more helpful info.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I do hope everything works out alright for you. You're always welcome to come back with more questions if you need to. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i dont know if my puppy is pregnant she is nearly one year old and she breaded already!!her nipples got bigger but i cant tell if she is growing or pregnant..and she keeps bleeding from her thingy thing...what do i do and what does that mean???????

-- Contributed by: Eli

Hi Renee,

That clear discharge is fairly normal during pregnancy. As long as the color is clear and there is no foul odor, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. If you notice any changes to the contrary, contact your vet right away.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you enjoy browsing the site. You'll find a number of pregnancy related topics in our Dog Health category. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Brittney,

No, this isn't one of the classic signs of pregnancy, but your dog's hormone levels may not be completely back to normal just yet. This could cause the behavior you've noticed. It's fairly common after a heat cycle, and it should go away soon.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog is about 4 weeks PG and has a clear dicharge is that normal for this time in PG?

-- Contributed by: renee

Hi there- My female dog was in cycled about a month ago. She has been showing an increase in trying to mount our other dog. Is this a sign of pregnancy?

-- Contributed by: Brittney

Hi Jessie,

I'm glad you have a vet appointment because it sounds as if your new adoptee may be carrying a litter. The vet may be able to feel the pups, but if not, a simple blood test will reveal any pregnancy hormones.

If she is pregnant, I think you'll find the following articles helpful.

Thanks for your question, and do visit us again. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Angie, and welcome to the site.

Most females emit a clear vaginal discharge during pregnancy, especially near the end. As long as the discharge doesn't have a fould odor, everything is fine. Good luck with the delivery. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is pregnant and according to my guess ,she is due any day. Should I be concerned with a clear discharge.

-- Contributed by: Angie

My friends gave me a Black Lab, someone had dropped them off out in the country. I took her in. When I first got her about a month or so ago, she looked as if it was not too long ago that she had babies. But now her teets are fulling with milk and she is getting really fat!! I have never had a dog that was not fixed. Also she is breathing really hard ( this has just started 2 nights ago ) I am not sure what to do, cause not much is known about her health history. Does anyone know what I should do, or does this sound normal. I plan on taking her to the vet on Monday.

-- Contributed by: Jessie

Hi Lynn,

It's typical to see those temperature fluctuations in the last few days of pregnancy. I don't think you'd see this happen unless your dog really was pregnant, but a few more days will tell. Keeping taking the temp every 12 hours and watch for a drop that is closer to 97 degrees F that stays down for two consecutive readings. Once that happens, delivery usually begins within 24 hours.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is now nestng, but she has a very tiny amount of colostrum. Her temp keeps fluctuating between 100.2 and 99.8. It will go back and forth between the two. She is eating stil, but not as much as usual. She is licking her vulva, but it is not swollen. She is approx 58-60 days preg. I think she is only having 1-2 babies because she has not changed in size. I would not even believe she was pregnant if I wasn't feeling some kicks and thumps. I never saw the 2 dogs breed, but I just can tell by her behavior that she is pregnant. Can you tell me if she will have these symptoms if she were havig a flase pregnancy. Thanks for your help

-- Contributed by: lynn

Hi Melissa,

Yes, those signs often indicate a pregnancy. I think you'll also find the following articles helpful when trying to figure out if a female is really pregnant.

Thanks for your comment!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have gone threw dog pregnancy before and so my sisters dog looks like shes going threw the signs but no one believes me except for my sister if a dog is pregnant then she will show signs of laziness,will get less of hunger but later on they will start to eat a lot there nipples will get hard and will soon start producing milk & and ther tummy will get hard!

-- Contributed by: melissa

Hi Sabrina,

In addition to the signs listed in this article, I think you'll find the info in our article on Dog Pregnancy Symptoms very helpful. If you're still unable to tell if your dog is pregnant, your vet can figure it out with a simple blood test.

Thanks for your question, and for visiting the site. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi!i have a doberman named keira and we breed her with my other dober zeus. if she is pregnant she will have her pups at the end of septermber.please e-mail me some signs of Pregnancy and False Pregnancy. thanks, sabrina

-- Contributed by: sabrina

Hi Trudy,

Yes, it really does sounds like a false pregnancy, but it will eventually pass. Just try to get your dog out for more exercise and a change of scenery. This will help her get over her obsession with her duckies.

Thanks for your question. I hope you're enjoying the site. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Vanessa,

Dogs in labor will sometimes evacuate their bowels because of pressure from the pups as they descend. That greenish/back discharge could also be a sign that a puppy have a bowel movement in utero, and this would be another sign that delivery is imminent. Both scenarios are quite common and nothing to worry about on their own.

All things considered, keep a close eye on your female and call your vet right away if it seems that anything further is wrong. You will likely have a litter very soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My bulldog just had her heat cycle, she seems to be having a false pregnancy. she act so werid. She found 2 ducks that looks alike and treat them as they were her babies. She digs, pants and cuddles with them she even licks them. I think its cute. I hope it goes away very soon.

-- Contributed by: Trudy

My dog is about to give birth, and this morning I noticed a yellow thick urine like discharge all over the house as well as some green/blk diarrhea. She never has accidents in the house. What could this be?

-- Contributed by: Vanessa

Hi Gisselle,

I'm sure the pregnancy is making your dog restless, but that's natural once the pups begin to take up a lot of space. As for jumping on the couch, you can only try to discourage it. It would probably make your dog feel more stressed if you were to crate her. For the most part, a pregnant female will cut back her own activity level to match how she's feeling. Usually it all works out alright, so try not to worry too much. It will all be over before you know it. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i seriously think she is pregnant. and i've done everything, ive prepared. and lately she has been waking up in the middle of the night and walks up to the door and walks back to her bed. she does that about 5 times. she also is VERY affectionate, but also very sleep. But i'm scared that but jumping on the couch trying to get to me she might hert the pups. In my opeion she does too much exercise. thank for the help!

-- Contributed by: gisselle

Hi Virginia,

It's possible that this could just be a one or two puppy litter if your dog is indeed pregnant. If this is the case, she won't show nearly as much as she would have with a larger litter.

Many females don't begin to produce a significant amount of milk until after the pups are born and nursing, so I wouldn't worry about it too much just yet. You can begin adding a spoonful of cottage cheese to your dogs meals to provide a little extra calcium. That should help milk production when the time comes.

I hope this information helps you. You might also want to check out our article on Delivering Puppies.

Thanks for your question, and feel free to explore the site. There's plenty of good information here on a wide variety of topics. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my ... looks pregnant however she has irregular looking nipples and she only rescently looks pregnant after going into heat almost 60 + days ago, and no lactation

-- Contributed by: virginia

Thanks Rochelle!

Be sure to bookmark the site. There's a lot of really useful information here. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

this article has helped me alot

-- Contributed by: rochelle balderas

Hi Lisa,

This isn't normally possible because the vulva is not enlarged at this time to accept the male. This doesn't mean she won't allow a male to ride her, but a true breeding won't take place.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a question, will the female dog allow the male dog to breed with her if she isn't in heat??

-- Contributed by: LISA

Hi Ana,

Continue to feed your dog a high quality kibble and let her eat more when she wants it. Nutrition is the key to supporting the pregnancy at this point. To learn more, check out the following articles.

Hope this info is helpful as well. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

the article was helpful at some part... she has most of these signs... i just want to know if she is pregnant what can i do to help her out?

-- Contributed by: ana

Hi Nicole,

It's difficult to determine whether there is a pregnancy until several weeks after the heat cycle ends. The signs in the article above will give you a decent idea of whether your female is expecting a litter. You might also find our article on Dog Pregnancy Symptoms helpful too.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Meara,

I'm glad you found this article helpful and I hope you enjoy the rest of the site.

Milk production can be a sign of pregnancy, but it isn't a sure indicator since females going through a false pregnancy also produce milk sometimes. The surest way to determine if your dog is pregnant is to have your vet examine her and perform a blood test.

You might also want to check out our companion articles Dog Pregnancy Symptoms and Canine Gestation.

Best wishes that all turns out well. :)


-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Lisa,

Yes, even a false pregnancy can lead to milk production. To be certain of what's going on, you can ask your vet to perform a blood test to check for pregnancy hormones.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things turn out the way you want them too. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

How long will it take for me to notice that my puppy (5 year old chihuahua) is pregnant with a(7 month old Yorkie). What are some signs.

-- Contributed by: Nicole M. A.

This information helped me a lot! I recently saved a dog from a pound, it turns out that she was pregnant when I got her. I'm pretty sure she is pregnant, but not sure since she is already a little fat. I did squeze her nipple and milk came out of 4 out of 8 of them I think that is how many nipples it was. Anyway, does that mean she is pregnant?

-- Contributed by: Meara Smith

i thihk my dog might be pregant, if she is having a false pregancy would she have milk in her breast.

-- Contributed by: lisa

Glad to help Jerrelyn. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hello kelly,thanks for the reply....i am certainly satisfied with your answers..thank 

you very much..no need to worry from now on..now i notice my dog's breast aren't swollen..shes in her best mood right now..
-- Contributed by: jerrelyn tanaka

Welcome to the site Amanda,

Do you know what date your dog was bred on? If you do, you can count forward 63 days for an approximate due date. The vulva does soften up during pregnancy, but it's not a reliable way to gage the due date. Also, some females do remain picky about their food, so just try to feed her as much as she's willing to take. If she doesn't regain her appetite, you might consider starting her on vitamins to help support the pregnancy.

Here are a couple of articles I think you'll find helpful.

Thanks for your questions, and I hope your dog has a healthy litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a female that is indeed pregnant, I have been readdy up on everything there are some things that I still don't know if it is right. She is still very picky about her food is this something that is normal and also her valva uis starting to sag again like it did when she is in heat is this a sing that we are nearing the end of the pregnancy?

-- Contributed by: Amanda

Hi Shanoah,

I can't be certain your dog is pregnant, but it's a possibility if she has had a heat cycle within the last two months and she was exposed to a fertile male dog. That said, your dog might also be experiencing a false pregnancy. This is a hormonal condition that produces some of the signs of pregnancy even though a mating never occured. The only way to be sure of what's going on is to have your vet examine your dog.

In the meantime, check out our article on Dog Pregnancy Symptoms to see if your dog is showing any other signs of carrying a litter.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck no matter how things turn out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi.. I was spending time with my female today and rubbed her belly.. I noticed that her breasts are enlarged and there is milk comming from them.. She has not put on much weight though.. Is she pregnant?

-- Contributed by: shanoah

Hi Josn,

Count forward 63 days from that first breeding with the Chihuahua and this will give you the most likely due date for the litter. I think you'll also find the following articles helpful.

Thanks for your question, and I wish you the best of luck for a healthy litter.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Jami,

I can't say for sure, but it does sound as though your dog is pregnant. I suggest making a trip to the vet to find out for sure. In the meantime, make sure she has high quality food and fresh water available to her at all times.

You might find the following articles helpful:

Best wishes that all turns out well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Crissy,

If your dog was in heat when she escaped the yard, there's a good chance she was bred. Check out our article on Dog Pregnancy Symptoms. It contains information about how owners and vet detect canine pregnancies. I hope you find it helpful.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a female yorkie that I found hooked to my male chihuahua July 6th. I quickly put him up for the next week. Not worrying about my male yorkie I left him out. My daughter told me she saw them hooked 4 times. I am a little worried. She wont be a year until August 24th. I am pretty sure she is pregnant just not sure when. I thought it had to be when I got woke up she was really screaming. But at two weeks in I could see lumps and changes. She eatting much and will be going into her 4th week sunday if she is. She isn't really big. She weighs in at about 4.2. My question is could she be farther then I thought? She had to still be in heat for my male yorkie to of gotten to her.

-- Contributed by: Josn

Hi, I noticed my 1 1/2 year old black lab mix came into heat and then she had gotten out of her kennel and ran to the neighbors where they have 3 unneutered dogs. I noticed that her stomach is really tight. It's not gettin bigger yet, but her nipples have grown quite a bit since then, her hair is thinning and I am actually beginning to se the skin underneath her hair. She doesn't eat quite as much and she won't play fetch. She just drops the ball and wants to lay in the shade. Is my dog pregnant ?

-- Contributed by: Jami Ferrebee

Hi,weve been experiencing some odd behaviors in our dog lately.Shes in a kennel out in the back but tends to escape and run loose.Could it be that shes pregnant?She doesnt eat much as she used to,she urines about 8-9 times or more a day.When we feel her belly she gets cauticious and backs away which is unusual.She used to be real active and jump up and chase the birds,but now she just sits around.These signs can lead to pregnancy although it could be false.

-- Contributed by: Crissy and Sarah

Hi Neveah,

All dog breeds have an average gestation period of 63 days. You can safely breed your female from around 18 months old. Males should be about one year old before they are used at stud.

Have fun browsing through the site. We have a lot of articles covering dog pregnancy in our Dog Health category.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I am wondering at what age one can breed a welsh corgi? Does the male have to be older than the female? Is their gestational period the same as other dogs? 60 to 62 days? Thanks.

-- Contributed by: Neveah

Hi Ashley,

Do you know if your dog was in heat when she escaped from the yard? If so, there's a good chance she was bred and could be pregnant at this time.

It would also be helpful to know how much time has passed since she escaped and returned. A newly pregnant female wouldn't express discomfort at being picked up, but if six to eight weeks have passed since the incident, pressure on her abdomen could make her uncomfortable.

Additionally, your dog could have been injured while she was gone, and this could be why she yelps when you pick her up. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure if she was injured would be to have a vet examine her. Perhaps your vet would be willing to take payments? It's worth checking out.

You can compare your dog's body changes to the info in our article on Dog Pregnancy Symptoms.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out alright. Good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello. My name is ashley and I was wondering if my dog is pregnant or not. We have NO MONEY to take her to the vet so we feel really bad. She got out the gate somehow... We think its a hole the neighbor dog dug. Well, she was caught mating with another dog by the neighbor a few doors down... And now that I think about it when we retrieved her she did come from that part of the block. She breathes heavily and whelps whenever we pick her up (small breed) she never did that before... Uhm she sleeps a lot more and drinks a lot more water than she used to. Doesn't quite eat as much... Two of her nipples got bigger. Like a lot bigger it has been two weeks aprox.

-- Contributed by: ashley

Hi Beth,

It does sound as though your dog's sister is experiencing a false pregnancy. These symptoms should disappear within a few weeks to a month. It's usually nothing to worry about, but do encourage your niece to schedule a vet appointment if the symptoms drag on past two months.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi kelly. can i ask a question about siblings. i told u my rottweiler had her babies but my neice came over today asking about her dog which is kia's sister, she has swollen teats with milk coming out, she's showing signs of pregnancy but hasn't been mated last season which was in may. could there be a chance that she is having false symptoms for kia. its the 1st time they have seen each other this year.

-- Contributed by: beth

Hi Jocelyne,

It's typically alright to bathe a pregnant dog during mid-pregnancy. The main things you want to avoid are getting water in the vulva and stressing your dog.

If your dog takes bathes calmly and is easy to get into the tub, you may still be able to bathe her later in the pregnancy. You just need to be careful around the vulva. Any grooming should be carried out gently to avoid possible injury.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck with the delivery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Jerrelyn,

Did your dog have a heat cycle within the last two months? If so, the milk production could be due to a false pregnancy. Sometimes the hormone levels don't return to normal after the cycle and a dog's body begins to produce some of the signs of pregnancy without actually being pregnant. Typically, the entire thing goes away on its own within two months. If milk production persists longer than this, you vet may find it necessary to give your female some hormone therapy to set things right. All of that said, a false pregnancy is usually nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Beth,

I'm so happy that you both got through the pregnancy and that your female is doing well now. I'm also glad you shared the info about the retained placentas. I can't stress enough the importance of that post partum vet visit within 48 hours of the delivery. It really saves lives.

Those puppies are going to be up and getting into mischief before you know it. Have fun with them! :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

why is my dog produces milk when she isnt pregnant? is that an abnormal signs?

-- Contributed by: jerrelyn tanaka

Is it okay to bathe a dog when she is pregnant?

-- Contributed by: Jocelyne

hi kelly, just to up date you on my ...es pregnancy, she went in to labour yesterday afternoon 18th july at about 1.30pm. she showed no signs of labour apart from pacing then her cheeks started to puff with deep breathing and a bit of shaking then out popped the first pup at 1.45pm.she done the same with the next and so on. altogether she laboured for 9 1/2 hrs but had 2 long breaks of over an hour. anyway she ended up having 11 baby rottweilers all cute as buttons and considering it was her 1st litter she's done brilliant with them. we had a few problems tho, she retained 4 placenta's and we thought she retained a pup but a scan shows something that just looked like the placenta's which she is now on antibiotics for. she had a few trips to the vet, the last 1 was for a c-section which they didnt give her in the end thankfully. So really looking forward to watching her raise them and raising 1 myself, i cant resist as i've decided that i'm not breeding her anymore. thanks a lot for ur advice in the past. (BETH)

-- Contributed by: beth

Hi Jennifer,

If your dog was bred a month ago she would still have about a month to go.

Check out the following articles for more information to help you determine whether she's really pregnant.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this information useful. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Roland,

The average dog pregnancy lasts about 63 days. Check out our article on Canine Gestation for more info.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly Lynn,

Your dog's behavior seems unusual, but it's not a clear sign of pregnancy. The temperatures you've recorded are also in the normal range, although slightly elevated. I think your best option is to give your vet a call. The vet can feel for pups if your dog is near the end of a pregnancy, but the vet will also check for an illness that might be the underlying cause of your dog's change in behavior.

Thanks for your question. I hope that all will be well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD BLUE PIT BULL. SHE IS VERY CALM AND EASY GOING AROUND THE KIDS AND OTHER DOGS. ABOUT A MONTH AGO WE HAD TO GET A BIGGER FENCE FOR HER BECAUSE SHE KEPT GETTING OUT. I THINK SHE MIGHT BE PREGNANT,HER STOMACHE IS EXPANDING AND HER MAMMORY GLANDS ARE HUGE HOW MUCH LONGER DO I HAVE???????

-- Contributed by: JENNIFER H

How many months before a dog will give birth?

-- Contributed by: Roland Jae B. Estoque

hi, i have a dog that i rescued about a month ago, for the past 2 days she has been in our spare bedroom she comes out to go potty and to pace throught the house a little bit. and if someone is here she will bark like crazy but she has always done that. here are the signs she is having.... i put a blanket in her room and she fixed it the way she wants it, she is hiding food and toys under the blanket, she will growl at the other dogs if they look in the room. she is pacing , and she is whining a little bit but not too much and not loud, she is panting too, she is still eating and drinking a little bit i have been taking her temp every hour and this is what it reads 3:30 pm 101.7, 4:23pm 101.2, 5:48 pm 101.8. she has been acting like this for 2 days now. i have never dealt with anything like this before and i am a little scared. when should i worry?? PLZ SOMEONE HELP ME. i

-- Contributed by: kelly lynn

Hi Kate,

I can't be certain, but it sounds as though your dog might be at least halfway through the pregnancy if she is actually pregnant. Vets typically use an ultrasound to estimate the gestational age of the puppies, and this could give you an idea of your dog's due date, and more importantly, whether she is pregnant at all.

The vet appointment is really the way to go, but in the meantime, check out the following articles for more info.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Monji,

Check out the section in the article above titled "Signs Delivery Is Imminent". This should give you a better idea of how to spot when your dog goes into labor. Additionally, I think you'll find the following articles are also quite helpful.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Alysha,

I need a bit more info. Has your dog been in heat over the last two months? Is it possible that she was exposed to an unneutered male dog? If so, there is at least a 50/50 chance she is pregnant. However, that doesn't mean that the symptoms you're seeing actually confirm the pregnancy. If your dog was in season approximately two months ago, that bulging look to your female's eyes may mean that she is close to going into labor. Some females will take on that frightened look, while other seem to take labor in stride. Check out our article on Delivering Puppies.

Ideally, I recommend you give your vet a call right away to have your dog examined. If her symptoms have nothing to do with pregnancy and labor, she could be ill. Either way, you need to find out what's going on as quickly as possible so you can help her.

Best wishes that everything works out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Nicole,

It sure sounds like she is pregnant to me. I'd like you to read the following articles. They should help prepare you for the pregnancy as well as the delivery.

One other thing to keep in mind is that Chihuahuas often have difficulty delivering. If your dog seems unable to push out the pups, you may need to take her to your vet for a C-section.

Best wishes for a safe delivery, and don't hesitate to write again if you have more questions.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We found a terrier mix a while back and about a week ago we noticed that her normaly very slender abdomen was much larger and her breasts are much larger. We don't know when she might have gotten pregnant though b/c we haven't had her long. So we were wondering how much longer is will be until she gives birth if she is indeed pregnant (which there isn't much doubt). We haven't seen any leaking of milk but her nipples get larger every day. Thanks!

-- Contributed by: Kate

how do you know when labor is going to happen ?????

-- Contributed by: monji

hi, my jack russel terrior is showing some weird sign's, like she isn't her usual self as in she isn't walking properly, she is shaking a bit and her eye's have gone bludgy is it a sign of pregnancy, or is it just sickness

-- Contributed by: Alysha

Hi my female chiuwawa, soory i dont know how to spell it.anyways, i think she is pregnant, she had got stuck with my other male chiuwawa one month ago and now her tummy is hard and kind of bigger than usual and she is wide and her nipples are large, she is having some liquid discharge(kind of sticky) i have a feeling she is pregnant. She is always hungry and steals other dogs food(lol) im really nervous because she is my very first female dog and i never dealt with pregnancy. What do i do?

-- Contributed by: Nciole

Hi Kristy,

I suspect that your female has always been a bit dominant over your male, and that the behaviors you're seeing between these two are being intesified by your female's pregnancy.

I would suggest feeding them separately so the male feels more relaxed and able to eat without worrying about your female.

As for your female's rowdiness, it would be better at this stage if she weren't jumping up and down from the furniture so much, but this can be difficult to control. Hopefully your female will sense her own limitations as her tummy grows larger.

Finally, the blood during the breeding isn't so much of a concern as the fact that this is her first season. This means your female is between six months and one year old, correct? That's rather young for a pregnancy so do try to be extra careful with her, and be sure to call your vet immediately if there is any sign of difficulty during her delivery.

You might find the following articles useful:

Best wishes that all goes well. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Beth,

The drop to 99 degrees is not as significant as the drop to 98. In my personal experience, I have had females drop to 98 and go back up. Most of my females delivered within 24 hours when their temperature dropped to 97 degrees and stayed there for two consecutive readings taken twelve hours apart.

If your female's temperature is still down today, there's a high chance she will go into labor soon, but I'd really look for that 97 degree mark. Keep in mind that each female is different. Some do deliver at 58 days, but most deliver around 63 days. Make a note of what your dog's final temperature drop turns out to be this time, and you'll be able to use that as a guide for her next litter if you breed her again.

Good luck with the delivery and let us know what happens!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have two small dogs a female and a male. Over the summer they breeded, unfortantly it was a little more worry some then anything, the female was going into her first heat, there was alot of blood where penitration had accured should I be worried? She now into about a month and a 1/2 she already showing the hugh belly and nipples, she not lost her appite though, in fact the male has, he more reluctant to eat and offers her his food constantly, some times the female will become aggressive towards him with a snarl or a snap when food is involved or attention, is this common behavior for two differnt genders during pregnacy terms? She has no signs of lack of attention, she is an eacily excitable dog, so I worry some if this will affect her pregnacy again, she tends to run around alot with the hot weather and jump up and down on high furnature much higher then herself.

-- Contributed by: Kristy

hi kelly, just a quick question. kia my rottweiler is due her pups on 15th july 5 days away, i've been taking her temp since 9.30 last night and noticed a drop all day today from 99degrees this morning down to 98 degrees at 8.55 tonight. she's been really clingy following me from room to room, been off her food a bit but cant see any signs of nesting yet or restlessness. is it 24 hrs from the 1st low reading or from the secondlow reading of 98 degrees.do u think she will go till tuesday. thanks.

-- Contributed by: beth

Hi Sharon,

It's possible that this could be a false pregnancy, and virtually any breed or crossbreed can have one. I'm sure you tried to be careful, but on the outside chance that Gerry did breed your female, it would be best to let your vet examine her. If you find out it's just a false pregnancy, at least you won't have to worry about her any longer. If she is pregnant, you'll want your vet's professional advice about what is best for your dog.

Good luck that everything works out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Sandi,

Yes, breast development can be a sign of pregnancy, but it doesn't mean your dog is pregnant for sure. Our article Dog Pregnancy Symptoms has a list of additional signs to watch for.

As for the puppies' size becoming an issue, it is best to consult with your vet. About one month into the pregnancy, the vet can perform an ultrasound to gauge puppy size and compare it to normal gestational size for your female's breed. This will give the vet an idea if the pups are going to grow too large for a vaginal delivery. It may be necessary to plan on a C-section, but see what your vet has to say.

Best wishes that everything works out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi; we have a beautiful miniature long hair daschund that we have spoiled with love. Being our first small dog, we made some bad decisions but have no problems dealing with them. Sugar is with either my husband or myself at all times. The couple times we had to leave her behind, our sons babysat her. We also have a lab/red-bone hound dog, his name is Gerry. Now my problem... Sugar just finished her first heat, and has not been around any male dogs (except Gerry on limited amount of time with supervision so she could playfully attack him) yet her nipples are swollen and she is getting thick. I am worried about her being pregnant, yet know she hasn't been with a male dog. Is there any way she could be going through a false pregnancy? We used to have a beautiful bassette hound and were told that breed can go through false pregnancies. Please tell me if it is possible for Sugar to be going through a false pregnancy.... if not, it can only be Gerry (though I really can't see that) and we will have to get the pregnancy terminated before it does her any harm.....HELP!!! Thank you for your time.... Sharon

-- Contributed by: Sharon

My dog was recently in heat and we were out of town and she got out with a bigger male dog. Two weeks after the encounter she is now showing signs of pregnancy. Is one of those definite signs enlarged nipples and area around them? If so what are the precautions i need to take considering she is 15lbs and the male dog is much larger. Thanks Sandi

-- Contributed by: Sandi

Hi Stacey,

It's not very typical for females to actually fight when one is pregnant, but being in heat can sometimes produce some aggression. It's too soon to tell if one of your females is pregnant, but the vet can tell in a few more weeks by performing a blood test. In the meantime, I'd try to keep your girls separate to keep fighting to a minimum.

Good luck with the situation, and I hope things return to normal soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi i have two ...es and a dog 1 ... is at the start of the season not noticed any signs of heat in the other butshe was tied with my dog a week ago nowshe is attacking the other ... is she pregnant or attcking becuse of heat please help

-- Contributed by: stacey

Hi Gary,

I'm so sorry to hear about what happened. Absorption shows very little signs beyond a gradual size reduction of the abdomin. I would actually be more worried about a possible rupture of the uterus. If your dog seems like she is in stress or pain, or if she begins to produce a bloody discharge, take her to the vet right away. For now, I would try to keep her quiet and relaxed.

