It's not typically simple or clear to tell when your dog might be pregnant or whelping (a specific term for dogs birthing). She won’t be “late” and you can’t just purchase a home pregnancy kit from the neighborhood drugstore for her. Besides, it would be a pretty difficult task to get her to pee on a stick. The clearest way to find out if you’ll have newborn puppies in your home before long is to take a drive down to your veterinarian’s office. A basic blood test and X-ray is all that she’ll require. But if your female dog is not spayed and you think that she may be pregnant, there are some signs and symptoms that you can look for on your own.
Is she acting any differently? Has her mood changed?
If your dog is naturally on the go but no longer has much energy, that’s one sign she may be pregnant.
She may also become more aggressive about her territory.
Watch for vaginal discharge, this is a common symptom of pregnancy.
Watch for changes in your dog’s eating program. Is she eating on a normal basis? If she has a decreased appetite or isn’t showing as much joy and attention to her food as she normally does, she could be having morning sickness.
A female dog’s nipples will become engorged while preparing for nursing her pups.
Watch your dog’s stomach to see if it looks blown up or swollen. This happens half way through the pregnancy. You may even be able to gently touch for the puppies also.
Your dog may not want to be around people or animals as much as she used to, but she wants her own space throughout this time.
Your dog might begin “nesting,” or getting equipped for the delivery and care of the puppies. She may scuff and scratch at the floor or the blankets as if to fluff them.
How to prevent symptoms for dogs pregnancy:
If your dog isn’t presently pregnant, and you don’t want puppies in the future, there is a straight forward, clear-cut answer. As Bob Barker often said, “Have your pet spayed or neutered.” Mobile pet clinics are making this more reasonably priced and easily accessed all the time. If you are looking to get your dog pregnant, educate yourself on dog heat cycles.
If you desire for your dog to give birth in your home you will want to help make her stress-free and comfortable. Provide her with some older blankets in a peaceful, quiet area. You may want to have plenty of newspaper close at hand as well. Dogs in general prefer dark and quiet places to birth, which is most likely why most dog births happen during the night. The labor can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. To prevent any unnecessary dog pregnancy issues, make sure she is getting a healthy diet, including ample vitamins and minerals. This will ensure she has an abundance of energy for this process.
Find Out If Your Dog Could Be Pregnant