For now, the only chance to accurately know if your pet is pregnant is to have an ultrasound test after 3 weeks or more at a veterinary clinic. But soon this may change! A Finnish diagnostics company is launching the first quick pregnancy test for our furry friends which should be available in pet shops around the world in the near future.

This novelty enables the diagnosis of pregnancy by detecting the animal’s blood hormone relaxin, which is secreted only by the placenta of a pregnant dog. This test can be done as early as 28 days after your pooch’s last ovulation by taking a blood sample from the inside of her cheek.

The invention has been tested on more than 30 different dog breeds and is 96% accurate, according to Jarno Kukil, CEO and co-founder of Bellylabs LTD.

Jarno considers this development the most significant innovation related to pet pregnancy in decades. He believes that since the period of carrying puppies in dogs is relatively short, around 63 days, early detection of pregnancy will allow the owner or breeder to create the best conditions for the pet. In addition, this test will detect complicated pregnancy in dogs.