Although most owners are careful to keep their pets confined when they are in heat, sometimes a breeding takes place -- perhaps without the owner even realizing it. In other instances, the breeding is planned to produce a litter. It can be difficult to tell if your dog is pregnant during the first few weeks of gestation, but there are a few telltale indicators. Look for these five signs when you're wondering if your dog is pregnant.
Your dog being pregnant may not even be a thought in your mind if it's not planned. So, it may go undetected until your dog begins to show symptoms. Whether planned or unplanned, the question is, how long after mating can you tell a dog is pregnant?
Signs of canine pregnancy usually begin in the second trimester, about three weeks into the pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting, often known as morning sickness, are uncommon in dogs, but hormonal changes may cause nausea and vomiting in some dogs between days 21 and 25. As early as 21 days into the pregnancy, you may also see an increase in bodyweight. If you observe pregnancy symptoms in your dog and want to get them tested, they should be at least 22 days pregnant for the test to be accurate.
A lack of appetite is one of the earliest signs your female might be pregnant. Not all females go through this doggy version of "morning sickness," but some dogs do eat less during the first two weeks of gestation and make up for it later in the pregnancy. If dogs experience nausea, it's usually during week three and four and will go away as the pregnancy progresses.
If your pet does lose her appetite during the early weeks of pregnancy or throws up occasionally, don't try to force her to eat. You can tempt her with some boiled ground beef and rice mixed with her kibble, but try not to worry too much if she still doesn't want food. Most dogs won't skip more than a day or two without eating something. If she refuses food three days in a row, then it's time to call your vet for some advice.
If your female is normally energetic, a sudden slowdown might be another indication she is pregnant. Just like some women, dogs may also experience feelings of exhaustion as their hormone levels change to support a growing embryo. This typically begins about two weeks into the pregnancy, and it may subside a few weeks later as she adjusts to her new condition.
Breast development is a good indicator your dog's body is going through pregnancy changes. The nipples of an unbred female are usually small, and the area beneath them feels flat. Once a pregnancy is in progress, the milk glands begin to develop beneath the nipples, which also enlarge slightly in preparation for eventual milk production and nursing. You should be able to feel a bit of development about two weeks after a breeding has taken place.
In addition to breast development, the nipple color becomes more rosy, especially the last four to six nipples that are closest to the dog's hind legs. The nipples are usually a very light pinkish-gray, but they become flushed due to the increased blood flow to the area. This change takes place around the same time when breast development begins approximately two weeks after conception.
Nearly all newly pregnant dogs display some behavior changes. Some females become extra affectionate and may even cling to their owners as they are unsure about all the changes they're feeling. Other dogs turn a little grumpy and prefer to remain by themselves unless they actively seek their owner's company.
Behavioral changes often happen as early as a few days after a successful breeding. Towards the end of the pregnancy, starting around the sixth week through the birth period, your dog will start to display nesting behavior, which means she's getting ready to give birth to her puppies. She may also be more irritable in these final weeks, due to her being physically uncomfortable as she gets closer to labor.
While vaginal discharge often occurs during a dog's pregnancy, it typically doesn't show until about four weeks gestation or even later, so it's not regarded as an early sign a dog is expecting a litter. You should consult your vet right away if you see discharge before mid-pregnancy, especially if it's:
- Heavy bloody discharge
- Mucus tinged with blood
- Mucus that is any color other than clear or slightly cloudy
- Mucus that has a bad odor
Your female might have picked up an infection during her heat cycle or after mating.
It can be difficult to determine if your dog is pregnant or if she's just going through a false pregnancy. That's because, according to VCA Hospitals, the signs for both conditions are virtually the same. The main difference with a false pregnancy is you probably won't see them occur until at least four weeks after the heat cycle ends, and they may not even occur until nine weeks afterward. In a true pregnancy, you'll notice several signs within the first two weeks of gestation.
While watching for symptoms of pregnancy at home can be beneficial, it's important to consult with a veterinarian. Whether a breeding was planned or unplanned, it's a good idea to take your dog to the vet for an initial pregnancy exam to make sure her symptoms aren't related to an illness rather than a pregnancy. If she is pregnant, she'll handle most of the pregnancy without assistance. Your primary job will be to:
- Provide her with the best nutrition you can.
- Make sure she gets moderate exercise -- nothing too strenuous or tiring. You just want to help your dog stay toned and not become overweight.
- Make sure she has a comfortable place to rest as her belly grows.
- Keep household stress to a minimum.
- Prepare a box she'll use when she whelps her litter.
