While there's no hard science proving dogs know you're going into labor, many mothers report their dogs acting differently—becoming clingy, protective, or restless—because they likely sense hormonal shifts, subtle scent changes (like prostaglandins/oxytocin), behavioral cues (like anxiety or altered gait), or even heightened emotions right before birth. Their incredible sense of smell and observation skills allow them to pick up on these physical and emotional signals that signal something significant is about to happen, even if they don't understand the medical process.
Research suggests that dogs not only sense when we're stressed because of our body language, but that they can actually smell our stress through our breath and sweat—so, yes, your dog is likely to know something's up as labor approaches.
When you start feeling discomfort or contractions, your dog may notice you're in pain or tense. While it's not proven that dogs know when labor is imminent, an observant pet still might be able to give you a hint.
You may notice behavior changes in your dog, such as extreme nesting behavior (fervently shredding bedding material, frantic nesting, etc.), discomfort and increased panting. These signs usually occur 6-12 hours before parturition and signify the start of stage I labor, but may last up to 24-36 hours.
There's a reason dogs might seem more inseparable from their pregnant owners, as the parents-to-be get further along in their pregnancies. Not only do pups notice growing baby bumps, but some experts believe dogs can pick up on a change in scent from expectant mothers, according to the American Kennel Club.
There aren't any hard scientific studies that prove dogs can detect pregnancy, but their amazing senses make it seem possible. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell—while humans have about 6 million scent receptors in their noses, dogs have around 300 million. This lets them detect tiny differences in their owners.
It is normal for your dog to become restless and anxious or irritable and defensive, and she may want to run off and hide while she gives birth to her puppies. Alternately, some dogs become especially clingy and want to be near their owners constantly when labor is near, instead.
Early signs of labour are typically felt between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Early signs of labour include cramps, a 'show' or your waters breaking. A 'show' is bloodstained vaginal discharge. Braxton Hicks contractions are not true labour contractions.
Dogs may be able to hear a baby in the womb as early as the 28th week of pregnancy, when babies start to make faint noises.
Later in pregnancy, a dog will sense changes in the way a woman moves, as well as changes in her emotions. If a dog is around when the woman's water breaks, it will be able to smell the amniotic fluid.
Introduce Your Dog to Baby Sights, Sounds and Smells
Let her investigate them, but if she picks them up, immediately redirect her attention to one of her own toys or chew bones. (Keep in mind that it might be difficult for your dog to tell the difference between her things and the baby's!
When a woman becomes pregnant, her hormones surge, which may change her unique personal scent. Additionally, as her body changes—and her movement changes as a result—dogs can pick up on those changes and they may react to them.
During the final week of dog pregnancy, mothers-to-be may be a little restless and seclude themselves in a quiet area. A loss of appetite and burrowing in her bedding is common in the 12-24 hours before she goes into labor.
Can dogs actually hear human heartbeats? While dogs have acute hearing, they are unlikely to hear a heartbeat unless they are pressed very closely to your chest. More often, they sense your presence and body rhythms, which can be comforting for them. Why is my dog snuggling with me more than usual?
While dogs don't understand the idea of pregnancy, they can be sensitive to change. Their amazing sense of smell and hearing, and close bond with their owners, means they can pick up on anything different. Those might be differences in the pregnant person's behaviour.
The signs of labor will vary for every pregnant person; some symptoms may be more subtle than others. Some early signs of early labor include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased bowel movements, lower back pain, cervical dilation and effacement and the loss of the mucus plug.
The "5-5-5 rule" in a labor/postpartum context is a guideline for new mothers to prioritize rest and recovery in the first 15 days after childbirth, suggesting 5 days in bed, followed by 5 days on the bed (minimal movement), and then 5 days near the bed (gentle movement around the home). This promotes healing, bonding, and reduces stress, though it's a flexible guide, not a strict mandate, with some experts suggesting early movement can help prevent blood clots, making a modified approach ideal.
5 Signs That You're Really in Labor
Additionally, many dogs will even go a step further and rub and heads and snouts on your belly on the day or day before you go into labor. It's as if they are trying to alert you to prepare yourself. Or, perhaps they are trying to get a closer listen to what is happening inside of your belly!
Here are some telltale signs labor is on the horizon:
Dogs who have anxiety issues often develop clingy dog behaviors. Interestingly, dogs can also become clingy if they sense our stress or anxiety. Dogs can also become clingy if you change their daily routine or make changes in the home or household that cause them stress.
Your Dog Sniffs Around More Than Usual
“Dogs can smell changes in the body when their owner goes into labour — these smells come from hormones associated with the pregnancy and labor process such as oxytocin, estrogen, and progesterone,” Askeland says. “They may even be able to smell placenta.”
Don't Leave Dog & Baby Alone Together
For the first few years, make sure your dog will behave calmly and safely around your child. "This new baby is invading their space and some animals can be pretty aggressive," says Gellner.
"Pets, particularly dogs and cats, have highly developed olfactory senses that allow them to detect subtle hormonal changes in humans, including those associated with pregnancy," says Susan NilsonOpens a new window, a cat and dog training and behavior specialist and the owner and founder of The Cat and Dog House, which ...