Tika’s Morning Sickness: Hopeful Sign on Day 26

This morning, Tika did something that made me feel both joyful and sorry for her at the same time.

She only ate about half of her breakfast.

For most dog owners, a half-eaten bowl of food may not sound like something to celebrate. But for a breeder carefully watching a planned pregnancy, the timing matters. Today is day 26 from ovulation, based on repeated progesterone testing, and in my own girls, a brief period of “morning sickness” has been one of the most consistent early signs that pregnancy is underway.

That does not mean I enjoy seeing Tika feel off. I don’t. She looked at me with those sad eyes, and I felt bad for her. This is Tika’s first pregnancy, so there is always a little extra anxiety in the waiting. At the same time, seeing this happen right on schedule brought a lot of hope.

What Do Breeders Mean by “Morning Sickness” in Dogs?

“Morning sickness” is a familiar term most people understand, even though dogs do not experience pregnancy exactly the same way people do. In dogs, the term usually refers to a short period of nausea, reduced appetite, or occasionally vomiting during early pregnancy.

Some pregnant dogs may skip part of a meal, act a little quieter than usual, or seem less interested in food for a day or a few days. Some dogs vomit. My own girls have not typically vomited during this period, but they have shown temporary appetite changes.

Tika’s sign this morning was very typical for what I have seen before: she was not dramatically sick, but she clearly did not feel like eating her full breakfast.

Why Does This Happen?

Early pregnancy is a time of major change inside the bitch’s body. The embryos have implanted in the uterus, placental development is underway, and the reproductive hormones that support pregnancy are affecting the body.

Those hormonal and physical changes can affect appetite and may cause mild nausea in some dogs. This is why some breeders and veterinarians commonly refer to this brief early-pregnancy appetite change as “morning sickness.”

The key word is mild. A short-term decrease in appetite around this point in pregnancy can be normal. Prolonged illness, repeated vomiting, diarrhea, fever, pain, weakness, or a dog that seems truly unwell is different and should be discussed with a veterinarian.

Why the Timing Matters

Canine pregnancy is usually about 63 days from ovulation. That is why I track ovulation carefully through repeated progesterone testing. Counting from breeding alone can be less precise, because dogs can be bred before or after ovulation and still become pregnant.

Today is day 26 from ovulation for Tika.

In my breeding program, my pregnant girls have consistently shown some version of morning sickness between days 24 and 28. Some have been off breakfast for only one day. Others have taken two or three days before their normal appetite returned.

Tika showing this sign on day 26 is exactly the timing I would hope to see.

Is Morning Sickness Proof of Pregnancy?

Strictly speaking, no. Morning sickness by itself is not a formal veterinary diagnosis of pregnancy.

Veterinarians can confirm pregnancy through methods such as ultrasound, relaxin testing, or palpation at the appropriate stage. Appetite changes alone are not enough to medically prove pregnancy.

However, in my own breeding program, this day-24-to-day-28 pattern has been one of the most reliable early signs I see in my girls. So while I do not call it absolute proof, I do consider Tika’s half-eaten breakfast on day 26 to be a very encouraging sign.

And because this is Tika’s first pregnancy, it is a meaningful moment.

Why I Do Not Routinely Use Ultrasound for Puppy Counts

Many breeders use ultrasound to confirm pregnancy, and ultrasound can be a useful veterinary tool. I respect that. Ultrasound can help confirm pregnancy and evaluate fetal viability during the appropriate stage of pregnancy.

In my program, I do not routinely use ultrasound for puppy counts. One reason is that ultrasound puppy counts can be unreliable. Sometimes not all puppies are seen, so a breeder may expect fewer puppies than are actually born. Other times, embryos seen early may not continue to develop, and the final litter may be smaller than expected.

For me, that can create false hopes or unnecessary disappointment. I prefer to watch the dam carefully in early pregnancy and then use a puppy-count x-ray later in pregnancy, when the information is more useful for whelping.

Around day 55, I have puppy-count x-rays done at a veterinary clinic that specializes in reproduction. For my past litters, these x-rays have provided an accurate count, which is extremely helpful on whelping night. Knowing how many puppies to expect helps me monitor labor more confidently and know whether the litter appears complete.

Experience matters with puppy-count x-rays. A veterinarian who works with reproductive cases regularly and reads these radiographs often may be better positioned to provide an accurate count than a clinic that only performs puppy-count x-rays occasionally.

So, I do use veterinary tools. I simply use them in the way that best supports the dam, the litter, and a safe whelping process.

Watching Tika Carefully

For now, Tika will be watched closely and cared for gently. If her appetite is reduced for a short time, that fits the pattern I have seen before. I will not force her to eat a large meal if she is feeling a little nauseous. I will make sure she is comfortable, hydrated, and monitored.

And, of course, if anything seems outside the normal pattern, I will treat that seriously.

Today, though, this feels like a hopeful sign.

Poor Tika may not have felt like finishing breakfast, but that half-eaten bowl may be the first real sign that the next Spiegel Bird Dogs litter is on the way.