A home pregnancy test designed for humans will not work on dogs, but there are several tests available that can be done at home if you're experienced in performing such exams. These tests include the Synbiotics Canine Pregnancy Test and the Rubsy Canine Pregnancy Test Kit. These tests require blood samples to verify the presence of the hormone relaxin and test accuracy may vary, so they shouldn't be used by the average dog owner. It's a better idea to take your dog to the vet to determine if your dog is pregnant.
- Your veterinarian can draw some blood and within a time frame of about 10 minutes let you know about your dog's relaxin levels.
- Dogs only have a high level of this hormone during pregnancy, so this produces a very accurate result, although your dog has to be at least 22 days or more into the pregnancy for the test to be accurate.
- The test is relatively inexpensive at around $130 to $155, although some veterinarians prefer using an ultrasound test, which can be considerably more expensive at around $300 to $600.
- The benefit of an ultrasound is that your veterinarian can glean more information about the pregnancy, including how many puppies there are in the litter and their general health condition.
It takes a keen eye to spot pregnancy in the earliest stages, but the signs become more obvious as the weeks go on. Try to learn everything you can about canine gestation, other pregnancy symptoms, and the stages of pregnancy so you understand what's happening inside your dog's body. Use a dog pregnancy calendar to help estimate when your bitch can be expected to deliver puppies.
© 2022 LoveToKnow Media. All rights reserved.
Adrienne is a certified dog trainer and former veterinarian assistant who partners with some of the best veterinarians worldwide.
Signs a Female Dog Has Mated
When it comes to canine pregnancy, there are two different types of owners: the "hopeful" and the "concerned."
The hopeful owner is the one that is keeping his fingers crossed in the hope that his bitch is pregnant and that she will soon have a litter of cute, healthy puppies.
The concerned one hopes the bitch did not get pregnant when she accidentally slipped out the door and came back two hours later. Regardless of the owner's state of mind, there are some specific signs that may help suggest or rule out a pregnancy.
Pregnancy Fast Facts
• The gestation period ranges between 57 and 65 days, with an average of 63.
• Abdominal ultrasound is the preferred method for detecting pregnancy. Scans performed after day 28 are reliable. Blood tests can be done at day 30 and are also reliable.
• An X-ray performed during the last two weeks of pregnancy (around week seven) is the most accurate way to determine litter size. It should be done for all pregnant dogs.
Early Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs
Early pregnancy signs may be hard to detect, especially by an inexperienced owner and breeder. These signs may be misleading because dogs can go through a false pregnancy, which can mimic all the signs of a real one.
Generally, early signs of pregnancy can be observed as early as 30 days after mating. Here are some of the symptoms:
- Some dogs may lose their appetite in the first weeks, similar to what women experience when they get morning sickness.
- Other dogs might have an increase in appetite and start gobbling their food more than usual.
- A slight decrease in activity may also be seen as the bitch goes through hormonal changes.
- Nipple growth is an early sign, as well. The nipples will appear slightly larger and may be slightly darker. Taking a picture after the mating and comparing it later on can help you see if there are actually changes taking place.
- The abdomen starts swelling, and the dog starts gaining weight.
- A pregnant dog may become more needy and clingy or have other behavioral changes.
As mentioned, there is also a chance that your bitch is exhibiting false pregnancy symptoms. Every dog actually does this after they go through heat and displays pregnancy symptoms for about a month. Therefore, your vet is the best person to confirm or rule out a pregnancy.
Ways the Vet Can Test for Pregnancy
- Your vet may palpate your dog's abdomen as early as 28 days post-breeding to feel for possible embryos. However, an ultrasound may be a more accurate test. It may even help determine how many puppies your bitch is expecting.
- Relaxin (a special substance produced only during pregnancy) can also be detected as early as in the first 25 - 30 days after breeding through an endocrinological test. This may be available at your vet's office, or you could also find a kit online. However, the kit may be challenging to use unless you have a way to separate the plasma in order to be tested.
- X-rays may detect puppies' skeletons 45 days post-breeding.
- Puppies' heartbeats can be heard via stethoscope 25 days post-breeding.
If your dog ends up being pregnant and you are a "hopeful owner," congratulations! You can start celebrating and counting down 63 days!
On the other hand, if you are the "concerned owner," keep in mind that accidents do happen and get her spayed ASAP!
If Your Dog Is Pregnant
Or if you suspect your dog is pregnant, schedule an appointment with the vet as soon as you'll be able to get a reliable test. Until then, give her good nutrition and moderate exercise, keep her environment low-stress, and provide her with a nice place to rest.
The Fertility Cycle of Dogs
The heat cycle is divided into phases which when combined, average about 21 days.
Phase One: Pro-estrus
- You will be aware of this stage because it is when vaginal bleeding and vaginal swelling occurs.
- This phase lasts about 7 to 10 days.
- If male dogs are around, they will be interested in the bitch, but she will be reluctant and will not let him mount.
