Can dogs sense labor?

Gonzalezbaby2015 · October 2015

My female Yorkie has always been protective of my belly but now she will not leave my side and keeps locking and smelling my belly area. She keeps snuggling near the belly. Is it me??

lindsay897 · October 2015

I don't know about sensing labor, but when I went into labor my dog was very concerned. He never left my side.

oceanlove13 · October 2015

My DH thinks I'm crazy, but I think that our dog does know there is something going on with me. He also wraps around my belly like your picture ( he's a 10 lb Maltese) and is overly protective of me. He has done this both pregnancies. The first pregnancies he would sit on top of my stomach. I know he can feel the baby moving. His behavior and attachment changes.

Gonzalezbaby2015 · October 2015

Can dogs sense labor?

mom4liak · October 2015

I don't know about sensing labor but they do tend to be super in tuned with our bodies. My dog is 4 years old and has had no training (other than puppy behavior sit, stay stuff) and he started howling at me and my DH when my blood sugar drops to low. He started this about 2 years ago and it took us about 3 months to figure out what was going on with him. I have a continuous glucose monitor that will alert me when I have dropped but without fail he alerts about 5 minutes sooner which is huge in giving me extra time to respond.
sorry for the extended share.

cararie · October 2015

I agree! I think animals in general are much better at sensing subtle changes, etc than we ever could hope to be! Our cat has been a complete daddy's girl since we adopted her 9 months ago. We adopted her a day before we found out I was pregnant so I have been pregnant the entire time we've had her. She's always been affectionate with me but is definitely daddy's girl and if he's around she wants nothing to do with me. The last week or so though she will not leave me alone! She follows me around the house and if I'm sitting down she's curled in my lap. She definitely knows something is coming!!

Sballerina · October 2015

@mom4liak : that is such an amazing thing your dog does for you!

Dawnmarie0310 · October 2015

My pitbull does the same thing! I think she knew I was pregnant before I knew lol (16 weeks in this photo)
Lately she's been smelling my belly as well. And licks it.

cbolton19 · October 2015

I definitely think they can tell something! Though i haven't really noticed any change in behavior with our dogs or female cat, but our male cat (who was already super attached to me) has been way more clingy. He also lays on my belly any chance he can get.

whitemn04 · October 2015

Any time someone different is in my house or hubby starts picking on me my dog either sits between my legs or climbs up next to me and puts a paw and her head on my belly. She tries climbing on me but she's 60 lbs so that can't happen lol. She's always been that way some but it's super excessive now. Also, my friend has a new pup and she's a bit shy but when I met her the first time she smelled my belly and sat next to me the majority of the time. Animals are pretty amazing creatures.

mom4liak · October 2015

Sballerina said:
@mom4liak : that is such an amazing thing your dog does for you!

He is pretty amazing. He also plays cards with the kids. Although he keeps eating cat poop out of the litter box so he definitely has his faults! Lol

maiatene · October 2015

I think so... they sense everything else so I can't imagine they would miss this. They definitely get more territorial and protective once you are pregnant and when baby comes home. My dog didn't leave my side when I was pregnant with my son and once he came home she slept under his swing and by his nursery door.

Did yall see the video of the retriever (I think) covering the baby with a blanket while he napped? That's pretty much what to expect with 99% of dogs :-)

poupoule · October 2015

They say the smell during labor is also specific... Maybe it gets the dog to react too ?

stephiesheldork · October 2015

I've read things on the internet that says that animals might be extra clingy in the hours before you start labor. But I don't know how much of that is fact. Plus if you're the only one home they'll probably cling to you anyway..

paigefilliater · October 2015

I'm 2.5cm dilated and my Bo has been much clingier and more instense about it the last few nights.

whitemn04 · October 2015

This popped up on my Facebook through the Anerican Kennel Club page. I thought it was interesting.
https://sixth-sense.littlethings.com/dog-sixth-sense/?utm_source=akc&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=animals

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