The human-canine bond is an incredibly strong one, and it’s not unusual for your furry friend to be extra clingy or protective when you’re feeling under the weather. But if you’re pregnant, your dog may be able to sense and respond to your changing hormones – and that can manifest as clingy behavior. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why my dog might be more clingy than usual, and consider whether or not it could be an indication that I might be expecting a baby. We’ll also look at some basic tips for handling a clingy dog during pregnancy, and offer advice on how to make sure your pup is getting the attention and love it needs during this special time.
How early can a dog detect pregnancy?
Some claim that even before they knew they were pregnant, their dog began acting differently around them. Some people who are trying to get pregnant might observe how their dog behaves to see if they react differently or in an unusual way. Even if a dog’s owner is only a few weeks pregnant, they might notice something is off. Additionally, it’s possible that a dog won’t detect someone’s pregnancy until their belly starts to show or their routine alters. A pregnancy test is a more accurate way to determine whether conception has taken place than a dog noticing that someone is pregnant, though that makes for a funny story.
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One of the amazing things about dogs is their noses and their ability to detect and remember scents, long after being exposed to the original odor. When a person is pregnant, the hormones in their body are likely to alter their scent in some way. So, can dogs sense pregnancy? Because of their keen sense of smell, it’s believed by many that a dog can detect a change in a pregnant person even before they do — but it’s mostly conjecture. “I suspect that dogs can smell something we cannot,” says Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, a staff doctor at New York City’s Animal Medical Center.
She explains that dogs have 60 times as many smell receptors as humans, and 40 times as much brainpower dedicated to smell, allowing them to differentiate 30,000 to 100,000 aromas. Because a huge part of a dog’s brain is devoted to analyzing odors, dogs are able to pick up on different scents resulting from chemical changes, cancer, insulin levels, bombs, drugs, a person’s menstrual cycle, and even pregnancy, according to Russ Hartstein, a certified behaviorist and dog trainer in Los Angeles.
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According to research, dogs may be able to sense pregnancy — possibly before their owners are even aware of it.
You’ve read about it, heard about it from friends, and perhaps even had the experience: a dog that senses its owner is pregnant before the owner even realizes it herself.
But is it really true that dogs can sense when you’re expecting? Here’s what the research can — and can’t — tell us regarding your dog’s perception of your pregnancy.
FAQ
Can dogs sense early pregnancy?
How do dogs act when they sense pregnancy?
Do pets get clingy when your pregnant?
As if you couldn’t love your cat enough, they could become even more affectionate than usual once they sense you’re pregnant. You’ll notice them spending more time rubbing against you and staying close to you.