Phase Two: Estrus (Fertile Phase)
In this phase, the female is actually fertile.
- The bleeding has stopped, and it is replaced by a yellowish vaginal discharge.
- This phase will last about 4–13 days.
- She will be more tolerant and will keep her tail to the side. She will allow the male to mount at this point. If you witness "a tie" where they are both stuck together for a while, then it's possible puppies are on the way.
Third Phase: Diestrus
The female will again be reluctant to mate, because she is no longer fertile. The male, however, may still try to mount.
The Estrus Phase Is the Most Crucial
The estrus phase is the fertile one and therefore, the most important. It usually occurs between the 8th and 15th day after bleeding has started. This is the time you should be looking for if you are the "hopeful breeder." Alternatively, this is the time you hope she didn't go out if you are the "concerned owner."
Each dog is different, however. The only way to be sure whether or not she is pregnant is a pregnancy test by a vet.
Being in a "Tie"
It also appears that being in a "tie" ups the chances for pregnancy in dogs. A tie occurs when the male and female dog are stuck for some time. However, some dogs have also become pregnant without a tie, and some dogs don't get pregnant despite tying, so it's not a guarantee.
Increasing the Chance for Pregnancy
Breeding every other day from estrus up until the female allows it may also increase the chance for pregnancy since the male is allowed to rest and the sperm has time to refresh.
However, there are really no reliable days. This is why some professional breeders have their dog's hormones checked by a vet to ensure breeding on the most fertile day.
Again, even this may not be sufficient. Therefore, there is no way to guarantee pregnancy, but by monitoring the phases, you may be able to heighten the chance of it happening.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Questions & Answers
Question: If my dog allows a male to mate with her while in pro-estrus, can she still get pregnant?
Answer: It would be quite unusual for a female dog to allow a male dog to mate with her before estrus. Most likely she is in the estrus phase of the cycle.
Question: How long does it take the female dog to become pregnant after connecting with a male dog?
Answer: This actual length of time tends to vary considering that female dogs may accept the male several days before ovulation occurs or may continue mating several days after ovulation occurs. This means that if you count the days from mating day, the length of a dog's pregnancy may vary based on when ovulation took place. On average, if your dog is pregnant, expect puppies anywhere between 57 and 64 days after breeding with the average generally being 63 days depending on when ovulation occurred.
Question: Would slip mating be successful? Is a tie needed?
Answer: A slip mating would likely be unsuccessful. Generally a tie provides a higher rate of success, although it's not a guarantee of pregnancy. The problem with slip mating is that it's often missing an important element, successful penetration, and this makes it quite unlikely that the sperm will make it into the female dog.
Question: What happens if a tie occurs during the pro-estrus stage?
Answer: It is quite unusual for a female dog to allow a male dog to mate and tie before estrus. So the fact that she has tied makes it almost definite that she is in the estrus phase of the cycle and is probably ovulating.
Question: Does a dog know that he is a puppy's father?
Answer: Good question. I think it is hard to say, and until dogs can talk, we can only speculate. Some dads may show respect for their offspring, and even interact with them. Others may be indifferent, and some others may even act aggressively towards the pups.
Question: My dog has come into heat for the first time. I think she is around 6-8 months old. Our male dog has surely mounted her 2 times. The only thing that bothers me now is that she's moping around and won't eat. I even tried can chicken. Is she ok?
Answer: That can surely be worrisome! It is difficult to pinpoint what may be going on. It could just be exhaustion if the mating entailed lots of running around and courtship behavior, but not eating and moping can also be suggestive of an issue such as perhaps having a sore back or sore joints due to the male putting all his weight on her repeatedly. Taking her temperature to see if she is ill can also provide insight. Normal rectal temp for a dog is 101-102 F and anything over 103 can be suggestive of infection or illness. Make sure her gums are her normal color. Hopefully, she is just tired or a bit stressed by all the activity, but for sure, best to play it safe and see the vet.
Question: Will my bitch’s heat stop or slow down with a successful tie?
Answer: No, you won't see any difference in her heat cycle with a successful tie and pregnancy, hence why it is challenging telling whether a dog is pregnant or not until seeing the vet and having testing done (palpation, x-rays, ultrasound, relaxin test).
Question: Does a dog cease to be in heat if expecting puppies?
Answer: Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if a dog is pregnant or not based on what happens right after mating. In other words, when a female dog accepts the male for mating, she is usually at the end of the bleeding portion of heat. So a dog will not necessarily stop bleeding if she becomes pregnant while she is still bleeding. To further complicate things, consider that false pregnancies share the symptoms as if they were indeed pregnant. Fortunately, though, there are various ways to tell whether a dog is pregnant with accuracy, only that it will take some time.
