Dogs
Most dog owners are at a loss when it comes to determining whether their dog is pregnant. If you have involved your pet in a breeding program, the news of her pregnancy must be something that you must have been expecting. On the other hand, many times owners are not aware of their dog's heat cycles and sometimes the female dog mates with any male dog without the knowledge of her owner. In such conditions, it is very likely that the signs of pregnancy may go unnoticed. However, knowing whether your dog is pregnant or not is very important and for this, you have to know about female dogs in heat before you can find the answer to the question, 'is my dog pregnant?'
Dog Heat Cycle
Normally, the dog heat cycle in a female dog begins when she is six months old. However, this is not same for every dog breed because in some cases, the heat cycle may begin earlier, while for others, it starts only at the age of one. Most dogs experience the heat cycle, also known as estrous cycle at least 2 times in a year which last for 21 days each. This cycle can be divided into three parts which begins with the proestrus stage, followed by the estrus and ends with the diestrus stage. During the first stage, the dog begins bleeding lightly and may also observe swelling of the vulva. Though at this time the dog attracts male dogs towards her, she does not actually invite any of them to mount her. The second stage occurs 5 - 10 days after the beginning of the first stage. It is during the second stage that ovulation occurs in dogs and hence, the chances of conception are the highest during this time. Moreover, during this period the canine will allow any male dog to mount her. The last stage is called diestrus, where the swelling of the vulva starts disappearing and the female canine stops bleeding. She will no longer be interested in male dogs and if she has mated with a male dog during the heat cycle, most likely she will be pregnant.
Is My Dog Pregnant?
To understand if your dog is pregnant, you have to wait at least a few weeks after your dog's heat cycle is over, as she will start showing signs of pregnancy 2 - 3 weeks after conception. Though only a check up by the vet can actually confirm whether your dog is pregnant, there are several signs that you may see when your pet dog is expecting. Read more on signs and stages of dog pregnancy.
If you observe any of the above symptoms in your dog, taking her to the vet will help you in knowing whether she is really pregnant. The vet will be able to determine the dog's pregnancy after 21 days of conception. During this time, the doctor will be able to feel the thickening of the uterus and even the bumps within. Apart from this, an ultrasound method can also be used to confirm canine pregnancy. However, this is only possible after 28 days of conception. After 49 - 50 days, an X-ray of the dog's womb can determine the number of puppies present in it. However, not all vets use this method because there is a danger of damage due to radiation. Rather they use the simple abdominal touch method to know the number of puppies in the dog's womb which can only be done by experts.
Signs of Delivery
The average gestation period of dogs is 62 days. However, in some cases, it can be anywhere between 54 - 72 days. Knowing about the signs that your pet dog will show when she is nearing the time of delivery will help you in making the necessary arrangements. As the dog nears her due date, her body will increase in size and you will observe enlargement in the abdominal area. The temperature of the dog normally reduces as she nears her due date. Hence, taking her rectal temperature, time to time will help you in knowing the actual time of her delivery. The dog's normal temperature is 101 degrees Fahrenheit which will drop down, 24 hours before the delivery. Apart from this, one can also determine that the dog is ready to give birth to the puppies with the help of some behavioral changes. She may become restless and you may observe her pacing and panting during this time. It is also normal to observe a greenish vaginal discharge hours before your dog goes into labor.
I hope by now you are able to resolve the question, is my dog pregnant? If you observe any of the above signs in your dog, take her to the nearby vet immediately. If she is pregnant, the vet will give you some important instructions about prenatal care which you should follow to ensure that your canine has a smooth and healthy pregnancy.
- Symptoms Of A Dog In Heat
The heat or estrous cycle is the period of sexual receptivity in female dogs. The age and duration by which the dog starts getting heat depends upon the size and the breed of the dog. Normally, the heat cycle in dogs occur at an age from 6 - 12 months,...
- Pregnant Dog Symptoms
Normally, the dogs achieve sexual maturity at the age of 6-12 months. However, some large breeds have their first estrous cycle at the age of 12-24 months. There are four stages of estrous cycle in dogs such as proestrus stage, estrus stage, diestrus...
- How Long Is A Dog In Heat
How long is a dog in heat? This is probably one of the most popular question posed by all those pet owners who have their female pet dogs going into heat for the first time. Well, for all those pet owners who are confused by the erratic behavior...
- How Long Is A Dog Pregnant
Pregnancy in dogs when planned can signal an exciting time ahead with a litter of cute little pups running around the place. However, unplanned dog pregnancies can be a source of worry for the pet owners who are constantly riddled by questions about...
- Canine Pregnancy Calendar - Signs And Stages Of Dog Pregnancy
The term pregnancy in dogs depends upon their breed. In small breeds, the heat cycle or estrus usually begins when they are 4 to 6 months old, and in larger breeds it starts between 12 to 24 months of age. An interesting fact about female dogs is...
Dogs
How to Tell if Your Dog is Pregnant
Most dog owners are at a loss when it comes to determining whether their dog is pregnant. If you have involved your pet in a breeding program, the news of her pregnancy must be something that you must have been expecting. On the other hand, many times owners are not aware of their dog's heat cycles and sometimes the female dog mates with any male dog without the knowledge of her owner. In such conditions, it is very likely that the signs of pregnancy may go unnoticed. However, knowing whether your dog is pregnant or not is very important and for this, you have to know about female dogs in heat before you can find the answer to the question, 'is my dog pregnant?'