I truly hope everything turns out alright. Good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I think my girl is on day thirty an has ust had a bad experience while out in the park . she was kicked by a boy , what are the signs of absorbing if any ...thanks

-- Contributed by: gary

Hi Heather,

It's really too early to tell, but hopefully your puppy isn't pregnant. It would not be good for this young puppy to put all her physical resources into a litter at this time. It would be best to keep her separated from your male, and to consult a vet for a blood test in about three weeks to determine if she is truly pregnant and whether that pregnancy should be allowed to continue.

Best wishes that everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I'm not entirely sure if my peekapoo (pickanese/poodle mix) is pregnant or not. She is 7 months old and had her first heat and possible mating about a week ago. She is a very small dog (only standing about 5 inches off the ground) and I'm a little confused by the signs she is exhibiting. She has enlarged nipples that were definitely not there last weeek. She is suddenly very affectionate and has taken to sleeping quite a lot. She now naps in places that she didn't like before, such as the head of my bed, very close to my chest. Her diet has also become very picky and limited. We have another peekapoo (a male) in the house and its possible that they mated in the few hours when no one was around, however we aren't entirely sure. Is it possible for her to be exhibiting signs this early, or could it be a false pregnancy?

-- Contributed by: Heather

Hi Summer,

It's a good possibility. It's difficult to distinguish puppy heartbeats from your female's own body sounds, so don't worry that you weren't able to hear the pups. My advice is to get a whelping box ready just in case there is indeed a litter on the way.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i tried using a stethiscope but i couldnt hear anything! i have a jack russell and we saw her have a tie with another jrt and we think shes preggy with 1-2 pups and we cant afford to take her into a vet to make sure. shes on week eight her tummy is noticalbly bigger and her nipple are big but shes acting normal, What do you think! Do you think shes preggerz?

-- Contributed by: Summer

Hi Elliot,

Pregnancy for all dogs lasts about 63 days, give or take a few. This is true for all dogs. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

how long is pregnancy for a chocolate labrodor ...

-- Contributed by: Elliott Barnes

Hi Richard,

You may be able to detect a puppy's heartbeat in utero with a stethoscope if you know what you're looking for. Be aware that you might hear bowels sounds instead, as well as mom's own heartbeat depending on the location you're listening from. Good luck giving it a shot.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

can i hear a pup beat in my dogs abdomen if i auscultate it using my stethoscope?

-- Contributed by: richard

Hi Kim,

It does sound like your dog is showing the early signs of pregnancy. As you've already found out, human pregnancy tests don't work for dogs. They are designed to detect human gonadotropines (hope I spelled that right), something dogs don't have. The good news is that your vet can detect a pregnancy by performing a simple blood test about three weeks after the heat cycle has ended. Hopefully this will confirm the pregnancy for you.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck. Be sure to check out the following articles. I think you'll find them helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Good news Beth, I'm glad we could help. Do keep us posted on the litter, and best wishes for a smooth delivery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi kelly, just to say thanks for ur advice about my dog in pregnancy and i took it. i took her to the vets and they verified that she is pregnant. she is now 38 days pregnant and u can see now by the size of her belly and teats. she went off her food at 3 weeks pregnant which really unerved me as she wouldn't eat a thing. i was told to give her glucose tablets and see what she was like 4-5 days later, but she picked up before i needed to take her back. well looking forward to puppies now and will keep u informed. thanks again for ur help. (beth)

-- Contributed by: beth

I think my beagle may be pregnant, she was in heat for a few days we took her to a breeder and well you know ....And now her nipples are bigger and her vulva is kinda enlarged, is that normal? It is all swollen looking...ok so she lays down alot and she eats a little more now and is kinda cranky for her. She is acting different that is for sure.I bought a humane pregnancy test and had her pee on it but i guess they don't work for dogs. that was probably a dumb blonde moment. so do you think she could be pregnant?

-- Contributed by: Kim

Hi Rodell,

How big your female's belly gets during pregnancy depends on how many pups she might have inside. Most larger females do tend to grow significantly larger in the last two weeks of pregnancy, especially when the pups begin moving back in preparation for delivery. However, a one or two pup litter will show very little on a larger dog.

Now, let's try to figure out an approximate due date. If your dog began her season in the last week of April, she probably didn't begin releasing eggs until the first week of May. This would likely make her due sometime in the first week of July. If you happen to know the date of the first time you found the dogs tied, you can count forward 63 days from that date to determine her first possible due date.

You might also consider having your vet perform an ultrasound. An experienced vet can judge approximate gestational age based on the size of the developing pups. This could take some of the guess work out of it for you.

Along with the article above, you might find this information helpful:

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything goes well. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello Madi,

I think my dog is pregnant. She is showing signs like not eating much(and she eats alot!), her nipples are erect all the time(now its starting to be a little lumpy), and she has her favorite spot to rest. She was in heat in the last week of April '08, and we've caught them at least 4 or 5 times being stuck for about 10-15 minutes together. They say the pregnancy is about 63-72 days. It is now June 18, '08, and her belly isn't really big. They say around the last week or two, she will bubble up bigger...I don't know. My question is when do you think her due date is, if she is pregnant? And is it true that her belly will eventually get bigger in the last week or two of pregnancy? She's a large dog and she probably weighs about 65-70 pounds.

-- Contributed by: Rodell

Hi Jill,

How quickly a dog begins to show depends a lot on her size. A small dog has less room for the pups, so she'll show much quicker than a large dog with a longer body.

That said, the only way to reliably guage the size of the pups against their due date is to have your vet perform an ultrasound. The vet will determine the gestational age of the pups as closely as possible. You can then compare that with your own gestational estimation based on when your dog was in season, and this will give you an idea whether the pups are exceptionally large or not.

If the pups do turn out to be large, take heart in the fact that C-sections have become very routine, and most females come through them quite well.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, while my dog was in heat I tried to be very careful that a male dog didn't get to her, however, I was not successful in doing this because she is now pregnant. I am estimating she is approximately 30 into it. My question....is there any sign that I need to look for that the puppies she is carrying are from a larger dog? She seems to be getting SO big SO fast. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

-- Contributed by: Jill

Hi Madi,

Pregnancy is an unfortunate possibility in this situation, so I recommend you have your puppy check by your vet. There is usually a slight amount of breast tissue development due to the hormones involved with triggering the heat cycle. However, if the development is becoming significant, it could be due to a pregnancy. Better to find out for sure so the vet can advise you on how to best help your pup.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

In a false pregnancy will the ...s tits become swollen? I have a 7-8month pup n she has just been through her first heat unfortunally i have a male dog who is not de-sexed and we kept a close eye on her so he wouldnt get her for he was way to big for the size of the little one im so worried that maybe he got to her before we realised she was on heat... now she's stoped bleeding and her vulva is not swollen but her nipples are swollen and seem like there developing!!! Help me haha.

Madi

-- Contributed by: Madi

Hi Maz,

Terminating a litter is a possibility to discuss with your vet. There is a shot to abort, but it carries some risks. Some vets are also willing to spay to terminate a pregnany, as well as prevent anymore.

That said, there won't necessarily be anything wrong with the resulting pups from a one time inbreeding unless the parents share a serious fault that will like appear in the progeny. The greatest risks come from generational inbreedings that weaken the genetic pool.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

can a dog have a termination? I have a dog that has just had her first "season" but we also have her brother who is from the same litter, and they have definately mated at least 3 times that we have caught them at. my baby is definately pregnant but the puppies will be really wrong


-- Contributed by: maz

Hi Beth,

These signs are not conclusive of a pregnancy. The house accident along with the mucus might actually be a sign of a urinary tract infection. At this point, your dog would be far enough along for a vet to confirm a pregnancy with a blood test. I would go ahead an make an appointment for your dog and ask your vet about checking for a UTI as well. They are not uncommon after a breeding.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the news is all good.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a toy fox terrier, and she was recently in heat.and i just recently noticed her nipples are larger and she has gotten larger around her stomach and it feels tight around her stomach could she be pregnant?

-- Contributed by: lindsey

hi kelly, i bred my dog 31/2 weeks ago now and the other day she dribbled a bit in the living room which she never does but there was also a chunk of discharge in it. her teats have started to enlarge aswell, not individually but the skin from teat to teat is sagging. is this what happens in pregnancy.

-- Contributed by: beth

Hi Michelle,

There's a possibility that your dog is carrying a single pup litter. I would have the vet examine her right away to see if this is the case, and then you'll know how to prepare. If you need it, we have a very good article on Delivering Puppies that I think you'll find helpful.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a rat terrier that came into heat around the middle of April. She has not gained any weight and does not look pregnant. The only thing is her boobs are very large and have started producing milk. If I squeeze them, ALOT of milk comes out. She has been a little whiney lately. Could she be pregnant?

-- Contributed by: Michelle

Hi Kara,

Lhasas are one of my all-time favorite breeds, and I am very familiar with their temperaments. It would be safest for all concerned if you isolate either your male or your female. There's no way to predict how either of these dogs will react once the puppies are born. Your female needs a quiet place to feel secure as she learns to care for the pups. The pups are also susceptible to a variety of viruses until their immune systems begin to develop, so this is another good reason to separate your male from the situation. At the very least, you might consider putting up a baby gate at the doorway to keep your male out of the room. If he is a jumper, you may need to crate him when you can't be there to supervise.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the delivery is safe and uneventful. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I have a female Lhasa who is pregnant and will have her puppies within a week or two. Can my male be in the same room as her? They have there own room together where do you suggest I put him or her? Thanks for the help Kara

-- Contributed by: Kara

Hi Zoisa,

Most vets will refrain from worming and vaccinating during pregnancy, so I think you should call the office this week and let them know your dog is pregnant. Most likely, the vet will want to reschedule these routine health care needs until after the pups are weaned.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Is it okay to inject an anti rabies and parvovirus to a pregnant dog? because on june 5 is her schedule to be injected... she`s about 1 year old.. Is it okay to my dog to take a deworming capsule/tablet? this june is her schedule also to be deworm.

I`ll wait for your answer..

-- Contributed by: zoisa

Hi Mike,

I believe heartworm treatment can be dangerous for a pregnant dog as well as the pups she carries. If you truly suspect this dog might be pregnant, please bring it to your vet's attention immediately so you can discuss all the safety issues.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Can a dogs nipples be large if they have had a litter before? I found a dog that has very large nipples and somewhat of a bulge in her belly. I was told she has given birth befor. She is undergoing Heartworm treatment ... will that hurt the puppies?

Michael B

-- Contributed by: Mike

Hi Beth,

The behavior among newly pregnant females varies, but I have never had one suddenly begin loading up on water. My advice is to schedule a pregnancy blood test three weeks from the end of the heat cycle, and also talk to your vet about the water consumption at that time.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi. can some-one please tell me if one of the first signs of pregnancy can be drinking loads of water as i bred my rottweiler 2 weeks ago and she is drinking loads, she is also tired more than usuall. she is 20 month old so is usually very energetic. thanks (beth)

-- Contributed by: beth

Hi Larisa,

First let me say that it was a very kind thing you did to take that poor stray in and give her a home. I wish more people had a generous heart like yours.

Now for your question about this dog's pregnancy. If the male dog was significantly larger, the size of the pups at delivery could be an issue. However, sometimes pups from a same dog breed mating also grow too large for mom to deliver, so it's a common problem. If your female has difficulty at the time of delivery, your vet can perform a C-section to deliver the pups. Most females come through the surgery just fine and are able to nurse the pups afterward.

It is possible for your vet to perform and ultrasound to gauge the size of the pups and get an idea if they are going to pose a problem at delivery time. Otherwise, you can just observe your dog during delivery, and take her to the vet if she hasn't delivered a puppy after an hour or so of hard pushing.

I think the following articles will also help you understand what's going on with your dog's body and what to do when delivery time arrives.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the delivery happens without a single problem. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly 
Dear Kelly!

I picket up a abanden dog on the street. It is a mini Shnauser. Now, 2 month later, I think she is pregnant. She is getting very fat, having difficulty brething, walking, peeing in the house. 

I think, whene she was tide up to the tree and in heat, she made with the big dog. And now, that she is pregnant, puppys are biger, then she can cary, that is why she is having all this problems. Can this puppys be removed? I am afreid, that she can die during the labor, if the puppys are to big.

Thank you. Larisa.

-- Contributed by: Larisa De Lima

Hi Chris,

It's very possible. Most females won't begin to slow down or show any signs of pregnancy until two to three weeks after fertilization has taken place. However, you might want to distract her attention to other activities if the play becomes too rough, or it could interfere with the embryos becoming securly implanted in the uterine walls.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with everything. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

is it possible for a 4 day pregnant dog to still be playing around as usual?

-- Contributed by: chris

Hi Gina,

Yes, it is possible conception could take place even without a proper tie. You'll find more info on this topic in our article about Dogs Mating.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Is it possible for a dog to get pregnant if the male and female did NOT "lock"? My male kept trying when my female was in heat, however I did not see them lock together at any point. Thank you for any advise you may have.

-- Contributed by: Gina

Hi Tisha,

I can't say for sure, but it sounds like your dog could be pregnant. Your vet can check for this with a simple blood test. :)

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi my dog looks like she has human boobs they are really big and her vulva is still swollen for more then the month i am a little concerned and don't know what is going on do you know what is happening i really would like to find out soon.

-- Contributed by: Tisha

Hi Nilsa,

By day 18, it would be a bit late in your dog's cycle for her to conceive, but it's still a possibility depending on when she began releasing eggs. Your best option is to wait about three weeks after her heat is finished and ask your vet to perform a pregnancy blood test. That way you'll know for sure what to expect. If your dog is pregnant, we have plenty of dog pregnancy info to help you through the experience.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Zoisa,

Chilling or tremors might be a sign of illness. Typically, a pregnant dog only displays this type of trembling when in labor. My best advice is to call your vet right away and take your dog in for an exam. Whether this turns out to be an illness or something, it's best to figure out exactly what is going on.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Susan,

I believe what you're talking about is comparable to charting basal temperature in women trying to conceive. In women, there is a rise of perhaps half a degree in body temperature immediately after an egg is released. This method might also work for dogs, but I think it's worth discusssing with your vet to find out just how reliable it might be in determining when your ... ovulates.

Thanks for your question, and please feel free to come back and share the info.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My female dog had her first day of heat the 1st of May. And this neigbors dog came in my house the 18th. It was fast and I separate them. Can se be pregnant? The dog only got her once and was separate as fast as i heard her cry.

-- Contributed by: Nilsa

My dog is chilling,I dont know what to do?, is it a sign that she`s pregnant? She`s about 1 year old.

Thank You...

-- Contributed by: zoisa

I'm told that a ...'s temp will change when she is 'ready' to be bred. What is the reading when that happens?

-- Contributed by: susan

Hi Beth,

Palpating needs to be done on the 28th day from the breeding, but when you have multiple breeding dates, you'd have to palpate on the 28th day from each one to catch the right day to feel any embryos. After the 28th day, the uterus enlarges and the puppies can't be felt until they are much larger.

Under these cir...stances, a blood test is probably the best tool to detect a pregnancy, so you might want to ask your vet to perform one. It is possible that there is no litter, but after five successful breedings there should be some embryos unless either the dog or the ... has fertility problems. This might be something you need to check out in the future if no puppies result from the breeding.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope you wind up with a litter after all.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Donna,

That small of a drop is relatively normal. What you're looking for is a drop down to 97-98 F that stays there for 24 hours. Since the puppies are due shortly, you might enjoy our article on Delivering Puppies. I hope you find it useful. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi

I have 2 Golden retreivers. When my ... was in heat they tied 5 times. There was about a week between 1 and 5. She is now either 3 or 4 weeks pregnant. I have seen my vet and he palpating her and said he felt nothing. Is it possible that she is not pregnant after 5 ties? How accurate is palpating? The only sign I am really seeing now is she does not want to eat.

Beth

-- Contributed by: Beth

Hi. My dog is pregnant. Not exactly sure which day she was actually caught but I know the time frame and I am guessing a due date of 5-16 to 5-20. Her temp yesterday was 100.8 then last night it went down to 100 ow this morning it is back up a little to 100.2. What do you think? Normal or this a sign labore is around the corner. I do not know her normal temp. I only started taking her temp on the 14th. Thanks

-- Contributed by: DONNA

Hi Chloe,

The easiest way to find out whether your dog is pregnant is to ask your vet to perform a blood test. This can be done as early as three weeks after the heat cycle has ended. This takes out all the guesswork and then you know whether you have to prepare for the pitter patter of little paws.

If your dog does turn out to be pregnant, I think you'll find the following articles helpful.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this info helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kay, Ok my dog is showing symptoms ,but I'm not sure if she's really pregnant how do I find out? We have a boy dog and he's 8 or 9 months and my girl dog is about 1 year. But I really need anwsers. Please help me!!!!!!!!!

-- Contributed by: Chloe

Hi Kay,

This is difficult to say because different females begin milk production at different times. Some begin producing colostrum about two weeks week before delivery, some just a couple days before, and other's don't begin until the puppies are born and start nursing. Personally, I've never been able to rely on milk production to judge how soon until the pups are born. If you recorded the date of the breeding on your calendar, count forward 63 days and that will give you a potential due date. Be sure to keep an eye on your dog from day 58 forward because that is usually the earliest any dog will deliver.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kayla,

There's a possibility the dogs were together long enough to result in a litter. In about one more week you can ask your vet to do a blood test for pregnancy to resolve the mystery. In the meantime, you can begin watching for the signs listed in the article above. Many females naturally will experience some breast tissue development due to the hormones. However, this should receed a bit if there is no pregnancy and the hormone levels return to normal.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

How long after milk production begins are the puppies born?

-- Contributed by: Kay

Hi, I have unaltered male and female toy fox terriers, hoping to breed eventually but they are currently too young. My female resently went into heat, and I watched them very carefully. However, one day my friend came over and left them in his care while I took a shower. When I came out, he wasn't paying any attention, and they were together. I got them apart carefully without hurting my male, but I'm unsure if they were together long enough for pregnancy. It's been about 2 weeks now, when should I go to the vet, and are there any signs I can watch for yet?

-- Contributed by: Kayla

Hi Tiffanie,

It really is too soon to tell just by looking at your female. However, in about another week your vet should be able to detect a pregnancy with a simple blood test. You might want to have this done to eliminate any guessing. It will help you know how to prepare.

If your dog is pregnant, I think you'll find the following articles useful:

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I think my Chihuahua is pregnant(we are trying to breed her), but im not for sure. This will be her first time. It has been about two weeks since she took. She usually doesnt have gas and her stomach looks a little bigger, but she seems to weigh the same. Is it too early to tell?

-- Contributed by: Tiffanie

Hi Brittany,

If you heard dogs in the yard with her, there's a possibility a breeding took place. However, the best way to end the suspense would be to ask your vet to perform a pregnancy blood test. This way, you'll know for sure what's going on and whether your dog will need any extra care over the coming weeks.

You can watch for the signs listed in this article, but you might also find the following articles helpful if she does indeed turn out to be pregnant.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that all turns out well. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Yes, I am not sure if my dog is pregnant or not. She was in heat around the middle of April. I work so I did not see any dogs around during the day or at night. Did hear barking though. My question is her boobs are a little puffy. The ones on her stomach are the biggest. Ones on her chest are not so big. Her nipples are black colored so how would I know if they were pink. Also her vagina is still a little swollen and she licks it constantly. I can feel along the sides of her boobs close to her ribs and it feels like ridges that run up and down is that normal? She was nausated a few days ago, but that seems to be gone now. Her appetite has also increased. She can not seem to get in a comfortable position to sleep. Could she be pregnant? Also, what should I be looking for if she is?

-- Contributed by: Brittany

Hi Steve,

An ultrasound or a blood test can be performed about two to three weeks after the end of the heat cycle to check for pregnancy. Breast tissue growth can be a sign of pregnancy, but some ...es will experience this after a heat cycle even if they were never bred.

If the chewed out cat door was large enough for your ... to pass through, there is a chance that a breeding did occur, but I really can't say it happened for sure. Right now the best thing you can do is make the vet appointment and soon you'll know for sure one way or the other.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Paula,

It would probably be best to ask your vet to examine your dog for pregnancy. This way you would know what to expect, and you could prepare a box for her to have the puppies in if you need to. Just in case the pregnancy test is positive, check out our article on Delivering Puppies. It will give you a good idea of what to do when the time comes.

Thanks for your question and I hope everythings works out well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi...I am hoping that my male did not get to my female during her cycle. I kept them apart as best I could but one time the male chewed through my cat door in the garage door! The opening was big enough for her to get through afterwards, but not big enough for him. When I got back home, she was inside and he was outside in the garage. I flipped her over and took a look to see if there were any indications, but I don't think I have the expertise to know the difference. I want to breed her after she turns 2 to 2 1/2years (but now she is only 1 year old) to keep my bloodlines going after his Mom passes on. Then I will fix them both.

Her cycle ended just last week and I have noticed some nipple growth at the end of it and that scares me some. I see that an ultrasound is the best way, but it might be too early yet for that right? Her appetite is strong and she shows no other indications to my knowledge.

I did not see any other dogs at all during the cycle (these are purebred German Shepherds by the way) at all. I have pretty high walls and I am sure that if they got "lucky" they would of stayed around. My male did try allot, but I think I kept them apart. I took either him or her with me during the main parts of the cycle. Could it of occurred prior to the say 9th to the 18th day and I missed it?

Thanks for the information...

Sincerely,

Steve Johnson Henderson, Nevada

-- Contributed by: Steve

himy dog went in heat on the last day of her heat she got out...and never came home until the next day with a male dog...i don't know if she's pregant...she's into her 8 week...7 weeks ago she was acting like she was going into labour...pushing sick laying around not eating...then it went away again...the last two days she's lieing around alot and little spots of blood are seen on the floor...she's very ressless...if she is pregant she will be due on the 8 of may...but i don't feel any puppies...she is 70 lbs big dog...7 years old and if pregeant first litter...she also tried squeezing her nipples and a little milk came out...her boobs are puffy tell me what to do...thamkyou

-- Contributed by: paula

Hi Lindsey,

This sometimes happens even if a dog wasn't bred. The hormones can produce a false pregnancy that has many of the signs of a real one. My best advice is to ask your vet to do a pregnancy blood test about three weeks after the heat cycle has finished. This will let you know whether your little pet is indeed pregnant.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My Little Chihuahua has been in heat recently but i have not seen any other dog around. But we cant tell yet she has milk coming out of her back nipples. That was the first sign!!

-- Contributed by: Lindsey

Hi Michelle,

I really can't say whether your dog is pregnant, especially since you never saw another dog hanging around. Usually you'd see something because a male would be very persistent about repeat breedings. That said, the best thing you can do is schedule an exam with your vet. The vet can check for pregnancy, as well as for another illness that is causing the vomiting. I think this is the best way to go in your situation.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Yes, my rat terrier was in heat around the 14th of March 2008. She was outside in our fenced in backyard. We never saw another dog around, but since the 26th of March she has been vomiting. Haven't really noticed any other changes except that she is licking her bottom more than usuall. Could she be pregnant? Thanks for your help.

-- Contributed by: Michelle

Hi Trace,

A female can be bred and conceive on her very next cycle after a litter, usually within four to six months of weaning the pups. It is possible that your dog is pregnant, but if the litter was more recent, she may simply still have a little milk production going on. You might want to have your vet examine her so you can be sure about what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it all works out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Fleur,

Until your female has a second heat cycle, you won't know what her schedule will be. Some dogs come in heat every six months, others only come in heat once a year. If you can find out what her mother's schedule was, this may give a clue about what to expect. Just keep a close eye on her for that swelling to begin. When it does, keep your male well away from her if you want to avoid a litter.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Jeanette,

At about four weeks gestation, you won't notice much more than you're seeing right now. The pups are still too small to really feel any movement. That will change in a few more weeks. It does sound as though your dog is going through some of the standard pregnancy changes, so I think you'll probably be happy with the results of the scan. I'll think good thoughts for you.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Paul,

I have a question. I recently was given a dog, and I was told she recently had a puppy. She's showing signs that she might be pregnant again, but it's hard to tell. How long after a dog has puppies can they get pregnant again?

-- Contributed by: Trace

Hi there my japanese spitz now approx 16months old she has only had one season back at the end of august begining sept, is this normal that she hasnt come on again yet, we have a male dog and he has been sniffing round her for months and trying to mount her but she is not interested, we keep them seperate during the day, i constantly check her vulva and it appears normal.i dont want her to get pregnant yet, but have no signs to warn of a coming season, help thanks

-- Contributed by: fleur minors

Hi I have a dogue de bordeux who was mated on the 28th March, so if she is pregnant will be due around the beginning of june. She has large nipples and the two front ones have started to come out, she wants more cuddles, but as far as size she does not seem much bigger at all. Before she was pregnant she weighed around 8 and a half stone, but she is two heavy to lift, we have booked her in for a scan on the 6th May, but its waiting another week is there any other signs i can look out for, thank you

-- Contributed by: jeanette

Hi Paul,

If your dog is producing milk, it is possible that she's pregnant, but this could also be a symptom of a false pregnancy. My best advice is to have your vet examine her so you can find out for sure. That way you'll know how to plan.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all turns out well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Annalyss,

Your vet can tell if your dog is pregnant by performing a simple blood test. It does sound as though she may be pregnant, but I can't tell you that for sure. If she is, I think you'll find the following articles helpful.

Thanks for your question, and good luck whatever happens!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Gemma,

I can't say for sure, but if you felt movement, chances are good that a litter is on the way. You can ask your vet to perform a simple blood test to detect a pregnancy, and that way you'll know for sure what to expect. In the meantime, feed your dog a well balanced diet and allow her to eat more if she wants to. You can also add 1/4 cup of cottage cheese to her kibble two to three times a week to provide extra calcium for growing puppy bones.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I have a female dog and I've been noticing after her last Heat cycle which was March 26 of 2008, her appitite has been getting bigger and bigger. Also I have another male dog, we had to separate them because my ... has been getting nervous around him,her tummy is getting firm, and she has been wanting much attenton.Her nipples has been getting bigger little--- by little. I have been thinking she is producing milk beacause little white dots are forming at the end of her nipples. Ifyou can tell me if she is pregent please tell me ASAP. If so please tell me tips on how to do this! Thank you!!!

-- Contributed by: Annalyss

my dog is loosing milk but i dnt know if she is pregnant or not she has gained wieght aswell and wanted to sleep all day

-- Contributed by: paul

hi im not sure is my dog is pregnant or not.She was on heat on the 23rd of march, we had a big gap in the fench between our garen and next door and they have a dog so we are not sure wheather he got to her or not. My next door said that he fixed the fence 4 weeks ago, now she has big nipples and is swollen under them her vigina is still a big swollen to, i felt her tummy the other day and i felt something push back at me now im not sure if im imagining it or not can u help me asap thanks gemma hart

-- Contributed by: gemma hart

Hi Janet,

I typically notice the nipple begin to change between two and three weeks gestation. By this time, you can also opt to have your vet do a blood test to check for pregnancy.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Glad we could help Marci!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

How early in the pregnancy will you notice a change in her nipples? Is there anything else that could help me determine if she is?