Question: Our female let my male dog mate and tie with her on day 13, but wouldn’t let him on day 14. Would the 13th have been too late for her to get pregnant?
Answer: Not necessarily, if she allowed the mounting and they endured a tie, pregnancy is always a possibility. Of course, chances may have been higher if you were able to do a mating one day yes and then one day no (alternate days), but there are many reports of dogs getting pregnant with just one mating even if towards the end of estrus portion.
Question: Does the male dog know when the female is pregnant?
Answer: It would be nice if it worked this way as we would use male dogs in lieu of pregnancy testing! We may really never know. Perhaps they can smell hormonal changes. Many female dog owners are willing to swear that their dogs just knew when they first got pregnant, so if they can tell if a human is pregnant, why not tell it in dogs?
Question: My female dog who is supposedly pregnant, is humping my male dog, is this normal?
Answer: Humping in dogs is not always sexual in nature and it's not always a dominance gesture when directed towards another dog. Dogs can hump during play, due to anxiety, arousal and excitement. It can take place as a displacement behavior. When females are in heat, they can sometimes flirt with the male by humping as well.
© 2008 Adrienne Farricelli
Jas on August 31, 2020:
Hi.. it is safe to play or clingy after several days of mate my dog chow chow mate on aug. 26 after 3 days my dog always playing and running it is not safe? Or i need to put in her cage?
Alex on August 27, 2020:
I had mate my dog 3 times and it also get tie, so do i need to made more mating for her to become pregnant.
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on June 15, 2020:
In this case, if the pee is yellow but the opening is dripping blood, it it possible that the blood could be due to some trauma. Your male dog's private area is very vascular and if the female dog pulls away during the tie(or owners forcefully separate), this can twist and damage his private area. This may require a vet visit for pain medication, anti-inflammatory drug and an examination to ensure no severe trauma took place.
My dogs accidentally got tied ... Now my male is peeing some blood... Female still in heat , is this normal for the male or should I be concerned ? Ty on June 15, 2020:
My dogs got tied accidentally... female still in heat but my male peeing Lil blood is this normal or should I be concerned
Toni on June 11, 2020:
Hey I have a female dog on heat ad I just found a male dog lock on her it's her first time could she be pregnant
Mike white on January 07, 2020:
We have a female dog thats in heat. We left them in a pin overnight. How would we know if mating was a success if we havent witness a tie?
Deepali on September 01, 2019:
My 2 year old gsd has just completed her heat cycle. She seems to be very dull and lazy these days . She is eating normally but keeps sleeping all the time . Could she be pregnant or is she just being lazy?
Betty on August 27, 2019:
My female i bread her she has all the signs of being pregnant. But one thing she pees an she has a string of mucuse hanging after that . What do you think it is
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on July 29, 2019:
Yes, the twitching and foaming at the mouth is rather normal, that's how they analyze smells and send them to their vomeronasal organ. Dogs will try to mount several times during a heat cycle. To up the chances of pregnancy, experts recommend having the dogs mate every other day until the female allows.
Alisha on July 28, 2019:
Can my femalwe dog get pregnant after only 1 minut wilh a male
Divina on July 24, 2019:
I have 2 yorkies, 1 male and 1 female. My female Yorkie turns 1 next month and is currently in heat. As I did not want to let her breed until 2 years of age I’ve been trying my hardest to keep them separated leaving them in separate cages when leaving the house and only letting them out while we are home keeping a eye out on them making sure the male doesn’t mount her. But we all know shit happens. I now learned every second counts. We have found them stuck now twice and I’m concerned as our female is young. What should I do?
Sawyer Eschmann on July 23, 2019:
So yesterday morning I woke up to a shrieking sound and saw my two dogs were tied. My male dog every time they go outside once the female pees he goes and licks it up and than he starts twitching in the face and than foaming at the mouth. Is that normal? He also continues to try and mount my female more is that normal also?
Cindy mcdonough on July 22, 2019:
My dog is pregnet and four of her tits are exstremly large is that normal
Danie Pienaar on July 07, 2019:
11 days after my female Rottweiler is mated she has a whitish discharge . She show no signs of illness and is just act normal.
Iranisha Washington on June 20, 2019:
Well I just bred my dog for the second time they tied both times what the possibilities that’s she pregnant I’m planning on breeding her again in a couple of day to make sure it was successful but I’m hoping we have puppies
Alandra Creelman on April 12, 2019:
Would my dog stop bleeding if she mated and got pregnant?
joe on April 02, 2019:
Will a dog still bleed if she is pregnant
Andy on March 31, 2019:
I have a question that portrays to the simptoms of a 57 week pregnant dog. I was just wondering if it could be possible that they have accidents as to using the bathroom at night unexpectedly or throwing up?
