Could My Pooch Be Pregnant?

How can you tell when your dog could be pregnant or whelping (a dog-specific term for birthing)? It's typically not simple or evident. She won't be "late" and you can't just buy a home pregnancy kit from the neighborhood drugstore for her. Besides, it would be a moderately difficult task to get her to pee on a stick. The surest 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 suppose that she may be pregnant, there are some signs and symptoms that you can watch for on your own.

Watch for vaginal discharge, this is a common symptom of pregnancy.

Is she behaving any differently? Has her mood changed? If your dog is naturally on the go but no longer has a lot of energy, that's one indication she may be pregnant. If she is having a hard time getting peaceful or resting, this can be a clue. She may also become more aggressive about her territory.

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 part of the way through the pregnancy. You may even be able to gently touch for the puppies also.

Watch for changes in your dog's eating program. Is she eating on a usual basis? If she has a decreased appetite or isn't showing as much joy and attention to her food as she typically does, she could be having morning sickness.

Your dog might begin "nesting," or becoming 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.

Your dog may not want to be near people or animals as much as she used to, but she wants her own space throughout this time.

How to prevent symptoms for dogs pregnancy:

If your dog is not yet pregnant, and you don't wish for puppies in the future, there is a simple, clear-cut answer. As Bob Barker often said, "Have your pet spayed or neutered." Mobile pet clinics are making this more practically priced and easily accessed all the time. If you're wanting your dog to get pregnant, you have to find out if your dog is in heat.

If you desire for your dog to give birth in your home you will want to help make her stress-free and comfy. Provide her with some older blankets in a calm, 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 occur during the night. The labor can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. To prevent any unpleasant symptoms, make sure she is getting a proper and balanced diet, including ample vitamins and minerals. This will help make sure she has plenty of energy for this process.