Instructions
Watch for signs of sudden weight gain in the span of a couple of weeks. The gestation period of dogs is only nine weeks so you might see a difference in the first few weeks.
Take the dog to your vet. She needs to be examined by a trained veterinarian who can determine pregnancy. The vet will feel the dog's abdomen looking for uterine swelling and firm lumps near the placenta. These can usually be felt 20 to 30 days into the pregnancy.
Have an ultrasound performed to hear the fetal heartbeats for extra confirmation if you are still unsure or the vet would like to get a second confirmation.
Get a blood test done at 28 to 30 days to confirm the pregnancy. A trained veterinarian is needed to perform this test and read the results. The test will show whether the hormone relaxin is present. Relaxin is only present in pregnant dogs.
Look for enlarged mammary glands around day 35 to 45. This is one physical change that is very noticeable.
Schedule X-rays after 45 days to see the number of pups your dog is carrying.
How to Confirm Pregnancy in Dogs
If you're breeding dogs or begin to suspect that your dog is pregnant, you'll want to know as soon as possible so you can make the proper arrangements and get her the necessary care. Unlike humans, it isn't yet possible to determine pregnancy early on with a simple urine or blood test. To be absolutely sure that your dog is pregnant, you need to take her to a professional.