Is your dog pregnant?

1. Diet fluctuations.

Like humans, pregnant dogs can experience nausea early on in the pregnancy but have an expanded appetite later on. You'll want to make sure to keep an eye on your dog's eating habits - most of the time, your pregnant dog should have a healthier appetite than normal. That's good; you'll want to see that. If your dog is having some issues with eating for a prolonged amount of time (maybe more than a week or so), then you'll want to consult a vet.

2. How to exercise.

Exercise is crucial in dogs - for most dogs you want to work them out until they're exhausted. With pregnant dogs, you'll want to moderate more but still carry on with the exercise routine. Pregnant dogs don't need to worry about fat and weight loss - you don't want them to gain too much fat but you don't want to necessarily keep them looking fit, either. Let the dog exercise moderately with a regular half-hour walk.

3. Vaccinations.

Vaccinations should be avoided when a dog is pregnant, which is why you'll want to report any abnormalities in your dog's behavior or physical makeup to a vet right away during a pregnancy. If you're breeding your dog, you've probably already had the appropriate vaccinations earlier on in your dog's life, but this is something to keep in mind if you've never worked with a pregnant dog before.

4. Learn about labor.

The better you're able to pick up the signs of dog's labor, the better you'll be able to handle the pregnancy. Do your research to find a few things: when your dog might be expecting, how many puppies to expect, and the signs of early labor. These will not only help you be prepared, but have piece of mind as your dog waits around your house for its new litter of puppies.

Ultimately, there's no reason to overreact when your dog is pregnant and try to micromanage its behavior. Remember that pregnancy is a completely natural thing and that a dog's own body will often do much of the regulating for you.

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