-- Contributed by: Janet

This information really helped me! Thank you for ur piece of mind

-- Contributed by: marci

Hi John,

It is possible that she's just late, but this depends on how many days after the breeding that fertilization took place. My advice is to ask your vet to perform an ultrasound to look for any possible pups. If there are none to be seen, it was just a false pregnancy.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a female sharpei that I took and had breed,the stud owner never saw a actual tie,but her tits have gotten very large,she however does not look like she has gotten much larger,plus today is her 66 th day,could she be in a false preg,or just late? Is it possible to be this late?

-- Contributed by: John Davis

Hi Krystie,

The surest way to find out if your dog is pregnant is to ask your vet to do a blood test. This will reveal whether or not your dog is pregnant, and then at least you'll know if you need to prepare for a litter.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things turn out the way you want them to. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Cheri,

There's not much room left in the uterus at this point, so it's normal for the puppies to be less active. If you can hear heartbeats, all should be well. Your female is staying close to you because she senses the time is drawing near, and she's looking to you to take care of her. Check out our article on Delivering Puppies to help prepare for the big event.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything goes smoothly. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi, my female min pin has gained weight and her nipples have tripled its normal size and she has been sleeping a lot more than she usually has the past 3 days so far. and a male min pin mounted her about 2 1/2 weeks ago and he was supposivly fixed but we saw white stuff coming out of his who who. and she is in heat she has pink liguidy stuff coming out of her cortch and stuff. is she pregnant?!?!?!?! please help me very very soon!!!

-- Contributed by: krystie

Hey My chihuahua is pregnant, shes due with in this week, but I dont feel the puppies moving at all. I hear small heartbeats, but thats about it. She has become restless and dosn't want to leave my side. She nudges my hand when she wants me to rub her tummy. I don't know if its normal that i dont feel anything. please email me back.

Cherie.

-- Contributed by: Cherie

Hi Amanda,

Watch for the physical signs listed in the article, but you can also cut to the chase and ask your vet to perform a blood test to check for pregnancy. That way, you'll know right away if one or both girls are pregnant.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Wanda,

Having heartworms would certainly complicate a possible pregnancy. I think it would be best to ask the vet to examine your dog for pregnancy. If she is pregnant, your vet will advise on the best plan of action under these circumstances.

Best wishes that all works out well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have to female chihuahuas both have had 1 litter a piece one in november and one in december. both went in heat at the same time and our male chihuahua well bred with them back in march of this year. I really cant determine anything yet on them but 62 to 65 days is next month is there any body signs to look at they eat like horses and full of life when we are outside but the have been sleeping a lot this week please help out

-- Contributed by: amanda

i have an 8 year old female,whos been in heat once a year but never allowed to be touched,i also had an 18 month old male who passed away 3/10,i noticed her breasts are growing and never has happened before.my question is she has been diagnosed with heart wormsand i just dont want nothing to happen to her.

-- Contributed by: wanda

Hi Deanne,

It kind of sounds like your dog is experiencing a false pregnancy, but I suggest your take her to the vet to figure out exactly what is going on. A false pregnancy shouldn't produce the amount of aggression you're seeing. Most females are rather docile in this situation.

If the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, I recommend you enroll her in obedience class right away. It sounds as though she thinks she's the leader in your house, and you have to teach her her proper place in the family pack in order to stop the aggressive behavior.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope the situation gets better soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Dawn,

If we set aside bloat and pregnancy, there are still so many reasons a dog can develop a distended abdomen that it would take a vet to offer a firm diagnosis. It's possible there's an undiagnosed growth somewhere inside. One of the internal organs could be diseased. Your best option is to make an appointment with your vet right away in case your dog needs treatment.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the problem doesn't turn out to be serious.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

help!my 2 y/o canine terrier has turned into a "mad dog". none of the family can get near withour growling and attacking.she is not spayed, but to our knowlege hasnt been around another male dog. she is nesting, preparing a bed, putting silly things in it like gloves and blankets.her vagina does not appear swollen, but her bottom nipples are more profound then her top and is leaking milkish fluid on its own and when i sqeeze

-- Contributed by: deanne

What other then bloat or pregnancy may cause a female dog to have a large firm belly? my 2 yr old malamute cross has a rather large belly out to both sides.

-- Contributed by: Dawn

Hi Christine,

Most females will continue to finish out their normal cycle even if a successful fertilization has taken place. Bleeding usually resumes during the third week of the cycle and gradually trails off to nothing.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Jannele,

Check the shampoo label carefully. Some brands advise not using their product on puppies and pregnant females. If in doubt, call your vets, let them know what the active ingredient is and ask them if it is safe. You can't be too careful right now.

As for your female's licking and chewing in that area, she may be cleaning away discharge, so keep an eye on her and let your vet know if you notice anything unusual.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the impending delivery. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

If your dog get pregant while she is in heat will she stop bleeding ? Or will she keep bleeding for ten days ?

-- Contributed by: Christine Theriault

My dog Lassie is still pregnant and she has been biting and scratching there alot, and I have NO clue why she is doing that. We did buy the Tick and fle shampoo and she keeps on biting and scratching there. Will it hurt the puppies.

-- Contributed by: Jannele Herdt

Hi Ramona,

You best option is to ask your vet to do a blood test for pregnancy. This way you'll know for sure what's going on. If you know the date she was bred, this is basically all you'll need from your vet. However, if you're unsure of her due date, the vet can perform an ultrasound to check the size of the puppies. From this, he/she can estimate a due date.

For more info on dog pregnancy, check out:

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello my name is Ramona and I have read all the signs of the dog's pregnancy but my husband is unsure is of are dog being pregnant, she is a lab mix and her to lower nipples are soft and seem to be bigger, I dont know what to expect, can you help

-- Contributed by: Ramona McAskill

Hi Katy,

I won't be able to give you a definitive answer either, but here's my educated opinion. At 37 days gestation, you wouldn't really see a huge change in your dog's figure unless it was a large litter. Most...don't drop until a week to ten days before their due date. Although your vet couldn't detect a puppy by ultrasound, there's a chance this is a single puppy litter and that pup may be tucked up too high at this point to find it by ultrasound.

My recommendation is to continue to treat your...as though she is pregnant, and to have things prepared in time for her due date. Another two weeks should give you a better idea about her condition.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you'll wind up with a litter even if it is a small one. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My...was put to a male for the last time 37 days ago. She was put to him 3 times on day 10, 11, and 12 (however they were slip mates). She's showing all possible signs of pregnancy, and has gained weight, but has not 'dropped' or put on what I consider to be enough weight. She was palpated and ultrasounded on day 28, and the vet was 90% sure by palpation that she had taken, but nothing was visible on the ultrasound. I am to take her back on day 42, but am seriously thinking now that she is having a phantom? The breeder is also confused. I would really appreciate your advice on the matter, as no one seems to give me a definitive answer and I want adequate time to prepare for arrival, if she has taken. Thanks

-- Contributed by: Katy

Hi Jannele,

Mild contractions are a sign of pre-labor and can go on for most of the day without too much concern. That said, if your dog has been having strong contractions and trying to push for more than two hours, this could be an indication she needs a C-section. If this is the case, call your vet right away.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out okay. Come back if you have more questions.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My Sheltie (Lassie) has been having contractions and she never went into labor.I don't know when she is going to have the puppies.

-- Contributed by: Jannele Herdt

Hi David,

If your...recently had a heat cycle and there's any chance she spent unsupervised time with an intact male, it would be a good idea to let your vet do a blood test for pregnancy. It would be better to know for sure if there's a litter on the way so you can make preparations.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out the way you want them to.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a pittbull and she is or was in heat but the last time she gave birth her boobs never went away and now there getting really big and i dont think shes pregnant but im not sure should i take her to the vet

-- Contributed by: david

Hi Monica,

Do you remember which weeks she was in season? Most successful breedings take place around the second week of the heat cycle. You can count forward 63 days from there to get an approximate due date. You could also ask your vet to perform an ultrasound. Based on the size of the puppies, the vet may also be able to provide an estimated due date.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the litter!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Caley,

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Many...go off their regular eating habits the first couple weeks of a pregnancy, but they usually regain a hearty appetite after that. It's probably a good sign that the breeding took. As long as she's picking, it's okay. You might tempt her to eat by adding some boiled ground beef to her kibble. If she stops eating completely for more than two days, it will be time to call the vet.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is pregnant and im not sure as to what date she got pregnant but she is really fat and now has milk comming out of her boobs can you tell me how long we have to wait till she delivers

-- Contributed by: Monica

My female is just comming off her heat cycle and we bred this time around. She hasn't eaten much in two days. When should I be really worried? She just picking at her food.

-- Contributed by: Caley

Hi Ken,

It's normal to observe some breast tissue development after the heat cycle, so it's not a sure signal that your dog could be pregnant. For your own peace of mind, I recommend you ask your vet to perform a blood test for pregnancy at least three weeks after the cycle has ended. If your dog isn't pregnant, this also gives you an opportunity to discuss having her spayed if you don't intend to use her in a breeding program.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We have an 8 month old Cock-a poo. She went through her first heat cycle before we could have her fixed. She is a dog that likes to jump our fence and run behind our house. She has never been out long, we typically see is gone and she comes right back from a neighbors yard. None of our neighbors have male dogs. But we are concerned she might be pregnant. The concern we have is that her nipples have become very large. Does this mean we have a pregnant dog on our hands? Or can this just happen post cycle normally?

-- Contributed by: Ken Edminster

Hi Cassandra,

My best advice is to make an appointment for your vet to examine your dog. It sounds as though she may have some type of infection and may require an antibiotic. This is even more possible if that stray dog actually bred her.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog is better soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Brianna,

I found your original question at Beagle and answered it there. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I saw signs that my toy poodle was going through her heat cycle, and this stray dog took notice of her. Now, about a week later, I noticed that her vagina was discolored, meaning black, and some type of greenish fluid was around that area. Should I be concerned?

-- Contributed by: Cassandra

i think my dog is pregnant. heres my reasoning: bigger nipples, bigger stomach, shakes randomly, white dicharge came out of her vagina, and she eats alot of food.

-- Contributed by: brianna

Hi Jasmine,

Some females do experience a little constipation because the pregnancy hormes tend to slow down the digestive cycle a bit. Adding a little plain canned pupmpkin to the kibble provides extra fiber that can help move things along. If this does't work, it would be a good idea to consult a vet.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Does Constipation and dogs involve in this pregnancy cycle?

-- Contributed by: Jasmine

Hi Diane,

I think these two articles will help you out. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Sarah,

Pregnancy can change a bitch's personality a bit. Typically she will act more mature once the puppies arrive. However, if she is truly obsessed with her ball, it would be best to wean her off it as the end of the pregnancy approaches, and put it away while she's nursing and caring for the pups. You can bring the ball back out when the puppies are old enough to play along.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out for you. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my...if pregnant will be due next week havent took her to the vet cos there told me there was no need to unless there was any problems everything seems ok what next

-- Contributed by: diane nash

um i own a female dog and she is only about 4-5 years old there is a male dog thats been hanging around and when i come home from work i often find the male dog inside the gate with my dog they dont fight and i have caught them at it but shes a blue cattle dog and she is obsessed with her ball if she has puppies im scared she may not be able to look after them becoz she might want to play with her ball does pregnancy completely change bitches..?

-- Contributed by: sarah

Hi Maritza,

It's probably best to find out if your dog is truly pregnant so you'll know what's in store. Your vet can detect a pregnancy with a simple blood test about three weeks after your female's heat cycle has ended. If she is pregnant, be sure to come back. We have some very good articles that deal with the various aspects of dog pregnancy, and I think you'll find them helpful.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog, bella, was in heat and i thought it finished but then i took her out and my six year old mixed chihuaha dog got attached to her for ten minutes. eversince then she has had mood swings but i am not sure if she is pregnant because when they disattached a white liquid came out first then a pinkish liquid came out. what should i do?

-- Contributed by: maritza

Hi Daniel,

The good news here is that your puppy can't get pregnant if she wasn't in heat. A five-month-old male could possibly produce a litter, but I think you dodged a bullet this time. If you're not planning on breeding your female in the future, now is a good time to discuss spaying with your vet. This way, you'll never have to worry about the situation again.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Stephanie,

Under the cir...stances, I think it would be wise to ask your vet to check your dog for pregnancy. The vet will also examine your dog's hernia and let you know if it is safe to let the pregnancy progress. You may also want to discuss having her spayed in the future to eliminate further worry.

In the meantime, don't be too hard on yourself. Many dog owners have found themselves in your situation. We're only human, and these things sometimes happen. You'll be the wiser for it. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi,

Well my dog, a 5 month boxer, was jump by a 5 month old male dog. I'm wondering if at that aged they can get pregnant? I don't think she was in heat. But she will be 6 month in about 4 weeks......

-- Contributed by: Daniel

I think my dog might be pregnant. She has been whining alot and her nipples have gotten bigger. I had babysat a male pug and he wasn't neutered and I caught him riding her. I am worried because she has a hernia and I don't know if this is going to kill her or not. I was very irresponsible to have a male dog with her.

-- Contributed by: stephanie

Hi Michelle,

As long as your dog is only vomiting once a day, I wouldn't be too worried at this point. Some ...es react stronger to the pregnancy hormones, just like some women do. If the vomiting increases and is interferring with your ...'s nutrition, then it will be time to call your vet. For now, I'm going to suggest you feed her smaller meals more often throughout the day. This will eliminate both overloading her tummy as well as allowing it to go empty, and hopefully this will help keep the nausea at bay.

Thanks for your questions, and best wishes for a healthy litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi my golden retreiver is nearly 5 weeks pregnant her pups are due on 20 april. she has started to vomit about oncee eae day is this normal as i am getting a bit worried.

-- Contributed by: michelle

I have a full breed ...zu and I think she may be pregnant. This will be her first and mine also. I want to know how long her pregnancy will last.

  • Hi Maria,

The average canine pregnancy lasts about 63 days from the date of the first breeding. I think you'll find the following articles helpful.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Maria

Well, My dog is due in about a week, she's pretty uncomfortable, but the problem i have is she's destructive and I have her outside with the male and I don't want her to deliver while im at work and him harm the puppies, what would be the best thing for me to do...

  • Hi Amanda,

It would be dangerous to let your bitch deliver outside. I recommend you buy a large Vari-Kennel for the housse and accustom your dog to it immediately. You can keep her there while you're at work, and it will give her a place to deliver her pups safely in the event you aren't home when her labor begins. This isn't the ideal situation, but there's not much time left before she delivers.

I hope all goes well with the delivery.

-- Contributed by: amanda

hello! Well, I think my dog might be pregnant. This worries me because she is tiny little westie poo and her "boyfriend" is a full blooded Beagle. Could this kill her??

  • Hi Christina,

All dog pregnancies carry a certain level of risk for the bitch, but that said, I don't foresee any special problem with this breeding. If you're still worried, don't hesitate to contact your vet to ask more questions. If the pups are too big for your bitch to deliver, she may need a C-section, but many bitches come through C-sections just fine.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all goes smoothly.

-- Contributed by: christina

hi ive had mydog now for about a month i got her free to good home out of the paper but im not sure f she is pregnant she has put on weight and she seems to be more loving and she nis eating more and her mameray glands are getting bigger please could u tell me if these are the signs of pregnancy

  • Hi Sheena,

Those could be signs of pregnancy, but it's not certain. Your best option is to have your vet perform a blood test for pregnancy. Then you'll know exactly what you're dealing with. we have plenty of articles on every aspect of dog pregnancy to guide you through the process if you need them.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: sheena

Hi, we got our dog about 5 months ago from a local rescue centre, shes bin on season once since and recently shes been leaking milk. we dont whether or not shes pregnant and if she is we dont know how long for.

thanks

  • Hi Charlotte,

A quick trip to your vet will clear up the mystery. Your vet can perform a blood test to check for a pregnancy, and depending on far along your bitch might be, he/she may even be able to feel the pups. If your bitch does turn out to be pregnant, you'll want to make sure she is getting plenty of well balanced kibble and moderate exercise, such as a daily walk around the block.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck with everything. :)

-- Contributed by: charlotte

hi im not very sure about my dog please give me some advice. my dog has really put on weight. she has been very moody. she has lost appetite. but her niples arent growing. slight build up of fatty tissues in the last two nipples the two closest to her vagina. is she pregnant or is she fat or is she sick?? please help me. please

  • Hi Vin,

How long ago was your dog's last season? Could she have possibly been bred? The signs you're noticing could be anything from a false pregnancy to the real deal, but you'll need to ask your vet to perform a blood test to find out for sure. The good news is that I don't think this sounds like an illness, and is probably related to your dog's hormone levels one way or another.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: vin

Hi I have a 7 1/2 month old Border Terrier whose first season ended about 3-4 weeks ago. During her season she was unfortunatly caught by another dog but we took her straight to the vet for the contraceptive injection. She has been very subdued over the past week and i have now noticed that her two breasts (tail end) are swollen. She is her usual happy self when out on walks but then when we get home she just wants to lie down and go to sleep. She has not been interested in eating and only does in the evenings when we persuade her with a few pieces of meat cut up into her food. I have noticed that she has also got a lot more affectionate and comes and rests her head on me when she's sleeping which she has never really done before.

Could this just be a phantom pregnancy? Or if she is pregnant is she too young??

  • Hi Katherine,

Seven and a half months is too young for a pregnancy, so let's hope this is just a false pregnancy. I would go back to your vet and discuss just how reliable the contraceptive shot is and explain the signs you're seeing in your dog. Let the vet draw some blood and find out for sure whether she's pregnant or not. Afterward, you can discuss your options if it becomes necessary.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: Katherine

we think our dog is pregant but how do we tell she has put a lot of weight on and her nipples have grown and we can feel some thing moving in her tummy but how do we tell its a pup

  • Hi Hannah,

The movement you felt is certainly a good indication there may be at least one pup, but you could still be feeling the natural movement of one of your dog's internal organs. My best advice is to take your dog in to the vet for a checkup. The vet may be able to confirm a pregnancy simply by feeling your bitch's abdomen, but the vet can also detect a pregnancy with a blood test.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog has a safe delivering if she indeed turns out to be pregnant.

-- Contributed by: hannah

My 9 month lab is in heat and she got out! She is still bleeding a little bit, can she still be pregnant and be bleeding. We have her scheduled to get spayed in 3 days. She has been in heat for about 3 weeks. What do you suggest?

  • Hi Pamela,

Your dog's heat cycle would most likely finish out even if she had been bred, so it is possible for her to be pregnant. You can discuss this issue when you bring your bitch in to be spayed. Some vets are willing to go ahead with the procedure under these circumstances, others are not. Your vet will give you his/her honest opinion about what the safest option is for your dog.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all goes well.

-- Contributed by: pamela

7 yr old female - bred 6 weeks ago, obviously pregnant (which was planned) drinking more water than usual. Is this something to be concerned about?

  • Hi Connie,

This may not be a serious issue. In non pregnant dogs, a sudden increase in water consumption can be a sign of diabetes or kidney problems, but a pregnant bitch will naturally take in a higher amount of water to keep up the supply of amniotic fluid for the pups. If the increase has truly been dramatic, then perhaps it would be a good idea to check in with your vet, just to be on the safe side. Your vet can perform a few lab tests to reveal or rule out any underlying health conditions, and then you could be certain about what you're dealing with.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all goes well.

-- Contributed by: Connie

Hello, My dog is prenant and only has another week left to go! I donthave a whelping box ready yet1 Will that be a problem!~ Also she is a full blooded g.s.d. and she is now double her size 1 How many pups are we talking about?

  • Hi Mariah,

Set up a whelping box as soon as possible so your dog has a little time to become accustomed to it. Although we can't be sure how many puppies your bitch might have, it could easily be anywhere from seven to a dozen.

I think you'll find our article on Delivering Puppies quite helpful. It tells you the type of supplies you need to have on hand, and takes you through a basic delivery.

Thanks for your question, and best wished for a safe and happy whelping. :)

-- Contributed by: Mariah

My shar-pie is pregnant and we dont know how long it should take for her to have her puppies. Can you help me out please!!! THANK YOU

  • Hi Kayla,

Do you know when your dog's last heat cycle was? The average pregnancy takes about 63 days, so this should give you some idea when the pups are due.

You might also find the following articles helpful.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: kayla gail hall

i have a pit bull and i think she is pregnant , she is only 9 months old , i also have a male he is 2 years old!! she had her first heat not long ago , and i did evrything i could to keep her from becoming pregnant , but i think that when the kids were watch them that , thats when it happen !! i wanted to know if these are signs of her bening pregnant , tits getting big , her thing is still big and she has become very cling to me ?? thanks tonjah

  • Hi Tanjah,

These could certainly be early signs of pregnancy. I recommend that you ask your vet to do a blood test for pregnancy. Once you know for sure, you can plan accordingly.

If it does turn out that your dog is pregnant, I think you'll find the following articles helpful.

Thanks for your question, and I hope that all turns out well.

-- Contributed by: Tonjah Carter

Hi Brandy,

My chihuahua mix seems pregnant and I am almost sure she is.

  • Hi Samantha,

If your dog does turn out to be pregnant, I think you'll find the following articles helpful.

Thanks for visiting the site. :)

-- Contributed by: Samantha

I cant tell if my dog is pregnant or if its just false pregnancy.. she has nipple growth and thats about the only symptom. but her appetite hasnt changed and shes very young. can any one help me out here. is nipple growth only a sign of pregnancy?

  • Hi Jenna,

Nipple growth can be an indicator, but it's not a guarantee of pregnancy. If it has been two to three weeks since your dog's heat cycle ended, your vet can detect a pregnancy with a simple blood test. This way you'll know exactly what you're dealing with.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: jenna

Hiya, I have a japanese akita ... and dog. The ... is 3-4yrs. I really think she is pregnant but i'm very worried. She has developed slightly larger breast but there is one in particular which is alot biger than the rest?! However her stomach has only gone slighly bigger. Please advise me on weather she is safe or what the problem is.

Thankyou

  • Hi Siama,

It's typical for the breasts closest to the back legs to grow the most. Does this breast feel hard? If so, you might want to have your vet examine it. Otherwise, my hunch is that it is developing just a bit faster than the one directly across from it, and it is probably alright.

I'm not sure how far along your dog might be, so don't worry that she doesn't have a big tummy just yet. Big dogs like Akitas have more room to carry a litter, so you probably won't notice a large increase in size until closer to delivery time. Your bitch might also have a small litter of one to three pups, so she may not ever become very large.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the delivery.

-- Contributed by: siama khan

I have a ...zu dog who has had puppies before...she was in heat around december sometime, and actually got out about 1.5-2 months ago...her tits have gotten bigger and she is leaking milk from them, she doesnt look much bigger, but is kind of seeming lazy...could she be having a false pregnancy?...or is she pregnant?...please get back to me asap thanks, if she is pregnant i think she will be having them within a couple days(due to the milk leaking)

  • Hi Brandy,

It's a little difficult to determine when your dog's season actually was, but if she is actually leaking milk roughly two months later, there's a chance there is a litter on the way.

A small increase in her tummy may mean she only has one or two pups. I suggest you lay your hand on her tummy and wait to see if you feel any movement. I like to do this while cuddling and watching TV because sometimes it takes a while for one of the pups to move. If you do feel movement, then you know for sure if she's pregnant.

It would be better to be prepared just in case your dog does deliver in the next couple of days. I recommend setting up a box for her to whelp in. You can find more info in our article on Delivering Puppies.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all goes well, no matter what happens. :)

-- Contributed by: Brandy

Hi, My dog is pregnant & we expected her due will be at the end of this month. Reading your article helps me a lot and everything for her is ready. But one things that I'm not ready yet is how to take care of them. My questions are:What am I goin to do during her delivery? Am I going to help her or I'll just watch & see her delivering by herself? Is there anything that I need to do or to know on that day? Please give me some ideas. Thanks, Tia

  • Hi Tia,

I have the perfect article for you. Check out Delivering Puppies. I think it contains almost everything you need to know to help you through the delivery.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Tia

Hi, I have a Lab and staffy cross, she is 10months and is just coming to the end of her first season (just stopped bleeding) Her niple are a little bit rased but only on the lower put of her not by the rip cage. We were very carful not to let her get pregnant and never saw her with a dog, but i could not say 100%. she would of only been out of my site for 1 min max when on walks. what do think? And if she is pegnant is she to young to have them safely?

  • Hi Kate,

It sounds as though you were very vigilent, so my guess is that your bitch isn't pregnant. The hormonal changes that induce the heat cycle can also cause a little breast enlargement. Unless you begin to see other signs that indicate she might be pregnant, I wouldn't worry too much. If it seems necessary later on, you can ask your vet to do a blood test to let you know for sure.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kate

i think the my female pit bull is going into heat. is it possible that her vomitting could be the cause of this? also, after they mate is it safe for her and my male pit bull to be around eachother or should i keep them appart?

  • Hi Mandy,

Vomitting is not a typical part of the heat cycle. If your dog has been vomiting a lot, I wouldn't attempt to breed her this season. You want her in the best condition before asking her to carry a litter.

That said, if you do breed her, whether or not you allow the dogs to remain together depends on how well they got along before she came into season. I would recommend limiting their time together to two or three matings, and then separate them the rest of the heat cycle. This should be enough breedings between two healthy dogs to ensure a litter without overstressing either animal.

If your dogs do get along and you want to keep them together after the heat cycle has ended, it would still be better to separate them that last week and a half of pregnancy and keep the male away from the puppies.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck.

-- Contributed by: mandy

Hi We Have A Female Pitbull And A Male That Is Mixed Pitbull. For About 3 Weeks Now He Nipples Have Grown Alot And He Stomach Has Became Firm She Has Also Started To Pee More. Is She For Sure Pregnant? Thanks For The Help

  • Hi Mark,

I can't tell you if your dog is pregnant for sure, but if she was in season and your male bred her, the chances are better than average that she is. Breast enlargement and a fuller abdomen can both be signs of pregnancy, but they aren't a guarantee, especially in these early stages. To find out for sure, you can ask your vet to perform a blood test that can tell you if your bitch is truly pregnant.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Mark

I have a female dog that was a stray. She came to us about six weeks ago, I think she is around 1 year old. Her breasts are getting larger and pinker, she takes off during the day when we are at work but comes home when we get home. I have an appt. to have her fits in three weeks, will they go through with it if she is pregnant?

  • Hi Mary,

Although there is a bit higher risk of blood loss when spaying a pregnant bitch, some vets are willing to do it. My best advice is to let your vet examine her and determine whether she's pregnant. You can then discuss whether it is best to go ahead with the spaying or safer to let her deliver the pups first and then spay her before her next season.

Thanks for your question, and good luck no matter what happens.

-- Contributed by: Mary

We are pretty sure our dog is pregnant about 3 weeks and she is peeing when she get really excited do you think there is a problem???

  • Hi Laura,

Although this nervous piddling is annoying, I don't believe it signals a medical problem, at least at this time. If the behavior escalates or you begin to notice traces of blood in the urine, ask your vet to test her for a urinary tract infection. Bitches sometimes pick these up from the breeding process.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the impending litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Laura

hi i have a bull mastiff x english mastiff ... and i didn't want her to get pregnant on her 2nd season,i even bought a pet cage to put her in but my other dog, a bull mastiff x dogue de bordeaux, caught her when she was eating and although they were only locked for about 10 mins i am worried because her nipples have enlarged, she is visibly putting on weight and she has got very,very loving.wanting affection all the time whereas before she was not a very cuddly dog only wanting hugs when she wanted them.her appetite has not decreased at all and her activity has not slowed down but both my dogs are really lazy and chilled out so i really would not be able to tell.what do you think.

