How to Tell if a Dog Is Pregnant : Understanding Early Signs, False Pregnancy, and What’s Normal

How to Identify if a Dog is Pregnant
Week-by-Week Guide, False Pregnancy Insights & What’s Normal

Understanding dog pregnancy can be tricky, as hormonal changes in dogs are nearly identical whether they’re pregnant or not.

At Stokeshire, we believe knowledge replaces uncertainty. This guide will help you determine if your dog is truly pregnant, understand the week-by-week pregnancy process, and recognize false pregnancy (pseudopregnancy) — one of the most misunderstood aspects of canine care.

Table of Contents FAQ

How long are dogs pregnant?

Most dogs are pregnant for approximately 63 days (9 weeks), measured from ovulation rather than the breeding date.

What are the early signs of dog pregnancy?

Early signs may include mild fatigue, appetite changes, increased affection, or subtle nipple color changes — though these signs are not reliable without veterinary confirmation.

What is false pregnancy in dogs?

False pregnancy (pseudopregnancy) occurs when hormonal changes after heat cause a dog to show pregnancy symptoms even though she is not actually pregnant.

How can you tell false pregnancy from real pregnancy?

False pregnancy and real pregnancy often look identical early on. Ultrasound, blood testing, or X-ray are the only reliable ways to confirm pregnancy.

What happens during a week-by-week dog pregnancy?

Pregnancy progresses from embryo implantation in weeks 2–3, to visible abdominal growth by weeks 4–6, followed by puppy movement and nesting behaviors during weeks 7–9.

When can dog pregnancy be confirmed?

Pregnancy may be confirmed by relaxin blood test or ultrasound around day 28, and by X-ray around days 50–55 for accurate puppy counts.

When should a veterinarian be contacted?

Contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist longer than four weeks, milk production becomes excessive, mammary glands appear painful, or your dog seems lethargic or distressed.

How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?

The average dog pregnancy lasts:

• 63 days (approximately 9 weeks)

• Measured from ovulation, not the breeding date.

Since ovulation timing varies, early pregnancy signs are often unreliable without veterinary testing.

Early Signs of Dog Pregnancy

In the first few weeks, signs of pregnancy are subtle and can be mistaken for hormonal changes.

Possible early indicators:

• Mild lethargy

• Increased affection

• Temporary appetite loss

• Slight nipple enlargement

• Behavioral changes

⚠️ Note: These signs also occur during false pregnancy, so observation alone cannot confirm pregnancy.

What Is False Pregnancy in Dogs?

False pregnancy (pseudopregnancy) occurs when a female dog shows pregnancy symptoms without being pregnant.

This is a normal condition that affects many intact females after their heat cycle.

Why it happens:
After every heat cycle:

1. Progesterone rises — regardless of conception.

2. Progesterone remains elevated for ~60 days.

3. Progesterone drops.

4. Prolactin (maternal hormone) increases.

This hormonal sequence mimics true pregnancy, preparing the dog’s body for puppies — even if none exist.

Common False Pregnancy Symptoms

False pregnancy symptoms typically appear 4–8 weeks after heat.

Physical symptoms:

• Enlarged nipples

• Mammary swelling

• Milk or fluid production

• Weight gain

• Mild abdominal distension

Behavioral symptoms:

• Nesting behavior

• Carrying toys as if they’re puppies

• Protective instincts

• Anxiety or clinginess

• Reduced or fluctuating appetite

These signs usually resolve naturally within 1–3 weeks.

False Pregnancy vs Real Pregnancy

Symptom	False Pregnancy	Real Pregnancy
Nipple enlargement	✓	✓
Milk production	✓	✓
Nesting behavior	✓	✓
Weight gain	✓	✓
Puppy movement	—	✓
Ultrasound confirmation	—	✓
X-ray puppy visibility	—	✓

Week-by-Week Dog Pregnancy Timeline

Week-by-Week Dog Pregnancy Timeline

A clear, high-level view of what typically happens during each week of pregnancy — from fertilization to labor.

Week 1

Days 1–7

Early development begins

• Fertilization occurs.
• Embryos begin dividing.
• No visible signs.

Week 2

Days 8–14

Embryos travel to the uterus

• Embryos migrate toward the uterus.
• Dog appears normal.

Week 3

Days 15–21

Implantation window

• Embryos implant.
• Possible nausea or appetite changes.
• Early nipple color change.

Week 4

Days 22–28

Organ development begins

• Organ development begins.
• Heartbeats present.
• Slight mammary development.

Note: Ultrasound confirmation is possible but limited.

Week 5

Days 29–35

Growth becomes noticeable

• Fetal skeleton formation.
• Abdominal rounding begins.
• Increased appetite.

Week 6

Days 36–42

Rapid fetal growth

• Rapid fetal growth.
• Clear belly enlargement.
• Increased rest.

Week 7

Days 43–49

Preparation phase begins

• Puppies are fully formed.
• Visible abdominal movement.
• Nesting behaviors begin.

Week 8

Days 50–56

Near full size

• Puppies are nearly full size.
• Appetite may decline.
• Mammary glands enlarge.

Confirmation: X-ray confirms litter size.

Week 9

Days 57–63

Labor is close

• Temperature drops below 99°F.
• Restlessness, panting.
• Labor begins within 12–24 hours.

When Can a Dog Pregnancy Be Confirmed?

Method	Timing	Purpose
Relaxin blood test	Day 28+	Confirms pregnancy hormone
Ultrasound	Day 28–35	Confirms embryos
X-ray	Day 50–55	Counts puppies

At Stokeshire, we never assume pregnancy — we confirm it.

When to Contact a Veterinarian

Seek veterinary guidance if:

• Milk production becomes excessive.

• Mammary glands become painful.

• Symptoms persist longer than 4 weeks.

• Dog develops fever or lethargy.

• False pregnancies occur repeatedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tell if a dog is pregnant at 2 weeks?

No. Physical signs typically do not appear until around weeks 4–5, and confirmation requires veterinary testing.

Can a dog produce milk without being pregnant?

Yes. False pregnancy commonly causes mammary development and milk production even when no pregnancy is present.

How common is false pregnancy in dogs?

False pregnancy is very common. Many intact female dogs experience it following a heat cycle.

Is false pregnancy dangerous?

Usually no. However, repeated or prolonged false pregnancies should be evaluated by a veterinarian to protect long-term hormonal and mammary health.