Fetal Movement in Dogs

Fetal movement in a dog is an exciting sign that their pregnancy is advancing safely and that the puppies are progressing. If you are breeding your dog for the first time, you may be anxious to know everything is progressing correctly. An ultrasound is a quick way to set yourself at ease. To feel the movements yourself, you may have to wait a month or longer.

  1. Canine Pregnancy

    • Female dogs go into heat an average of twice a year, or every six to nine months. If your dog is impregnated in her heat cycle, she will start showing signs in a week or two. Canines are pregnant for almost nine weeks, or 61 days. Signs that your dog may be pregnant include an initial loss of appetite. She will exhibit signs of fatigue and she may be less inclined to play and be active. Her nipples also will grow as her breasts develop for birth. After about a month, her appetite will return and increase, she will gain weight and her abdomen will feel thick and firm.

    Ultrasound

    • An ultrasound can pick up fetal movement as early as 18 to 20 days into the pregnancy. The gestational sacs will be evident. The fetal heartbeat will also establish fetal viability. The ultrasound can also tell you how many puppies your dog will have.

    Manual

    • Between the 21st and 31st day of your dog's pregnancy, you should be able to feel the gestational sacs located in the uterus. They will feel like walnuts. After day 50, you will be able to feel fetal movements if you place your hand at her abdomen where it is swollen and firm.

    False Pregnancy

    • Occasionally, a dog will develop signs of pregnancy when none exists. This includes milk production, nesting and mood shifts. The symptoms can happen to a dog who is in heat or not. The treatment for a false pregnancy is to simply wait it out. Your dog should recover on her own. About 10 percent of dogs do not recover psychologically and treatment is administered to get them back to full health.