  • Hi Lorraine,

I can't say for sure, but it does sound as though your bitch could be pregnant. Your vet can confirm or rule out a pregnancy with a simple blood test. Since you already know when she was bred, this test should be all that you need.

If this young but large breed bitch is actually pregnant, you will want to pay special attention to her diet to make sure she is getting all the nutrition she needs for herself and the growing pups. Feed a high quality, well balanced kibble, and allow her to have as much as she wants. Also make sure she gets moderate exercise like going for leisurely walks to keep her toned for the delivery.

Thanks for your question and I hope that everything turns out alright. :)

-- Contributed by: lorraine jones

I have both a female and male dog and I suspect they have perhaps bred. I know he tries often, but I dont let them. They are left alone and therefore could have. Her nipples are definately swollen and even her abdomen looks more swollen than usual. she constantly tries to go under the bed or anywhere to be alone and cries, quite louldly at times. she walks around crying too. I took her to my vet and they can take any reliable test yet they said it would be too early. The only thing is that I have no idea when this could have taken place. I know her back end has been swollen a long time now and now her abdomen is too.

  • Hi Chrystal,

Since you are unsure of when a breeding might have taken place, wait two weeks and then ask your vet to do a blood test for the pregnancy. If she is pregnant, you can go back later for an ultrasound. The size of the pups at that time will help your vet judge how far along the pregnancy is. This will give you a decent idea of when when will be due.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all turns out well.

-- Contributed by: chrystal

I do not think that my dogs did anything but i am not for shure.I did keep them separate, But my girl har breast tha tfeel swollen.Could she be pregnant?

  • Hi Lori,

If there's any chance at all that your dog's bred, then your bitch could be pregnant. If they didn't breed, there's a possibility that the breast development is simply hormone related or the beginnings of a false pregnancy. Your vet will be able to tell in just a few weeks by giving your bitch a blood test.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: lori

i have 2 aust silky terrier. male and female .. last night they make out and now im worried. what and how i monitor if my female is pregnant?

  • Hi Mei Jean,

The signs of pregnancy listed above are good early indicators. However, if you want to find out for sure whether your dog is pregnant, wait about two weeks after her heat cycle has ended and ask you vet to perform the blood test. This will tell you exactly what you need to know.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Mei Jean

I have noticed that my dog has milk developing in her breasts. but i havent noticed her in heat. Does this mean that she is pregnant? WHat are some other ways we can tell she is pregnant?

  • Hi Rhonda,

In addition to all the signs listed above, your vet can detect the pregnancy with a blood test.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that things work out the way you want them to. :)

-- Contributed by: rhonda

my dog is 5 weeks pregant and three of het tits have gotten bigger.does this mean she is pregant

  • Hi Kevin,

Although it's not a guarantee of pregnancy, it's certainly a step in the right direction. The breasts closest to your dog's rear legs are typically the most productive, so they tend to fill out quicker.

Keep your fingers crossed, but it looks likely you'll soon have a litter of puppies.

-- Contributed by: kevin

I have a gorgeous staffordshire bull terrior ... whom i think may be pregnant. I had never had a ... before only dogs. I was advised to let her have one season before having her spade. Only during her season another staffordshire bull terrior became locked with her. Both are perfectly healthy and although not planned i really dont know what to do. I took her to the vet who advised not to have the injection (morning after pill!!) because it causes too many complications, but i am to take her back when she is 5 weeks gone for her to be spade and the puppies removed. Is this correct, i feel it is cruel to let her go through half a pregnancy and then remove the pups. She is only 9 months old herself and so i dont know what to do - everything i read on the internet advises ...es to be at least 18 months to breed.

-- Contributed by: Christine

i have 2 bostons that locked up about 2 weeks ago. she stopped bleeding about one week ago but last night i saw she started bleeding again. i dont know if i should be worried or not... someone please help!

  • Hi Michael,

The typical heat cycle lasts about three weeks. Bleeding is heavier during the first week, lightens up the second week and resumes the third week until it gradually ceases. This is the usual routine even if the bitch was spread. If this timeline seems to fit your situation, then I wouldn't worry about. If it doesn't, there's a chance your bitch may have contracted an infection from the breeding. In this case, I would consult your vet right away.

Hope this gives you some direction. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: michael spinella

hi, im not quite sure when my diva actually concieved but I can slightly feel the puppies moving in her belly now, how long after the pups start moving do you think i have till the pups are here?

  • Hi Angel,

That really difficult to judge. You'll be able to feel movements from a larger litter sooner because they have less space to hide. You may not feel a one or two puppy litter until delivery week.

The best way to get an estimate of how far along your bitch might be is to ask your vet to perform an ultrasound. The vet will use the puppies' development and size to gage just how far along your bitch might be. The will give you an approximate due date.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a happy and healthy litter.

-- Contributed by: angel

My two dogs bred about a month ago... since then my female's tummy has gotten a little rounder and her nipples grew a little bit. Today we noticed a milky clearish white discharge from her vagina. Is this normal? I made a vet appt for a week from today.. I'm just a little worried about her. Could you help?

  • Hi Beth,

Actually this is normal for a dog during pregnancy. The color indicate there isn't an infection, so at this time I wouldn't worry about it. If the color were to change to brownish green or the discharge emitted a foul odor, it would be time to alert your vet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog has a safe delivery.

-- Contributed by: Beth

Hi, I have a female Pit Bull and she has been acting as a mother to her toys. She has torn up her bed as if to make a nest for them. It seems like she may have gained wait in her stomach and breast as well. My boyfriend and I had a baby 9 months ago do you think it could have anything to do with this. Do you think she's pregnant?

  • Hi Beth,

Did your dog recently have a heat cycle? She could be pregnant if there was any chance she spent time with an unneutered male, but her behavior and physical change is more typical of a bitch having a false pregnancy. I'd keep an eye on her and let her have her toys until she gets bored with them. You can also try getting her out for some walks to freshen her perspective on life and hopefully help pull her out of the behavior.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Beth

I am a vet here in Nigeria I am tryuing to open the 1st private vet clnic in my area, can you give any advise on how to progrsse and be succeful because vet here is notting to write home about. please help me thank you Bala.

  • Hi Doctor Bala,

I'm sorry, but I'm not vet, so I wouldn't know where to begin. My best suggestion would be to contact the veterinary college you attended and ask for advice there. Perhaps one of your former professors would be willing to mentor you through the process.

Thanks for your question, and I wish you great success.

-- Contributed by: Dr Bala

well my name is chris and i have a female beagle and i cam hom to day and she started to wine and i took her out side i gave them water and now she is in a corner with theres symtoms

wining painting barksing some what stays in the corner

  • Hi Chris,

This is odd behavior, isn't it? I think the first thing you should do is take your dog to the vet. There may be some physical cause for the odd combination of symptoms.

Does she respond to you in any way? Perhaps you can engage her in normal behavior and see if it takes her mind off whatever is bothering her. This could be an anxiety issue over something that happened while you were gone.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you can sort it out.

-- Contributed by: christopher

We have an 11 month old female purebred Pomeranian in her 2nd heat already. A purebred yourkshire terrier accidently hooked up with her (her first time) and I've been told to consider aborting them because of the danger that she is to young. PLEASE ADVICE A.S.A.P. It happened 3 days ago. They were only hooked up for about 2 minutes. Thank you

  • Hi Donna,

Eleven months old is not the ideal time for a bitch to have a litter, but luckily your Yorkie's growth is almost complete. I think if you feed her a balanced diet and offer her as much as she wants, she'll be able to support the puppies' growth. I also recommend that you don't allow her to be bred on the following season, because that will severely deplete her resources, which could affect her future health.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Donna

my dog is in heat and we have seen three different dogs with her. if she has had sex with all of them, will her puppys look like all of them, or just the first one who got to her?

  • Hi Hether,

Each dog's sperm will have the chance to fertilize whatever eggs your bitch is sending down. This means that pups from the same litter can potentially have different fathers. Under the circumstances, you're in for an interesting litter.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: hether

Hi, my female dog is pregnant, she has 7 more days until her due date. But I am not totally for sure if I have added the days up right or not. I started counting the days as soon as she got bred. But any way , when is she suposed to start leaking milk for her tits? Because she only has 7 days left until the pups arrive, and I didn't know if she was suposed to start leaking or if she is not going to at all. Please i really need to know! It is really worrying me. I dont want her pups to go with out milk.

  • Hi Danielle,

Yes, you begin counting off the days from the time your dog was bred, so depending on how soon actual ferilization occured, you should be fairly accurate in your ascessment.

As for the milk issue, some bitches come into colostrum quite early, while others don't until the nursing of the new pups stimulates production.

One of the benefits of taking your bitch for a vet check up as soon as the delivery has finished is that the vet will give her an oxytocin shot to stimulate the uterus to evacuate any left over placental material. The shot can also stimulate milk production.

Bottom line, don't be worried yet. It's more than likely that your bitch will have milk for the pups by the time they arrive.

Best wishes for a safe and happy delivery. :)

-- Contributed by: danielle

I have a Jack Russell terrier that we purposly bred with a beagle. We pinned her up and had them together for 5 days. The male by the end of the fourth day was no longer interested in her... So what does this mean? She showed all the early signs of pregnacy from lose of appetite to a lot more clam and loving... If she actually was prego she would be at the end of her 1st week and already all of the signs have gone away minus the largely inflammed Nipples... Which makes me think this was a false.. If this is the case, why whould any of the males at the farm not be interested in her if she is still not done with heat? And could it be that she just isn't showng the signs because of her breed???

-- Contributed by: Rachel

Look foxy is pregnant! ~From ur family at home lolz~

-- Contributed by: Shawn

I just recently rescued a black female dog. She just turned 7. With in two weeks of me having her she went into heat. When I finally realized that she was in heat it might have been two late. She had already been exposed to two dogs. One was fixed and the little wiener dog was not. I am not sure if this is possible due to such a difference in the size of dogs but I’m not sure. Recently in the past two weeks she has been getting sick in the mornings. This has happened 4 times now. Her belly does seem to be a little bigger. If she were bred to this dog, this would be the 39th day. She also seems to be very clingy and lovable. I haven’t' had her enough to know if that’s her normal behavior or not. My question is, does this seem like a normal pregnant dogs symptoms? I'm not even sure if she is pregnant.

  • Hi Sarah,

As they say, where there's a will there's a way. some bitches will lay down to give a shorter male access, so it is possible your bitch was bred.

That said, the symptoms you're describing are typical of pregnancy, but they aren't a guarantee your dog is actually pregnant. If you really want to find out for sure, ask your vet to give your dog a blood test. If you don't mind spending a little more, you can have an ultrasound down so you'll know exactly how many puppies she might be carrying.

Best wishes, whether your dog is pregnant or not. :)

-- Contributed by: Sarah

hey i have a maltese yorkie and she is pregnant is it normal for her to shead because we were told she's not supposed to shead?

  • Hi Lateshya,

It's not unusual for a pregnant bitch to blow some coat, especially around her abdomen. I wouldn't worry about it unless she begins to show circular bald spots. If this happens, it's likely a case of ringworm, and that is something she would need to see the vet for.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Lateshya

I don't know if my dog, Radar, is pregnant or not or if a false pregnancy. When we noticed that she was in heat, we had kept her in the backyard. We noticed that her tits are starting to get a little larger and her vulva is a little larger. She also is in our face all the time. I don't know if this is just her nature or what. Her hair is not gone from her stomach to let pups find her tits. Could this also just the "blooming stage" after her first heat cycle?

  • Hi Stepanie,

If you're sure your dog wasn't exposed to a male, then this is probably just some leftovers from the heat cycle. Some bitches will display these changes without going into a full blown false pregnancy. Time will tell if your bitch is indeed having a false pregnancy, but it's not much to worry about, and the signs should go away within about a month.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Stephanie

I have a chihuahua who is pregnant i believe she is within a week of delivering- what signs should i be looking for- she seems to be having a slight discharge- is this normal- thanks

  • Hi Donna,

A slight discharge is normal at this point. I think you'll find our articles on Canine Gestation and Delivering Puppies very helpful.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: DONNA

I have a female pit and she hsa bred for the first time and is about two weeks pregnant. She has been leaking green dishcharg from vaginal is this normal?

  • Hi Rosa,

I wouldn't expect to see green discharge this early in the pregnancy. Green discharge is sometime seen just prior to labor and delivery when a puppy poops in utero. My best advice is to ask your vet to examine your bitch for an infection.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: Rosa

I would like to know. My lab mix is pregnant, How close to delivering is she when you can feel the puppies moving inside?

  • Hi Kara,

This depends a lot on how many pups are in the litter. The more pups there are, the sooner you'll feel them because there's less room for them to hide. Typically, most people can feel some movement from the pups around two weeks before delivery. The pups also become very active a couple days before delivery as they get into position for birth.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kara

hello i have a small bog name Amber she just went out of heat i never saw her breed but was with the male its been about week and and now her teats are swollen does this mean that she took r is this part of her going out of heat

  • Hello,

If Amber spent unsupervised time with an intact male during her heat cycle, there's a better than average chance she was bred. I'd keep an eye on her for other signs she is pregnant. If she does seem to be progressing, you can ask your vet to give her a check up to confirm the pregnancy.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: que

we have two labs the male is 7 months old and the ... is 14 months old, she came on heat the week before christmas and stoped bleeding about one week ago. they have been humping each other during this time how will we be able to tell if she is pregnant her dooffa is still swollen and the male is allways sniffing and licking her dooffa.

  • Hi Mark,

Watch for the signs listed in the article above and they should give you a good idea if your bitch is truly pregnant. Once you really thing she might have taken, your vet can confirm the pregnancy with a simple blood test.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: mark

Correction she is still bleeding. Also my male dashound was in pain during the mating process. I know this becouse his screams are what alerted me to the activity. Also my female is making unusuall sounds from her private area(excuse my language but she sounds like she is passing gas) any idea what this could be caused by?

  • Hi Melody,

Your Dachshund might have been in pain if she was trying to speparate from him during a tie. Hopefully your male wasn't seriously injured.

As for the noise you're hearing, this is normal. Your bitch is just passing some air along with a little semen.

Thanks for your questions.

-- Contributed by: Melody

My female pittbull just had puppies that are 3 and a half months old. She has came into heat again and has been for about 1 week maybe longer she has stopped bleeding. My dashound just got hung up with her for about 10 minutes maybe less becouse I scared them apart what are the odds that she just mated and I can expect puppies?

  • Hi Melody, the odds are always 50/50 after any breeding. Hopefully your bitch won't take on this breeding since she needs more time to recover from her last litter.

Best wishes for a happy outcome.

-- Contributed by: Melody

I have a border collie that is VERY pregnant and we can see the puppies moving around ( poor girl)...We have taken her temp twice and it has been 99.5 BUT taking her temp is nearly impossible.....are their any other signs to watch for, we don't want to be away from the house when she delivers....Thank you

  • Hi Meredith,

The temperature method is really the most reliable way to know how soon until the pups are on the way. However, here are some other signs to watch for.

  • Nest making: If you haven't already prepared a box lined with newspapers and an old blanket, go ahead and do it now. Your bitch will do some paper shredding and rearranging, but these activities will definitely ramp up as labor approaches.
  • Refusal of food: Some dogs won't eat anything the day of the delivery, others will only pick. Rarely, a bitch will eat her entire dinner, but may throw it up later when contractions get serious.
  • Discharge from the vulva: This can be clear, blood tinged or even green.
  • Panting and worried eyes: You'll definitely be able to see a worried look in your bitch's eyes when she feels the labor changes.

These are the major signs of the first stage of labor. Once your dog begins actively pushing, you'll know the pups are on the way. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Meredith

i think my dog is pregnent can i tell it is 9 days i think now and how will i no

  • Hi Linda, nine days is a little soon to be able to tell if your dog is pregnant. I recommend you wait a few more weeks, and then ask your vet to do a blood test.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: linda

my dog has been eating more than usual and her breast have grown alot she is alot calmer and she always leaves the room and goes of by herself. is she pregnent?

  • Hi Laura, was your dog in heat within the last two months, and is there any possibility she could have spent time with a male? If yes, then there is a 50/50 chance she's pregnant. The increase in her appetite and the breast development make me lean toward saying yes, but you can find out for sure by letting your vet examine her.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: laura

i have a ... zu she went though her cycle in dec her breast are large her vulva is swollen and you can get milk from her boobs she is grumpy and yet clingy and sleeps alot could she be pregnant i do have a male

  • Hi Kelly, it certainly sounds like your dog could be pregnant. However, some bitches appear pregnant when they are actually just having a false pregnancy. I think you should treat her as if she is pregnant, and ask your vet to examine her for pregnancy. Then you can be sure of what you're dealing with.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: kelly

I sure need some guidance... I am a bit worried about my dog Leila's pregnancy... Leila has been acting strange lately... compared from her other 2 pregnancies. Leila is only 47 days pregnant prior to her mating and she has already showing signs of being uneasy and she starts scratch the ground, and isolating her self since Saturday night, 44th day... My personal vet has not yet arrived from her vacation trip, and i cant seem to find time to send her to other clinic because of my work schedule... based on your experience, i just need to know if it is normal? Thank you, hoping to hear from you soon!

  • Hi Joseph, it does sound as though something is making your bitch feel uneasy. I would keep a small diary of the behaviors you're seeing so you can show them to your vet when she gets back.

Right now, there's not much to be done anyway. If she is aborting spontaneously, there's no way to stop it. Hopefully this is not the case. The best thing you can do is give her lots of quiet attention to make her feel more secure, and go on as if the pregnancy is progressing normally, which it may well be. I wouldn't be more concerned than this, unless she goes off food and water.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know how things turn out. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Joseph James E. Comia

We are not sure if our golden is pregnant, it has been a few weeks since she was in heat, her nipples are very enlarged and are almost white at the tops. When and how will we know for sure if this a real or false pregnancy?

  • Hi Lee, the most certain way to know if your dog is pregnant is to ask your vet to perform an ultrasound after three weeks gestation.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Lee

hello I took my yorki to the vet and she tested positve with the bloodwork but now her stomach has decreased and was real;ly big and now its not she is still showing the other signs could the bloodwork be wrong?

  • Hi Heather, this might be worth a follow up visit to your vet. Sometimes a bitch will spontaneously abort her litter, and there's a possibility that this may have happened with your bitch. On the other hand, it could be a small litter and the pups may be tucked up higher under the rib cage right now. Your vet should be able to tell you either way.

I'm crossing my fingers that you'll have a happy outcome. :)

-- Contributed by: heather

Hi,

I think my dog may be pregnant but we are unsure. Shes more active lately, and her nipples have grown huge compared to what they are normally like. Also her stomach has like a little bump, not really noticeable if you don't stare at it and shes always hungry.


  • Hi Aymie, those could be signs that your dog is pregnant. You vet can confirm this by ultrasound after three weeks gestation.

Best of luck :)

-- Contributed by: Aymie

Thought for sure our basset was pregnant. We bred her with our boy basset. She threw up at the beginning of pregnancy, her teats have enlarged and vulva is enlarged. she's starting her nesting behaviour, she doesn't want to leave my side. i started taking her temp after 63 days because i thought it would be difficult to take and just thought we'd be surprised when the pups came. her temp now ranges between 100.5 and 99.2 and fluctuates. it's now 67 days with no pups and no milk excretion. She's also not huge like i imangined a pregnant dog would be. I plan on taking her to the vet on monday, but do you think she's just going through a false labor? thank you.

  • Hi Lisa, it does sound as though your bitch may be having a false pregnancy. I'm glad you have a vet appointment on Monday, just in case it was a single puppy litter and the puppy died in utero. Better to know exactly what's going on.

Thanks for your question and good luck.

-- Contributed by: lisa

Hi my name is danielle and i have two golden retrievers, our plan is to breed them, but this will be the first time. I have a slight feeling that my female is pregnant as her belly is firm and sticking out a bit more than usual. The two of them are always outside and inside trying to take natures course. My female was due to go into heat in December, I saw three small drops of blood out on my deck but Im not sure if she just spotted or if it was from something else like a cut. I also read that a dog can be in heat with out actually breeding and i am wondering if that is true? I am also wondering if i should have her on a special diet just to be safe? she has lost her appetite somewhat and been a little more agressive to the male when he comes near her toys. She has been a little less social as well, but i dont see any change in her nipples as of now. what is your guess?

  • Hi Danielle,

I think our article Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding contains most of the information you need. As for your question on nutrition, I would recommend simply offering her more of her current diet, as long as it is a high quality, balanced formula. This should really be all your bitch requires to support a litter, but you can add a little more calcium with a couple spoonfuls of cottage cheese in her dinner.

Thanks for your questions, and I hope all turns out well.

-- Contributed by: Danielle
  • HI

my dog I think is pregneny and she is laying down alot and go to go pee alot SOOOO is she pregnent and she does not like anything near her tummy and be brests are big HELP

  • Hi Jamielyn,

It might be a good idea to ahve your vet examine your dog. If she's not pregnant, the excessive urination by be sign of a urinary tract infection or other health problem. It would be better to find out for sure what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all turns out well.

-- Contributed by: Jamielyn

I just adopted a 11 lb. Beagle named Lilly from a family about 2 months ago. She was in heat and I brought her home. We have a male Miniature Poodle and lets just say they made whoopie, It has been about a month and a half and her nipples are hanging slightly and her abdomen is hard and has widened. I do see a yellowish discharge on her vulva, But i dont feel any movement of pups is it maybe because its her first litter and their may only be 2 pups? I'm very worried and hopeing you can help me. Thank you!!!!

  • Hi Amber,

It does sound as though your dog is pregnant, but don't worry about not being able to feel the pups at this stage. Typically, you won't feel them move until approximately two weeks before the birth.

Good luck :)

-- Contributed by: Amber

hi im abbie my dog has been playing aroud my friends dogs while on heat the other dog has been mounting it she has started to be sick and is always going off by her self could she be pregnant  ?

  • Hi Abby, I'd say there's a strong chance she is. Your vet will be able to confirm this once your dog is about three weeks along.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: abbie

I am a first time dog owner and we watched our Pooh Bear really closely when she was in heat however she has milk comming out of her teats she wont eat her dog food she wont leave my lap and she snips at any man that comes near her. Also does she need vitamins?

  • Hi Sara,

I found your question first on the expert page and answered it there. :)

-- Contributed by: Sara

I am not sure what breed of dog my ... is pregnant by, kids let her out unsupervised without my knowledge. I believe she is approximately 6 weeks pregnant, are there any danger signs I should watch for or something I could do if she is pregnant by a large dog. She is a jack russell and one of my neighbors has a german shepherd mix. She has been eating very large amounts of food and water. Really don't have alot of money to spend at the vet.

  • Hi Lynsay,

Without an ultrasound, it will be difficult to judge the size of the pups at delivery time. The main danger sign you'll want to watch out for during delivery is an inability to push out the pups. Once your bitch begins serious contractions and pushing, it shouldn't take more than 60 minutes to deliver the first pup. You will see her push several times in a minute once she hits this stage. If she doesn't seem able to deliver the pup on her own, you will need to rush her to the vet.

Thanks for your question, and hopefully you won't encounter this scenario during the delivery.

-- Contributed by: Lynsay

hello, my dog gracie is nearing the end of her pregnancy we are 80-90% sure she is pregnant. i took her temperature it was just over 100 degrees and the thermometer had some pink fluid onit, is this dangerous? what could it mean?

  • Hi Gracie, I wouldn't expect to see blood on the thermometer when the temperature was taken rectally. Did your bitch move when you inserted it? It's possible you may have damaged the rectum slightly. Keep an eye on it to see if the bleeding continues. The next time you take her temperature, be sure to use a little vaseline on the glass, and insert it slowly and gently into the rectum. Be careful to keep your dog still the entire time the thermometer is in.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: gracie

Well, still unsure about my dog being pregnant. Pretty much a wait and see game. I have heard that some dogs may not show until they are 6 or 7 weeks. If she is, she would have been bred around the 1st of Dec. so that would put her at about 6 weeks or so. She is not big at all, but has milky boobs. Last night she was up and down all night whining. Peed in the floor which is not like her at all. She is eating like a little pig. Could she be pregnant or not? Going crazy wondering and don't have the money to spend on an ultrasound.

  • Hi Michelle,

Of course she could be pregnant, but I have no way to know for sure myself. As you said, without an ultrasound, it's a wait and see situation.

Good luck.

-- Contributed by: Michelle

hi i have 2 papillons 1 male and 1 female they both got it together on the 10th of dec 2007 and were tied for around 15-20mins this happened around 4-5 times.As this breed is small i am not sure 100% wether or not she is pregnant her stomache seems harder and alittle more rounded than usual and her nipples seem to be bigger and shes eating more than usual,i dont want to take her to the vets in case she is having pups as she gets really stressed when she goes for her booster shots ect and i think it will stress her to much whic could harm the pups i think, any thoughts anyone,thanks nicci.

  • Hi Nicci, it does sound as though your bitch could be pregnant. Good luck!
-- Contributed by: nicci

I don't know if my dog is pregnant...she has an extremely hard stomach and had one discharge of blood...I heard that means that they are almost ready to have puppies...she is very lazy compared to wat she used to be..she has gotten much bigger...since I last saw her. please help!..also she is only 6 months old!

  • Hi Cassie,

There really isn't anything I can do for you. I suggest you ask your vet to examine your dog. If she were ready to deliver at six months old, this would mean she was bred at four months old. This is unlikely because dogs typically don't have a heat cycle until they are six months old. The symptoms you're observing may be caused by something other than pregnancy, so please don't delay calling your vet.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Cassie

My dog's nipples are light pink, slightly swollen and I still don't know if she is pregnant.

  • Hi Leo, you can ask your vet to perform an ultrasound after 21 days. :)
-- Contributed by: Leo

Hi. Don't know if my dog is pregnant or not. She would have been bred around the first of Dec. Her nipples are slightly swollen and the bottom 4 are pretty saggy looking. Her belly is not that big, but her vulva is swollen. When she lays on her back, her belly looks wide, but when she is standing, you really can't tell except her boobs are more saggy. Somedays her tummy feels tighter. I was noticing last night while we were in bed, yes she sleeps in the bed, that her rib cage seemed to stick up more and there looked like there was a movement just right under the cage. Could she be carrying the puppies up high in her rib cage? Also, you can gently express a colostum looking fluid from one of her nipples. Is she pregnant or could this be a falso pregnancy? Thanks.

  • Hi Michelle,

It's a 50/50 chance, but it does sound as if your bitch could be pregnant. If she only has a couple of pups she could be carrying them up under her ribs. I recommend you treat her as if she is pregnant and feed her well. Add a little cottage cheese to her dinners for the extra calcium needed for the puppies' bones.

Best of luck!

-- Contributed by: Michelle

Can pregnancy in a ... be detected with a woman's early pregnancy test?

  • Hi Lorna,

No, the human pregnancy test is not compatible with canines. However, you can ask your vet to perform an ultrasound from 21 days forward to detect any embryos.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Laura

My ... is in her heat period. She accidentally mated with a stray dog for about a minute. Will she get pregnant? Thanks...

