Can Pets Sense Pregnancy? - BabyCenter

We don't have scientific proof that pets sense their owners' pregnancies, but plenty of experts – and pet people themselves – have noticed examples of it.

"My cat basically ignores me all the time. But with all four of the pregnancies I've had her with, she becomes obsessed with me," says BabyCenter Community member Wife&Mama21. "Sleeps with me every night, wakes me up meowing in the morning, and sits on my lap or just stares at me all day. She knows I'm pregnant every time before I do!"

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And Community member Est09Mama says: "My female Pomeranian is the clingiest of clingy during pregnancy. She's been through multiple pregnancies with me and she knows before I do every time. I usually know when to test because of how much her behavior changes. I will literally stumble over her because she is directly under my feet and moves when I do."

Allie BenderOpens a new window, a certified dog behavior consultant and professional dog trainer and the founder of Pet Harmony, an animal behavior and training company in Naperville, Illinois, recalls a pregnant client who came to her several years ago because her dog started actually guarding her from all other humans, including her husband. 

"This looked like growling and air snapping at the dad if he touched the mom," Bender says.

But do these behavior changes show that cats and dogs really know when a person is pregnant?

Key Takeaways

• We can't know for sure whether pets can sense pregnancy in humans, but cats and dogs can certainly pick up on the physical and emotional changes that come with pregnancy.
• Specific pregnancy-related behavior changes will vary from pet to pet. Some may become more clingy or protective while others may become more avoidant or display anxiety-related behaviors.
• Prepping your cat or dog for a new baby while you're pregnant by gradually introducing baby items and schedule changes can help reduce anxiety and behavior issues in your pet.

Can pets tell when you're pregnant?

Your pets probably don't understand that in nine months a new baby will be joining your family, but dogs and cats do detect differences in your mood, posture, behavior, and body chemistry that clue them in to the enormous changes you're going through.

"Pets, particularly dogs and cats, have highly developed olfactory senses that allow them to detect subtle hormonal changes in humans, including those associated with pregnancy," says Susan NilsonOpens a new window, a cat and dog training and behavior specialist and the owner and founder of The Cat and Dog House, which aims to help cat and dog owners better understand their pets' behavior. "Dogs, with their superior scent detection, may pick up on shifts in hormones such as hCG, estrogen, and progesterone, while cats may notice altered body temperature and scent changes."

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Your dog and cat will pick up other signs, too: They're masters at reading body language, so they'll notice changes to the way you move your body as your pregnancy progresses, says MaryKaye KendrickOpens a new window, a dog trainer and behavior consultant with Pet Harmony in Naperville, Illinois.

Pets are also highly attuned to changes in your daily routine, Nilson says – say, if you're not taking your dog for runs as often as you used to, if you're spending more time on the couch, or if family members are treating you with extra care.

Dogs and cats have highly developed olfactory senses that allow them to detect subtle hormonal changes in humans, including those associated with pregnancy. - Susan Nilson, cat and dog training and behavior specialist

Will your dog's behavior change when you're pregnant?

It's highly possible that your dog's behavior might change when you're pregnant, Kendrick says, but reactions to pregnancy will vary from dog to dog.

"Some dogs are more observant than others," she says. "Some dogs will barely notice, while others might start to stay closer to the pregnant mom. Many pregnant women will report that their dog is 'clingy' or 'protective.'"

This might include following the owner closely or even displaying guarding behaviors, Bender says.

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On the other hand, Kendrick says, if an expectant mom's gait and posture changes considerably, some dogs may find that disconcerting and be more avoidant.

"Others may exhibit anxiety-driven responses like house soiling, restlessness, or appetite fluctuations," Nilson says, which may be more likely if your pup is more prone to anxiety in the first place.

"I have three dogs and my only male dog is the clingiest out of all of them," says pregnant BabyCenter Community member Mamabug005. "When I take a nap, he rests his head on my stomach, and everywhere I go he lays down, even if I'm folding laundry in the laundry room."

Will your cat's behavior change when you're pregnant?

It's a myth that cats are less affected by pregnancy or other environmental changes than dogs, Nilson says.

"Both cats and dogs are highly sensitive to shifts in mood, posture, and daily routines, which can all be stressful for them, leading to noticeable changes in their behavior," she says.

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My cat basically ignores me all the time. But with all four of the pregnancies I've had her with, she becomes obsessed with me. - BabyCenter Community member Wife&Mama21

But just like dogs, cat behavior changes during pregnancy will vary from feline to feline.

"Cats may show increased affection by purring, rubbing against their owner, or sitting on their lap more frequently, while others may react to changes with withdrawal, territorial marking, or excessive vocalization," Nilson says.

Like dogs, cats who are more prone to anxiety may react to the changes that come with pregnancy by displaying more anxiety-related behaviors that don't seem related to their human owner, such as peeing outside the litter box.

"Cats do tend to have a harder time with environmental changes than dogs, on the whole," Kendrick says.

BabyCenter Community member Mamma2benov6th says she noticed her cats became more affectionate during her pregnancy. "One of them sleeps under my crib like it's preparing to be a protector," she says.

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How to prepare your cat or dog for a new baby

Bender, Kendrick, and Nilson say it's crucial to start preparing your pet for a new baby well before your newborn arrives. Allowing them to slowly adjust to the many changes a baby brings to a household can help minimize anxiety or any problem behaviors.

Here are some things you can do:

• Reinforce essential training so your pet knows what's expected of them. "For dogs, focus on manners skills so they can reliably respond to basic cues like sit, stay, come, and leave it, as well as name recognition," Nilson says.
• Maintain a stable routine (as much as possible). This can understandably become difficult as you change mentally and physically during pregnancy and adjust to having a newborn, but pre-plan as much as you can and lean on others to fill in the gaps. For example, if you won't be able to take your pup for your usual long runs in the park, consider asking friends or family to step in or hiring a dog walker.
• Gradually introduce your pet to baby-related sounds, scents, and items (think: loud toys, moving strollers, baby gates). Help your pet feel more comfortable with these things by using positive reinforcement like treats and pets to help them associate new baby items with positive experiences. "This familiarity will make the transition smoother and reduce stress once the baby arrives," Nilson says.
• Take your pet to the vet for a checkup. "This ensures any parasite concerns, such as fleas or worms, are addressed in advance," says Nilson. "Plus, a clean bill of health can help minimize the impact of stress when adjusting to the new arrival."
• Offer plenty of play and mental enrichment opportunities to engage your pet's natural instincts, such as hunting for cats and sniffing, licking, and chewing for dogs. "This not only provides an outlet for species-specific behaviors, but also promotes a positive emotional state by keeping their mind actively engaged, which helps counter any feelings of stress and anxiety," Nilson says.
• Reach out for professional help if needed. If your dog or cat starts seriously misbehaving during your pregnancy, or if you want support with preparing pets for a new baby, it's a good idea to get help from a professional trainer or animal behaviorist. Many offer "baby readiness" classes or individual training sessions to help pets adjust. And the earlier you seek help, the better: "We've worked with families who have hired us both before and after the baby is born, and in general, it's so much easier for the parents who hired us before the baby was born," Bender says. "The time to focus on your dog's behavior modification is not when you're sleep-deprived with a newborn or trying to wrangle a baby who just learned how to cruise around."

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If you stay on top of any potential behavior problems, having pets during your pregnancy and afterward can be a wonderful thing for your family. Studies have shownOpens a new window that spending time with a domesticated animal is linked to improved mood, reduced depressionOpens a new window, lower blood pressureOpens a new window, and a longer lifeOpens a new window. So enjoy!