What are the Pregnancy Signs for Dogs?

Pet experts generally recommend that dogs be spayed immediately upon purchase/receipt. But if you haven't gotten around to it yet, or if you're trying to breed your dog, here are some signs that your bitch may be pregnant.

Often, the first changes you can observe in your dog will be mood differences. The prime example of these changes will be the development of fussier eating habits. Sometimes, the dog will prefer to eat at different times; often, early in the pregnancy, she will show decreased appetite. Your bitch may also demonstrate increased affection toward you. On the other hand, some dogs exhibit more aggressive behavior or desire more isolation. In either case, the change can indicate a possible pregnancy.

Behavioral changes are the flip side of the mood-change coin. Bitches in the early stages of pregnancy are often lethargic, and sometimes display symptoms of morning sickness similar to humans' symptoms, including vomiting. Some owners have also noted that pregnant bitches sometimes begin to scratch or dig more regularly or more enthusiastically.

The first physiological sign, obviously, is that the dog will begin to gain weight. This usually becomes evident near the middle of the pregnancy, as the dog's appetite increases. Her swollen abdomen will become more obvious. (It happens earlier for smaller dogs.) The other tell-tale sign is nipple growth: The nipples become larger and pinker, and stand out more prominently. The dog will often urinate more frequently, since her bladder has less room to expand.

Late in the pregnancy, there are a few surefire ways to tell your dog is pregnant. First, you can sometimes see the puppies squirming within her uterus--small lumps rolling along her lower flank as they wrestle and jostle inside her. There is usually also a mucous vaginal discharge that is very thick and clear in color, and sometimes tainted with pink.

The most reliable way to determine if your dog is pregnant is to see the vet. Although it can be expensive, it's a safer bet than taking a guess and evaluating the symptoms yourself. And even if you're certain your dog is pregnant, your vet can tell you if there are any problems. There are also some pregnancy tests available for purchase.