Can Pets Sense Pregnancy?

I’ve always heard that your pets (dog in my case), can sense when you are expecting.  But how true really is this, and what signs should you look for?

Most research suggests that dogs and cats do detect differences in your mood, posture, behavior, and body chemistry that clue them in to the enormous changes you’re experiencing. They can become overly protective, never leaving your side and growling at everyone who merely crosses your path, including your spouse.  But not all animals exhibit the same behaviors.

To dig deeper into this phenomenon, I tried to analyze the particular changes in behaviors of my two dogs: Gizmo, a Shih Tzu/Pom mix, (primarily my dog) of about 1.5 years, and Thor, a pure-bread Pomeranian, my husband’s dog of almost 13 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I must say, the only changes that I’ve really seen are in Gizmo, who has become extremely clingy over the last few months…which doesn’t say much considering he has always been very attached (I admit to babying him a bit, but I can’t help it; he is one adorable pup! :)).  Anyhow, some of his characteristics that are even more apparent now include:

• Following me around the house (everywhere including the toilet!)
• Resting his head on my lap/stomach (especially when he eyes my dinner, hehe)
• Running over to comfort me when I cry (pregnancy hormones!)
• Giving me extra licks when I walk by 🙂
• Laying down next to me where ever I decide to relax
• Nipping at a guest/stranger as if to protect me (sorry to say!)
• And just being extra loving

Now none of these are too out of the ordinary, considering he has always been super affectionate around me.  But I do think these subtleties convey some sense of awareness and understanding of the hormonal changes taking place within my body. His changing behaviors ARE noticeable.

As for Thor? Well, I really haven’t noticed a change at all. He still smiles lovingly at me… when he smells my chicken leftovers sitting on my plate…and continues to chase me into the kitchen when hearing the clinging of utensils. Nothing out of the ordinary here :).

I’ll have to keep a close eye on the two, for the remaining weeks of my pregnancy!

How about you? Did your pet exhibit any uncharacteristic or new behaviors while you were pregnant?