So your dog had an "oops" moment during her heat cycle? Been there. When my terrier Daisy got loose last spring, I spent three weeks obsessively checking her belly every morning. Is she eating more? Are her nipples pinker? How do I tell if my dog is pregnant without rushing to the vet every week? Turns out, there are clear physical and behavioral clues.

Early Signs: Weeks 1-3

Honestly, the first two weeks are frustratingly vague. You might notice subtle changes like:

  • Nap marathons (my Daisy slept 18 hours/day)
  • Morning sickness (about 20% of dogs vomit briefly around week 3)
  • Clinginess (suddenly your independent dog becomes your shadow)

My neighbor's retriever refused to eat her kibble for two days straight, then devoured a whole chicken breast in 10 seconds. Pregnancy cravings are real!

Behavioral Changes Worth Noting

Sign Typical Timing Reliability My Experience
Decreased activity Week 2-3 Medium (could just be tired) Daisy skipped her daily squirrel chase
Nipple darkening Week 3 High (if sudden) Like pink erasers turned strawberry
Appetite swings Week 3-4 Medium Would snub dinner but steal toast

Mid-Stage Physical Changes: Weeks 4-6

Here's where things get visible. Around day 30, your vet can feel puppies through abdominal palpation (gentle belly prodding). But between us? My attempt at home felt like poking a water balloon - couldn't tell anything.

What You'll Actually See

  • Swollen nipples: By week 5, they look like mini marshmallows
  • Weight gain: Not fat spread evenly - it's all belly
  • Clear vaginal discharge (normal around week 5)

Measure her waist weekly! Daisy's ribcage-to-hip measurement jumped 15% between week 4 and 5. That sealed it for me.

Confirmation Methods That Actually Work

Look, guessing is stressful. Here's how to know for sure:

Method When? Accuracy Cost Range Downsides
Vet Palpation Day 28-35 85% $50-$80 Misses small litters
Ultrasound Day 25+ 99% $150-$400 Won't show puppy count
Relaxin Test
(blood test)		 Day 21-25 95% $100-$200 False negatives if early
X-ray Day 45+ 100% $150-$300 Radiation exposure

Our clinic uses relaxin tests around day 28 - cheaper than ultrasound and catches 90% of pregnancies. But for final puppy count? Nothing beats an X-ray after day 45.

Skip those "dog pregnancy test kits" on Amazon. I wasted $45 on one that showed false positive. Vet told me they're notoriously unreliable.

Late Pregnancy: Weeks 7-9

If you're still wondering how do I tell if my dog is pregnant at this stage - honey, it's obvious. Her belly sways when she walks. You might see puppy movement!

Pre-Labor Signs

  • Nesting (Daisy shredded my favorite blanket for her "den")
  • Milk production (squeeze a nipple - white drops mean it's close)
  • Temperature drop (from 101°F to 98°F 12-24 hours before labor)

Common Mistakes Owners Make

After fostering pregnant rescues for 8 years, I've seen it all:

  • Overfeeding early (leads to obese moms and birthing complications)
  • Missing pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy with real symptoms!)
  • Ignoring behavioral red flags (lethargy could mean pyometra)

Your Top Questions Answered

How soon can you tell if a dog is pregnant?
Vets detect pregnancy reliably at day 28 via palpation. Blood tests work from day 21.

Can a vet tell if a dog is pregnant at 2 weeks?
No. Embryos haven't implanted yet. Anyone claiming they can is selling snake oil.

Do dogs get morning sickness?
Some do around week 3 - usually mild vomiting lasting 2-3 days. If severe, see your vet.

When do dogs start showing pregnancy?
Visible belly swelling typically appears around week 5 in medium/large dogs, week 6 in small breeds.

How do I tell if my dog is pregnant without a vet?
Track nipple color changes, appetite spikes, and abdominal growth. But honestly? Get a blood test.

What If She's Not Pregnant?

Sometimes phantom pregnancies mimic real ones. Last year, Daisy gained weight, produced milk... but ultrasound showed empty uterus. Hormones are weird.

Pseudopregnancy Symptoms

Symptom Real Pregnancy False Pregnancy
Nesting behavior Starts week 8 Can happen anytime
Milk production Week 7-9 Often excessive
Appetite changes Gradual increase Erratic swings

Essential Timeline for Owners

Based on my notes from Daisy's pregnancy:

  • Week 1-3: Monitor appetite/behavior - NO diet changes
  • Week 4: Vet visit for confirmation
  • Week 5: Switch to puppy food (extra calories)
  • Week 6: Set up whelping box (she'll investigate it)
  • Week 7: Reduce strenuous exercise
  • Week 8: Take rectal temp twice daily
  • Week 9: Puppy time! (average gestation is 63 days)

That moment when you finally know how do I tell if my dog is pregnant? Relief mixed with panic. But watching Daisy nuzzle her squirming pups? Worth every anxious belly-check.