The signs a dog is pregnant, week by week
After a breeding, the wait begins. For the first few weeks most females look and act as they always do, which makes every small change feel like a clue. This VerifiedStuds guide lists the real signs in order, and explains when a vet can give you a firm answer.
Early signs are faint and easy to imagine. Still, some owners notice these changes in the first three weeks:
A quieter mood. She may sleep more or seek more attention than usual.
A change in appetite. Some females eat less for a few days around week three, and a few vomit once or twice.
Slight nipple changes. The nipples may look a little pinker and rounder, especially in a first pregnancy.
None of these proves anything. A female who was not bred can show the same changes, because her hormones follow the same pattern after every heat. So treat early signs as hints only.
The middle weeks bring clearer evidence. By now the embryos have implanted, and her body is changing to support them.
Pinker, larger nipples. Breeders call this "pinking up". It is one of the more reliable early signs.
A clear discharge. A small amount of clear or milky mucus around week four or five is normal.
Weight gain and a thicker waist. Her belly starts to fill out from about week five.
A bigger appetite. After any early dip, most females become noticeably hungrier.
This is also when a vet can confirm the pregnancy. An ultrasound from about day 25 shows the puppies and their heartbeats. See dog pregnancy tests for each option.
In the final weeks there is little doubt. Her belly is round and firm, and you may see or feel the puppies move when she lies on her side. Her mammary glands swell, and a little milk may appear in the last few days.
Behavior changes too. Many females begin to nest, which means digging in bedding and looking for a quiet corner. In addition, she may eat less at each meal because the puppies leave little room. Small, frequent meals help.
Just before labor, her temperature drops below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Our whelping guide explains what happens next.
Some females show every sign, including milk and nesting, without being pregnant at all. This is a false pregnancy, and it is common. It appears about six to twelve weeks after a heat, whether or not she was bred. Read more in false pregnancy in dogs.
For that reason, signs alone are never enough. A scan or a blood test is the only way to know.
Test
When it works
What it shows
Relaxin blood test
From about day 22 to 27
Pregnant or not
Ultrasound
From about day 25
Live puppies and heartbeats
Palpation
About day 28 to 35
Small swellings in the uterus
X-ray
From about day 45
The number of puppies
Human pregnancy tests do not work on dogs, because they detect a hormone that dogs do not make.
Feed her normal diet, keep exercise gentle and avoid new medicines unless your vet approves them. Then book a scan for about four weeks after the breeding. Meanwhile, enter the date in the dog pregnancy calculator, and read how long dogs are pregnant, week by week.
Planning another litter later? Then find a health-tested stud and check prices in the stud fee guide. Stud owners can list their stud free.
How soon can you tell if a dog is pregnant?
Reliable signs start around week four. Before that, a vet's ultrasound from day 25 or a blood test from day 22 to 27 is the earliest proof.
What are the first signs a dog is pregnant?
Slightly pinker nipples, a quieter mood and a brief dip in appetite. However, these can also appear in females that are not pregnant.
Can a dog be pregnant and not show?
Yes. Females with small litters, or large and deep-chested females, may show very little until the last weeks.
Do pregnant dogs get morning sickness?
Some do. A few days of poor appetite or mild vomiting around week three or four is common and usually passes.
Can I use a human pregnancy test on my dog?
No. Human tests detect a hormone that dogs do not produce, so the result means nothing.
Sources: American Kennel Club, dog pregnancy, VCA Animal Hospitals, pregnancy testing in the dog, Merck Veterinary Manual, pregnancy determination. This page is general information, not veterinary advice.
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