There are several perks of being a dog parent. Apart from having an all-time companion and playmate around you, dogs are one of the most loyal pets to have.
Not only do they protect you fiercely but also they become the stakeholder of your life – no matter what the event is.
They become keen partakers in your life, especially when you are going through some major change.
For example, if you are someone who is pregnant and is expecting a baby, it is likely that your dog gets to know about it even though they’re not conveyed the news in the human way.
It is a well-known fact these days that dogs can sense human pregnancies. They can sense pregnancy in humans due to their keen sense of smell and ability to detect hormonal changes.
Some dog parents, when they’re expecting a baby, think their pet is behaving differently to normal. For example, they notice their pet snuggling up to them more than before.
If you might wonder what drives them to this behaviour, the simple answer to that question is – they know that you are pregnant.
Signs that your dog knows you’re pregnant:
While dogs don’t understand the idea of pregnancy, they can be sensitive to change. Their amazing sense of smell and hearing, and close bond with their human parents, means they can pick up on anything different. There are different signs that might indicate that your dog known about your pregnancy, such as –
Increased affection: Dogs may become more affectionate and protective of their pregnant human parents.
Following their human parent: Dogs may follow their human parent around the house, even to the shower.
Clinginess: Dogs may become more clingy during the pregnancy of their human parent.
Whimpering: Dogs may whimper more when their human parent leaves the house.
Sitting on their feet: Dogs may sit on their human parent’s feet to keep them warm.
Guarding their human parent’s side of the bed: Dogs may guard their human parent’s side of the bed in the morning.
Dogs have a strong sense of smell and can pick up on hormone changes caused by pregnancy. They are also very attentive to their human parents and can notice slight changes in their behaviour.
However, dogs differ, so their reactions can vary. There might be differences in the pregnant person’s behaviour. That could be changes to the way they smell (thanks to pregnancy hormones) or to their body shape as the baby develops. A dog might also notice shifts in routine – such as when they’re taken for a walk – or new things appearing, like baby equipment. Most dogs will eventually get used to the changes in their pregnant human parent and return to a more normal behaviour pattern.
Is it safe to have a dog around when you are pregnant?
Moreover, dogs obey you once you know how to pacify them with simple pats, belly rubs and cuddles. As long as you can train your pet well, there is nothing to be worried about.
There are only a few things that you need to keep in mind when you have a dog during your pregnancy, such as –
Exercise: Keep your dog active to prevent boredom, which can lead to behavioural issues.
Training: Train your dog to stop jumping or barking, and teach it which rooms are off-limits when the baby arrives.
Leash: Make sure your dog is on a leash.
Be careful of large dogs: Larger dogs may accidentally jump on your stomach, so be careful.
