My Dog Keeps Laying On My Stomach, Am I Pregnant?

Dogs are often more intuitive than people give them credit for, and their senses can tell them things that we would never be able to figure out using ours. Well, it turns out that dogs can even sense things like pregnancy, which is really cool. If you are pregnant, it is likely that your dog has picked up on it, or they will at some point. If you are curious about all the ways in which your dog can tell that you are pregnant, then just keep on reading.

Dogs have extremely heightened senses, and they can be up to thousands of times better than human ones. They are especially reliant on their sense of smell, as it helps them to figure out so much more about the people they are around and the environments that they are in. Their senses can help to clue them in on things that we humans would never know just by using our senses. We are going to answer all of your questions surrounding your dog and your pregnancy in this article.

My Dog Keeps Laying On My Stomach, Am I Pregnant?

The answer to this question is quite subjective, and there are quite a few reasons why your dog might be lying on your stomach, including pregnancy. One of the reasons that your dog might be lying on your stomach is just because they find being close to you comforting. It is no secret that dogs like the company of their owners, and snuggling up to you can make them feel safe. If this has been common behaviour for them for a long time, then it is probably nothing more than this.

However, if it is a recent behavioural change that they have never done before, then the fact that they are lying on your stomach could mean something more. Dogs and their excellent sense of smell are able to notice the change in your scent that can be caused by pregnancy hormones. It is entirely possible that your dog could figure out that you are pregnant before the thought even crosses your mind. This could result in them wanting to be closer to you so that they can protect you from harm.

Your dog can pick up on other pregnancy-related symptoms like a change in mobility, and they could feel that you are more vulnerable. This is another reason that your dog might be lying on your stomach, and they are just trying to protect you. The same can be said for any changes that they have picked up on in terms of your mood, and they might decide to curl up on you in an attempt to try and comfort you.

Why is My Dog Licking My Stomach?

It is completely possible that your dog is licking your stomach because you are pregnant. Your dog can sense the changes, and they might make you aware of this by licking your stomach. Other things that they might do can include pawing or sniffing at your stomach as they sense that something is different.

How Do Dogs Sense Pregnancy?

As we have previously mentioned, dogs are well known for their impressive sense of smell. They are also highly observant animals that just know when something has changed or is different than usual. This is why they can sense when women are pregnant, and they will often show signs that indicate what they know. Their behaviour towards you can change, they might notice changes in you, and they can definitely tell when you are pregnant. We will explain some of the ways in which they can tell that you are pregnant below.

The first way in which they might notice that you are pregnant is the reason that we mentioned above. They can smell the changes in your hormones, and they understand that they are different from how they normally are. When a woman is pregnant, her scent will change due to the increase in hormones, and your dog can pick up on this change. These changes can even take place within the first month of your pregnancy, which is why your dog might know that you are pregnant before you know yourself. 

Another way that they can tell that you are pregnant is by noticing any changes in your emotions or behaviours. When you get pregnant, there are many things that will change, and some of these can include things like a change in posture, habits, and feelings. Your dog will be able to tell that you get tired more quickly and that you present yourself differently than before. They will also be able to pick up on changes in your mood, even if they are only small. These are things that even the people around you wouldn’t notice. 

They can also tell that your body is physically changing, and they will more than likely be aware of your growing stomach. This is why many dogs like to cuddle up to pregnant women, and they might even feel the baby kick later on in your pregnancy. Your dog probably doesn’t understand that a baby is going to pop out in nine months, but they are definitely clued in as to what is happening. 

Will My Dog Act Differently if I’m Pregnant?

If you are pregnant, it is likely that your dog either is or will be aware of the situation at hand. Once your dog does sense that you are pregnant, whether you know it or not, you might find that they start acting differently around you. This could include changes in behaviour and even in personality. These changes will depend on each individual dog, and they will all respond differently. We will explain some of the changes that could take place below so that you can be prepared for any situation.

Some dogs might show a whole lot of affection towards you and your bump, and this could also extend to offering you more protection. You might find that they follow you around the house, stay close to you when you are sitting down, and walk right by your side when you go out for walks. They can sense that you are in a more vulnerable state, and they want to protect you from harm’s way. 

Some of these changes that can happen might not be as pleasant. You might find that they start urinating around the house, or chewing new items that are brought into the house. They also might become more vocally agitated and bark and growl more at their surroundings, especially if they believe something might be harmful to you. 

However, you might find that your dog displays none of these signs. Every dog is different and will react to your pregnancy differently. Eventually, it is likely that your dog will start to get used to the changes that are happening around them and become more accustomed to it. They should return back to their normal behavioural pattern once this happens. Some dogs do find it harder to adjust to change, and they may require some extra love and attention to get them through it. This will help to give them the reassurance that they are looking for. At the end of the day, your dog is a part of your family, and whatever is affecting the family will subsequently affect them.

Why is My Dog Ignoring Me When I’m Pregnant?

This could be a sign that your dog is feeling anxious about your pregnancy. They might just be in need of some more time to come to terms with your pregnancy, as it is a big change for them to take on board. If they are ignoring you, it is likely because they are feeling anxious about the situation, and they don’t feel too great about change. This is more common than you might think, but they should come around eventually. Try giving them some extra love and attention to help make them feel safe and secure.

How Can I Help My Dog Adjust to My Pregnancy?

The first thing that you can do is to give them lots of love and attention to make sure that they don’t feel left out. This will also help to make them feel safe and secure in the midst of all the changes that are going on in your home. It can also help to create a safe space within your home that your dog can retreat to when they feel like they need some space. This place will be especially helpful once the baby has been born, and the dog will have a space to go to when they feel overwhelmed or like they need a break. 

Making sure that your dog is obedience trained will also help you in this situation. They need to be aware that you are in charge, and what you say goes. You can choose to take them to training classes, or you can do this yourself in the comfort of your own home. Making sure that they know and listen to commands like ‘sit’ and ‘wait’ can be really helpful when the baby arrives.