How to tell if your dog is pregnant: signs, veterinary methods, and at-home testing

How to tell if your dog is pregnant: signs, veterinary methods, and at-home testing

September 02, 2025

Early signs of dog pregnancy

Bringing new puppies into the world is exciting, but it can also leave dog owners with a lot of questions. One of the most common is: how do I know if my dog is pregnant?

Pregnancy in dogs lasts about 63 days. The earliest signs can be subtle, but common changes include:

  • changes in behavior, such as increased rest or nesting

  • physical changes, including enlarged or darker nipples and mild weight gain

  • appetite changes, ranging from reduced appetite to increased hunger

  • occasional mild nausea

It is important to note that these signs can also appear in false pregnancies, so they should not be considered definitive.

How veterinarians confirm pregnancy

Veterinarians use several methods to confirm whether a dog is pregnant:

  • Palpation (day 28 and later) – feeling for developing puppies through the abdomen

  • Ultrasound (day 25 and later) – safe, accurate, and allows visualization of embryos at the time of scanning

  • X-ray (day 55 and later) – confirms the number of puppies once skeletons are visible

  • Blood test (day 24 and later) – measures the pregnancy hormone relaxin

At-home pregnancy testing

For owners who want clarity without waiting weeks for a veterinary appointment, there is  an at-home option.

The Bellylabs Dog Pregnancy Test is designed specifically for use at home:

  • based on the same principle as veterinary lab tests, detecting the pregnancy hormone relaxin

  • validated at 96% accuracy in studies

  • requires only a small blood sample from the dog’s gum

  • Suitable for use from day 24 post-ovulation, with any positive result considered reliable. The test reaches its validated 96% accuracy from day 28 onwards, when relaxin is most consistently detectable.

This makes Bellylabs the world’s first dog pregnancy test for home use, providing a convenient and science-backed solution for breeders and dog owners alike.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Bellylabs test compare to a veterinary test?
The Bellylabs test uses the same biological marker as a veterinary lab test—relaxin. The difference is that it can be performed easily at home, giving owners flexibility and fast results.

Can the test be used before day 28?
Yes, the test can be used from day 24 post-ovulation. A positive result at this stage is already reliable. However, the test reaches its validated 96% accuracy from day 28 onwards, so if the result is negative but pregnancy is still suspected, we recommend retesting after a few days.

Will the test work for all dog breeds and sizes?
Yes, the test has been validated across multiple breeds and sizes.

Key takeaway

If you are wondering whether your dog is expecting puppies:

  • watch for early physical and behavioral signs

  • confirm through veterinary testing if needed

  • use the Bellylabs Dog Pregnancy Test for a reliable, convenient answer at home

Buy the Bellylabs Pregnancy Test here: https://belly-labs.com/products/bellylabs-pregnancy-test-for-dogs

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Bellylabs Trächtigkeitstest für Hunde

Bellylabs Trächtigkeitstest für Hunde ist Bestseller Schnelltest-Kit zur Früherkennung der Hundeträchtigkeit für die Anwendung zuhause. Das Testen ist schnell, sicher, einfach und stressfrei. Ergebnisse in 10 Minuten.

Trächtigkeitstest von Bellylabs dient zur Erkennung der Trächtigkeit bei Hündinnen, um zwischen einer Scheinschwangerschaft und einer echten Trächtigkeit zu unterscheiden. Der Test misst den Hormongehalt an Relaxin, das ein zuverlässiger Hinweis auf eine Schwangerschaft ist. Für eine optimale Genauigkeit von 96 %* empfehlen wir den Test 28 Tage nach der Ovulation durchzuführen**. Es schadet nicht, früher zu testen, aber es kann sein, dass das Hormon noch nicht ausreicht, um einen zuverlässigen Nachweis zu ermöglichen. 

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