Identifying whether your dog is pregnant or not can be a daunting task to do, especially when you’re a new or inexperienced owner. But there are dog pregnancy test kits that can help you determine whether or not your dog is pregnant.
If your dog is acting a bit differently or you sensed something unusual after her estrus (the most fertile time of her heat), she may be pregnant. If you want to clear your doubts and make your dog’s life a little easier, there are some factors to consider.
Here’s everything you need to know about a dog pregnancy test at home, the top dog pregnancy test kits, its problems, and solutions!
Scroll below to read more.
- Synbiotics Canine and Feline Pregnancy Test Kit (5 Tests)
- Rubsy Early Pregnancy Test Strips Dog Cat Detection Gravidity Diagnostic Paper
- Draminski Dog Pregnancy Detector with Probe, Genuine Product
- Nature’s Farmacy Novodog Ovulation Sticks
- Draminski DOD2 Deluxe Dog Ovulation Detector
- TABODD Dog Ovulation Detector Tester for Breeders, Automatic Dog Ovulation Detector Tester Pregnancy Planning Canine Mating
- DNYSYSJ Pet Ovulation Detector Dog Pregnancy Planning Canine Breeder Tester
- JINGBO Pet Pregnancy Test Kit
Symptoms of Pregnancy in Dogs
Figuring out whether a dog is pregnant or not can be confusing and stressful, especially if you are an inexperienced owner. Symptoms such as decreased activity and appetite can indicate that your dog is pregnant. Indeed, every dog reacts differently when pregnant. A dog pregnancy test can help you identify the dog’s pregnancy, but there are other signs of a dog’s pregnancy as well.
Following are the 5 early signs of dog pregnancy:
1. A Decrease in Activity
Your dog may be pregnant if she sleeps a lot or becomes tired easily. Dogs are usually hyperactive and sensing this unusual decrease in activity should be taken seriously. If it’s still hard for you to notice because of your busy schedule, take your dog for a walk and see how quickly she tires.
2. A Change in Appetite
Has your dog stopped enjoying foods that used to be favorites of hers? Or vomiting occasionally? This might be a sign of her pregnancy. Dogs’ appetites can vary widely during pregnancy, depending on the stage of the pregnancy and the dog. So pay closer attention to how she reacts to her favorite foods.
3. An Unusual Behavior
Is your dog seeking more of your attention? Or does she want you to comfort her more? Watch out, because she may be pregnant. When dogs become pregnant, they may want extra attention or no attention at all.
4. Enlarged Nipples
Female dogs usually have small nipples, but pregnancy causes their size to increase during the early stages of pregnancy. Additionally, the nipples of your dog may also be slightly darker than normal indicating increased blood flow.
5. Enlarged Abdomen or Weight Gain
An enlarged abdomen or weight gain is one of the most visible signs of a dog’s pregnancy, especially if your dog isn’t gaining weight for any other reason. So if you sense this change in your dog, it’s time to take a pregnancy test at home or take her to the vet.
A pregnant dog might have skin allergies so make sure you’re giving the right food.
Canine Pregnancy Testing
The average dog pregnancy lasts 63 days, however, it can vary anywhere from 57 to 72 days in single breeding. In female dogs, this is caused by the variability in ovulation timing and semen survival. Your dog goes through hormonal and physical changes during this time.
Following are the ways to diagnose pregnancy in female dogs. There are a variety of ways.
1. Abdominal Palpation
If the female dog is cooperative, abdominal palpation is one of the effective ways to perform pregnancy tests at the vet. However, for accurate results, you need to wait for about 28 to 30 days after your dog’s ovulation. Furthermore, determining pregnancy in large dogs and dogs with a few pups in the cranial part of the abdomen can be difficult.
2. Radiographic Diagnosis
This dog pregnancy test can only be possible after 42-50 days of mating. A puppy count with radiographs is usually recommended later in pregnancy as it can be tricky to observe all the pups on early films.
3. Relaxin Canine Pregnancy
The Relaxin test is one of the most common dogs’ pregnancy tests. The developing placenta during pregnancy of dogs is common. There is a hormone called relaxin that is produced by the placenta of dogs during pregnancy. And this test can be used to determine pregnancy as early as day 21 to 28 after breeding. False-negative results can also occur but can be confirmed by other tests or by repeating the test after seven to ten days.
4. Abdominal Ultrasound Confirmation
The abdominal ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy can take place as early as the 20th or 22nd day after breeding, but results can be less accurate. That’s why pregnancy should be diagnosed with ultrasound at 30 days post-breeding. Although ultrasound is not accurate for counting puppies, it can detect heartbeats.
How Can You Know If Your Dog Is Pregnant?
This is the most important stage, as this will confirm the pregnancy of your dog. This also indicates that the breeding was successful. Changes in behaviour or inactivity may indicate your dog is pregnant, but it’s best to try one of the following methods if you’re unsure.