Susana on March 23, 2019:
What if the male who tied with my female is under a year old? Would she still get pregnant?
Riv on February 02, 2019:
Can I breed a female dachshund and a male golden retriever? Or would that put the female at risk
misty on January 10, 2019:
after my shih tzu mate.my dog do not eat more like she eats before and she was vomit..is there a probability that this is the sign of pregnancy.?what will i do iam so confuse..thank you
Ma on November 20, 2018:
Hi I have a girl Yorkie that’s in heat and I have a boy Shitzu and I be at work all the time so I wouldn’t know if she’s pregnant and there always together and he’s always licking her and her chest is a little swollen
Caroline Augerot on September 26, 2018:
My dog got hung two times and it’s Ben about three days now and she does acking like I never feed her but she eats three times a day and she gets snacks
Jana on September 18, 2018:
Hi there my baby just came off heat and she still has a swollen vigina with the same type of discharge that comes out when on heat, should I consult a vet?
Question on September 13, 2018:
Will the female only allow the male to mount and tie when she is fertile?
Sharon Ryder on April 30, 2018:
What if you can't afford a vet and my make had the Z shot where they just froze his testicles so they were no longer used is it possible it didn't work
Christine on April 05, 2018:
My dog nipples have discharge in them is very protective of her ball is she pregnant
Desiree on March 18, 2018:
I have a question my Yorkie got tie on March 10 of this month now she is licking her self do this mean she pregnant
Ciara on January 05, 2018:
So my I have a 7 month old puppy and she is very small and has also gotten her first heat cycle. Over a couple of days I have been noticing that she is more clingy and her nipples have gotten darker and see the just started to throw up. I really need to know if my puppy is pregnant. Is she?
Megan on November 05, 2017:
What does it mean if a pregnant dog starts panting after peeing? Also its been 65 days.
Brumilda on September 13, 2017:
My dog is on heat now for two weeks , she has tied with a few dogs from the neighbour hood Bt there is ons dog that is very protective over my dog he is always around , is this a sighn that he is the one who impregnated my dog or is there another reson for him being so protective of my dog ?
I need to know who's pups she,ll be getting
Lorraine Degnall on September 10, 2017:
Can a female Lab deliver Mastif puppies?
meghan on August 27, 2017:
im a new owner of a dog and her brother was around while she was in heat. we tried to not let them mate, but we came around the corner and he was on top of her. I was told that was all it takes, since then her rib cage area has gotten alot bigger im not sure if its because her appetite has increased alot or if she has puppies its been about 4 weeks so im just trying to see if there is ways we can tell earlier if she is having puppies?
Lucy on August 23, 2017:
Why has my dog got blood in her wee .i tried to breed her two weeks ago does this mean she might be pregnant thanks
Lisa on July 04, 2017:
My einglish bull dog went in to what I think is heat I'm not sure she has been bleeding for 3 weeks and now she is bleeding blood clots I'm so worried I don't know much about her I just got her 4 weeks ago and the man I got her from will not pick the phone up and tell me anything could she be preagnet someone plz help
Shona on June 15, 2017:
My dog got pragent but only one side of her had pups wats this mean if only one said of her got cought
BJ on March 02, 2017:
My dog got hooked two days ago she's not a year old yet and was almost off her period does that mean she is pregnant? she doesn't have all her shots if pregnant will that effect the puppies if pregnant?
unknown on February 13, 2017:
hi there my dogs locked by mistake. they just went out for a quick pee and BAM they were locked. my female.is.young she just got her first period a week ago. do you think I should worry about pregnancy?
Hale on February 08, 2017:
My 7 year chocolate lab mounted my 1 year basset hound Lastnight and I'm scared that she could get pregnant. Would that kill her if she tried to deliver puppies by a lab?
Pappu on January 22, 2017:
My dog is just a year old.She is a female dog and Indian breed . I found her tummy swelling for the past 2 weeks and she started walking abnormally by lifting one leg as she is aware of the sound produced while she walk that is when her tummy gets rubbed with the thighs . I couldn't guess the reason for swelling .
Sexy_mom on January 11, 2017:
I have my friend Maltese, it is about 27 days since my chihuahua & her have mated but she refuse to eat. Is this normal?
josie maury on January 09, 2017:
What if she lost the puppy there very small we not sure if she is or not pregnant but she sick not doing good she not eating but she drinking lot of water but goes in come out at both end but month what to do for our dog she not good
Ajha on January 09, 2017:
Hi, I have a Shih Tzu and she was bred last November, the last tie was in Dec 2 (This is planned and I hope for the puppies). She's on her 40th day now, one thing I noticed is that her tummy is tight and hard, her nipples and vulva doesn't swell so much. She has a decreased appetite but asking for a munch more often, she's very lethargic and it seems like she doesn't want me to feel her tummy. I am going to take her to the vet this coming Saturday. But can I also ask your opinion about this? This is her first time mating and she is two years old.
