Dog Nipples During Pregnancy – How to Help Your Dog

This article was updated on May 2nd, 2023

Dog pregnancy, both intentional and unintentional, is common in unspayed females. Last month, I spoke with an owner about the physical changes that we see in pregnant dogs. Several of her questions revolved around changes to the dog’s nipples. 

Dog Nipples During Pregnancy – What Happens?

Prior to pregnancy, a dog’s nipples are very small. They tend to be somewhat flat and pale in color. In some dogs, the nipples are so small that they can be mistaken for a tick or other bug attached to the pet. 

During pregnancy, several changes may be noted to the nipples. One of the common changes seen is they become more pink and enlarged. This is a result of increased blood flow to the area to allow for mammary development. In darkly pigmented dogs, a pink color change may not be seen, but rather the nipples may become more darkly pigmented. Enlargement of the nipples in darkly colored dogs will still also occur.  

Normal Vs Pregnant Dog Nipples

Below are pictures comparing normal vs pregnant dog nipples:

As the pregnancy evolves, the difference becomes more noticeable:

You can also view our dog pregnancy pictures (week by week). As pregnancy progresses, the nipples start to lengthen and look more pendulous like the udder of a cow. You may even be able to gently express small amounts of milk from the nipples. In the late stages of pregnancy, enlarged nipples, as well as enlarged mammary glands and a distended abdomen, will be noted. Milk can easily be expressed from the nipples at this point.

Note that in females that have already had previous litters, their nipples may always look like this making it difficult to assess if there is pregnancy or not. To learn about the best ways to find out if your dog is pregnant, read our article: Is My Dog Pregnant? Early Signs and Home Tests to Find Out, or read our next section on this page “Can You Tell If Your Dog is Pregnant Based on the Nipples?”.

Can You Tell If Your Dog is Pregnant Based on the Nipples?

Most of the time, you can’t. While nipples will always change with pregnancy, nipple changes don’t necessarily mean that a dog is pregnant. Nipple enlargement can be seen simply when:

• A female is in heat
• A female is ready to be bred
• A female has had previous litters of puppies

Nipple enlargement and even milk production can also be seen with cancers that affect the reproductive system as well as pseudopregnancies (“false pregnancies”). To find out if your dog is pregnant, read our article: Is My Dog Pregnant? Early Signs and Home Tests to Find Out.

How Can I Help My Pregnant Dog’s Nipples at Home?

Most dogs do not seem to be bothered by the changes to their nipples during pregnancy. In fact, it is typically during the postpartum setting that the nipples start to become uncomfortable. 

Still, it is important to be aware of things that may cause concern in the nipples. If you notice any heat, redness, bleeding, foul-smelling discharge (other than milk), or hardness to the nipples, you may need to consult with your veterinarian. 

If you are unable to see your veterinarian right away, applying warm compresses to that area for ten to fifteen minutes two to three times a day may help with discomfort. Applying Aquaphor may also help to provide relief to dry or cracked nipples. 

When Should I See a Vet About My Pregnant Dog’s Nipples?

If you think your pet may be pregnant and you want a sure diagnosis of pregnancy, going to the veterinarian is a reliable way to do so. Ultrasound and x-rays are a common way to assess pregnancy depending on how far along the pet may be in the suspect pregnancy.

If you know your pet is pregnant already, but you are noticing hard lumps along the mammary glands and nipples or if you are noticing a foul smell or discharge from the nipples, you should consult your veterinarian. This could be a sign of a mammary duct obstruction, mastitis, or a mammary gland infection. 

When you see the veterinarian, they will likely palpate the mammary glands and nipples, assess for the ability to produce milk, and note any changes in temperature to the glands. They may collect a sample of the milk and look at it under the microscope to assess for inflammatory cells or bacteria. In some cases, the veterinarian may do a fine needle aspirate (collect some of the cells from the glands and nipples with a small needle and spray on a glass slide) to look under the microscope.

What Other Signs Should I Watch For in a Pregnant Dog?

If seeing nipple changes at home and the dog had an opportunity to be bred, you may watch for other signs that may confirm the suspicion of the pet being pregnant. 

• Changes in appetite – initially may be picky, but then becoming more hungry
• Changes in behavior – may become more clingy, anxious, or even aggressive
• Changes in structure – distention of abdomen as the uterus becomes enlarged with puppies
• Changes in energy levels – may spend more time napping or seem more lethargic

Without some of these other changes, it can be difficult to know if changes being seen with the nipples are related to pregnancy or other health conditions. An easy way to assess is to do a home pregnancy test. It is best to wait at least a month after the pet has been possibly bred to get the most accurate results. 

Consulting with a veterinarian is another way to help determine if the pet may be pregnant. They may recommend doing an ultrasound or x-rays depending on how far along the pet may be. 

Of course, the old-fashioned way of just waiting will usually give an answer too. The gestation of the dog is very short with most dogs having puppies around 63 days after being bred. Give it a couple of months and if your dog didn’t have puppies, it was likely not pregnant.