1. Take Your Dog to the Vet
Taking your dog to the vet is the most suitable option to be sure if your dog is pregnant. In this way, you can know about your dog’s pregnancy and can get guidance from the vet as well. Your veterinarian may even be able to tell how many puppies your dog is expecting with an ultrasound.
2. Order a Dog Pregnancy Test Kit
Dog owners can now purchase online home pregnancy tests, such as Witness Relaxin, to determine whether their dog is pregnant. This is a more convenient option if your dog doesn’t like going to the vet. To be sure the pregnancy test is accurate, you should wait at least three weeks after your dog finishes her heat cycle.
If your dog is pregnant make sure that she gets the right nutrition to keep her healthy with the right diet to avoid health issues such as urinary infection.
What is a Dog Pregnancy Test Kit?
Pregnancy test kits are designed to do easy pregnancy tests at home. There are various dog pregnancy test kits available in the market and online for home use. The test kit contains all the equipment required to perform a test at home by the owner. The accuracy rate of the home pregnancy test is 96% and can be read within 10-15 minutes.
How Much Does a Dog Pregnancy Test Cost?
It is essential to know the cost of a dog pregnancy test if you are a new owner or soon to be an owner of the dog. In this way, you can be prepared beforehand. Veterinary pregnancy tests typically cost $30-$60, excluding the vet fee. On the other hand, at-home dog pregnancy test kits, which you can purchase online, can cost anywhere from $20 to $30 or more.
How to Use a Dog Pregnancy Test Kit at Home?
Using dog pregnancy test kits at home is easy and the results are fast. These kits are handy for new owners or someone who can’t afford to take the dog to the veterinary. Using these kits will clear your doubts about pseudopregnancy or false pregnancy as well. The process is simple, you just need to extract blood, separate plasma from blood, then test plasma, and view results. You can also check the instructions given on the dog pregnancy kits.
How to Care When Your Dog Is Pregnant?
Attention is all pregnant dogs want! Trust us, when your dog is pregnant, she will need extra attention and seek more comfort from you. This is the most important period for pregnant dogs. They require the utmost care during their pregnancy. You can prepare for your dog’s delivery and labor in several ways.
1. Diet and Nutrition
You’ll need to feed your dog high-calorie food after you get a positive pregnancy test to ensure the safe delivery of your puppies. Moreover, provide your dog with three to four smaller meals a day, as her puppies can press on her stomach, preventing her from eating a big meal!
2. Vaccinations
Make sure your dog is up to date on her annual vaccine, which will protect the puppies as well. The annual vaccine is important because puppies can get viruses like herpes from their mothers.
3. Worming
When your dog is pregnant, you need to give her a wormer called Fenbendazole every day beginning on day 20 until 2 days after the puppies are born. This will protect the puppies from getting worms from their mothers.
4. Exercise
Exercise for dogs is important whether or not they are pregnant. But while your dog is pregnant make sure you don’t over-exercise them. Short walks are enough for them as they can get tired if taken on long walks.
7 Dog Pregnancy Test Kits And Tools
You might be all excited or confused about the dog pregnancy test. There must be various questions in your mind regarding this. But don’t worry, we have answers to all your questions!
Usually, many signs of a dog’s pregnancy can go unnoticed by an inexperienced owner. That’s why you need to understand the dog pregnancy test kits or canine home pregnancy test and their usage to perform them accurately.
If you are unsure where to buy pregnancy test kits for accurate results, read our list of top dog pregnancy test kits for your fluffy friend.
1. Synbiotics Canine and Feline Pregnancy Test Kit (5 Tests)
Synbiotics Canine and Feline Pregnancy kit is the go-to kit for a dog pregnancy test! It is used to detect the hormone relaxin in the dog’s blood. An increase in the level of this hormone is a reliable indicator of pregnancy.
Do you want to detect early pregnancy? Using this kit will solve your problem as it is useful both for planned and unplanned pregnancies. It can also detect false pregnancies and diagnose fetal resorption and spontaneous abortion.
The buyers of this product found this kit easy to use to detect pregnancy. All that is required is a small blood sample, and the results are nearly immediate. The developing placenta during pregnancy of dogs is common and the kit takes measurements of relaxin produced by the placentas in serum and plasma.
Moreover, It is a very accurate pregnancy test kit that comes in five packs, making it an economical option. If you need frequent tests, this is the way to go.
Product Description
- Brand: Synbiotics
- Contains five tests in each dog pregnancy test kit
- Show results in 10 minutes
- Early detection of pregnancy
- Can identify false pregnancy
Pros
- Can be placed anywhere, no refrigerator is required
- Easy to use dog pregnancy test
- Early detection of pregnancy
- Give immediate results
- Give accurate results
Cons
- Drawing the blood sample can be tricky
So if you are searching for an affordable as well as an effective option to detect pregnancy of your dog at home, go for the Synbiotics Canine and Feline Pregnancy Test kit!