  • Hi Lorna,

It's a 50/50 possibility if any sperm were delivered in that short time. Keep an eye on her, and ask your vet to perform an ultrasound after 21 days from the date of the breeding to check for embryos.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Lorna Mandalupa

After breeding my female, 3 days later her period stopped. Is this a sign she took?

  • Hi Jeff,

No, it's not a guarantee. Your bitch is probably still in her fertile period where the drainage is almost non-existent. Don't be surprised if she begins discharging again as she finishes her cycle.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Jeff

Hi! I read everything on this page and my dog has pretty much all the symptoms that are described. Swollen nipples, and a bigger, harder stomach. I have felt little movements when I hold my hand on her stomach area. If it is false pregnancy would I be able to feel movements? If not, how far along would you say my dog is if there is movement.

-- Contributed by: Jennifer

I believe my doggy is pregnant. Her nipples are very swollen. However, I did read that pups still go through the pregnancy phases even if they are not pregnant. Would her nipples still become enlarged if she's not.

  • Hi Sandra,

It's a possibility if she's having a false pregnancy. I recommend you ask your vet to perform an ultrasound at 21 days, and then you'll know for sure.

Good luck.

-- Contributed by: sandra

hi..I don't know that my dog is pregnant or get some kind disease. she not eat for a few day and her genitalia/vagina is rather swollen and she keep licking it. if she get some disease, what is the medicine? thanks for your help.

  • Hi Andy,

I don't necessarily think your dog has an illness, however, I'm not a vet so you really need to consult one to be sure.

Your bitch's vulva may be swelling because she's either in heat or just beginning her cycle. On the down side, she could have a urinary tract infection that could cause some swelling and irritation, hence the itching. If this is the case, your vet would prescribe an antibiotic to clear it up.

If your dog doesn't begin eating within 24 hours, you really should take her in for an exam.

Thanks for you question.

-- Contributed by: andy

We noticed that our dogs nipples are bigger than they usually are and the back 2 hang alittle. We havent noticed that she was in heat or anything like that. She is a rott and is always in the back yard. there are times we have caught a little male dog slip under the fence is it possible that she is pregnant by that little dog she is a outside only dog to. What do we do we dont have money for the vet at this time.

  • Hi Norma,

Your dog could only be pregnant if she had gone through a heat cycle. However, since you don't bring her inside, she could have cycled and you missed it.

Feed her very well, and plan on providing space inside for her to have the puppies. if all goes smoothly, she won't need to see the vet until after the puppies are delivered. You should also ask your vet to put you in touch with a low cost spaying and neutering clinic.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: norma

Hi--I think my Black Lab may be pregnant because she has bigger nipples and in the back they gotten really big. Her stomach is firm but not as big as her ribs. I think she might have one or two puppies. The time we think she got pregnant she was lost and in heat the last time we saw her,and then we found her at a friend's house. Our friend had a female Black Lab and a Male Black Lab. She wasn't in heat anymore when she came back. This time was around Thanksgiving. We intend to take her to the vet. All I want to know is if shes pregnant or not and how long it will be to birth if she is pregnant.

  • Hi Chandler,

If your dog was bred around Thanksgiving, she would be in the neighborhood of six weeks pregnant. You can ask your vet to confirm the pregnancy. If it's true, she would have approximately two weeks until she's due.

I think you should read our article on Delivering Puppies just so you'll be prepared if a litter really is on the way.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Chandler

My dog is around 38 days pregnant and she was licking her bottom all night. There was evidence of a little bloody dischare around her mouth. Not heavy or bright red...just a tinge on her muzzle. Is this something to worry about or is it normal?

  • Hi Millie,

I'm not sure you have an emergency situation here, but bleeding during pregnancy isn't normal. There's a chance that one of the placentas may have separated a bit from the uterine lining, and this may have caused the small amount of bleeding.

I suggest you keep a close eye on your bitch and watch for any signs of distress. If you can keep her relatively quiet, things may settle down, and she could still deliver a healthy litter.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: Millie Rice

Hello!!

I recently rescued a papillon from a really bad situation. She came to me on Nov. 12. Her nipples and vulva were swollen then, and it looked like she was coming into heat anytime. She hasn't yet. She is developing. WHen I got her she didn't want to eat, wouldn't play etc. SHe is now very active, and eating constently. She is always begging for food. When lookign at her from above, she doesn't look enlarged. But if you feel her from underneath, she has a definate bulge. She is very firm. She is scheduled for a spay next month... ah!

  • Hi Elizabeth,

I recommend you call your vet back, explain the changes you're observing and see if the vet wants to see your dog sooner. She may actually be pregnant.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Elizabeth

Hi, I have thought my puppy who is now 7 months old has been pregnant for maybe about 3 months now. She is a Min Pin and a Jack Russell cross. She may have bred with our bigger dog who is a Lab accidentally. A few days after she was done with her first period, I noticed differences in her body and behaivor, our whole family did. Her nipples have enlarged by a lot and have pouches underneath of them. She is a very jumpy dog, but i noticed she hasnt been jumping as much or as high when we play fetch with her and the other dog. She was already an affecionate dog, but now it seems she doesnt want to be left alone or let down from your lap, she will go to anyone who is in her reach to hold her. The puupies vulva is also swollen and looks thicker. She also does not want to be left in her cage, when we do put her in there she whines and whimpers endlessly. The dog we believe she bred with seems to be attached to her and wont leave her side, he goes where she goes. The male dog is always licking the female's private areas whenever he gets a chance! She seems to be eating a lot more rather than less. Her stomach definitly got bigger. Now I can't tell if she is pregnant anymore because she isn't appearring to get any bigger, but the pouches under her nipples are still there and the male is still "stalking" her. Our family is ready for puppies, and hoping for them, but are scared for the soon to be mommy's health(if she will make it through pregnancy or not because of her size) My question is if she is truly pregnant or is it false? Please answer!

  • Hi Taylor,

I think you may be a bit confused. First of all, it would be highly unusual for your puppy to have become pregnant at the age of four months. Most bitches do not even have their first season until they are six months old.

Second, dogs are only pregnant for about 63 days, not 90, so again, I doubt your puppy is pregnant.

Third, the increased size of your bitch's vulva, her current age and your male dog's interest all indicate that she may be coming into season. Contrary to hoping for puppies, you should be trying to make sure your puppy doesn't become pregnant. It would be very dangerous for her at this tender age, and she might not survive.

I suspect that if her tummy has dramatically increased in size, you may be dealing with a case of worms. It would be worth your while to have her checked by your vet.

Please take my advice to heart.

-- Contributed by: Taylor

thank you for your advise i will keep a close eye on her now as her due day is in 2weeks time just incase she is hiding a pup or two away from us,i will let you know if she does produce or wether we was unfortuet to loose the pups at some point!many thanks again for your help kind regards paula

  • Thanks Paula, and you're quite welcome!
-- Contributed by: paula

HI, I'VE GOT 2 PREGNANT DOGS THAT I BELIEVE ARE DUE BOTH ON THE 3RD OR THE 4TH.....THE PEEK-POO HAS GOOEY STUFF SLOWLY COMING OUT OFF AND ON..... MY ...ZU IS ALSO DUE, AND HER FEVER LAST NIGHT WAS 99...

I'M READY FOR NEW BABIES

LAURA

  • Hi Laura, it sounds like you're in for a lot of excitement this week. The vaginal discharge may indicate your bitch is beginning to dilate just a bit. This isn't a problem, just keep an eye on her.

As for your other bitch, you want to take her temperature twice a day, 12 hours apart. The drop you're looking for may go as low as 97 degrees F, and it must stay down for two readings to signal labor within 24 hours.

In the meantime, you might want to check out our new article on Delivering Puppies. I think you'll find the info useful.

Best of luck with both litters, and let us know how things turn out!

-- Contributed by: laura

hi its paula again just abit more info to give you about my ... whom i was hoping was excpecting her first litter shes 2 years old now and it was her 3rd season we mated her on,we had four A.I s done on her as the male couldnt proceed himself with them being bulldogs! and i just cant understand why shes being showing all the signs of pregnancy but the ultra scan showed us that the uterus is swollen but theres no puppies? could you think she has aborted them and would their be any signs of this happening? she should be 7 weeks gone now they are due on the 16th of january many thanks again kind regards paula

  • Hi Paula,

Yes, it's entirely possible that your bitch was pregnant at some point and that she aborted for some unknown reason. This happened to one of my Shih Tzu bitches once, and it was very dissapointing.

I still think you should continue to treat her as though she is pregnant and keep a close eye on her near her due date. You may get a surprise yet.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Let me know what happens.

-- Contributed by: paula

hi i was just wondering if an ultrascan by a vet can be mistaken as i bred my dog by the book through my vet so everything was done carefully and to plan,she was showing good signs of preganacy i.e her nipples have got huge and she aint the same in herself but we took her for a scan at 6weeks but my vet said her uterus was swollen but he cant see any pups? he never said weather it could be a fhantom pregnancy neither just that there was no pups in side! ive also been told that theres breeders whos had the same told to them but a couple weeks later they have had unexpected pups been delivered? what do you suggest? many thanks kind regards paula

  • Hi Paula,

There's a slight chance a pup or two might be tucked up too high in the uterine horns for the ultrasound to reach. I always advise to be prepared and to watch the bitch when the due date approaches, just in case she does give birth.

Best wishes that your situation turns out the way you want it to.

-- Contributed by: paula

Hi, i think my dog may be pregnant. she has been eating alot more and drinking. she has been laying around alot. her belly is alot fuller especially when she lays down on the sides. her niples enlarged and the nipples in back are large and like little boobs. haven't been able to notice much about her vagina area swollen. i took her to the vet vet felt stomach and said she wasn't sure didn't feel much thought could be false pregnancy but not sure. she told me to be sure come back in 2 wks for xray. but she did tie with a male around thx giving time. so should been enough time to have xray show. she only tied with the male for about 5min. little noice. so i don't know may have even been longer they were tied. the male is now acting very protective of her and when ever your around her. so i not sure what to think is she or isn't she? also they told me to watch her temp. if under 100 she could deliver with in 24hrs. well last nite at 9:30 temp was99.9 then at 10:30 99.6 at 2am 99.7 and 5am 99.8 9:50 99.8 2:46 pm 99.6 and now tonite at 6:53 100.1 normal. but i was told it un normal for flux temps. what should i do? is she isn't she? i think i want to go back to vet 2morro and get the xray. what do u think? i was also told by a trainer and another er vet u can't always tell just by squeezen the stomach 4 2 min.... what do u think?

  • Hi Jenn, If your dog is pregnant, she'd be about halfway through her pregnancy. Your vet should be able to tell for sure with an ultrasound. Feeling the uterus is only useful around day 28. After that, the uterus swells and you can't feel them for some time to come.

As for the temperature drop, your looking for a drop as low as 97 degrees F that stays that low for two readings taken a full 12 hours apart. When this happens you can expect labor to begin within approximately 24 hours.

I hope that clears things up for you. Let us know what you find out.

-- Contributed by: jenn

Hi I think that my dog may be pregnant. She is an inside dog, but there is a male that lives next door. He was very persistant in reaching her but she is a Pitt Bull and he is Bassist Hound so i dont even know if its possible.My neighbors were not very adiment about the situation and i think it could have happened while we were not home. Her nipples have definitaly increased in size but i dont think that i notice any other changes, but im not sure. She definitaly is not discharging anything, but she may have gained some weight in her belly area.. I plan on taking her to the vet to find out for sure, but until then i would just like to know if i should be prepared for the worst! This was her 1st heat and she is only 1 year old. If she is pregnant is there anyway to not have the pups as i dont know what to expect from the 2 completely differnt breeds. Please let me know any info or suggestions that you have... Thank you so much :)

  • Hi Brandiss,

Yes, there is a possibility the breeding could have taken place. It's amazing what two determined dogs can do.

Go ahead with the veterinary appontment. Your dog can giver her a shot to abort the litter, if that is your wish, or he/she might be willing to go ahead and spay your dog now so you can avoid these headaches in the future.

Thanks for your question and best of luck.

-- Contributed by: Brandiss

I think my dog maybe pregnant but am not sure. 8 days ago she had a knot removed from her stomach. I thought it was an enlarged nipple, but turned out that is was not on her nipple. It was a growth that was between her 2 teats on her belly on the left side. Vet said it was some type of growth. My questions is if she is pregnant, will the surgery and meds have hurt the puppies? When will I know if she is actually pregnant? She shows signs like her nipples are bigger and saggy. She sleeps alot and does not eat that much. She whines and is more affecionate. Don't know when she came into heat or was bred. So that will not help you to much I know. Also, will all of her boobs be the same size? The bottom 4 on her belly are the saggy ones, while the 4 on her chest are not that big. Although they do stick through the hair.

  • Hi Michelle, the signs you're observing may be part of her recovery from the surgery. However, if you truly suspect your dog is pregnant, you can ask your vet to perform an ultrasound to look for pups. The size of the embryos would also help determine how far along your dog might be.

Regardless of the situation, best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Michelle

Hi... I bred my ... today (day 11 for her) by artificial insemination, after trying unsuccessfully to get the male to breed naturally for the last three days. What do you think the odds are of her becoming pregnant off this one artificial insemination? Would you suggest that we try again around day 14? Thanks for any suggestions or info....

  • Hi Emily,

Honestly, one artificial insemination on day 11 should do the trick. Healthy sperm can live up to five days once delivered, so they should be able to fertilize eggs during this time.

That's my opinion based on personal experience, but feel free to ask your vet for a second opinion. If you perform a second A.I. three days after the first, you could end up with some of the puppies being premature upon delivery. Just something to think about.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Emily Jones

Hi. I think my dog maybe pregnant but am not sure. I would say it happened maybe the first of Dec. or the last of Nov. The 4 teats that are on her belly have gotten bigger, but the 4 up on her chest are not that big. She is not eating alot and seems to do a lot of sleeping. There is also a watery discharge on her vulva. She doesn't seem to be very big, but after she does eat her belly is very firm feeling. She does alot of whining and wants to be close to me, which is unlike her as she used to like to be left alone. Are these signs that she might be pregnant and if so about how far along? I can't feel anything in her belly that might suggest there are puppies, but I don't know how far along she has to be in order to feel them. Please help.

  • Hi Brittany,

It certainly sounds as though your dog is pregnant, and if she was bred on December first, she would be 28 days pregnant. At this stage, the embryos are the size of peas, so you won't be able to feel them, however, your vet could palpate today and feel them. After 28 days, the uterus begins to swell, and the embryos can't be felt again for weeks until they are fairly well developed.

Thanks for your question, and don't hesitate to come back if you have more.

Best of luck!

-- Contributed by: Brittany

Hello, my female was in her heat cycle up until a couple of days ago. I caught her a few days before this with another dog so we took her for a mis-alliance injection as she had terrible trouble giving birth when she had goten pregnant last year. She ended up having an emergency section and all of her pups died then. My question was, during the injection she had gotten which was exactly a week ago, the vet examined her rear / abdomen and said that she was definitely in the midle of her cycle, but now, a few days later, her belly has gotten huge over the last few days. Her abdomen has become much wider and rounder and I'm terrfied that she may be pregnant as she will not be able to deliver he pups. I know she wouldn't be 'showing' so soon but I'm afraid that she may have actually been pregnant at the time of her injection and that maybe she was too far gone for it to have any affect. Someone suggested that it may be just weight gain on account of us having to keep her in the house while she's in season, she's not having her usual exercise. Please help, if she was pregnant at the time of her mis-alliance injection a week ago, then the vet would have been able to tell this yes? I'm probable panicking un-neccessarily but I'm scared for her. Thanks

  • Hi Karen,

A return trip to the vet is definitely in order, and the sooner the better. An early stage pregnancy should not naturally result in the type of abdominal bloating you describe. There's a chance that your bitch has developed a uterine infection, perhaps from the breeding, and your vet should give her a thorough examination.

Thanks for your question, and please do take your bitch in for the examination.

-- Contributed by: Karen

Yes, my female is experiencing signs that she might be pregnant. She has not been eating alot and her nipples have gotten bigger. You can gently squeeze them and a milky substance will come out. Can feel a golf ball size lump on one side kinda under her ribcage, but closer to her back. She really hasn't gained any weight. She weighs approx. 35 pounds. She is an 11 month old rat terrier/chiuahaha(spelling ?). Could she be pregnant and if so how far along?

  • Hi Michelle,

If your dog was in heat anytime in the last two months and could have been exposed to an unneutered male, there is a 50/50 chance that she's pregnant.

If you have an idea which date she might have been bred on, you can count forward from there to figure out how far along she might be. Barring this, your vet can determine how far along she is with an ultrasound.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Michelle

Hi, my Pitbull/Lab mix was going threw her 2nd cycle and we of cource had a diper on her.. but we do have 5 dogs and 3 are males.. sometimes we tend to bring them inside. We were changing my dogs diper and a split second later we came back and one of are male dogs got stuck! we were so nervous sence this had never happend before. ABout 20 minutes later the male dog released after he injected her. And now im starting to think she must be pregnant.. but she's really nice and she is always playful.. but on the other hand she grew a litte bit. and her nipples have grown in size as well. Im scared too.. and ive never gvae dog birth HELP!!

  • Hi Amanda,

I have a couple of articles that will help you out greatly:

Don't hesitate to come back if you have more questions, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Amanda

I have two Westies. The adult male is 3 and the female is almost 9 months, and his offspring. Upon returning from vacation I learned that the female was in her 1st heat at 8 months. Immediately she wore the garments and was separated by gates and as mentioned aboved I was horrified to come home and find the male (father) on the other side with her. Her garment was still in place and I took her to stay with a relative until after he was neuterd. I am noticing that her nipples are swollen and darkened. Is this a first sign of pregnancy and isn't she too young to safely be pregnant. Not to mention the male is her father. Going nuts in SC

  • Hi Kelly,

If your bitch's doggie britches were still in place, there's a chance she wasn't truly bred. I have a Jack Russell that has a false pregnancy after each heat cycle and she's never been near a male.

If your bitch truly is pregnant, eight months is very young, and you will have to take very special care of her to make sure her own growth and development doesn't suffer from the demands of her pups. The fact that your dog's father would be the sire of the pups really shouldn't present much of a problem. Deformities typically only crop up from multigenerational inbreedings.

All things considered, count forward 28 days from the day you found your dogs together and schedule a vet appointment for a palpation on that date. This will tell you if your dog is really pregnant, and hopefully set your mind at ease.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

okay, so it turns out our dog is actually only 34 days along, miscalculation. she had a false negative on a blood test taken 27 days in, the vet believes it is false and in accurate due to the early timing. i am thinking that she is unfamiliar with pregnant dogs because she didn't attempt to palpate or feel gracie's stomach.

  • Hi Grace,

Some vets do seem a bit leery about palpating, but it's harmless to the embryos if it's done correctly. That said, palpating is not useful after 28 days gestation, and your vet may have foregone the examination without clearly knowing how many days pregnant your bitch truly was.

Feel free to ask your vet about the kind of experience she's had dealing with pregnant dogs. If she's a new vet, she may not have had much yet.

Keep us posted about how things are going. I'll try to answer any questions you have along the way.

-- Contributed by: grace

my dog i think is pregnant she has put on alot of wieght gone off her food and very quiet alouth does get up and energetically greet me my one worry is that shes bleedy my sister says its normal is this true

  • Hi Michelle,

If your dog is indeed pregnant, bleeding is definitely not normal. The best thing you can do is take her in to your vet for an examination, because it sounds as though she might be losing the pups.

Thanks for you question, and I hope everything will be alright.

-- Contributed by: michelle

hi we think are dog is pregnet cause her belly sags when she gets up and her nipples are getting larger and she is more wanting are attion more then she usley did is she pragnet??

  • Hi Ashley,

It sounds like your dog could be pregnant, but I can't say for sure. Did she have a heat cycle within the last two months? If so, your chances are pretty good.

Good luck, no matter what happens.

-- Contributed by: ashley

I think my ... is pregnant. My question is does a ... become more aggressive towards members of her pack when it is close to time for whelping?

  • Hi Rah,

This depends a lot on the bitch's usual personality. That said, it's a good idea to keep your other dogs away from her before the delivery so she can feel safe and secure about delivering her pups. The pups should also not be exposed to your other dogs until they are about five weeks old and have gained some of their mother's immunities from her milk.

Thanks for your question and good luck!

-- Contributed by: rah

Hello, My Jack Russel/Beagle mix dog (She looks like a Rat Terrier)may have been bred at the Doggie Hotel where we boarded her for a week while we were on vacation. They said there was an uncut male ...Zu that could have bred her. We didn't know whe was going into heat when we left! She was obviously still in heat when we got home and red and sore looking. It has been 36 days since we left her there. Her nipples are enlarged and her vulva is still enlarged. We are worried that she is too small, and to young to have babies by a larger dog like that. Should we take her to the vet and have the babies aborted for her safety? We love this dog...

  • Hi Linda,

To be on the safe side, I think you should let your vet examine your dog and offer his/her professional opinion on her chances of making it through the pregnancy. In most cases, everything turns out fine, so try not to worry too much until you get some solid information.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Linda

From our count she is ready to delivery, she is seeming to be very uncomfortable, but also interested in our other kids. We really want to try and be home for this. We have 5 kids they are awaiting the day. Any signs we could look for?

  • Hi Koree,

You could try tracking her rectal temperature. Dogs are normally about 100-101 degrees F. About 24 hours before labor begins, the temp will drop to 97-99 degrees F. You need to take your dog's temp twice a day, twelve hours apart and write the temps down for comparison. If it drops and stays there for two consecutive readings, labor should begin in 24 hours.

Other signs:

  • Anxiety
  • Digging
  • Panting spells
  • Reluctance to eat
  • Trembling

Hope this info helps. Let us know how things turn out. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Koree

our female collie managed to get herself into a little situation. She managed to jump our fence and visit the neighbor's dog. We have noticed many changes, her nipples are very large, and beinging to milk today. Roughly how much longer do you think we will have before a litter of pups are here? she has not gained much weight, but we can feel small hard lumps in her belly. We believe she should be due anytime after Christmas time, does that sound right for her symptoms and signs?

  • Hi Laura,

I don't have enough information to help you gage at what point your dog is in her possible pregnancy. Can you tell me how long ago she jumped the fence? The typical pregnancy lasts about 63 days, so if you count forward from there, you'll have an approximate due date for her.

Some bitches seem to begin milk production early, but others don't come into any milk at all until the puppies' nursing stimulates production. This makes it difficult to use milk to gage the due date.

The best thing you can do is watch her closely and have everything prepared before she actually goes into labor.

Thanks for your questions, and best of luck with the delivery. I'm sure things will turn out just fine.

-- Contributed by: Laura

hey i wanted to asks is it normal for a female dog to release a yelloish greenish discharge from her vagina. we had recently breed her with another yorkie n we want to know if shes pregnant or not its been a month allready the only signs i see is that she eats more then usually her nibbles are still kinda of pointy n red.

  • Hi Gem,

The type of discharge you are describing is usually attributed to a pup that has defecated in utero. This typically happens a day or so before delivery time. Is there a possibility that you are mistaken about your bitch's breeding date?

All things considered, it would be a good idea to check in with your vet and let him/her know what's going on.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: gem

I have a tea-cup chihuahua that I bred and she is due any day now. Our vet told me that the tiny dogs have a problem with producing enough milk and that it is likely that she will need a C-section. How common is this for tea-cups?

  • Hi Michelle,

Breeding Chihuahuas is risky business. I speak from experience. Breeding excessively small Chis is also not recommended. A C-section may indeed become necessary.

As for your bitch's capability to produce milk, this remains to be seen. However, dogs that go through C-sections do sometimes have difficulty coming into milk without going through the full birthing process.

I truly hope that your bitch doesn't run into any of these types of complications.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Michelle

today it hasnt been showing up

  • That's a good sign Chelsea :)
-- Contributed by: Chelsea

i have a year old pittbull wile she was in heat my other 9 month old pittbull was humping her no she has been acting weird her nipples are sagging but i cant feel any puppys and she use to eat every thing in site and now she is verry picking on what she eats do you think she might be pregnant

  • Hi Keshia,

Your dog could be pregnant, but whether you can feel pups depends on how long ago she was bred. Typically, you won't feel the pups until two to three weeks before delivery.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: keshia

Hi what if there is blood like 11 days after birth

  • Hi Chelsea,

Are we talking about a very small amount of dark blood? If so, it may be the last of your dog's drainage, although ll days after the birth is long. If it's bright red blood, it could signal that the uterus hasn't fully returned to its pre-pregnancy state.

All things considered, it would be a good idea to have your vet take a look just to be on the safe side.

Thanks, and I hope everything is alright.

-- Contributed by: Chelsea

my dog was caught by another. she shows signs of prgnancy. nipples enlarged, decrease in energy. i do not notice her belly area enlarged but the sides whwere her rbs are have increased quite alot. is that normal. it is quite noticeable when she walks. thanks

  • Hi,

If your dog is truly pregnant, she might be carrying up high under her ribs right now, and this could be why they look sprung.

If you believe there may be something else going on, you could ask your vet to perform an ultrasound just to make sure everything is okay and to confirm or rule out a pregnancy.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: dy

Hi,

I have a couple of questions that I haven't been able to find an answer to after much searching. First, in a false pregnancy, would a ...es temperature do the standard drop as if in preparation for whelping? and second,,,What actually causes their temp to drop before delivery? Many thanks for your time.~~ Lisa

  • Hi Lisa,

If the temp does drop at all, it probably doesn't drop very much. A pregnant bitch's temp will drop as much as three degrees before labor begins. This is actually triggered by the same flux in hormones that signals labor to begin.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Lisa

i would like to know how do you count the due date

  • Hi Chelsea,

Just count forward 63 days from the date of the first breeding, and this gives you your bitch's approximate due date, give or take a couple days.

Thanks for your question!

-- Contributed by: chelsea richardson

today is the 8th day and they still haven t opened please help

  • Hi Bianca,

No need to worry, the pups eyes usually don't begin to open until 10-14 days old.

~~ Kelly

-- Contributed by: Bianca

hi we want my dog to get pregnant but shes just fighting with the boy

  • Hi Daisy,

It sounds like your bitch isn't ready. I think you'll find our article Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding very helpful.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: daisy

I have 4 yr. old boxer female. Her cycles are normal. Her body wt. is 16 Kg. /underweight for Boxer. She is active and has normal behavor. I regularly deworm her, give her vitamin supplements. I increased her diet but that never helped her gain weight

She has not mated in the past 4 yrs. However after 60-65 days of every heat cycle there are tell tale signs of false pregnancy. She will dig burrow, teats would enlarge and there is lactation that last 7-10 days. During this period she sucks her teats /milk that I presume gives her some relief.

I have 3 questions.

Is false pregnancy and lactation normal ?

Will mating her help overcome the problem of false pregnancy and help her gain weight ?

Is it safe to mate her ?

Kindly help.


  • Hi,

I'd take your bitch in for a physical first to make sure her health is good. If so, you can breed her if you wish. Will it stop her from having false pregnancies afterward? That I can't say, but it's about a 50/50 chance. Your vet may also have some recommendations on this topic.