Dog Heat Cycle
Normally, the dog heat cycle in a female dog begins when she is six months old. However, this is not same for every dog breed because in some cases, the heat cycle may begin earlier, while for others, it starts only at the age of one. Most dogs experience the heat cycle, also known as estrous cycle at least 2 times in a year which last for 21 days each. This cycle can be divided into three parts which begins with the proestrus stage, followed by the estrus and ends with the diestrus stage. During the first stage, the dog begins bleeding lightly and may also observe swelling of the vulva. Though at this time the dog attracts male dogs towards her, she does not actually invite any of them to mount her. The second stage occurs 5 - 10 days after the beginning of the first stage. It is during the second stage that ovulation occurs in dogs and hence, the chances of conception are the highest during this time. Moreover, during this period the canine will allow any male dog to mount her. The last stage is called diestrus, where the swelling of the vulva starts disappearing and the female canine stops bleeding. She will no longer be interested in male dogs and if she has mated with a male dog during the heat cycle, most likely she will be pregnant.
Is My Dog Pregnant?
To understand if your dog is pregnant, you have to wait at least a few weeks after your dog's heat cycle is over, as she will start showing signs of pregnancy 2 - 3 weeks after conception. Though only a check up by the vet can actually confirm whether your dog is pregnant, there are several signs that you may see when your pet dog is expecting. Read more on signs and stages of dog pregnancy.
- As I said earlier, the swelling of the vulva reduces at the end of the dog's heat cycle. However, if she has mated during the heat period and has become pregnant, it is likely that the swelling of the vulva remains even after the end of the heat cycle.
- Another early sign of dog pregnancy is slight enlargement of the teats (nipples). This happens because the blood supply at the base of the nipples increases during this time and they become prominent around 25 - 30 days. You may also observe vaginal discharge in the dogs, within one month of pregnancy.
- Pregnancy may also cause certain behavioral changes in your dog. Your dog may either become very clingy and loving towards you and other family members or she may become aloof, wanting to be left alone, all by herself. This may raise the question, is my dog pregnant or in heat, in your mind as change in behavior is something you may observe when the dog is in heat too. This doubt can be cleared by getting your dog checked by the vet.
- Change in the dog's appetite is also another sign of a pregnant dog. It has been observed that pregnant dogs are likely to avoid food for the first few weeks. However, this is just a temporary phase and she will regain her normal appetite in a few weeks.
- A pregnant dog may suffer from morning sickness during the initial few weeks of pregnancy where she may vomit clear mucous or food any time of the day. She may seem to be tired as she will spend most of the time resting, instead of playing or running around.
If you observe any of the above symptoms in your dog, taking her to the vet will help you in knowing whether she is really pregnant. The vet will be able to determine the dog's pregnancy after 21 days of conception. During this time, the doctor will be able to feel the thickening of the uterus and even the bumps within. Apart from this, an ultrasound method can also be used to confirm canine pregnancy. However, this is only possible after 28 days of conception. After 49 - 50 days, an X-ray of the dog's womb can determine the number of puppies present in it. However, not all vets use this method because there is a danger of damage due to radiation. Rather they use the simple abdominal touch method to know the number of puppies in the dog's womb which can only be done by experts.
Signs of Delivery
The average gestation period of dogs is 62 days. However, in some cases, it can be anywhere between 54 - 72 days. Knowing about the signs that your pet dog will show when she is nearing the time of delivery will help you in making the necessary arrangements. As the dog nears her due date, her body will increase in size and you will observe enlargement in the abdominal area. The temperature of the dog normally reduces as she nears her due date. Hence, taking her rectal temperature, time to time will help you in knowing the actual time of her delivery. The dog's normal temperature is 101 degrees Fahrenheit which will drop down, 24 hours before the delivery. Apart from this, one can also determine that the dog is ready to give birth to the puppies with the help of some behavioral changes. She may become restless and you may observe her pacing and panting during this time. It is also normal to observe a greenish vaginal discharge hours before your dog goes into labor.
I hope by now you are able to resolve the question, is my dog pregnant? If you observe any of the above signs in your dog, take her to the nearby vet immediately. If she is pregnant, the vet will give you some important instructions about prenatal care which you should follow to ensure that your canine has a smooth and healthy pregnancy.
- Symptoms Of A Dog In Heat
The heat or estrous cycle is the period of sexual receptivity in female dogs. The age and duration by which the dog starts getting heat depends upon the size and the breed of the dog. Normally, the heat cycle in dogs occur at an age from 6 - 12 months,...
- Pregnant Dog Symptoms
Normally, the dogs achieve sexual maturity at the age of 6-12 months. However, some large breeds have their first estrous cycle at the age of 12-24 months. There are four stages of estrous cycle in dogs such as proestrus stage, estrus stage, diestrus...
- How Long Is A Dog In Heat
How long is a dog in heat? This is probably one of the most popular question posed by all those pet owners who have their female pet dogs going into heat for the first time. Well, for all those pet owners who are confused by the erratic behavior...
- How Long Is A Dog Pregnant
Pregnancy in dogs when planned can signal an exciting time ahead with a litter of cute little pups running around the place. However, unplanned dog pregnancies can be a source of worry for the pet owners who are constantly riddled by questions about...
- Canine Pregnancy Calendar - Signs And Stages Of Dog Pregnancy
The term pregnancy in dogs depends upon their breed. In small breeds, the heat cycle or estrus usually begins when they are 4 to 6 months old, and in larger breeds it starts between 12 to 24 months of age. An interesting fact about female dogs is...