Why You Can't Use a Human Pregnancy Test on a Dog
When your female dog starts showing signs of pregnancy, your first instinct might be to reach for a human pregnancy test from your medicine cabinet. It's affordable, readily available, and seems like a logical first step. However, using a human pregnancy test on your dog is not only ineffective but also based on a misunderstanding of biology.
How Human Pregnancy Tests Work
A human pregnancy test detects the hormone
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. It is specific to humans and some related primates.
- Human tests are designed to only detect hCG
- hCG is absent in dogs, regardless of pregnancy
- Testing a dog with a human kit will always yield a false-negative
Why It Doesn’t Work for Dogs
Dogs do not produce hCG at any point during their reproductive cycle. Their pregnancies involve different hormones such as
relaxin, which becomes detectable in the blood around 20–30 days after conception.
Instead of hCG, veterinarians test canine blood samples for the hormone relaxin, which is a reliable pregnancy biomarker in dogs.
How to Accurately Confirm Canine Pregnancy
If you suspect your dog is pregnant, several appropriate methods are available that are far more reliable than using a human pregnancy test:
- Veterinary Blood Testing: A relaxin blood test conducted by your vet can confirm pregnancy between 3–4 weeks after breeding.
- Ultrasound: Safe and non-invasive, an ultrasound can detect puppies as early as 25 days into the pregnancy.
- Physical Examination: Around 28 days after mating, a vet can sometimes feel the developing puppies through gentle palpation.
- X-rays: After day 45, X-rays can provide images of the fetal skeletons, helping to determine litter size.
Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs
Before visiting the vet, you may notice changes in your dog that suggest pregnancy. These include:
- Changes in appetite — Increased or decreased food consumption
- Enlarged abdomen — A swelling belly as puppies grow
- Behavioral changes — Nesting behavior or increased affection
- Enlarged or discolored nipples — Braxton-Hicks contractions may also appear
However, symptoms of false pregnancy in dogs can mimic those of a real one, hence why a professional diagnosis is crucial.
The Risks of Misdiagnosis
Using the wrong diagnostic tool, such as a human pregnancy test, can lead to delays in confirming pregnancy. These delays might hinder important decisions regarding nutrition, exercise, and prenatal care.
Moreover, assuming a dog is pregnant when she is not can hide other medical issues—like a uterine infection or hormonal imbalance—that need immediate attention.
Responsible Pet Ownership
If you’re a breeder or your pet had an accidental mating, always consult your veterinarian for accurate and timely testing. This ensures:
- Proper prenatal care — for the mom and the pups
- Health monitoring — to catch complications early
- Essential support — including advice about labor and newborn care
Avoid DIY methods or home tests not meant for dogs. Even pet stores that sell canine-specific pregnancy tests recommend laboratory confirmation for 100% certainty.
Conclusion
In sum,
a human pregnancy test is not suitable for dogs. Dogs require species-specific testing, and human kits cannot detect the hormones relevant to canine pregnancy. If you suspect your dog is expecting, the best course of action is a trip to the vet, who can offer accurate testing and peace of mind.