Thanks for your questions.

-- Contributed by: H. Mathur

Yes, my rat terrier I believe is pregnant. Can't tell when she got this way, but it has been in the last couple of weeks. She is about 11 months old and has started gaining weight. When you touch her abdomen, you can feel a popping feeling, kinda like she is hungry. Was wondering if this could possibly be puppies. Thanks

  • Hi Michelle,

No, it isn't likely that you're feeling pups at just a few weeks gestation. Right no they are no bigger than a pea. You're probably just feeling her digestive system, which is probably being affected by her pregnancy hormones.

You will probably be able to feel the pups at six to eight weeks gestation.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Michelle

gracie seems to be doing fine, she did have a little diarhea but she's fine now. her stomach is getting firmer around the ribs and we've been listening for heart beats but we need a stethoscope. we've been having a little trouble trying to keep her from wrestling with our other dog bailey because of the snow. but otherwise she's doing good.

  • Well, it sounds like things are going well then. Keep up the good work.

~~ Kelly

-- Contributed by: grace

hello...i intentionally set my english bulldog to be bred with my neightbors dog about a month and a half ago...how long does it take to see signs of pregnancy?

  • Hi Sandra,

Dogs are pregnant for about eight weeks, so at six weeks your bitch is coming into the home stretch if the breeding took.

Hold her in your lap for a while, and simply rest your hand against her tummy. It might take a while, but you should feel some movement. This depends on how many pups she might have. More pups equals more chances to feel something.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: sandra

okay my dog gracie the one i have recently told you about has eaten some fried chicken, bones and all if she is pregnant will that damage the pups? please help!

  • Hi Grace,

I think Gracie is in more immediate danger than the pups themselves, but of course, if Gracie becomes seriously ill it will affect them too.

Normally, I tend to wait and watch to see if there are any complications when dogs eat chicken bones. However, given the fact that Gracie is pregnant, you might want to ask your vet to check her. Your vet may be able to see the bones with an ultrasound. They may be small enough to be digested or pass without a problem, but I think knowing exactly what's going on would bring your more peace of mind.

Please keep me posted on Gracie's condition.

~~ Kelly

-- Contributed by: grace

Hello. I have a female yorkie who has been in heat for a short white over 3 weeks now. She is due to get spaded on the 10th of December. If she is still in heat then, will they still be able to spade her?

  • Hi Theresa,

The average heat cycle lasts for approximately 21 days, so you should be good to go by December 10th. Some vets are willing to perform the procedure on a bitch in heat, but there are higher risks for bleeding. I think your dog will be fine though.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Theresa

today is like the 6th day of ther pups life and they are now around 350gms there bellies are bloated and they are sound asleep and also i have noticed that when they drink milk they start wagging there tails and sometimes itch there ear with there legs

  • Sounds like mom's making plenty of milk. You want to see nice rounded tummies after nursing. All sound good!
-- Contributed by: Bianca

it is now gracie's 3rd week, she is getting a firm round area within her stomache at the edge of her rib-cage. i have told you some of this before but she is past her possible doggie morning sickness and is sleeping all the time, what are the chances that next week when she has a palpating(12-9-07) she will be declared pregnant?

  • I'd say better than average. It sounds like she's pregnant to me, but your vet will certainly be able to tell you for sure.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: grace

hi! guess what... my dog gave birth to a heatlthy litter of three pups. she gave birth at 5 am and my sister heard a squeek at night and then there was the first little puppie my dog that is about 11 months instincs was good she liked it all up 1st pup: male,koji 2nd pup: male, kingston 3rd pup:male, koco were all keeping them there weight was 1st koji 202gm 2nd kingston 250gm 3rd koco 210 gm they are now turning 5 days tomorrow sorry i didnt tell you sooner they are a handful thanx for all the great help

  • Hi Bianca,

I'm so glad that everything turned out alright for you and your dog. You're going to have a lot of fun with those pups. Keep us updated on their progress.

Congratulations!

-- Contributed by: Bianca

I am pretty sure my choc lab is pregnant - is diarrhea or not being able to hold it in as long a symptom of pregnancy. I have been woken up 2x's this week in the middle of the night because she had an accident and the stools were loose. She has also snapped at me twice in the past week and she has always been a mild mannered dog. She would be about 14 days pregnant. Are these normal things to happen?

thanks

  • Hi Sharon,

No, these aren't typical signs of pregnancy, although they don't rule out her condition either. It sounds as though your dog has a touch of something and is feeling cranky because she's under the weather. It doesn't sound as though you need a vet yet, but keep an eye on your dog and take her in if her condition becomes worse.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: sharon

We adopted two dog last month and days later she went into heat, She is only 8 months old. I didn't see it happen but there was evidence that my 6 month old male puppy breed with her. This happened on November 6th, 12 days into her cycle. Not knowing her very well i'm not sure if she's pregnant. Today would be day 23. I've only ever had male dogs and wasn't planning on puppies. I'm worried because she is so young. She came to us at 15 pounds and he's a smaller breed then her. Is there any site where i can see pictures of dogs that are pregnant? I'm waiting for a copy of her medical records before i take her into my vet. What are the odds of pregnacy when dogs mate? Thanks

  • Hi Tammy,

What evidence did you find? It's very difficult to tell if a breeding took place unless you witnessed it. If you can be more specific, I might be able to help you figure out if anything took place.

That said, there's at least a 50/50 chance that any breeding will take. Your best course of action is to take her in to your vet on her 28th day and have her palpated, or you can wait until her medical records come in and ask your vet to perform an ultrasound.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Tammy

I had an ultra sound done on my ... at day 28 and it showed nothing. Is it still possible that she may still be pregnate with one or two puppies. She is a collie

  • Hi Sylvia,

I tend to doubt it because the ultrasound is fairly conclusive. That said, it wouldn't hurt to treat her as if she is pregnant, just in case there is a single pup hiding. I just don't want to give you false hope.

Thanks for your question, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

-- Contributed by: sylvia

Hi. I am wondering of my pug could have gotten pregnant. She was around a male, I didn't think anything of it because she hadn't had her first heat yet. She was 9 months. Then the next day I noticed she was swollen and the next day she was bleeding. It looks like her nipples are alittle swollen, but I'm not sure it could just be me being paranoid. She wasn't showing any sign of being inheat before we went to our friends, that I noticed. We did not see then locked together at all either. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

  • Hi,

There's a chance that your bitch just came into season without having been bred, and this acccounts for the slight change in her nipples. Just keep her away from any more males and watch her for Signs Of Dog Pregnancy.

Thanks for your question, and come back if you need more info.

-- Contributed by: csp7

thank you,, so much for the answers.. tnx a lot that you help me to know.. now i know of my dog is pregnant or not tnx a lot.. Ü

  • You're welcome Carmina!
-- Contributed by: carmina

I am the first time owner of a maltese/ yorkshire mix. I did not notice that she was in heat until a dog that was never fond of her started following her around and she would 'stand' for him. I did notice her swelling but obviously, being a first timer, didn't know what to think of it. I have a cousin who is a vet-tech and she confirmed that she is in heat, but I noticed that her nipples are slightly bigger and she feels a bit heavier. It could be me over- reacting but I just wanted to know if there are any obvious signs? Are her nipples also supposed to swell during heat or could that be my obvious sign?

Thanks so much, this is an experience to say the least!

  • Hi Emily,

I think you'll find our articles on Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding and Signs Of Dog Pregnancy very helpful. Don't hesistate to come back if you have more questions.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Emily

hi, my st. bernard female has been bred about 5 weeks from now by the same kind. Yet there were white, odorless fluid coming out on her vagina. i am worried if this could be the sign of false pregnancy. During her breeding, there were two stud used in an interval of 1 day. i wonder if this could be a cause of false pregnancy.

  • Hi Steve,

If she is pregnant, this could be an amniotic fluid leak. You might want to have her checked by your vet.

Best wishes for a good outcome.

-- Contributed by: steve

Hello, Our male ...er managed to hop the baby gate on day 7 of my springers heat. I couldn't believe it when I caught them locked- first off because she was still only on day 7, but that he could actually jump that high. Then on day 16 of her heat we thought all was safe and let them both out of their 'holding areas'. They played as usual and all seemed fine until about 4 hours later- locked again. My concern is that when pups are conceived that many days apart, will they be in danger of being underdeveloped at birth? Thanks

Expert Reply

Hi Lee,

Yes, there's a chance that breedings spaced this far apart could result in a big difference in the gestational age of the pups at birth. If your dog actually becomes pregnant this time around, I would have your vet perform an ultrasound about two weeks before her first due date to compare the size of the pups in the litter. Not that this will change anything, but it would help you to know what you're dealing with.

If there are pups from both breedings, you'll recognize any preemies by the lack of fur on their very pink paws.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Lee

hi! my pure lab grace was recently bred about two weeks before thanksgiving she was separated from the male a few days before thanksgiving and i was wondering if she would yet show signs of pregnancy, her heat cycle is nearing it's end. and one more thing, should i take her to the vet 3 or 4 weeks after she was separated from the male? thanks!

Expert Reply

Hi,

You might see signs of breast tissue development under your dog's nipples. This is one of the earliest signs and it begins to show between two to three weeks gestation.

Your vet can perform and ultrasound at 21 days or a palpation at 28 days gestation to confirm or rule out a litter.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: gracie

Hi, Thank you so much for your previous answer. My female is one of the dominant females that will not stand for the male, so she has to be held. In my previous question, I asked if the male and female would have a successful tie if the female was past her days of conception. My questions now is, Will the male still be interested in mating with her if she is past her days of conception? If past her days of conception, does she still give off a scent to the male that she is in heat or does her scent leave after her days of conception are past? Your answer would greatly help me to determine if there is a chance that she is pregnant. My reason for having a hard time determining is because my male was only interested in breeding with her for one day. On the day of them successfully tieing together I took her out to urinate, he smelled her scent and was interested in mating. I held her so that they could mate and know after mating that one day he is no longer interested. Once again, thanks for your previous answer, I look forward to your expert advise on these question.

  • Yes, it's possible that your male would still be interested in her scent while she was in season, even if she was past the fertile phase.

You can have your vet confirm the pregnancy by ultrasound at 21 days, and by palapation at 28 day.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Shejuana

Hello, i have a 1 year old dog and im trying to figure out if she is pregnant, she is VERY big know, her tits are huge, and acually bagging and around them are like gettin bigger, she dosent want to come out with me and the horse out to run the cattle and bring them in, or even check them, and if she does i have to bring her up on the horse, and is she does come out she sayes as far away from the cowds as possable and ually she up in their face, she getting very aggressive for food to the othee dog and even get agrssive if she comes near my daughter and jumps on her.. she is know so close to my daughter at all time, and very loving she said, she jsut wants to come in the house at all timewith sleep with my daughter, and she always usually want to stay outside and is with the livestock at all times, before i know she was in heat so i was thinking she is pregnant , which is a good thing because i was goin to breed her in her get heatcycle but this is a little yearli because of calving seasion , and i can not get to the vet in 2-3 months, she been getting bigger and bigger ever day, and she is usally a way skinner dog because of her running all the time and goin to chase the ducks out in my dugout.. so im jsut trying to figure otu if theirs at least a chance if she pregant , or some more signs towards it .. b.c i ahve talked to another expert, and she thinks she is pregant and is close to her due date, but what are some signs of whelping, and when is about to ahve her puppies because we woudl liek the be their if she woudl need help or somethign towards that effect, we think she was bred in augest sometime because thats when she went through her heatcycle, but im not forsure so dont qoute me, i jsut need to know this as soon as possable she has other signs that i was not listed but if u coudl give me a little mroe information on all this i woudl lvoe to know Thank you..

Expert Reply

Hi Kurt,

Dogs are only pregnanct for about 63 days, so if your dog is pregnant, she must have been in season later than August. It must have been more like late September or early October.

Signs a bitch is going into labor include:

  • Shivering
  • Going off food
  • Digging or nesting behavior
  • A drop in temperature to less than 99 degrees F that stays that low for two reading taken 12 hours apart.

It does sould like she could be pregnant based on your description, but her cycle would have to have been later than you remember for her to still be pregnant now.

I would prepare a box for her to have the pups in and line it with newspapers. This will give her something to tear up for her nest.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything goes well.

-- Contributed by: Kurt

I have the same problem as Rah my dog got her first heat at eight MO and now she is showing signs of Pregnancy i do not know if she is i keep ready the signs of dog Pregnancy but if she is what do i do someone please help me too

Expert Reply

The best thing you can do is take your dog to your vet and try to have the pregnancy confirmed. If she is pregnant, your vet can advise you on the best course of action, considering your dog's young age.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out.

-- Contributed by: Someone

when she shivers howlong would it be till labor

Expert Reply

Hi Jade,

You can't put a firm time limit on it, but once the shivering begins, most bitches are beginning to have early contractions. It can take a couple of hours, sometimes longer before the serious pushing begins.

If your dog is displaying these signs now, go ahead and put her in her whelping box, and have your clean towels handy.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all goes well.

-- Contributed by: jade

two days ago my dog was shivering and now shes not but ive noticed that the puppies are kikin alot

-- Contributed by: Bianca

i saw my dog shivering before like yesterday but i think she was just cold since i live near the mountains is there a chance becuase when i took her temperature she was 99.6 i took it a took it a few times to make sure it was right and in one of the readings it said 97.6 and tofay 11/23/07 it was 98.6 will it be really close

Expert Reply

Hi Bianca,

Honestly, you should be expecting your bitch to go into labor anytime now. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you told me she had the pups since you posted this comment.

Good luck, and let me know how it turns out.

-- Contributed by: Bianca

I have a dog that is pregnant and due within the next few days. This is her first litter. Tonight she urinated on the carpet and it looked pink in color. Is this normal? Or should I call her vet?

Expert Reply

Hi Mary,

Never hesitate to call your vet when you notice something unusual. It's always better to err on the side of caution.

That said, I don't think this is anything too serious if the urine is only tinged pink, but your bitch could have a urinary tract infection. This happens quite often after a breeding. Since your bitch is so near to delivering, your vet may want to wait to start on antibiotics, if they are called for.

If her urine becomes any darker, do call your vet right away.

Thanks for yor question, and good luck with the delivery.

-- Contributed by: Mary

Hi, this is my female's third heat cycle. In her second heat cycle tried breeding her. The male mounted her, did his thing but they never locked together. Now, this is her third heat cycle and they finally locked together two days ago 11/20/07, she may be past her days of conceiving, and I would like to know if there is a chance that she will become pregnant because they locked together even if she may be past her days of conception? Will they even lock together if bred after her days of conception? Your information will help me alot. Thanks.

Expert Reply

Hi Shejuana,

If your bitch was willing to let the stud breed her, there's a very good chance that she was still in the fertile phase of her heat cycle. If she wasn't, she probably wouldn't have been receptive to him.

The fact that they had a true tie also increases the chances for conception, so all things considered, I think there's a strong possibility you'll get a litter from this breeding. If your bitch continued to release eggs for another day or so, those would also likely become fertilized, because the sperm can live for a few days after the breeding.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Shejuana

my dog was 99.3 yesterday night and today she was 99.6 does that mean she'll give birth soon!

Expert Reply

Hi Jade,

Yes, It very well could mean that your dog is entering the earliest stages of labor. Each bitch is different, but that is a good drop. I've had some that went as low as 97 degrees before labor began.

All things considered, I think you should get everything ready for the whelping. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: jade

hi does it mean when my dogs temperature is 99.3 at night when i started taking her temperature does it mean she is going to whelp since this morning i took it again and it says 99.6

Expert Reply

Hi Bianca,

There's a strong chance that your bitch will go into labor soon. Continue to take her temperature at twelve hour intervals until she's truly in labor.

You'll likely notice that she begins to shiver and dig in her box like crazy. This can go on for several hours until she begins to push. When she pushes, you'll notice that she scrunches up a bit, and her tail will raise up high during these moments. The pushing may go on for a while before the first pup emerges, so don't worry unless she's been pushing frequently for an hour without producing a pup. If this happens, give your vet a call. Sometimes a bitch isn't able to completely dilate, which means she can't open far enough to let the pup pass through. Sometimes cases like this require C-section.

Hopefully everything will go smoothly for you. Be sure to let us know when the litter arrives. Best of luck!

-- Contributed by: Bianca

Hi I'm worried about my puppie i think shes pregnant she is only small and her tummie is already getting big help

Expert Reply

Hi Miss Silver,

I need a little more information. First, how old is your puppy. Did she recently have her first heat cycle? Was she exposed to any male dogs, and did you actually witness a breeding?

The reason I ask is because, depending on your answers to those questions, your dog might also have an advanced case of worms, and this could account for her pot belly at this time.

If you truly believe your puppy is pregnant, it would be a very good idea to let your vet examine her. A pregnancy can be very hard on an especially young bitch, and your vet will definitely be able to guide you through the situation.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck.

-- Contributed by: MissSilver

what are all signs of dog whelping time since my dog has been digging all the time and sometime she wont evn eat hear food in the morning and she eats it like around 5 then when i give her food she eats some and then sniffs then stops she normally looks for more food sometime like wondering off sometimes and she has been sleeping underneath our christmas tree

  • Hi Bianca, this article lists the best ways to tell when your bitch is about to whelp. You'll find them under the heading "Signs Delivery is Imminent". I have always depended on the temperature method, and it has never failed. I hope you find it as useful as I have.
-- Contributed by: Bianca

Well what's the difference from bowel sounds and the heartbeats of the puppies ?

  • That's the problem, they sound somewhat similar to an untrained ear. Are you experienced in listening to your cattle when they are pregnant? If so, then you might be able to translate that experience to the sounds you're hearing when you check your dog.

No matter what, time will tell the tale if your dog is pregnant. Until then, based on the signs you're seeing, I would continue to treat her as if she is.

Good luck Thurlow!

-- Contributed by: Thurlow

omk well its been awhile since i thoguht she was PRegnant, and she is getting very big nad is getting even more agrssive wit her food, i ahve stopped taking her out to check the cattle.. and with the sewthascope i can hear heart beaps .. does that forsuly mena my dog is pregant .. B.c everwhere i put it on her stomack i can ear Heart Beat.. and farly loud.. and their ltos of them .. so does that foprsuly mena she is Pregnant .. or no

  • If you're positive that you're hearing heart beats and not bowel sounds then she's probably pregnant. Good luck!
-- Contributed by: Thurlow

will there be certainly milk if you can see your dog boob droop becuase its pregnant will it mean that there is milk in there

Expert Reply

Hi Bianca,

The milk usually comes in near the end of the pregnancy or just after birth. So, if you've noticed a lot of breast tissue growth it's a good sign that your dog will have milk for the pups when they finally begin nursing.

Thanks for your question and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Bianca

we feed our dog two times a day and she is pregnant on her 60th day and usualy she is always hungry but now she is not eating is somthing wrong?

Expert Reply

Hi Jade,

No, I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong. Your bitch's drop in appetite is mainly due to the fact that there is little room left for her tummy with the pups reaching full term size.

Additionally, most bitches will go off their food a day or two before the delivery, so you bitch's timing is coinciding well with that too.

Now would be a good time to begin taking her rectal temperature. Take it once in the morning and once again in the evening before you go to bed. Normal temp is between 100 and 101 degrees F. When your bitch is about 24 hours away from whelping, you'll notice that her temperature drops down to at least 99 degrees F and stays there for two consecutive readings.

Thanks for your question, and good luck on the big day!

-- Contributed by: jade

I breed my chihauhau 2 times about 2 weeks ago I wounder when I will know she is pregnant

Expert Reply

Hi Jennifer,

Since you know the dates your dog was bred, you can count forward 28 days. This date is the date you should have your vet palpate your bitch to see if there are pups. Go ahead and make your appointment now.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Jennifer

my dog is 10months old and this is her first litter and she is about 4 days till she is due and people say that when u squish there nipples milk comes out but 4 me nothing happens

is something wrong?

Expert Reply

Hi Mae,

Actually it's better not to manipulate the nipples. If you don't do it right you'll actually squeeze them shut so the milk isn't expressed.

Not all bitches come into milk before the delivery. Some require the puppies to nurse to stimulate production, so please don't worry too much. Everything will likely turn out fine.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Mae

I DONT KNOW BUT THE SIGNS ARE ALL SHOWING UP

EX: (1) HEART BEATS ARE HEARD THROUGH A STETOSCOPE IN THE MOTHERS STOMACH(2) HER MAMMARY GLANDS ARE GETTING BIGGER(3)SHE HAS HAD A HIGHER CRAVING FOR FOOD(4) MOVEMENTSIN STOMACH WHILE MOTHER AT REST(5)SHE IS STARTING TO DIG AROUND HER WHELPING AREA

WHEN DO YOU THINK SHE IS DUE I THINK SHE IS DUE ON THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING PICK ONEOF THESE

SOON OR LATER

  • Sounds like not much longer to go. Good luck.
-- Contributed by: ERIKA

SORRY MISCALCULATIONS OF AGE WHAT IF SHE IS AROUND 11 MONTHS WHAT CHANCE OF PERCENTAGE DOES SHE HAVE OF HAVING MOTHER INSTINCTS! EX. LESS THAN 50 OR (50/100) OR (60/100) OR (70/100) OR (80/100) OR (90/100) OR (100/100)

  • I'd say there's at least a 50/50 chance, maybe better.
-- Contributed by: bianca

hi again, i was wondering where do you get the ground beef , and cottage cheese and also i already bought puppy food with lots of vitamins,mineral,fat and all needed stuff well is that kind of food k and anyway if its her first time will the milk comeout when she has the litter or b4 bcuz i have read that 1st time bred their milk comes out after and thank you for the earlier advice

  • Just pick it up at the grocery store when you do the rest of your shopping. :)
-- Contributed by: bianca

Hi, On Sept 30 my basset/lab mix started her first heat. She had just turned 1 six days earlier. We did really good about keeping her away from all the little boys in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, she figured out how to open the door not once but twice. Both times she was chasing after a boy dog. She was in heat for about a month, when she was after the boys she actually got to be alone with them.. I'm not sure if she did anything with them. However, she has over the past 4 weeks or so developed mamaries and her vagina looks a bit different. She also has changed as far as her personality. More needy and sleeps ALOT!!! she has also gained a little weight I weigh her monthly so I can make sure to keep her in a good range so she doesnt have hip, elbow or back problems. She eats Nutro Max is this a good food for a mother to be?

Expert Reply

Hi Rah,

It does sound like your bitch may be pregnant. Since the big dog food recall, I usually try to avoid recommending dog food brands. The labels are worded with some misleading statements. If you are happy with her current condition, stick with the food you are feeding her now, and supplement her with some ground beef, brown rice and a little cottage cheese. This should give her everything she needs to develop a litter and take care of herself at the same time.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: rah

i have this dog a beagle/chihuahua mix. and she was only like 8months and a 1/2 when she got her heat cycle now we think shes pregnant becuase her boobs are getting darker and her belly is bigger and she sleeps a lot and also eats very fast when its feeding time im worried that if she is pregnant at this young age becuz the average is said to be 1yr & 4 mths will it affect her in anyway will her insticts be still okay when she gives birth to the puppies plz help im scared and she looks like her signs are now around 7-8 weeks of pregnancy

Expert Reply

Hi Bianca,

No, this is not the ideal age for a young bitch to go through a pregnancy, but I don't want you to panic. There's a good chance that things will turn out alright.

A pregnancy at this age will have a definite affect on your bitch's body, because she hasn't finished growing herself. This basically means that a good deal of the nutrition her body needs to grow is going to be diverted to the pups.

Although according to your calculations she is due very soon, you are still going to need to feed her the very best food you can find. She will need additional protein and fat, so I recommend supplementing her kibble with ground beef and brown rice. She'll also need more calcium to keep this mineral from being leached from her own bones for the pups' development as well as for milk production after they are born. You can add cottage cheese to her diet, or give her a multivitamin recommended by your vet. Continue this nutrition plan until the puppies are weaned, and even longer if your bitch still needs more weight.

As for her instincts, you'll have to wait and see. A puppy of this age is usually not mature enough to have good mothering instincts. You are going to have to watch her closely, help her as needed and have a lot of patience with her.

Thanks for your questions, and don't hesitate to come back if you have more. Best wishes for a happy outcome.

-- Contributed by: Bianca

is the closet ok for pups! if her stomach is really large does it mean it wil b soon EX:Stomach! 

                             (  .  . )
                 Stomach---->(  .  . )
                  Bloats    (   .  .  )

Expert Reply

Hi Ericka,

I do love your diagram! You can allow your dog to have her pups in your closet if that is the place she likes the best. It's quiet and out of the way. Just make sure you give her a box to use for whelping.

Do you remember how long ago she was in season? A Dog Pregnancy lasts about eight weeks. This should give you a better idea of when she is due.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Erika

Hi,

I wasent Sure when she went into Heat but, i know she was with the sswollen vagina and bleeding .. and how she look sknow im bigging to think she really is pregant... my question is .. that My dad thoguht her humping the other dog.. What does that mean . ??????

Expert Reply

Hi Thurlow,

I wouldn't worry about the humping. It could be a due to her hormone levels right now, but more often than people realize, humping is actually about dominance.

If the behavior bothers your family, gently remove her from the dog she is accosting and tell her "no" very firmly.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this sets your mind at ease.

-- Contributed by: Thurlow

Our dog has been eating a lot lately and her boobs are slightly bigger than usual. It has been 20 some days since she has been in heat. We are praying she isn't pregnant but aren't sure. We felt her abdomen area and didn't feel anything. Is she pregnant?

Expert Reply

Hi Abby,

It's not really possible for me to tell you if your dog is definitely pregnant, but she does seem to be showing a few slight signs.

If you want to know for sure, you could schedule an appoint with your vet to take her in on the 28th day into the possible pregnancy to have her palpated. Your vet may be able to feel pea sized lumps along the uterine tubes. These would be the developing embryos. Depending on what the palpation reveals, you can discuss your options with the vet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out.

-- Contributed by: Abby

hi my females temperature dropped about 3 days ago and she still has not gone into labor. her current temperature is 98.5 but her normal is 101.today is her 63rd day since she was bred. wat do you think could be wrong?

Expert Reply

Hi Lauren,

Did your bitch's temperature drop this low and stay there for two consecutive readings? If her temperature fluctuated between readings then delivery would be near, but not necessarily imminent.

Since she is technically due now, you should begin to see some labor activity begin. If she hasn't gone into labor by her 65th day, then it might be a good idea to check in with your vet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all goes well.

-- Contributed by: lauren

How do you tell when the heat cycle is over?

Does the dog vulva go back to being smaller again?

Also, do the nipples go back to being as small as they were before she began her heat cycle?

Thanks a ton!

Expert Reply

Hi Nissa,

This is a very good question because it isn't always easy to tell when a bitch is finished with her heat cycle.

I've always figured on at least 21 days for the cycle, but you can't rely on this. The changes you've mentioned also figure heavily in determining whether the heat cycle is over. The vulva typically reduces in size. Nipple swelling, if there was any, should also reduce, but perhaps not to the pre-heat state.

I will wipe my bitch's vulva with a white tissue when I suspect the cycle is finally over. If several wipes over a 24-hour period come away clean, then it's usually safe to assume the heat is over. A follow up bath removes any traces of the heat scent, and my dog is good to go.

