How Soon Can You Tell If Your Dog Is Pregnant?

You might be suspicious that your dog is pregnant, but are not sure how soon you will be able to tell. While you cannot run out and buy a home pregnancy test for your dog, there are specific symptoms that you can look out for to help determine whether or not your dog is pregnant.

  1. Gestational Period

    • The length of a dog's pregnancy is incredibly short in comparison to a human's pregnancy. Dogs are only pregnant for approximately nine weeks. It is likely that you will not notice any symptoms in your dog until the pregnancy is a few weeks along, which will make the pregnancy seem even shorter.

    Symptoms and Detection

    • The earliest symptoms that may be noticeable in your dog can occur about 14 to 15 weeks into the pregnancy. The dog's nipples may appear larger or slightly darker. Several days later, the fur around her nipples will start to thin out.

      Between weeks three and four--or 21 to 28 days into the pregnancy--the dog may display signs of nausea and may have less of an appetite. This is similar to the morning sickness that pregnant women often encounter. Vomiting is rare in pregnant dogs, however.

      Around the fourth and fifth weeks, a vaginal discharge that is full of clear mucous may be visible. At this time, a heartbeat should be present and may be detected through an ultrasound. This is a good time to have your dog's veterinarian confirm the pregnancy. While a blood test is possible and can check hormone levels, the test is not always accurate or practical, and false positives are common, especially in small litters. Luckily, at this point in the pregnancy the veterinary can feel your dog's abdomen and is likely to be able to feel the tiny puppies. Ultrasounds and X-rays can help with the confirmation.

    Precautions

    • Make sure your dog is getting veterinary care if you think she might be pregnant. It will be important to feed your dog properly and take good care of her in order to ensure that she and the puppies stay healthy. Gentle, moderate exercise, such as walking, is good for a pregnant dog. Your dog will need plenty of protein, and in the final five weeks will need to eat more than before; make sure you work closely with your veterinarian to make sure your dog gets the right amount and types of food. Provide fresh, clean water. Talk to your vet about how to prepare for the delivery and how to care for your dog's future puppies.