In the process of raising and taking care of dogs, the breeding of dogs is also something that we all need to pay attention to, but there is one thing to pay attention to when a dog is pregnant. How to know when a dog is pregnant to prepare and care for them in the best period? Together with Begy, we also learn and remember the signs below to help you know that your dog is pregnant.
Signs of pregnancy through external changes
In the first weeks of pregnancy, the mother dog will show very little outside. However, you can rely on their appearance and behavior to make an accurate diagnosis. Specifically:
Signs of changing dog nipples
A change in nipple color is one of the easiest signs of pregnancy. If your dog is pregnant, the nipple will be pink and fuller than usual. This sign will be more pronounced in the first 2 to 3 weeks after the dog conceives.
The mammary glands of the mother dog will begin to secrete thick white milk in the 7 to 9 days before parturition. This proves that the puppies in the mother’s womb are very healthy and can give birth normally. If the milk is clear yellow or white, it is a sign of difficulty in giving birth.
Signs of changes in the dog’s belly
At the 4th – 5th week of pregnancy, the dog’s belly will swell and be in a full state. By the period from 6 to 8 weeks, the mother’s belly will swell more clearly, the udder will swell.
If you yell closely and put your palm on their belly, you will see the movements of the puppies inside the mother dog’s belly. Therefore, this is also a way to recognize the signs of pregnancy that you need to pay attention to.
There are many cases at the end of pregnancy, if you don’t see movement on the mother’s belly, don’t worry too much. Because at this time, the puppies are lying deep inside the mother dog’s belly.
Signs of recognizing a pregnant dog through behavior
Besides signs of pregnancy through external changes, you can also diagnose your dog is pregnant through their behavior as follows:
A pregnant dog has a difficult expression
In the early weeks of pregnancy, the mother dog will often be very fastidious, easy to bite around, and can make you feel uncomfortable. However, do not be angry with them. That’s just the normal state of pregnant “girls”!
Dogs show signs of fatigue and sleep a lot
Most pregnant dogs will feel tired and less active. If in the past, they were always hyperactive and disruptive but now become less active and bored, this is most likely a sign of pregnancy that you need to pay attention to.
However, there are many dogs when sick also show the same symptoms. Therefore, you need to combine with observations outside their body to make the most accurate conclusions.
Pregnant dogs change in taste
The next sign of a pregnant dog that you need to know is that they change in taste and eating habits. When pregnant, the dogs need to be supplemented with important nutrients to feed the puppies in the belly. Therefore, this time you will see the mother dog eating more than usual. They eat small meals and eat little by little. Towards the end of pregnancy, “her” will eat less and be more picky about food, even skipping meals because of body fatigue and discomfort.
Signs of a pregnant dog looking for a nest
It can be said that the habit of finding a nest is a mother’s instinct for dogs. About 2 to 3 days before giving birth, the mother dog will find herself a private, safe and cozy corner. They will then start looking for rolled-up clothes or clothes to form a nest.
Signs to identify a pregnant dog through ultrasound
Ultrasound is the most accurate sign of pregnancy, helping you determine if your dog is pregnant or not. Therefore, you can take the mother dog to the veterinary clinic for an ultrasound after about 2-3 weeks of mating.
What are the signs of a fake pregnancy?
False pregnancy is a rare phenomenon, usually occurring in dogs of reproductive age. About 60 days after estrus, the mother dog will show symptoms such as a bigger belly, ruddy udder, milk secretion similar to the real signs of pregnancy.
However, towards the end of pregnancy, when they go to find a nest, they are not pregnant. This is called the premenstrual phase.
This will go away on its own in about a month, so don’t worry too much. In addition, you also need to clean the nipples for them regularly to prevent the attack from harmful bacteria.