You can also email me: .I am trying to gather all the information I can, so I am prepared when the day comes.
Thanks!
Gold on December 28, 2016:
I have a 13 year old female Dachshund which is at least 75 days pregnant, she has all the symptoms and I can see bulges on the tummy. She was with a male 'Grand Griffon Vendéen' . I even saw my male dog mounting my Dachshund but I am a bit worried because her gestation is more than 72 days and because of her age. But I make her walk a bit each day in order to Induce her into labor and I can see the bulges moving towards the birth canal.
Kirston on December 19, 2016:
Hi, my boxers have mated, she was happy to stand for him days 8,9,12. Had her scanned at home on what would be day 28 from day 12. Scan said no puppies but she's had a change in her nipples. Been sick( frothy clear). Could the scan have been too early and incorrect
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on December 18, 2016:
Stacey, You have two choices here: you can get her spayed as soon as her heat is over or let her finish her pregnancy. In this latter case, you will have to have x-rays done about a week prior to delivery so the vet can check the size or pups and determine if she can whelp naturally or needs a Cesarean section. A third option are some medications that can cause an abortion, but it can be risky as there are side effects and one may want to check first if she it truly pregnant. You may want to discuss these options with your vet and picks what works best.
stacey on December 18, 2016:
my male presa 1 year old and female staffie 7 years old got stuck last night. She is around day 16 and i am worried his pups will be too big for her. She had her first litter at 2 and I wasnt going to let her have another one. I got my male dog unexpectedly and they are friend but hadnt seen any indication of him trying to mount her. Any advice?
Jasmine on November 05, 2016:
My dochshund/chiwawa bred and is do on the ninth. She is pretty full of milk but we have only felt a little bit of movement and arn't sure if she's actually pregnant. She has had 6 puppies in 2 litters and 4 in another litter and they have all turned out very healthy. Does anybody have a way to get a better idea if she's pregnant that we can do at home?
krimmley on October 27, 2016:
hello can i ask why my female shih tzu having vaginal discharge after she's been matted 2 weeks ago, now there are some blood but not bloody
jenna on October 17, 2016:
Hi. My dog is a girl and her stomach is turning dark and I don't know if she is starting her period
Euna on July 08, 2016:
Up to. What age can a husky be pregnant?
Nariah on June 27, 2016:
Hi. I have a dog who is lazier and is always eating anything that we give her. She has gained some weight but I don't know if she is pregnant. She likes to sleep very long and is a lead tired. She seems to breathe more heavily and waddles. I need help and advice. Also my male will not leave her alone. Everywhere she goes he follows. I don't know what his issue is, but he is driving me crazy.
Bryce Roderick on May 30, 2016:
Hi. My nine year old red bone coon hound seems to be lactating,has stopped bleeding,is lazier,and eats more.she is my life and soul.will she maybe be able to go through with birth or should we have an abortion?
Help please on May 28, 2016:
Please help me with my 10 month old female boerboel. Shes in heat and her bleeding stopped. Iv seperated the male and female but by mistake the male got to the female and mated with her. They mated only once and shes only 10 months old. Im afraid she might die because shes to young. Please give me advice. Il appreciate it.
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on April 19, 2016:
Yes, not that easy, yet not impossible. There are dogs who get pregnant without a tie.
Evelin on April 07, 2016:
I have a cheweenie she mate with a chihuahua today is it possible for her to get Pregnant without his area being stuck inside her?
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on April 01, 2016:
Wow, Holly, that's quite surprising! Thanks for sharing your story about your pregnant dog.
Holly on March 31, 2016:
Alexadry, Would just like to say that NO you cannot ALWAYS rely on the Vet to confirm preg?!?! Last July my Female Shih Tzu went into heat, I also have a Male for breeding them. Well I was told 3 times my girl was NOT preg & having a False preg. Xray showed nothing either. He gave her meds to stop the "false Preg" (Ovaban)Well she cont to grow & behave as if she was really preg which happens in false preg as well but being exposed to my intact male I just found it hard to believe this in fact was a false preg. so I did take her back to the vet & she was about 6 weeks into her preg or false preg. Vet still said no babies. a week later I began to feel movement in her belly. gathered everyone & anyone I know to feel because I surely thought I was just going crazy.. well they all felt the movement. Then I read that you can hear the heartbeats through a stethascope, so I got one & for sure I was able to detect 4 separate heartbeats. At this point she was going into her 8th week so I decided to wait it out & knowing at this point there def had to be babies & she delivered 4 VERY healthy babies on Sept 22/23. 3 boys & 1 girl.