2. Rubsy Early Pregnancy Test Strips Dog Cat Detection Gravidity Diagnostic Paper
If you are being lazy and don’t want to spend your money on visiting the vet repeatedly for a dog pregnancy test, use this kit!
You can assess your dog’s pregnancy status with Ruby early detection pregnancy test strips. The pregnancy test can be performed as early as 20 days after conception and offers accurate results with a simple procedure. Each test card comes with all the test consumables.
Buyers of this product are satisfied with the accurate results of this pregnancy test kit. This kit is good for those who are anxious to get results immediately. All you need is a sample of fresh blood or serum for pregnancy testing of your dog.
Product Description
- Brand: Rubsy
- Contains 1 set of an early dog pregnancy test card
- The package contains a sealed test strip, disposal dropper, blood collection set, and buffer.
- A refrigerator isn’t required to store.
Pros
- Accurate results
- Shows results immediately
- Easy to use dog pregnancy test
- Contains detailed instructions to use
Cons
- Drawing blood samples for the test can be difficult
The Rubsy Early Pregnancy Test Strip is easy to use as well as easy on pockets. Get this test kit to know whether your dog is pregnant or not while being at home!
3. Draminski Dog Pregnancy Detector with Probe, Genuine Product
We know going to vets and getting costly ultrasounds done for your dog can be challenging. But this product might be a lifesaver for you!
The Draminski Dog Pregnancy Detector kit for dogs is a bit different from others. This is an ultrasound pregnancy tester for dogs. It measures pregnancy by measuring the density of the amniotic fluid in the uterus. The device works using the phenomenon of ultrasonic wave reflection.
In addition to the ultrasound pregnancy detector, the package includes an ultrasonic probe, 2xBNC connector cables, a bottle of liquid paraffin, one alkaline battery, a transport case with foam insert, and a manual.
Buyers of these products gave positive reviews and shared their satisfying experiences on Amazon. Most buyers liked this product because they didn’t have to draw blood from their dogs to perform a test, which made it different from other products.
Product Description
- Brand: Draminski
- Ultrasound Pregnancy Tester
- The operation manual is included
- Suitable for both experienced or inexperienced dog owners
- Includes portable case
Pros
- Easy to use
- Ensures fast and accurate results
- Provides high effectiveness of diagnosis
- No blood sample required with this dog pregnancy test
Cons
- Highly-priced
Although buying this product is a bit expensive from others, the money spent on this quality product will be beneficial for you in the long run. Moreover, you don’t need to go through the hassle of drawing blood from your dog.
4. Nature’s Farmacy Novodog Ovulation Sticks
Are you tired of repeated visits to identify the best time to mate? There will be no more repeated visits after you buy Nature’s Farmacy Novodog Ovulation Sticks!
The Novodog Ovulation Sticks from Nature’s Farmacy can help you determine when the best time is to mate. The sticks measure glucose levels directly on enzymes affected by glucose levels in the breast. In addition, the sticks measure estrogen levels.
The stick is inserted in a dog’s vagina to determine the optimum time for canine mating. The sticks are portable and easy to use.
It is easy, simple, and less stressful to use these Ovulation Sticks at home, making them perfect for breeders when mating is difficult.
Product Description
- Brand: Nature’s Farmacy
- The product comes in form of sticks
- The package contains ten sticks
- Vaginal swabs included
- Best for identifying ‘silent heat’
Pros
- Easy to use
- No blood sample required
- Great to determine whether your dog is ready to breed
- Less stressful
- Saves the cost of vet visits
- Portable
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Moisture or sunlight can cause this kit to give inaccurate results
If you are looking for a device that can detect the silent heat or false heat of your dog, this test kit is your lifesaver! Buy this kit and make your dog’s life a little easier.
5. Draminski DOD2 Deluxe Dog Ovulation Detector
The device is ideal for breeders who experience problems with successful mating. Even in the absence of external symptoms, the breeder can diagnose ovarian cycle disorders with this simple method.
Changes in the electrical resistance of mucus and the appearance of estrous are measured in the device. Moreover, there is no need to repeat the mating of your dog as this kit can help in detecting pregnancy and identify ‘silent heat’ and ovarian cycle disorders, reduce vet visits, etc.
The probe is inserted into the dog’s vagina and measurement is conducted afterward. Each measurement cycle should be conducted once or twice a day, and the probe should be thoroughly cleaned before each measurement.
