Summary: Signs that a dog is pregnant include swelling of the abdomen, enlarged mammary glands, an increased appetite and a nesting behavior, but a veterinary exam will confirm the pregnancy. Identify signs that a dog is pregnant with health information from a veterinarian in this free video on pet care.
Dr. Aimee Beger works for McClintock Animal Care Center in Tempe, Ariz. She is a veterinarian specializing in small animals, and she has a lot of great advice for dog owners.read more
"Hi, I'm Doctor Aimee Beger, and I'm a veterinarian, and today we're going to be talking about ways to determine if your dog is pregnant. The best way to determine if your dog is pregnant is to go to the veterinarian and have them do a palpation of your dogs abdomen, but, what you might find at home is that your dog becomes...becomes enlarged in the abdomen, or kind of a big belly. Sometimes her mammary glands do enlarge, and nipples eventually become enlarged as well, which indicates that she's producing milk. Other signs you might see at home are that her appetite has increased. She may become thirsty. And that she may become a little bit more needy during the process. Near the end of pregnancy, however, she may seek solace and want to, kind of, start to nest in a little closet or bedroom off....in the house. And, other ways you can determine, of course, if your dog is pregnant is to do x-rays and, or ultrasound at your veterinarian."