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 22, 2016:
Only way to no for sure if your dog is pregnant is to see the vet, I would see the vet also especially since you are seeing a discharge.
Bhupender on March 20, 2016:
my fem is concieve 32days but I cant understand she is concieve or not she give 3 time delivery but now I cant her activities are slow nd she eat food high she give some white dark liquid 5 to 6 time how can I know
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 18, 2016:
Consult with your vet please. Your vet may recommend spaying her if she is at risk. Some dogs can deliver with a C-section if the pups are too big.
Diana Warner on March 15, 2016:
I have a very tiny Yorkie. She weighs about two pounds and is 1 1/2 years old. I was working on the yard and I turned around and she was tied with another Yorkie 3 times her size. What should be done? I do not want to lose her to this mishap. Can you help me know what i should do?
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 13, 2016:
Sounds like this dog needs to see the vet, not normal at all to pee that often.
Josie Garner on March 11, 2016:
Hello I found a lost Boston terrier in my neighborhood and I toke it home with me and it had huge dark nipples and it was peeing like every 5 mins.....is it pregnant?
paul varghese on March 01, 2016:
hlo sir i have a rottie and now she is 10 month old so...in which age she is to be pregnant?
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on October 18, 2015:
Juanita, hopefully she's near, any puppies yet?
Juanita on October 18, 2015:
Hello my pom was stuck a couple of times .... Its past 63 days no pupies but seems she is lactaiting and she seems tired..
sueg on September 29, 2015:
hi my bitch had a scan at 30 days , to find that she had 3 puppies ... she has really sagging titties and producing milk she is now 60 days today , but i dont feel or see any movement , and she seems to be quite small in the tummy .... she sleeps nearly all day and when she is awake she eats normal and still runs around like normal...i can feel what seems to be 2 puppies , 1 either side but they dont move ...she is forever cleaning herself ..but just worried there might be something wrong ...
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on July 27, 2015:
It's hard to say, just as in humans, only a pregnancy test can really give accurate results and in dogs this often means seeing the vet. What's for sure is that a tie isn't necessarily a guarantee of pregnancy, therefore a dog can get pregnant without getting stuck.
Daniela on July 26, 2015:
I have a cane corso female almost 11 month old,and she just got her first season on wednsday,and the next day she was found with a male dog in the yard,but they were not been stuck.so i was wondering if it's possible for her to be pregnent after a mating on the second day of the bleading,thanks.
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on July 13, 2015:
The only way to know for sure is having the vet determine it. Getting stuck is not always a guarantee of pregnancy and false pregnancies may look like the real thing
wanda on July 12, 2015:
My female Chihuahua got stuck by my male Chihuahua an I didn't know she was in heat an I woke up bcause I heard her yelping an I came in the dining room and they both was stuck don't know how many times she got stuck but I only know once an it was sometimes in may an her belly is a little bit big and her nipples r pink an big an hanging but no milk yet can she b pregnant
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on June 18, 2014:
It's hard to tell what is happening. Your best bet would be a vet visit. Consider though that signs of pregnancy wouldn't develop immediately, you'll like usually see the most subtle ones give or take after about 30 days. These articles address signs of pregnancy and signs of false pregnancy:
//pethelpful.com/dogs/Signs-your-dog-is-preg
//pethelpful.com/dogs/Understanding-Dog-Fals...
ahm11 on June 17, 2014:
The sagging was immediately. And its been several months ago since ahe was in heat though. And she was but I tried to supervise her. I never saw anything
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on June 17, 2014:
How many days after bleeding for a week have you started to notice this? Has she been around males?
ahm11 on June 17, 2014:
I have a pit that is 2 years old and she seemed to have had a rough first heat cycle. She bleed for about a week and her tits started to sag. I have heard this was normal ao I blew it off but now they seem to be more swollen and I squeezed one nipple and a milky substance came out. I figure she is pregnant but her belly has not grown any, if anything ot looks slimmer. She has not shown any mood change or anything like that. What could this be?
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 29, 2014:
The tie or duration of the tie is not a guarantee of pregnancy. Sounds like you let her mate on the correct days as around that time she was likely in estrus. Good that you mated her twice with a day in between, so the male's sperm can be "renovated". Chances should be good, but there's no way to know for sure. Even breeders with years of experience who test their females, get those chances of females remaining "empty" despite all their effort. So hold on, wait a few weeks and then see your vet to determine if she is actually pregnant or not. Good luck.
Meghna on March 28, 2014:
I got female golden retriver of 2 years and got mated on 12 and 14 th day of her heat and the tie was only about less than 5 mins
and I am very tensed about her pregnancy..what is the chances of her pregnancy and yes she got mated on her 3rd heat!!
