How to Tell If Your Dog Is Pregnant: 10 Early Signs
Most dog owners suspect pregnancy before they can prove it. A dog is pregnant for only about 63 days, so early signs matter, because by the time her belly is obvious, you are already halfway through. Here are the 10 signs to watch for, in the order they usually appear, and when to get a vet test for a clear answer.
1. A missed heat cycle, and no return to heat
If she was mated and does not come back into heat about 3 weeks later, pregnancy is likely. This alone does not prove it, because some dogs have silent heats, but it is the first clue most owners notice.
2. Tiredness and a calmer mood
Many pregnant dogs sleep more and play less in the first 2 to 3 weeks. She may follow you around more, or want to be left alone. A big change in energy, on its own, can also mean illness, so watch it with the other signs, not alone.
3. Morning sickness and going off food
Around week 3, some dogs eat less, vomit once in a while, or turn away from food they normally love. This usually passes in a few days. If vomiting is frequent, or she stops drinking, call your vet.
4. Nipples turning pink and enlarging
Around week 3 to 4, the nipples often turn pinker and larger. This is called pinking up, and it is one of the most reliable early visual signs, especially in a first pregnancy.
5. A firmer belly, felt only by a vet
Do not press her belly yourself to check. A vet can feel the uterus from about day 21, gently and safely. Pressing at home can hurt the embryos and tells you nothing reliable.
6. A growing belly from week 5
From about week 5, her belly starts to show, and her waist thickens. In a small litter, or a large dog, this can be late and subtle, so a flat belly does not rule pregnancy out.
7. A bigger appetite in late pregnancy
From week 5 onward, appetite usually rises, and she may ask for food more often. Feed smaller, more frequent meals, and switch to puppy food by week 6, as your vet advises.
8. Nesting behaviour
In the last 2 weeks, many dogs start nesting. They dig at bedding, carry toys to a quiet spot, or try to make a den in a cupboard. This is a good time to set up the whelping box, if you have not already.
9. Milk at the nipples
Milk may appear in the last days before whelping, sometimes earlier. Squeezing the nipples to check can introduce infection, so just observe, do not test by hand.
10. A temperature drop before whelping
Rectal temperature usually drops below 37.2 C, which is 99 F, within 24 hours of labour. Check twice a day from day 56, with the same thermometer each time, for a fair comparison.
When to get a vet test
For a clear answer, book an ultrasound from day 25 to 28, or a relaxin blood test from day 28. An X-ray from day 45 counts the puppies, which tells you when whelping is finished. If you know the mating date, a pregnancy calculator gives you the due date, the 58 to 68 day window, and dated reminders for the scan, the X-ray, and the whelping box, so you are not guessing.
Disclaimer: This guide is for planning only and is not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog at any stage, contact your vet promptly.