How to Tell if Your Dog is Pregnant
The idea of having a pregnant dog around will surely be a delight for pet owners. This is a sign for a welcoming preparation for the additional member of the family. But how will you actually conclude that your dog is pregnant? Here are some ways, guidelines and possible signs and symptoms during pregnancy that will surely be helpful in answering your concerns.
When you have a pregnant dog, there are certain signs that may seem to be more obvious. Others may seem to be subtle. Usually, a dog’s pregnancy lasts for 9 weeks or 63 days on the average. First pregnancy sign to observe is the absence or the shortening of a female dog’s heat cycle. Once fertilized, a bitch’s heat cycle stops then and there. Afterwards, for the first 2 to 3 weeks, the dog experiences nausea and vomiting episodes. This may be compared to a human’s motherhood sign of early morning sickness. This may then affect the eating condition of your pet. They may tend to eat less. At times, they might as well not even touch their food at all. But this depressed appetite condition is only temporary as it will eventually improve in the later stages of pregnancy. So don’t alarm yourself when you encounter this situation. Your pet will eventually regain its appetite and weight as pregnancy evolves. A pregnant dog may also experience less drive in performing physical activities like running and jumping around. During this time, they may rather prefer to sleep or take long resting time. On the other hand, physical changes also happen. You can observe swollen nipples in a pregnant dog. From having a flatter set of nipples, a plump set of them develops. They will also seem to be rosier in the earlier stages of pregnancy. The swelling of nipples is necessary as the dog’s physiological preparation for its milk production stage. Breast will be larger and more swollen as the date of delivery comes closer.
Furthermore, observing behavioral changes may also be helpful in telling if your dog is pregnant. A pregnant dog tends to be more affectionate and clingy to its master as gestation evolves. You may see your pet staying next to you, exhibiting gestures to get your attention. But this behavior may turn over as the delivery nears. Your pet may prefer to be left alone. You can observe it hiding and eventually seeking for a potential place or nest for the birth of her puppies. Commonly, you can find them by or under some furniture and closets.
Other than these changes, one specific sign is the enlargement of your pet’s abdomen. With the increase in size of the dog’s abdomen, you can also feel and experience the movements of puppies for as early as 7 or 8 weeks after its fertilization. The puppies’ movements happen in response to their need to position themselves in preparation for their delivery. Leaking milk from a pregnant dog’s nipples may also be a positive indication that your dog is pregnant. Having this information, you will be guided on how you can easily determine if your dog is pregnant. This also aids in helping owners to be more responsible for their pets’ health. So, are you excited for your dog’s delivery and her puppies?