Thank you for your question, and I hope you find this info helpful.

-- Contributed by: Nissa

Hi

i have an 1 year 2 month old cattle Dog, About 4 weeks ago her vagina Area was Swollen and Bleeding, after awhile it stopped, and jsut continued to be swollen know 4 weeks later her Stomack as Gotta ALOt bigger, her nipple ahve gotten VERY big and they look liek they are baggin, she is always sleeping, and at the biginning she stopped eating know she is getting EXTERMY agressive to are other dogs at feeding time, it has gotten so bad that i have to feed at the dogs at oppsite sides of the ranch because she will look for the other dog and attack her.. um she is peeing alot, she is tired all the time, she is dosent usually want to coem with me out to check the cattle, whick is odd, and if she does come , she geting tired FAST and i sually ahve to put her in the Truck or on the bike, all this is worring me because we need her for calving seasion to work alot, and knwo she is doin this we ahve got worried she will be pregant and not beable to go her job at calving seasion .. i can not take her to the vet at this time because we are soo busy and the closes vet is 2 hours away from my ranch, if u coudl answer my question that would be jsut wondeful thank you .. MUCHLY

Expert Reply

Hi Thurlow,

If your dog spent any unsupervised time during her heat cycle, then there's a chance a male could have caught her. It certainly sounds as though she is pregnant.

If this is the case, you shouldn't continue to work her in the field since she is exhausting herself. She also won't be able to leave her pups if she whelps near calving time.

I realize this puts you in a bind, but I'm sure you understand the need to put her health first. It would probably be a good idea to have her spayed after the pups are born. Then you'll never have this kind of a worry again.

I realize this probably isn't the answer you were hoping for, but I do hope you find it helpful. Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Thurlow

Hi,

i Have around a 1year and 2 month old dog and im trying to figure out if she is pregnant or not .. she has gained ALOt of Weight, her nipple have gotten very big. she pee's ever leik 5 Seconds.. and she is not her usual Active Self.. she's a cattle dog eh and when i went ot go ge the cattle is she gets tried very fast and she gets soo tired i usually ahve to put her on the bike .. she is geting VERY agessive at feeding time know .. and she will attack the other Dogs. and Attack Badly .. she never used to do that .. and im trying ot figure otu whast goin on .. id you coudl tlel m,e that woudl eb woneerful THANKk you

Expert Reply

Hi Nicki,

It really does sound as though your dog could be pregnant. How long has it been since her last season? From what you're describing, I'm guessing she may be nearing her due date.

If her stomach is very pronounced, you may be able to feel the pups move if you lay your hand across her abdomen, just don't push in because that may harm the pups.

To be on the safe side, I wouldn't take her out herding right now. It sounds as though the exercise is getting to be too much for her, and you don't want to risk having her go into labor out in the field. Just exercise her close to the house.

Thanks for your question and good luck no matter how the situation turns out.

-- Contributed by: nicki

My dog was 9months and she was in heat and now i am wondering is she pregnant or false because she is getting fatter and her nipples are bigger she is a pitbull

Expert Reply

Hi Robert,

Did your dog spend any unsupervised time during her season where a male dog could have possibly had access to her? If so, then there's always a chance she really is pregnant.

That said, some bitches do go through a false pregnancy even when there has been no breeding activity whatsoever. My own Jack Russell Terrier has had two seasons and two false pregnancies in a row.

Time will tell the tale, but you can ask your vet to check if your dog is pregnant. This would take the waiting out of the picture, and your peace of mind may be worth the cost of the office call.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out the way you want them to.

-- Contributed by: Robert

is it possible for my dog to get pregnant just days after she got her first period?

Expert Reply

Hi Keisha,

It usually takes about ten days into the heat cycle for a bitch to reach her fertile period, give or take a couple of days. If she was bred at this time, then she certainly could be pregnant. However, her season will continue until completed.

Thanks for your question, and please come back if you have more.

-- Contributed by: keisha Tollins

well i have a Femail, Lab, Golden Retriever cross, and im trying to figure out if she is pregant or not .. and as we speack i have no time right know to taker her to the vet.. she has gained weight, her nipples has became BIGG, she Pee's ALOt, and she is not her usual Self liek always runing around and always cahseing the quad and following me she is always tired and if she does come with us she is usally Tired quit fast and so tired i pput her on the quad with me b.c im Worried.. what do you think ....

Expert Reply

Hi Nicole.

It's very hard to say whether your dog is pregnant, but many bitches do tend to tire out quickly when they're pregnant. Nipple changes can also signal a pregnancy, but this isn't a guarantee.

For now, I recommend that you treat her as though she is pregnant. Provide her with plenty of good nutrition, limit her exercise to shorter sessions and take her in for a vet exam as soon as you're able.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: nicole

Hello Kelly,

Is it possible for my 7 month puppie to get pregnant, before she goes into heat or shall I say before she get her period?

Expert Reply

Hi Crystal,

This is a good question. No, it isn't possible for your puppy to get pregnant without having an actual heat cycle. If if there was some play/dominance humping going on, the male wouldn't be able to gain entry, nor would your bitch be releasing eggs for fertilization.

That said, make sure your bitch isn't in season. Most females have their first heat cycle around six months old, so she's within that window. She can definitely get pregnant during a season even if she is only seven months old.

Thanks for your question!

-- Contributed by: Crystal

Kelly, Sorry put it in wrong the first time its debbiejensen.com/date.html then you just click on the month and date and calculate. it pops up a new window and will break it down on what to expect when as well as an expected whelping date. If still have problem email me and will put the link directly in a email back to you. Hope this helps.

Debbie

  • Thanks for the correction Debbie. Very neat tool!
-- Contributed by: Debbie

Is several loose bowel movements a sign that the dog is nearing birth of the pups?

Expert Reply

Hi Wendy,

Yes, loose bowel movement often occur just prior to the start of labor, or during the actual first stages of labor. Is your bitch near her due date? If so, keep a close eye on her and watch other signs of labor such as trembling, nesting and maybe even going off her food.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Wendy

Hello Debbie,

Can you provide clear cut directions on how to access the link you're talking about. I visited the site you listed, and although I could find breeding info by typing dog pregnancy in the search bar, I couldn't find anything that describes development through the stages of pregnancy.

Thanks,

Kelly

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly, Was reading the site the other day and saw Kimberly's question ( I copied below both her question and your answer) about a site for week to week pregnancy for Canines. I actually found one that is debbiejenson.com/date.html which you put in the date you saw the first mating and it will give you a break down of what to expect week to week. Obviously all dogs are different, but I know with Princess, our lab/setter it has been pretty close. Was not sure how to get this straight to Kimberly so figured would email it to you. Thanks for all your advice also. Blessed Be

Hi Kimberly,

That's a great question, and I wish I could give you some direction, but my searches have come up empty. I personally found a week by week guide to human pregnancy very helpful when I was pregnant, and it would be really neat to have a reference on changes in the pregnant ... and fetal development. Maybe someday a veterinarian will write "What to Expect When Your Dog is Expecting". I'd buy the first copy!

Thanks for your question. -- Contributed by: Kelly

Can you tell me of some websites to go to where I can see or read about the different stages of pregnancy.. Like week to week stages of a dogs pregnancy.. We have a pair of mini Chihuahua's that are expecting thier first and ONLY litter.. And I would like to know what my girl is going threw with her pregnancy..

Thanks, Kimberly and Itty Bitty ( my female Chihuahua) -- Contributed by: Kimberly

-- Contributed by: Debbie

When can you first feel the puppies moving?

Expert Reply

Hi Kim,

The pups are so well cushioned that you won't be able to feel them for some time. Typically, you may be able to feel some slight movement about three weeks prior to delivery.

The pups usually become quite active just a couple of days before delivery, and then they go rather quiet, saving up energy for the birth ahead.

I t also seems to be easier to feel movement with larger litters than when there are just one or two pups involved.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: kim

Our Rot, Gracie, has swollen nipples and are lactating. Are these signs of pregnancy?

-- Contributed by: GRACIE

my ... is pregnant!!!!!! i cant wait for her to deliver!!

  • Congratulations Anita. I hope you wind up with a happy, healthy litter!
-- Contributed by: Anita Ames

my dog is a rat terrier and she bred witha rat terrier mix we tryed to keep them apart m=but no matter what they got to each other and they matted alot now i dont know what day to count 63 days from can you help me they locked up alot thank s bye

Expert Reply

Hi Erica,

The best you can do is is count 63 days forward from the first breeding and 63 days forward from the last breeding. The dates that fall in between these start and finish dates are your dog's approximate "due week".

This is as close as you're going to be able to narrow it down. However, your dog will give you signs when she goes into labor.

Watch for:

  • Loss of appetite, or she may even throw up her meal
  • General trembling
  • A distincly worried expression in your dog's eyes
  • Nesting behavior, the desire to shred newspapers or dig at blankets
  • Finally, contractions and pushing

I hope this has given you enough information to help you, but feel free to come back and ask more questions. Best of luck.


-- Contributed by: erica

Hi, I have a small mix dog (maybe 6-7 pounds) in the last week or two of Aug. she bread with my small male dog. she still had not had her puppies yet, but her nipples are bigger (first litter) her tummy is huge for her size. Today i called her vet and told them what was going on and they told me that in some dogs take 3-months to have there puppies and other take 68-70 day depending on the breed and size of the day. I even took her to see the vet she is said that she may have her puppies within 1-3 weeks.

Expert Reply

Hi Dog Mother,

In 20+ years of breeding, I have never heard of such a thing as a three-month long Dog Pregnancy. Dogs are pregnant an average of 63 to 65 days, and anything over this amount may require a C-section.

If you can look on your calendar and try to give me the approximate date or dates she was bred, I'll give you a due date.

I honestly think you should make an appointment with a new vet right away. There is honestly no such thing as a 90-day canine pregnancy.

Thank you for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: dog mother in need

I think my dog might be pregnant, she is showing all of the sign of pregnancy. Her nipples are growing each day, she has a lot of breast tissue and wants attention from everybody whereas before she did not go near anyone she didn't know. I mated her about 4 weeks ago, but I am unsure, we did a blood test at 18 days, and I know that is early, it came back negative but she her nipples are still growing and her stomach is slowly getting bigger.

Expert Reply

Hi Emma,

Did your vet offer to palpate your dog at 28 days gestation? This is a good way to search for pups, but after 28 days the uterus swells too much to feel the pea sized embryos. Your vet can perform an ultrasound to confirm whether there are truly any pups, but in the meantime, I'd still treat her as though she's pregnant.

Thanks for your question and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Emma

AT WHAT STAGE DOES THE DOG START PRODUCING MILK IN SOME OF HER NIPPLES

Expert Reply

Hi Me,

It can vary quite a bit, but a bitch will usually develop a small amount of first milk, known as colostrum, about midway through pregnancy. The amount increases about a week before delivery, and then the pups' nursing causes true milk production to kick in.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: ME

I have never dealt with a pregnant dog before and have no idea how to tell. I rescued a female who was being abused and her nipples were enlarged. I thought maybe she had just had a litter, but I have had her for about 3 weeks and it looks to me like maybe they are becoming more enlarged. She was extremely skinny and has put on weight now, but I don't know if that is because she is finally getting nourishment or if maybe she is pregnant now. She also has some clear mucous draining from her vaginal area. Could someone help me and tell me if she may be pregnant now?

Expert Reply

Hi Elizabeth,

It does sound as though your bitch could be pregnant. I recommend you ask your vet to perform an ultrasound on her to see if she truly has pups.

In the meantime, keep feeding her well. She needs to fill out herself, and possibley suport her pups growth as well.

You'll find more helpful info in our articles on Dog Pregnancy, but don't hesitate come back with more questions.

Thanks, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Elizabeth

well my dog is acting kind of funny and my boy dog will NOT leave her alone he has to be by her all the time when i sperate them he crys and crys for her i dont no what it could be?

Expert Reply

Hi Samantha,

Could your female be in heat? Check her vulva. Does it seem swollen? Wipe it with a white piece of tissue. Is there any red, pink or tan discharge? If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, your female is most likely in some stage of her heat cycle. Your male can smell the change and that is probably why he is so frantic to be near her.

If you don't want them to breed, you're going to need to keep them separated, even though this will be difficult.

Thank you for your question, and don't hesitate to ask if there's anything else you need to know.

-- Contributed by: samantha

I saw the tie 3 times, but I know there was more becauae the "look" of my male, they were so shy. So I don't know ext. how many times they tied. Because she is BIG girl, 170lb eng mastiff, will they be able to tell at 28 days?

Expert Reply

Yes Becky, your vet should be able to tell if your dog is pregnant by 28 days gestation. He can also perform an ultrasound to detect the embryos.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Becky

hi, im trying to find information on how long after mating does it take for the eggs to mature. also how long before colostrum is available, and what proportion of the pups genetic material is from their mother? i hope someone can help.

Expert Reply

Hi Maree,

The pups receive 50% of their genetic material from each parent.

Once fertilization has taken place, it takes approximately 63 days for the embryos to mature into viable puppies. Birth can safely take place from 58 to 65 days gestation.

A bitch will usually begin producing colostrum shortly before the birth of the pups, but some bitches need to be nursed by their newborn pups in order for colostrum production to begin.

Thanks for your questions.

-- Contributed by: maree

Becky- how many times did she tie? The more ties, the better chance your bitch has of conception. Generally speaking, a bitch should be bred once a day from her 8th day of heat until she is no longer receptive. This may seem like a lot to some novice breeders, and some bitches will concieve after only 1 tie, but better safe than sorry.

Mary- how long ago did she "get stuck"?

Jade- if your dog is 8 weeks pregnant, chances are shes in labor! Dogs are only pregnant for 60-63 days, roughly 8 weeks!

Expert Input

I disagree with the statement that a bitch should be bred from her eigth day until she's no longer receptive.

Heres why:

  • The number of day in the heat cycle doesn't guarantee that a bitch is either receptive or physically ready to breed. You must check the vulva to make sure it has softened enough for penetration. This is good for her as well as the stud.
  • Breeding over a long period of days means that there will be quite a difference in gestational age of the pups when they are born. This could be as much as a one week diffference, and the preemie pups may not survive.
  • Finally, there are two animals involved in the breeding. Personally, I would not breed my stud everyday for a week. First it is physically taxing. Second, it isn't necessary because the sperm are still viable for several days after a breeding. Third, the sperm count is reduced significantly when breeding so closely together, so fertilization from later breedings is less likely to take place.

~~ Kelly

-- Contributed by: Savannah

Hi Becky,

If your bitch doesn't take this time around, you may want to have her fertility checked, especially if you've tried breeding her to different males and still haven't had a litter.

As for detecting a pregnancy, you can take her to your vet on her 28th day to have her palpated. At this time your vet can atually feel the embryos in the horns of the uterus. Your vet could also perform an ultrasound to confirm or rule out a pregnancy.

Sometimes bitches with large litters will deliver a day or so earlier than expected, but not much earlier than this. A bitch typically delivers somewhere between 58-63 days. Any earlier or later could present problems for the pups.

For the time being, feed her whatever she's used to eating, but let her have more if she wants it. I also like to add a dollop of cottage cheese on top for extra calcium.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a healthy litter.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Mary,

What date did your dogs breed? Count 63 days forward from that date and this gives you your bitch's approximate due date. This will also tell you how far along she might be. If she's not more than halfway through the pregnancy, she won't necessarliy have a big tummy yet. Her size also depends a lot on how many pups she has tucked in her uterus.

If she's at least one month pregnant, you can ask your vet to perform an ultrasound. This way you'll know for sure what to expect.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a healthy litter.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Jade,

It sounds like your dog may be close to delivering her litter. Certainly keep your other dog away from the vomit, but I don't think this is a case of dog flu. Bitches in labor pant quite a bit, and it's not unusual for them to empty their tummies at this time. That's why some bitches will go off their food a day or so before delivery.

Best wishes for a beautiful litter.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, I have just breed my eng mastiff (Oct 14-17) she is 2 1/2 yo. heat started Oct 5 :A couple of questions. First, I have breed her 3 times before with another a male didn't take 2 times the other a false preg. What would the chance be of her getting preg. now? How soon can I tell, ultrasound what gestation? What should I feed, bedside puupy food? Also I heard the larger the litter the early she will deleive, true or false? Thank you

-- Contributed by: becky

my little chihuahua got stuck with my other chihuahua and she has some signs of pregnant but her belly isnt big,does this meen a false pregnancy for her its been awhile all ready.

-- Contributed by: mary

Hi i hav a Dog that is roughly 8weeks pregnant and is panting alot and throwing up a white foam like substance, i was just curious why she is doing this and if she is ok?? Also i have two dogs which sleep in the samearea and have lived together for 7years and as one is ready to give birth i was wondering what you think we should do or f u have any advice on our situation??? thank you for any advice you can give

-- Contributed by: jade

Hi Liz,

This could be a sign she is close to her delivery date, but you can't count on it. The kitten's nursing is stimulating the milk to come down, and this isn't something you really want to happen right now.

The bitch's first milk, known as colostrum, is fortified with antibodies that will give the pups temporary immunity to a variety of diseases until they are old enough to begin receiving boosters. For this reason, I'd put a stop to your kitten's nursing, and save this valuable resource for the pups to come.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you wind up with a litter of healthy and adorable puppies!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a part chihuahua part feist dog. I know that she is pregnant ,im jsut not sure how far along she is. My kitten likes to drink from the dog's nipples, so I'm thinking she might have her puppies soon. Can you help?

-- Contributed by: Liz

hi, my my family&i think my chihuahua is pregnant. she has had all signs of pregnancy but the weirdest thing is she keeps humping everyone.. she hasnt done this before .why is she doing this?

Expert Reply

Hi Elle,

It's sounds as if your little Chi's hormones are raging out of control. Dogs react to the hormone flux in different ways. Some seem exhausted and others become quite amorous.

When the nuisance behavior begins, gently put her on the floor, and offer her a healthy snack to distract her. Eventually this phase will pass and she'll settle down again.

Best wishes for a healthy litter!

-- Contributed by: Elle

Hi we have a Rottweiler and we tryed to breed her about 8 weeks ago, we seen them "get together" but never sure if they "tied" or not. Ive seen alot about false pregnancy and Im not sure if she is pregnant or not. Her name is Madison and she shows all the signs of being pregnant, like the droopy nipples that are alot bigger than before, her temperment changed alot in the beginning, she really didnt like to be messed with. So just in case I have her a Whelping box, I actually used a kiddie pool. And she will sleep in it. Is there any way I can find out for sure if she is pregnant? Ive listened with a stethoscope to hear puppie heartbeats, still unsure... Thanks for any help you can offer!

Expert Reply

Hi Annette,

Your dog is getting very close to her due date, so if you're still not sure if she's pregnant you can ask your vet to perform an ultrasound. This is a great tool for detecting those single puppy litters that are harder to determine.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you wind up with a healthy litter.

-- Contributed by: Annette

my dog is not eating that much. my dog is small and shes ben geting biger by the stumic will she die becaue shes about 7mouths old

Expert Reply

Hi Megen,

There are certainly risks involved when a seven-month-old dog becomes pregnant, but in most cases the bitch does pull through the pregnancy.

The main harm comes when the resouces she has been growing on are now diverted to the production of the puppies.

It's not uncommon for a pregnant bitch to loose her appetite, but it's especially important that your young dog keeps eating. She has to provide for herself as much as she does the puppies.

I'd recommend offering her chicken or ground beef boiled with some brown rice. This should prove quite taste tempting to her, and it will deliver some much needed nutrition.

You have my best wishes that all goes well. I hope this reply will set your mind more at ease.

-- Contributed by: megen

Hi Bev,

First of all, let me express my sympathy at the loss of your pet. That has to be devastating.

As for your currently pregnant bitch, there probably won't be any particular problems with the whelping that you wouldn't have run into under normal circumstances. Purebred Chihuahuas are typically difficult whelpers and often require C-sections to complete the delivery. Just plan on being around for the birth so you can montior the situation and rush your bitch to the vet if she can't seem to push the pups out on her own.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a safe delivery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Fawn,

Chances are good that your dog is pregnant. Since this is day 22, you still have time to make an appointment to have your vet palpate her on the day 28 to confirm the litter.

If your dog is a small to medium breed, then there probably won't be a problem handling the pregnancy and delivery since your bitch will be about finished growing.

Larger breeds typically take 18-24 months to mature. If your bitch falls into this category then she'll put her resources into the pups rather than herself. This may mean she'll take longer to recover after the whelping, and also that you'll need to keep her from getting pregnant again for the next year to allow her time to recharge.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a healthy mom and litter.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi. I have a chipoo female who has been bred by my male chi. My concern is that I was trying to keep these particular two separate due to this female is smaller than my male. He was matched with champion bloodlines however, unfortunately, the day I moved, Babygirl, my other female chipoo, who was bred to him, passed away from an accident after she jumped from the car as I was unloading horses and ran straight to the street chasing a cat. She had never been outside before. So after the loss, it really changed my thinking as I am still "traumatized" by it and I was getting ready to spay and neuter my "loved chi's", but before I could, I found my other, smaller chipoo locked up with my male chi. The prob.....He weighs in about 3 pounds more than her. What are the chances she can carry them if he is a bit bigger than her?

-- Contributed by: Bev

I witnessed the breeding of our dog, or saw the tie they were stuck in. She was in heat at the time. Now her nipples are starting to enlarge, and the tissue under her nipples is bigger. today would be day 22. do you think she's pregnant? She is only 13 months and the bredding was accidental, could that be bad for her?

-- Contributed by: fawn

Hi Kim,

I have two questions to start, and then we'll go from there.

  • Has your bitch recently been in season that you know of?
  • Did you witness a breeding, or at least a male dog pestering her?

If you answer yes to at least one of those questions then there's a good chance that your dog is pregnant. As puppies grow in the uterus, they begin to crowd other organs, and this can lead to difficulty breathing normally. She's still eating and drinking normally, so this is a good sign that this probably isn't an illness.

All in all, I think you should take her in for a veterinary exam to confirm the pregnancy. This way you'll know how to prepare yourself for the coming event.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Juan Rosa,

It does sound as though your dog is expecting a litter. Your first course of action should be to take her to the vet for an exam to make sure everything is alright with mom and the pups. I also recommend that you make a nice place for her to have her puppies so she stops hiding under the bed. A nice low-sided box lined with newspapers and an old blanket usually serves quite well.

That should be enough advice to put you on the right track. Don't hesitate to check back with me if you have more specific questions. I'm happy to help.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a two year old minature daschound/teacup chawawa(?) I have noticed that her belly has become extremely tensed up, nipples have double in length, she looks to be widening somewhat from the chest area down to the rear... chances of being pregnant? I have never owned dogs growing up, so I am somewhat concerned with her right now. She wants to hide behind the couch, she is eating, but her breathing seems a bit rough.

-- Contributed by: kim

My dog looks pregnant, her stomach is big, and so are her teets. She also has started 2 become very lazy and she hid under the bed a lot, and also her appetite is increasing, so wat advice can u tell me.

-- Contributed by: Juan Rosa

Hi Ashley,

I've rarely been able to feel puppies move before the last two weeks of pregnancy. Puppies also seem to become particularly active about 48 hours before delivery, so my best advice is to keep a close eye on your bitch. She could deliver nearly any time over the next two weeks. Provide her with a low-sided box lined with newspapers. She'll begin tearing them up for a nest as she nears whelping time.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi James,

Well, it certainly sounds as if your bitch might really be pregnant this time. Tell me, did she spend unsupervised time during her season where a male could have had access to her? If so, your chances just went up.

Of course, if she's had false pregnancies before, then this could be another one, but my hunch is you're going to be playing with puppies before too long.

Best of luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Claire,

Yes, the signs and procedure for whelping are same between all breed, with just a few variations for breeds with exceptionally large heads.

Dogs typically deliver between 58 and 63 day, so you're in the "safe zone' if your Mini bitch is truly going into labor. However, I always feel better when pups get those few extra days to mature. Just keep an eye on her, and try to keep things quiet around the house.

Best wishes for a very healthy mom and litter!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Mandy,

I'd say there's a better than 50/50 chance your bitch is pregnant, but your vet will be able to confirm this for you.

Most of the time a pregnancy progresses normally, but sometimes the embryos will be reabsorbed if they aren't viable. A bitch can also develop an infection from the breeding, but this is usually rare. I wouldn't expect anything to go wrong, so try to relax and enjoy this wonderful experience.

If I were you, I'd make sure your bitch has plenty to eat, and add a little cottage cheese to her kibble if she'll eat it. Also make sure she gets mild exercise and plenty of rest when she wants it.

Thanks for your question and best wishes for a healthy litter!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i think my dog is pregnent i think i feel herpups move if it is and i can feel her pups how muych longer till she has them

-- Contributed by: ashlie

Hey,

I have a 2 year old beagle and she has been in heat a few times after each time she shows minor symptoms of being pregnant. This time her signs of pregnancy were more severe, so this is making me wonder if she is pregnant or not. I don't know if a male dog breed with her during her heat or not. The signs she is showing were decressed appitite(never seen before), she threw up about 3 times about 3 weeks ago(never done before), large nipples, milk lactating (never seen it before with her), gained about 3 or 4 pounds, larger stomach, she's been nesting (never done before) shes been more loving and teritorial at times(not usual from her) I want to know if she was pregnant or not. Please help me if you have any info. THANK YOU

-- Contributed by: James is she pregnant?

hello i,v had pups from my golden retriever bitch but i,m awaiting pups from my minature poodle x bitch shes quite small is it any different signs wise ?and its now her 58 day?and shes showing some sighns of labour.is this ok??thanks

-- Contributed by: claire

My dog mated with a male dog twice while she was in heat.She has all 4 symptoms listed in your early signs of detection. She has an extremely DEcreased appetite, major nipple growth (with breast material underneath the nipples that I have never noticed before), she's much more affectionate with us than she used to be, and she's had a major decrease in activitiy. What would you say the likelihood is that she's pregnant? Also, if she is pregnant, what are some things that could go wrong during delivery?

-- Contributed by: Mandy

Hi J'Drian,

No breeding is ever a sure thing, but there's a high chance she could have conceived. Your vet may be able to detect the embryos a day or two sooner, but most breeders swear by the day 28 rule.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Monique,

It's never too early to prepare for the birth of the puppies. I suggest you set up a low-sided box for your bitch now so she can get used to it before she whelps. You'll also want to have a box of clean towels on hand to help wipe puppies down if mom needs help.

As for narrowing down that due date, do you know when your dog was in season? Each heat cycle typically lasts three weeks, and most bitches are fertile during the second week. If you can figure out when this week was, count forward 63 days. This will give you a general idea of the week the pups will likely arrive.

Best wishes for a healthy litter.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thanks Kelly. So if the dogs were "locked", does that pretty much mean she is pregnant? I saw her breed on September 8 which should put her at 17 days. Does the vet have to see her on exactly the 28th day as long as it isn't after or is there a window there?

-- Contributed by: J'Drian

I have a pittbull dog and she is definitly pregnant.I can see the puppies moving around in her belly.I don't know when she conseved. But i do need to know when i should get prepared for this birth.