Product Description
- Brand: Draminski
- USB support
- Easy to measure results
- Easy user manual
- Four batteries included
- Portable case
- Safe to use
Pros
- Saves the cost of vet
- Portable dog pregnancy test kit
- Saves your time and money doing repeated mating
- Insemination is more effective using this kit
- Determines the best time to mate for dogs
- Positive customer reviews
Cons
- Costly but worth spending money on
You might find the Draminski DOD2 Deluxe Dog Ovulation Detector a bit expensive, but trust us, you’ll not regret spending money on buying this detector.
6. TABODD Dog Ovulation Detector Tester for Breeders, Automatic Dog Ovulation Detector Tester Pregnancy Planning Canine Mating
TABODD Dog Ovulation Detector is one of the best kits out there to determine the best time to mate for dogs. If you want to save your money by ditching the costly visits to the vet, go for this detector.
The package contains a Dog Ovulation Detector, a portable and easy-to-carry case, and a complete user manual.
Moreover, if you have an impulsive nature and can’t wait to find out the results, go to this kit as it quickly identifies false heat or silent heat which can lead you to make your dog mate. If you are looking for a one-stop solution for an ovulation detector, this device is a good one to go for.
Product Description
- Brand: TABODD
- Best for ditching the costly visits to the vet
- Identifies false heat
- Powered by four batteries
- Easy user manual
- Best for detecting the optimal time of mating
Pros
- Portable and easy to carry case
- Saves time and money
- No need to go to the vet
- Cost-effective
- Saves you from the repeated stress of mating
- Comes with a user manual
Cons
- Comes with various variables that can become confusing
Although various variables can confuse you on how to use this kit, remember practice makes you perfect. And once you understand the use of this product, you’ll forget about other kits.
7. DNYSYSJ Pet Ovulation Detector Dog Pregnancy Planning Canine Breeder Tester
Are you a hygiene freak? And can’t stand dirty kits? DNYSYSJ Pet Ovulation Detector Tester would be your favorite pregnancy kit as this kit comes with a waterproof case!
This pet ovulation detector comes with a smooth probe rod that is easy to clean and insert in your dog’s vagina. This detector is easy to use, all you need to do is insert the instrument and press the button to get the data. The results are accurate and immediate.
The material used to design this detector is high in quality and waterproof which makes this device easy to clean. Moreover, you get a user guide that will make you understand the accurate use of this device.
You can also detect the early pregnancy of your dog by using this device.
Product Description
- Comes with high-quality plastic material
- Electronic estrous detector
- Detects early pregnancy
- Powered by battery
- Easy to measure results
- Waterproof case
- Easy to clean
- Detects false heat
Pros
- You can get the optimum time for breeding
- Insemination is more effective with this device
- You can clean this device easily
- Comes with a portable case
- Cost-effective
- Safe to use
Cons
- Expensive but worth buying
If you are looking for a portable and hygienic device for detecting your dog’s pregnancy, investing in this product is a win-win.
8. JINGBO Pet Pregnancy Test Kit
JINGBO Dog Pregnancy Test kit shows immediate and accurate results, you can buy this product easily online or from stores. This product comes with clean and hygienic packaging which makes this kit an even better choice.
You can get the results of the pregnancy test within 15 minutes, and you can store it anywhere. To avoid blood clotting, make sure you shake the blood collection tube slightly to get accurate results.
This test kit is easy on the pocket as well, it saves your time and money by ditching the visits to the vet. If you are looking for an affordable test kit, then go for this product!
Product Description
- Brand: JINGBO
- Comes with easy instructions to use
- Can be used on dogs and cats as well
Pros
- Most affordable option
- Easy on pockets
- Gives immediate results
- The results are always accurate
- Suitable for both new and experienced owners
Cons
- Short validity
Are you looking for an affordable option? Jingbo Pet Pregnancy Test Kit is all you need. This kit is easy to use, easy to carry, and shows immediate results, what else do you want?
All Set for Your Dog Pregnancy Test at Home!
A new litter of puppies is very rewarding, but dog pregnancy can be confusing and stressful, as well as time-consuming and expensive. But you need to make sure as early as possible whether or not your dog is pregnant.
In dogs, pregnancy lasts only about nine weeks. However, each day counts. Therefore, you may need a dog pregnancy test kit to make sure nothing is amiss. For this, we have gathered the list of best dog pregnancy test kits so that you don’t have to browse through millions of other options! So don’t forget to read all the above-mentioned best dog pregnancy test kits and select according to your needs and budget.
Back in my day pregnancy tests for dogs were not a thing but they are now. How far we’ve come! It’s good to have this option especially for new owners that can’t spot a pregnancy and this way they get to know if that’s the case or not. I’ve had my share of dog pregnancies over the years so I can usually spot one pretty fast but I have friends that aren’t that good at it. Heard good things about Nature’s Farmacy novodog sticks.
I highly recommend the Draminski dog pregnancy detector especially if you don’t want to have to draw blood samples for a test like most such tests require. Draminski is higher priced but so worth it. It uses ultrasounds to find out whether a dog is pregnant or not.