We reached out to both medical and animal experts to help us unpack the question of whether our dogs can sense our pregnancies, and why this happens. Ahead, learn more about this adorable phenomenon, along with the best ways to smoothly introduce your dog to your new baby when the time comes.
Does My Dog Know I’m Pregnant Before I Do?
Dogs seem to have a way of “sensing” that something is going to happen before it occurs. Your pup may act agitated or extra clingy before it rains, for example. But does this apply to knowing you’re pregnant before those two lines even appear on the at-home test? There is definitely some truth to this, says Sarah Wooten, DVM, a veterinarian and animal expert for Pumpkin Pet Insurance. “While there are no studies to support this idea, I believe that dogs can sense an early pregnancy, though they likely don’t know what they are detecting,” she adds. “Pregnant people undergo several hormonal changes that can cause subtle shifts in the scent of their body, which dogs could theoretically detect through their amazingly sensitive snoots.” Mitchell Kramer, MD, chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Huntington Hospital, agrees. Although he hasn’t come across any research specifically on this, there are certainly many anecdotes to back up the claim, he says. “Anecdotally, dog owners who are pregnant say that their dogs behave differently,” Dr. Kramer describes. “They can be more protective and stay closer to their pregnant human.”
How Does My Dog Know I’m Pregnant?
Dr. Kramer agrees with the assessment that the hormones of pregnancy, combined with a dog’s powerful nose, are probably a big driving factor behind this phenomenon. “Dogs have an extremely keen sense of smell and can detect very subtle changes in human odors that are caused by the hormonal changes in pregnancy," Dr. Kramer explains, citing beta-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), estrogen, and progesterone as some of the hormones at play. In addition, dogs may notice subtle changes in your daily habits, says Dr. Wooten. “Some dogs are very tuned into your moods and behaviors, and if you are experiencing morning sickness or other changes in your routine due to your pregnancy, your dog may pick up on that,” she describes.
How Do Dogs Act When They Sense Pregnancy?
Every dog is different, and dogs have unique relationships with their humans. How your dog responds to your pregnancy will depend on several individual factors, including your home environment, your pet/owner dynamic, and the specifics of your current routine. “Some dogs may not do anything differently,” Dr. Wooten points out. “Some dogs may become overprotective, standoffish, anxious, or clingy. Others might engage in destructive behaviors associated with anxiety, like digging or chewing.” Again, these behavioral shifts may be due to adjustments in your routine, or biological changes happening within your body. Rochelle Guardado, CPDT-KA, CCBC, animal training manager at Pasadena Humane Society, adds that your dog is more likely reacting to changes in routine than anything else, and may simply be adapting to new habits. “You may find your dog is more attentive when really, they are just lying in bed with you or getting up to follow you to the restroom or kitchen more often,” Guardado says.
How to Introduce Your Dog Once Your Baby Arrives
Introducing your dog to your baby will be an exciting moment, but it can also be tricky. After all, dogs can be very territorial, and they don’t always like it when their owners’ attention is diverted from them. Plus, if your dog doesn’t have experience with babies, they might not know how to act in a safe manner. “The key is to start the process before the baby even arrives,” says Guardado. If you have a nursery already set up, one simple thing you can do is to limit your dog’s access to that room a few weeks or months before your baby comes home so that your dog doesn’t think of that area as their territory. You can also start training your dog to walk alongside a stroller on a leash ahead of your baby’s arrival. Dr. Wooten recommends switching up some of your routines about three months before your due date. “A good rule of thumb is to gradually decrease the amount of attention you give your dog to get them used to a ’new normal,’” she says. You can also adjust your dog’s routines—for example, what rooms they are allowed in, and when they take their walks—a month or two before your baby arrives, Dr. Wooten advises. Dogs are very sensitive to both sounds and smells. Before your baby’s arrival, Dr. Wooten recommends training your dog to feel comfortable with the noises and scents that are commonly associated with babies. “The month before the baby arrives, start using products such as lotion or baby soap,” she recommends. Some of your baby’s vocalizations may be distressing to your dog, especially crying. “You can desensitize your dog a bit by playing baby sounds (crying, cooing, etc.) occasionally over the final month of pregnancy,” says Dr. Wooten. “If you plan to pump, run the machine daily a couple of weeks before the baby arrives.” There are also a few things you can do in the first few days after your baby is born to prepare your dog, says Dr. Kramer. “Before the newborn is brought home, the baby’s hat or blanket could be shown to the dog to smell and get familiarized with the baby’s scent,” he describes. “This can help the dog acclimate to the new addition.” When your baby finally does come home, Dr. Wooten suggests staging the initial meeting in a neutral area, like your front yard. Make sure that your dog is on a leash and calm, she suggests. Then, take your baby in the house before the dog comes inside. “This will help your dog stay out of ’territorial’ mode and will teach your dog that the baby is now part of the home landscape,” she adds. In those early days, you should never leave your dog alone with the baby, even if they seem calm, Dr. Wooten warns. “If the dog exhibits any signs of fear or anxiety, talk to a behaviorist immediately, and keep the dog and baby separated until you get some professional help,” she describes.
A Word From Verywell
Dogs are special creatures, and it’s no coincidence that many dogs seem to sense their owners’ pregnancies—sometimes before anyone else. This is likely due to subtle body odor changes that happen during pregnancy and dogs’ keen sense of smell. Other factors likely include a dog’s sensitivity to routine changes, along with their strong emotional connection to their humans. If you have any questions about your dog’s behavior in relation to your pregnancy, or concerns about introducing your baby to your pup, please reach out to your OB/GYN, healthcare provider, or an animal specialist.
