Can your dog sense pregnancy after conception?

[SophieBearsMama]

Hi, I'm new here 👋 I've been following threads on mumsnet since hubby and I started TTC over 2 years ago. (Frantically symptom spotting as I'm sure many of us do....even though we say "I'll be better and not do it next month" 🤦‍♀️) Unfortunately we haven't had any positive pregnancy tests since we started trying. I believe I've ovulated 1-2 days ago. (I've started tracking my CM and BBT).

I have a 10 year old cockapoo. She is very intuitive and in tune with peoples feelings and emotions. Especially me as we're together pretty much 24/7. I'm also quite sensitive to changes in her behaviour. When my SIL was pregnant, she was a lot more gentle with her and also quite wary.

She's quite cuddly and clingy anyway, but the past couple of days, when we get in from a walk, she doesn't really settle like she normally does. She's following me around the kitchen and just staring at me and whining. She normally just gets up on the sofa and relaxes but isn't really settling until I sit on the sofa with her.

Can dogs sense/smell as soon as you've conceived? (Right after ovulation) I'd love to hear of other people's experiences during the TWW if your pets behaviour changed before you even knew you were pregnant.

It's probably just me looking for any kind of sign, but I'd still like to hear people's stories 🐾🥰

Not a dog but a cat!

My MIL has a cat that is usually quite aloof. When I was pregnant with my son, I was his favourite person - he wanted to sit on my lap all the time and even sat on my shoulders to be walked around!

When I wasn't pregnant, he's not really bothered about me.

We visited in January and towards the end of the visit he started sitting on my lap again. Got a positive pregnancy test a few days later and now 24 weeks!

This would have been around when I was due my period though, not right at the beginning.

Dogs can definitely sense something different in pregnancy. Mine was very into my friend when she was pregnant (I knew she was pregnant before she announced it, because of how my dog was with her 😂). Now I'm pregnant, she's the same with me. But, it's the hormonal changes which they're sensing, and that won't have kicked in yet if you only ovulated 1-2 days ago. It takes around 6-12 days from ovulation for a fertilised egg to implant. Sorry to burst your bubble. As someone who also spent many years TTC I fully get the symptom spotting, but I wouldn't want to get your hopes up by saying your dog is definitely sensing something. Unfortunately you'll need to wait for the late period and the BFP.

I think dogs are very sensitive to hormonal changes, for example changes around your cycle and if you are pregnant or not. I am convinced that my dad’s dog acted differently with me the day I went on to find out that im pregnant. It was one of the reasons I went and took a test!
he’s a very loving cuddly dog and is so happy when I come and see him/ I’m definitely one of his favourites. I also think that he can just smell the hormones on me and that prompts a reaction.
I would say if you have been TTC for two years do see a GP as there are lots of things they can do to try and help you conceive :)

@InvisibleDragon it's crazy how intuitive animals are isn't it! That's so sweet 🥰

@IncandescentWave tbh I did think it was crazy early and I told myself I wouldn't do it this month, but here I am 😂 I'll keep hoping though 🙏

@Montelukast yep, we already started on rolling that ball, but hasn't been very helpful tbh. I have endometriosis and have only had a couple of tests and they referred me to a "fertility specialist" but it just turned out to be a doctor at an IVF clinic saying that's my only option 🤦‍♀️ we're going to look into other options first such as microbiome and infection tests, DNA fragmentation and possibly holistic/ complimentary treatments. Seems we have to investigate ourselves if we want answers. They haven't even done/offered an ultrasound or tested if my tubes are open 🤷‍♀️ she also said to me I have to choose between IVF or my endo surgery as it could compromise my fertility, which I know is totally false information. I'm waiting for surgery, but it could be at least 2 years and I'm 36 now 😫 Not happy with the advice and "help" we've been offered so far!

So sorry to hear that! I hope that it works out for you in the end though it does sound like a tough journey you are on. I hope you have lots of lovely supportive people around you <3

Thank you 🥰 yes I do ❤️

@SophieBearsMama I fully understand the wanting to pursue all options. I was also referred immediately for IVF when I flagged my concerns with a GP, however, it took 2 years to reach the top of the list. Other tests couldn't find anything wrong, and we never conceived naturally in that time either. Fortunately for us IVF did work first time and I'm due any day now. So I would suggest taking up the offer of the referral alongside continuing to push for further investigations 😊 Good luck!

@IncandescentWave great advice thank you ❤️