The First Signs Your Dog May Be Pregnant

You can try talking to your dog about the birds and the bees, but it’s unlikely they will understand. It’s up to you to be aware that a non-spayed female dog runs the risk of having babies. You may keep her inside most of the time, away from other dogs, but nature miraculously finds a way. In the early stages, it can be hard to tell, but there are several noticeable signs that your precious pup is expecting a litter.

First things first, though: let’s discuss the basics: Dogs can’t get pregnant all the time like other species. A non-spayed female dog’s “heat season” activates between 6 and 36 months of age. During that fertile period, female dogs can get pregnant around twice a year with each “heat season” lasting three weeks. Furthermore, a pregnant dog’s gestation period lasts between 56-70 days, and puppies typically arrive around day 63. Now, if you’re worried your dog might be pregnant, let’s explore several significant symptoms that should give you a hint.

Dwindling Energy

Starting around week two of pregnancy, a female dog will show increased lethargy and weariness. Activities she used to enjoy like playing fetch or keep-away will fail to hold her interest. She will also probably take more naps than usual. That’s because pregnancy puts stress on a female dog’s body. It changes her hormones, and by proxy, her energy levels.

Appetite Shifts

A sudden shift in your girl’s appetite in either direction is one clue. An increased appetite means she is probably storing energy for more than one “mouth,” so to speak. A decreased appetite suggests she’s nauseous. This is common during the first few weeks of pregnancy. A lack of interest in food also occurs in the days leading up to giving birth.

Nipple Changes

Changes in a female dog’s nipples should be an obvious sign of pregnancy. Within two weeks of conception, a female dog’s teets will get bigger and pinker. This is most obvious with the nipples closest to her hind legs.

Belly Growth/Weight Gain

Another typical sign of pregnancy in female dogs is weight gain in the belly. Puppies need space to grow, and the female dog’s belly grows to accommodate them. By the second or third week of pregnancy, a dog’s belly will look firmer and more round. Toward the end of her pregnancy, you should be able to feel the puppies in her stomach from the outside.

Behavior

A pregnant dog’s behavior may start to change depending on their personality. This commences several days after conception. Some pregnant dogs become more attached and clingy. Other pups will grow irritable and want to be left alone. As the birth looms, she will probably engage in nesting behavior like setting up a spot for her puppies to be born. Most pregnant pups become irritable during the final days of her pregnancy, which is totally normal.

If you notice any of these pregnancy symptoms in your dog, contact your veterinarian and take her in for a check-up.