Doberman's Sweet Reaction to Pregnant Owner's Baby Kicking Melts Hearts

A dog's adorable reaction to feeling his pregnant owner's baby kick is melting hearts online.

The cute clip was posted to TikTok on October 6 by user Sherrell Rell Kelly (@sherrellmichelle), who was 35 weeks pregnant at the time. Resting his head on her stomach, Doberman DeMar displays a look of surprise and excitement as her baby bump moves.

Since being shared, the video has received almost 25 million views and nearly 6 million likes.

Can Dogs Tell When You're Pregnant?

With more than 220 million olfactory receptors in their nose, studies have confirmed that dogs can detect certain diseases, from common conditions such as diabetes, to rarer issues like narcolepsy and hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

There are currently no official studies on whether dogs can tell if a human is pregnant, but Dr. Jeff Smith—medical director at Danville Family Vet—said it's possible that dogs can detect changes in their owner's smell caused by the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone. This hormone is produced by the placenta and causes menstruation to cease and the uterine lining to thicken. Levels of HCG begin to rise from conception until roughly 10 weeks into the pregnancy, where they slowly start to taper off.

"Dogs have a sense of smell that is many times more sensitive than human limitations," Smith told Newsweek. "Dogs have been known to track people for miles through the wilderness after hours have gone by. They are used for bomb and drug detection because they can sense tiny residual bits of these chemicals.

"Dogs also have a vomeronasal organ in the nose that senses pheromones that are given off by other animals to mark territory and signal heat cycles. It is quite reasonable to believe that dogs could sense the change in hormones and related pheromones in a pregnant woman.

"Although it has not been scientifically proven, it is likely that dogs can sense when a woman is pregnant and will change their behavior."

As well as noticing when the baby is moving, dogs might become more protective, or suddenly develop behavioral problems such as chewing or urinating indoors. Behavioral issues can also be sparked by a change in the dog's routine, or if they're getting less attention than usual while their owners prepare for the baby's arrival.

'Best of Friends'

In the video, DeMar the Doberman is standing next to his owner Sherrell Rell Kelly's baby bump. When her baby kicks, he rests his ear against her stomach, before sniffing excitedly. He then lays his head on her bump while looking up into her eyes.

TikTok users loved the pup's reaction, with user Leah calling it "the sweetest thing."

"My heart" wrote Morgan.

"So precious," commented Adam.

"They're going to be the best of friends," said Kitten.Frostt.

Others found DeMar's surprised response hilarious, with The Most High writing: "Oh that ain't yo baby no more."

"The way he threw his head on your belly," said Carmenn. "'Was that a FOOT.'"

"They laid their head like the baby knocked and they're like 'who's there,'" joked
RiseJumeade.

While aj commented: "They be talking behind yo back. you know pets and babies speak the same language."

Newsweek has reached out to @sherrellmichelle for comment.