Help alex...I am worried :( :(
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 14, 2014:
You might be seeing signs of a false pregnancy, read more about it here:
//pethelpful.com/dogs/Understanding-Dog-Fals...
nichole on March 13, 2014:
I have a 1 year pit bull and she was tied with my male in the middle of January and she still did not have puppies. I checked her and she has clear liquid coming out of her tits she has not been eating as well she does not look big. What is going on
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on February 16, 2014:
Some dogs "practice" their mothering skills, so to say, before giving birth. They'll carry the toy around, lick it and even sleep with it. While mostly seen in false pregnancies, mothering a toy during pregnancy is not unusual behavior. You can read about it here:
//www.petplace.com/dogs/pregnancy-in-dogs/pag...
Fitzy on February 16, 2014:
My dog is 53 days pregnant we had her checked by the vet, she is nesting all the time and a lot quieter. Lately. Tonight she has started to carry around a soft toy with her and she is very protective over it, is this normal ?
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on February 09, 2014:
It's hard to tell, it could also be a false pregnancy which begin about four to nine weeks after the heat period, and mimic the symptoms of true pregnancy.
me on February 09, 2014:
Hi my dog came in on heat in December and our knowledge is she didn't mate with any males, but you never no. She has been very sluggish and quite also has put on wait all over and her nipples have never really give back to being small after being on heat. This morning I saw a milky/ clear discharge. Do you think she is pregnant she is mine months old
bunty baba on October 28, 2013:
My pet bull 10 months when she was in heat, but he had not performed his meeting Prgnet ox stomach is not good that will come when the next heat
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on September 08, 2012:
While a tie will up the chances for pregnancy, there are also cases of dogs getting pregnant without a tie; so I would not completely rule out a possible pregnancy. Best wishes!
Geri on September 06, 2012:
my dog is really clingy and jack my boy dog is all over her she is very tired and she is always asleep on me my parents don't have the oney to take her to a vet. jack has 3 legs and we want them to breed but he doesn't aim right. we have been watching him very closely and he has been right on but were not sure if the got stuck...help me!!!!!
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on May 10, 2012:
Have them spayed and neutered ASAP, //discover.hubpages.com/animals/Should-You-B...
lexib123 on May 10, 2012:
i am worried i just found my dogs (brother and sister)stuck what should i expect to happen next?
PetCollars from Saint Augustine, Florida on April 04, 2012:
If that the case, then i guess its better off to check a vet. As what we always say, it is still best to ask an expert.
savans on April 04, 2012:
My dog mated and locked 30 days ago. She doesn't look pregnant, but in the first 3 weeks she threw up a few times. We expected she may be pregnant. But then about a week ago we noticed her having blood in her urine. Could she be having a miscarriage. A family members dog had pups. She brought her pups to my house when they are six weeks old.Could puppies that are not hers make her loose her babies if she is pregnant.
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 20, 2012:
You're welcome, puppies are born around 57-65 after breeding. best wishes!
Adrianna on March 20, 2012:
Thank u so much for the help. Hopefully she will have it or them soon.
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 20, 2012:
If you cannot afford a vet all you can do is just wait and see and watch for more obvious signs. Best wishes.
Adrianna on March 20, 2012:
Hey, im 15 years old and I have a 2 year old jack russel. She was in heat 2 months ago and I wasn't home. Idk ifshe tied or not and we have a neighbor whose dog gets out a lot. She's showing a lot of signs and I don't have any money to take her to the vet. Im worried about her cuz she is my life. I was feeling her tummy and I felt one lump. Oh ya and this is also her very first litter.
PetCollars from Saint Augustine, Florida on March 10, 2012:
Thanks for the well written hub. I also do appreciate that you post idea like this. Perhaps, there were enormous pet owners that don not even know that their pet is pregnant! Can't wait for your another informative hub.
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on February 28, 2012:
Yes, a dog can and the result is puppies from different fathers. This is called a multiple sired litter.
dijealjo on February 26, 2012:
Can a dog get pregnant by more than one dog during the same heat cycle?
Adrienne Farricelli (author) on February 22, 2012:
Here is a link about mastitis, best of luck:
//www.petplace.com/dogs/mastitis-in-dogs/page...
dixie on February 22, 2012:
thank you for your answer though i have never heard of mastitis i will look it up, i rubbed her teats with a warm rag and put some neasporin on her nipples where she has been chewing. i have been trying to reach my vet since 5 pm yesterday when i got home and still trying as of 6 am this morning, i was just learrie of putting anything warm on her titts was not sure if it would make her milk drop faster or not! but thank you again!!