Is true that dogs can sense whether their human is pregnant or not?
IF YOU'VE spent any time scrolling through animal videos on social media, you've probably come across at least one heartwarming clip of a dog refusing to leave their pregnant owner's side, sparking a temporary touch of baby fever.
It makes you wonder: are these pups just being extra clingy, or can they actually sense that their human is growing a child?
Verdict:
TRUE
Dogs have a remarkable sense of awareness when it comes to detecting changes in their surroundings and their owners.
Though scientific proof is still limited, the American Kennel Club suggests that there is considerable evidence suggesting dogs can sense physical and hormonal shifts in their pregnant owners.
A dog's sense of smell is up to 10,000 times more sensitive than a human's, making them very likely to pick up on the shifts in hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and estrogen that occur during pregnancy.
As noted by Healthline, this heightened ability may explain why many pregnant individuals notice changes in their dogs' behavior, including increased attentiveness or protectiveness.
Dogs are not only experts at detecting scents but are also incredibly in tune with their owners' emotions and daily routines.
As a pregnancy advances and brings about physical changes - like morning sickness, exhaustion, or modified routines - dogs may respond by altering their behavior, often becoming more protective or attentive.
USA Today mentions that some dogs become clingy or more affectionate, responding to the emotional shifts they sense in their owners, while others may act more protective, sensing that their owners need extra care.
While next to impossible to know whether dogs fully understand the concept of pregnancy, their reactions to these changes suggest they are perceptive to their owners' changes.
On another note, dogs can detect a range of health conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, and blood sugar imbalances in diabetic people, through their acute sense of smell.
This ability supports the idea that dogs can also pick up on pregnancy-related changes, even if they don’t fully understand what's happening. However, this sensitivity is likely driven more by their instinctive and sensory skills than by cognitive understanding of pregnancy.
For those preparing to introduce a baby into the household, it’s a good idea to keep your dog’s routine consistent to help them adjust to the upcoming changes.
According to Dog Trust UK, many veterinarians recommend gradually introducing baby-related objects, such as rattles or onesies, and sounds, allowing dogs time to adapt.
This way, your dog remains reassured and comfortable as they prepare to welcome their new "sibling".
References:
1. https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/can-dogs-sense-pregnancy
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/can-dogs-sense-pregnancy#takeaway
3. https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/preparing-dog-for-new-baby
4. https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-behavior/dog-psychology/can-dogs-sense-pregnancy
5. https://betterpet.com/can-dogs-sense-pregnancy/
6. https://www.businessinsider.com/can-dogs-sense-pregnancy-humans-before-you-how-early-2023-5
7. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/can-dogs-sense-pregnancy/
8. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2023/03/21/can-dogs-sense-pregnancy/11384480002/
