Concerned that your dog may be pregnant? Whether it’s a planned pregnancy or not, you’ll want to know what’s going on so you can provide the right care.
The gestation period for a dog lasts for about 9 weeks or 63 days. The first symptoms start showing up at around 3 weeks, and the baby bump only appears from 6-9 weeks. Early symptoms are:
- Lack of energy
- Enlarged, pinkish nipples
- Morning sickness
- Changes in behavior
What about pregnancy tests? Are there any for dogs? Yes, but you probably won’t use them. Over-the-counter canine pregnancy tests are available, but they are extremely rare and also not particularly accurate. Human pregnancy tests do not work for dogs, either.
The most accurate way to test for pregnancy in a dog is to use an ultrasound device. You can speak to a vet about your options, or if you’ve got the cash to spare, you can buy your own over-the-counter detector with an ultrasound probe – but these are extremely expensive! You’re better off going to your vet for a blood test, which will always be 100% accurate.
Veterinary care is completely necessary if you think your dog is pregnant. They can educate you on prenatal and postnatal care and aid you in preparation!
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