-- Contributed by: monique

Hi Kel,

Your bitch can probably handle a pregnancy at this point, even though it's not the ideal situation. Treat her as if she is pregnant for now, and you can have your vet check her later to confirm a pregnancy.

If you're feeding her a balanced diet now, try offering her a little more of it. You can boost the calcium a little by adding some fresh cottage cheese to her diet.

As long as she is getting enough nutrition the pups should be able to survive as well. Let your bitch set her own activity level rather than encouraging her into strenuous exercise.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi J'Drian,

Did you happen to mark down the date you saw her bred? She would be around 21 days gestation now, and you could have your vet palpate her uterus at 28 days to detect the embryos. After 28 days, the uterus enlarges and the pups can't be felt until they are large enough to begin moving.

As for feeding, if you are already feeding a balanced diet then just offer her a little more of it. You can also add a spoonful of cottage cheese on top of her food to provide a little extra calcium. Dogs really seem to love this.

Best wishes for a healthy mom and pups!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I think our male Kelpie has got to oyur female Kelpie. Is there a need for a particular diet change ie: Calcium just in case she may be pregnant. She has just turned 1 in the midst of it all & this is her first cycle. Is she to young to be having puppies. What are their chance of survival.

-- Contributed by: Kel

I have a female chihuahua who is a little over a year. Not ever having female dogs that weren't fixed before (I wanted to breed her eventually so I didn't have her spayed) I am a bit clueless about the whole dog pregnancy thing. Anyhow, I witnessed my dog in the mating process (locked together with another male dog) about 3 weeks ago. How certain is it that she is pregnant? How can I tell? Also is there anything special I need to add to her diet if she is pregnant?

-- Contributed by: J'Drian

Hi Ericka,

The milk could be a sign either way because bitches sometimes leak a little colostrum during pregnancy, but this can also happen with a false pregnancy too.

Yes, it's possible for that little Chihuahua rascal to have bred her if she allowed it. It might be worth it ask your neighbor if he's been neutered. The state of her abdomen depends on how advanced her pregnancy might be, as well as the number of pups. Smaller litters are harder to detect until later in the pregnancy.

Anyway, I hope that all goes well if she is pregnant, and if she isn't you might want to consider spaying ehr before she comes into season again if you don't intend to breed her.

Best wishes and thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Debbie,

It certainly sounds as if your bitch was not spayed, and was very possibly bred by your male. Time will tell, but you can also have your vet check her about 28 days from the day your dogs "eloped" together. And yes, an eight-month-old male is capapble of siring a litter.

The raw food and low grain kibble diet are perfectly fine to feed her even if she is pregnant. Continue to give her good nutrition, and let her eat a little more if she wants it.

Thanks for your questions, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a small pitbull mix. She tops out at 30 lbs. Well she went into her first cycle and she jumped out 6 foot fence to get out. There is a 6 lb chihuahua next door; I am not sure if he is fixed? Anywho, the only change is she eats like a pig.. and now we were sitting on the couch rubbing her belly and she started leaking a little out of her nipple (only 4 are puffy looking). I realize that her chances of being pregnant are a little high, but her stomach is not hard at all! Could leaking be a false sign?

-- Contributed by: Ericka

Hi, I have a year old Irish setter/lab mix bitch and a 8 month old cane corso mastiff male. I had noticed she was acting strange starting about 2 weeks ago. the lady we got her from had said she was pretty sure she was fixed, now wonder if she was just having hard time finding home as she had a aggressive Akita, so, I didn't worry. the last week or so she had ben acting strange and my male was always right with her but they are always like that. was taking my 2 cane corso's to the vet and something told me to take her in to hae them check. Well, when vet went to check her and took her fingers away from her vulva, there was a bit of bleeding so she was not fixed. about a week ago the 2 jumped the fence and were gone for about an hour. When we found them as always they were with each other. My husband thinks our male is to young to be able to get her pregnant. is that true? Also, have been keeping an eye on her and once knew put a diaper on but she seems to have stopped bleeding. Could that mean that she is pregnant or just did not bleed very much as there has been no other signs of her bleeding at all except when vet checked her. My 6 month old cane corso female the other day I noticed was sniffing at her mammary's. is that a pretty good sign that she did get pregnant? have never seen my pup do that before ever. Know will know soon but just wondering, as we do have all of our dogs on the raw diet on the high protein low grain kibble is that ok if she is indeed pregnant? Any answers would be a great

-- Contributed by: debbie

Hi Kahrin,

I need a little more information. You said your dog is leaking a yellow fluid from her "stomach". Do you mean from her vulva? If so, this wouldn't be considered normal for a pregnant bitch, and would likely be a sign of a uterine or urinary tract infection. If the fluid is actually leaking from one of the breasts that lie over the stomach region, then she might have an infection going on there.

Either way, it does sound like your dog needs to see a vet, so I believe you should make an appointment right away. Your vet will most likely prescribe an antibiotic for her.

Best wishes that all turns out well, and thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a pitbull her nipples are big but he stomach is still the same she is not eating as well so we just switched her food.She is leakin yellow stff from her stomach.she got out of our yard three weeks ago she was gone for about 3 hours.is that a symtom of Pregnacy?

-- Contributed by: Kahrin

Hi Brenda,

It does sound like there's a good chance she's pregnant, based on the changes in her breast tissue. Are you sure she was in season at the time she escaped? If so, your chances just sky rocketed.

Even though the possible suspects are all large dogs, one or more could have mated with her. Now her belly will get quite large in just a few more weeks, but there's no need to panic. It really depends on how many pups she may have inside her.

Your best course of action is to take her in to your vet now for an examination, and to have the pregnancy confirmed. You vet can give you some prenatal vitamins for her, and you can ask a lot of questions about what to do when delivery time comes.

I hope everything works out for the best, and thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Our Jack Russell got loose about 4 wks ago. We think she may be pregnant, but aren't totally sure. Her nipples are grossly englarged, & some release a small amt of white/clear fluid, when squeezed. Her abdominal area appears slightly enlarged at times & is usally soft. Her appetite has changed some, she does not beg for food as often & even appears to ignore it. Since she is a Jack, we do not expect her abdomen to become grossly enlarged, & we do not know what type of dog she may have mated with. All the males around us are large breeds such as Labs, Irish Setters & 2 large mixed breeds. What do you think her chances are of being pregnant?

-- Contributed by: Brenda

Hi Molly and Julia,

You questions are so very similar that I'll answer them together. If your dog mated numerous times during her heat cycle then there's an extremely high chance that she is pregnant. If it's only been about a week since the matings took place, then she's not likely to be showing any symptoms yet. Expect some breast tissue growth to begin in the next two to three weeks. It's usually a fairly good sign of pregnancy, but not a definite one. Your vet will be able to confirm your dog's pregnancy at about four weeks gestation.

In the mean time, make sure your dog is getting plenty of good nutrition. Some bitches go off their food a bit, others behave as though they are starving. Just try to make sure food is available when she's ready for it.

Thanks for your questions and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog was in heat soo wel tok her to our friends house and they ahve a dog they maited the holle time she was there she got fat but her nippils are small a littl hard but small and she still eats a evry day ??? is she pregnet?? thak you

-- Contributed by: julia

my dog was in heat and we droped her of at out friends house wehn we wehnt to florida and they have a do too they maited a lot every day and we think she mighnt be pregnet she is fatter but her boobs are small and she still eats every day?? its been mybye like a week sisns that happend ?? thanks you

-- Contributed by: molly

Hi Corren,

It does sound like she's pregnant. Did you witness a breeding?

Your next step is to take her to the vet to make sure all is well. Your vet may want to prescribe some prenatal vitamins to make sure the pups are getting everything they need. You should also get some sort of low-sided whelping box ready so she has time to get used to it.

If her pregnancy is very advanced you may be able to feel the pups move occasionally while your bitch is laying down. Gently lay your hand on her belly, but don't push or poke. The pups will become especially active the last week of pregnancy as they get into birthing position, then they will become quite quiet the last 48 hours or so before the actual birth.

This is a very exciting time, and I wish you both the best of luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I'm pretty sure my dog is pregnant, she's a Shi tzu Lhasa Apso. Her stomach is very swollen and her nipples are getting bigger. What are some more signs I can look for in this small breed of dog? Do you think she's pregnant?

-- Contributed by: corren

Hello Hope,

Dogs are pregnant an average of 63 days, so approximately 2 months. You'll find more useful info in our article on Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Stace,

Yes, a bitch can get pregnant on her first season. Since she is already a year old, things should go alright, barring any unforeseen complications.

If you happen to remember the exact date of the breeding, count 28 days forward, and this is the date you should have your vet palpate her to see if there are any pups. For now, go ahead and offer her extra food if she wants it, just to make sure she's getting all she needs to support a litter.

Thanks for your question and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly 
How many months are dogies pregna.. ?
-- Contributed by: Hope Johnson

Hi my question is: my dog just turned a year old and went through her first heat cycle. My male dog did mount her and I was wondering if a pregnancy can take on her first cycle or will she just abort them? Her belly is getting fuller looking and her back 2 nipples have drooped down and are saggie. Are these signs? This is a first time for me with a female and male dog. she is a rottie and bull mastiff mix. Can u please help? thanks

-- Contributed by: stace

Hi Donald,

If she was in season and spent any time alone with an intact male, then there's always a chance she may have been bred. She could also be exhibiting signs of a false pregnancy. I recommend scheduling an appointment with your vet for about a week and a half from now to have her palpated. Then you'll know for sure whether she's expecting.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My wife and I have a puppy that just finished her first heat cycle. We kept our puppy in doors except to go to the bathroom in which we would be right there by her. There was one or two occasions when the dog was not supervised and was on a running leash were other dogs could get to her. She has been off her heat cycle now for two weeks and her nipples have gotten bigger and my wife says that her stomach has gotten firmer and she is wondering if our dog may be pregnant or not?

-- Contributed by: Donald

Hi Gabi,

Yes, the breast tissue beneath the nipples does start to grow in preparation for milk production later on. I usually notice a difference between two and three weeks after a breeding has taken place.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hey! i wanted to know if when shes pregnant does the little part under her nipples start to grow or enlarge a bit?

-- Contributed by: gabi gomez

Hi Chandra,

The temperature may take a day or so to return to normal as long as there are no complications or infections. When you take your bitch in to the vet after delivery, he/she will palpate the uterus to check for remaining pups and placentas. Your dog's temperature will also be taken, and she'll probably be put on an antibiotic as a precautionary measure. This should also help her temperature to return to normal if it hasn't already.

In my personal experience, none of my bitches have ever held a grudge toward me when it was time for the pups to go to their new homes. They all actually sought the personal attention they weren't receiving as much while they were busy with their pups.

I think you'll find the same case with your own bitch. If she seems a little moody, treat her to a walk, some play or a nice biscuit. All of these things will help take her mind off the pups. You can also try washing her bedding to remove any lingering scents from the puppies.

Thank you for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello! I'm wondering about tempermant changes in dogs after they have given birth and then as we would be giving away her puppies. Is there any feelings of hurt or resentment from her to us? Or will she return to being the same happy go lucky dog she was pre pregnancy? Thanks, Chandra

-- Contributed by: Chandra

Hi Kimberly,

That's a great question, and I wish I could give you some direction, but my searches have come up empty. I personally found a week by week guide to human pregnancy very helpful when I was pregnant, and it would be really neat to have a reference on changes in the pregnant bitch and fetal development. Maybe someday a veterinarian will write "What to Expect When Your Dog is Expecting". I'd buy the first copy!

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Can you tell me of some websites to go to where I can see or read about the different stages of pregnancy.. Like week to week stages of a dogs pregnancy.. We have a pair of mini Chihuahua's that are expecting thier first and ONLY litter.. And I would like to know what my girl is going threw with her pregnancy..

Thanks, Kimberly and Itty Bitty ( my female Chihuahua)

-- Contributed by: Kimberly

Hi Sandeep,

Some bitches do experience a certain amount of nausea during the early stage of pregnancy. However I'd never give any dog human medication or injections without first running it past your vet to make sure the medicine is safe for canines and the proper dose to give. You always want to make sure you're not doing more harm than good.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

does female dogs vomits in their pregnancy period and is it normal. Is it safe to give human vaccines to dogs for normal problems like illness, nausea

-- Contributed by: sandeep

Hi Dawn,

It's nice to get a tie, but it doesn't guarantee pregnancy. I've seen bitches become pregnant with an outside tie as well.

Yes, there's a possibility that he tied her overnight. I'd recommend doing at least one more breeding to try to ensure that she's fertilized, however, I believe that breedings are best done under supervision. There's always a possibility that the bitch will try to pull away from the tie, and then one or both dogs could become injured. Hopefully this isn't what you heard last night. If they both seem okay today, give it one more try.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy litter.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi this is the second time I have tried to breed my 2and half year old boxer bitch. The dog was very keen to mount but did not see a tie then on advice the dog stayed over night in the kitchen with my bitch i heard a pig like yelp do you think this could of been them creating atie and do they have to lock for her to fall pregnant

-- Contributed by: DAWN

Hi Jo,

Although it's not the optimum time for Daisy to take on a pregnancy, there's a good chance she's going to be alright. Even a two-year-old bitch could run into trouble and need a C-section.

I recommend you ask your vet to examine her, and get his/her professional opinion whether Daisy is healthy enough to support a pregnancy. If you get the go ahead to let her have the litter, I would definitely not breed her again for another year. This will give her a good amount of time to recover.

Also make sure she gets plenty of high quality food to eat so she has enough to support herself as well as the pups.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi there,

I have 2 Bichon Frise that are 11 months old. We done everyting we could to prevent them from mating whilst in season. Canine pants, keeping a close eyes, seperate crates/kennels. Daisy is around 9Llbs and caine just over a stone in weight. We think daisy maybe pregnant, as she is showing signs. Firstly, will it damage her in any way being pregnant at an early age and will she be able to give birth to caines puupies seen as he is twice her size. wouls she need a cesarean? We desperatley didn't want her to have puppies until she was about 2yrs old, but now we think she may be pregnant we don't know if we could actually get rid of them. please help we are desperate for advice. the most important thing to us is Daisy.

Many thanks

-- Contributed by: Jo Darling

Hi Olivia,

This is definitely something you should speak with your vet about. The average birth size of puppies can vary greatly between breeds. Some breeds also whelp more easily than others, so this could also complicate matters. I believe your vet can best help you assess the situation and advise you whether or not to let the pregnancies continue. You might also want to discuss the option of having both of your girls spayed to prevent future pregnancies.

My best wishes for a happy outcome.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Please help! I think both of my small dogs (appx. 12 lbs. each) have been bred by a larger dog (appx. 30-40 lbs.). They are showing signs of pregnancy and I am concerned that the puppies will be too big for them to carry and/or deliver safely. Any advice??

-- Contributed by: Olivia

these tips are helpful. thanks

-- Contributed by: tonya

Hi Shonda,

It does sound like she's feeling ready. If her vulva has softened up enough to allow your male entry, then let him give it a try. Your female will send down a number of eggs over several days, and the sperm can generally survive up to five days after the initial mating. This increases the chance of fertilization.

I recommend that you be present for the mating to make sure neither dog gets hurt. A maiden bitch will sometimes try to pull away from the male once they are tied, and you need to keep both dogs calm until the tie is over.

Best of luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Rosalyn,

Was your Dachshund recently in season, and did you witness Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding mating behavior between the two of them? If so, then she is likely having a false pregnancy. She'll go through some of the symptoms, such as changes in her breast tissue, a little bloating in her abdomen and mood changes. Then it will all simply fade away in a few weeks.

Do you allow her to exercise in the yard without your supervision? If so, there could be a possibility that another male caught her without you knowing about it. This happens more often than people realize.

It wouldn't hurt to have your vet check her out so you know exactly what you're dealing with, but chances are good that it's just a false pregnancy.

Thanks for your question~~ Kelly

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi I have 2 akitas and i am trying to have a litter but I am unsure how to tell when my female at the proper time in her cycle to conceive she is being receptive to my male and showing her self and letting him mount is she ready

-- Contributed by: Shonda

Hi I have a female dashund who i think might be expecting but im not sure her nipples are saggy and hard. But what I cant explain is that the only male she has been around is my jack russell and he was spayed. So i dont know what else to do.I witness them together but i dontknow if she is pregnant or no.

-- Contributed by: Rosalyn

Hi Seirra,

I cannot tell you with any degree of certainty if your dog is pregnant, but was she in season recently? Did you witness a breeding? If so, then there's a chance she could be pregnant. I've also seen one of my own dogs go through the same behavior after a season without having been bred. She had a "false pregnancy", but returned to normal.

You can have your vet palpate her on the 28th day after her season ended to see if she's pregnant.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hey, My name is Sierra and I have a 2 1/2 year old boston terrier. Me and my friend noticed that she has been producing very small amounts of milk. She has been active, and we've also noticed that she has lost some weight. And been sleeping a little more than she usually does. We have no idea if she's pregnant but according to this site, the results seem to be that she is.... Could you please clarify this with me?

-- Contributed by: Sierra

Hi Bob,

Yes, a bitch's vulva does look somewhat swollen during pregnancy, especially near the end when she's close to delivering.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Michelle,

Do you know if your dog went through a heat cycle? If you keep her outside all of the time it could have come and gone without your notice. Is your yard acessible to other dogs? If it is and she did have a season then she could be pregnant. I recommend you take her to your vet to be examined for a pregnancy. Then you'll know for sure, and what further steps you may need to take to care for her during this time.

As for whether to keep her indoors or out, I highly recommend keeping her indoors the majority of the time. I'm a firm believer that pets should live with us as much as possible, but be given plenty of outdoor exercise to keep them healthy. Since it's summer, you don't want to chance your dog becoming overheated, and you certainly wouldn't want to risk letting her have a litter outside unattended.

I hope everything works out for the best.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I don't know if this is true but my dog is over a year old and while I was looking at the signs of dog pregnancy, it seems that she is pregnant. My mother and I were really suspicious because I remember our dog used to be a really big eater and always loved to run around but now it seems like she is now just really down and sleeps alot. She has gotten a lot bigger plus her nipples are a little larger. But there isn't milk coming out yet. I just still need more advice on what to do. Also should she stay inside or outside during her pregnancy?

-- Contributed by: Michelle

Hi, i was wondering, when your dog is pregnant does they're backside look swollen?

-- Contributed by: Bob

Hi Mary,

Nine-months-old is certainly not the ideal time for a bitch to go through a pregnancy, but it has been known to happen. I have no idea which breed(s) we're talking about, but if you give her good care she will probably make it through alright. She will actually be eleven months old by the time she whelps.

It you want to prevent her from whelping, you vet can administer a hormone shot to make her abort the pups if she's not too far along in the pregnancy. It's worth discussing with your vet.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Chelsea,

Most vets can palpate the uterus to feel the pea-sized embryos at 28 days, but pups can be tucked relatively high up in the horns. It definitely sounds like she's going through some hormonal changes, so don't completely lose hope.

If she were my dog, I provide her with nutritious food, prenatal vitamins and treat her as if she is pregnant. If she doesn't produce a litter you still haven't done any damage. If she does, you'll have given her what she needed to nourish the pups. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Chrissy,

If she spent unsupervised time with a male dog while she was in heat, then there's a very good chance she is pregnant. Sometimes a bitch carries her pups up high under the rib cage and they don't move back into the abdominal area until near the end of the pregnancy.

I advise you to treat her as if she is pregnant and have her checked out by your vet.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is only 9 months old and just got finished with her first time being in heat. She is showing signs of pregnancy with her laziness, nipple growth, and decrease in appetite. I am concerned that my other dog has gotten her pregnant, when she may not be ready to give birth.

-- Contributed by: Mary

I have a very large french mastiff bitch that was bred July 2nd, surgically. We took her in for an ultrasound on day 28 (Monday) and they said they could not find anything yet...he was looking way down in her groin area, and I thought they should possibly have looked a little higher. My females rib cage has definatly widened, she seems depressed, she won't eat in the morning, and is picky about what she will eat. Also, her tits are growing pink and large. This is this females 5th heat, and I have never seen this. Do you think they couldn have missed seeing pups on the ultrasound?

Chelsea

-- Contributed by: Chelsea

Hi. My jack russel Jewel was bred I believe with a chihuahua I believe. Im not really sure when or how many times but I know that she just went through her first cycle..Her nipples got a decent bit bigger than they were and the lower ones are beginning to sag a little but there is no discharge. She's had a slight change of behavior. She now licks people constantly and also licks at the air a lot. She doesn't really look much bigger at the waist but does more toward the rib area and struggles trying to reach her back and scratching her belly. Do you think she may be pregnant? Thanks.

-- Contributed by: Chrissy

Hi Daisy,

I don't think I can tell you that she's definitely pregnant, but I think it would be wise to go ahead and treat as if she is. You never know, she may have just a single pup tucked up high in one of the uterine horns. She may also be going through some small changes if she's having a false pregnancy. The third possibility could be that she reabsorbed the embryos.

For now, watch that discharge. You say it's clear now, but if you smell a bad odor, and/or the mucous begins to change color to a yellowish-green, then you will need to take her to the vet.

I hope everything works out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi! My chihuahua dog bred on June 12, 2007. It was only once. She gained some weight since then (from 3.5 lbs to 4 lbs). Her nipples are hard but her abdomen is quite normal in size and not that hard. She has beeing acting almost like usual but the only difference is that she is discharging some clear jelly like fluid. Please can you tell me if she may be pregnant or not. Thanks.

-- Contributed by: Daisy

You need to count forward from the actual breeding date to determine how many days gestation she is at. The temp drop needs to stay down for two consecutive readings taken 12 hours apart. If she's beyond 58 days gestation, and her temperature is still down at the next reading, you should have pups in about a day. The vomitting may be another sign labor is imminent, so get her whelping box ready and keep an eye on her.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Yes my dog has already bred.today (july 13,2007) my dad and i took the dogs temperature and it was 97.7, she just vomitted twice today,the puppies move everyday

-- Contributed by: rhonda

Let me make sure I understand you. Has she been bred?

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi my dog is a tea cup yorkie and her temperaturehas been between 98.4-99.5 for almost 4 days. yesterday her temperature was 100.5 now today her temperature is 98.5, could you tell me what might be going on

-- Contributed by: rhonda

Hi Celine,

Those really could be signs she is pregnant, especially if you witnessed a breeding. I'd make an appointment with your vet to confirm. Typically, you won't feel pups moving until the end of the pregnancy.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

what if my dog's nipples are getting bigger and pinker they look like they are sore she is pregnant right?also at what week do the babies start kicking at? and also her abdomen is enlarging.

-- Contributed by: celine

Hi Avalon,

Not sure what you're trying to say. Read what you wrote and then give it another try.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi there, if my dog is sluggy around the place and not eating, she just lined with another dog. this has never happened before during her previous litters.

-- Contributed by: avalon walker-glasgow

Hi Lissa,

Did you actually witness your dog get bred? If not, there's a chance she's only going through a false pregnancy, and she'll be back to normal in a month or so. Check back with me at Ask the Dog Expert if it turns out she actually is pregnant.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog's nipples are swollen and she just stopped her bleeding from being in heat. She also doesn't eat as much. Should I be worried? I'm only 13 and never expirienced a whelping.

-- Contributed by: lissa

Hi Aubree,

The temperature drop needs to remain steady for two readings taken 12 hours apart before you can expect imminent labor. Your dog sounds like she's getting close, so just be patient.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Cheryl,

If she was bred three weeks ago, then you can have your vet palpate her in one more week to try to confirm a pregnancy. Your vet should also be able to provide you with further instructions on how to care for your dog during this time.

Also check out our article on Dog Pregnancy. I think it will give you a good overview of what to expect.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I Have a Dog Who Is Due ANY Day now.. and her temp has droped to 99 but goes back up to 100 and then back to 99 and has been doing it for the last couple days she is showing no signs of labor, she has mucus coming out of her and she has a really heard belly a little milk and soft stool but nothing else and she still wants to play but does not like the other dogs.. is this normal???

-- Contributed by: Aubree

Hi my dog was breed about three weeks on monday as she happened to be playing with the same dogs as she does and it happened without anything being able to be done.Since then she has been going on funny more loving and wants to be near me all the time.She dont really play around anymore just lays down,her tits have grown abit and her ribs have expanded abit too.I dont have a clue about dogs and need help on what to do.Do i take her to the vets now or wait till when.HELP!!!!!!!

-- Contributed by: cheryl

I think it's certainly worth checking with your vet, just to be sure. Some of the changes you're seeing could also be related to hormone fluctuations from her recent heat cycle. At one and a half weeks pregnant, I wouldn't expect to see her belly expanding just yet, but I usually notice breast development beneath the nipples around two weeks gestation. Your vet should be able to tell you if your bitch is actually pregnant or just having a false pregnancy.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a female Koolie who came off heat about 1.5 weeks ago. She lives outside, and our neighbour came over about two weeks ago and said his un-neutered male dog had escaped out of the house and ran onto our property. We couldn't find the dog, but my Koolie is now acting differently. I've bred and shown dogs since I was little, but had always bred them as a planned event. My Koolie however, isnt eating as much, and has a little pot belly. Her nipples, which were nearly non existent, are about one centermetre long now. She's also a bit more cuddly.

I have a feeling she is prengant, but I just wanted other peoples thoughts? We will be taking a trip to the vet in two weeks for further checking.

-- Contributed by: Aimee

Count 63 days from the date of the first breeding, and 63 days from the last breeding. This will give you a window for the possible birth time.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog was in heat around May six. She was bred approximately ten times, and is now pregnant. I want to know when she will be in labor?

Thanks,

Onelia

-- Contributed by: onelia

Hi Susan,

You'll find my reply to your question at Ask the Dog Expert.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i thought my dog might be pregnant. her and my male were together, i thought she wasn't in heat. Her appetite had dropped, sleeps alot and its been 8 weeks and her nipples had crust like a leakage, but she doesn;t seem much fatter - is she pregnant????

-- Contributed by: susan

Hi Andrea,

Some bitches never go off their food, just as some women never experience any degree of morning sickness, so she could be pregnant. if you know the date she was bred, you could ask your vet to palpate her at 28 days to confirm the pregnancy.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog has all the early signs of pregnancy except the decrease in appetite. Does this still mean she could be pregnant?

-- Contributed by: Andrea

Hello Llinos,

You'll find a reply to your question at Ask the Dog Expert.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Joshua,

You'll find a reply to your question at Ask the Dog Expert.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, i have a jack russell bitch who is currently in season. she started to bleed around the 28th of may and has now stopped bleeding, but she is still swollen. On 12 june (14 days into her cycle)I let her out up to the local fields on her own, she returned after a while but was panting and looked like she had a big grin (seriously)on her face and started liking herself. I am now scared that she may have mated and i dont want pups this time. She has mated before but didn`t catch and the last time would not accept a dog after 10 days in to her season. Help . Some advice please

-- Contributed by: Llinos

hello i have question, i think my chihuaua i think thats how you spell it anyway might be pregnant but im not sure her stomach has gotten kind of big im pretty sure she doesnt eat that much she's been really lazy her nipple's have grown like little lumps and now her stomach is really hard and when i squeezed it today she cried can you help me on this one?

-- Contributed by: joshua geese
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