A viral video has showcased the unique bond between expectant mothers and their pets.
In an Instagram reel, what started as a serene cuddle session between a dog and its owner quickly became a funny surprise, leaving viewers both laughing and tearing up at the canine’s bewildered reaction. Since the clip was posted, it has received over 577,000 likes.
The video shows a dog’s head peacefully resting on its owner’s pregnant belly. “Just vibing … until the baby kicks,” the owner captioned the video.
Suddenly, the baby delivers what seems to be a distinct kick, causing the dog’s eyes to come open in confusion.
The dog’s startled reaction delighted Instagram users, who filled the comments with interpretations of the scene.
“‘Not to panic anyone BUT THERE ARE MOVEMENTS! EVERYBODY STAY CALM!’” one person imagined the dog’s inner dialogue, while another wrote: “‘Your stomach just kicked me in the face.’”
Others shared their own pets’ responses to fetal movements.
“My dog just laid there unfazed getting kicked upside the head,” one person posted.
“My dog doesn’t react when his head bounces … I think he thinks I’m just fat and trying to breathe,” another shared.
Do Dogs Sense Pregnancy?
The dog’s evident surprise raises questions about how much animals truly understand about pregnancy.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) explored this phenomenon in a blog post, highlighting dogs’ incredible sense of smell.
“One of the amazing things about dogs is their noses. They have the ability to detect and remember scents, long after they’re exposed to the original odor,” the post said. When a person is pregnant, hormonal shifts can alter their scent—leading many to believe dogs can detect changes even before humans do.
“I suspect that dogs can smell something we cannot,” Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, senior veterinarian and director of pet health information at the Animal Medical Center of New York City, said, as quoted by the AKC.
Hohenhaus added that dogs possess “60 times as many smell receptors as humans, and 40 times as much brain power dedicated to smell.” These advanced capabilities allow canines to pick up on subtle “chemical changes” in the body, which can include those related to pregnancy. While they likely can’t understand the reason for the changes, they do understand something is different.
Dr. Rachel Barrack, doctor of veterinary medicine and owner of Animal Acupuncture in New York City, suggested to the AKC that dogs are smart enough not only to pick up on these changes in a chemical and physical way, but also in an emotional way based on your moods and feelings.
Newsweek reached out to @mila.not.amused for comment via Instagram.
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