False pregnancy is most commonly seen in female dogs (although cats may rarely be affected). Hormone changes after a ‘season’ or heat convince her and her body that she is pregnant. It is sometimes called phantom pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. The hormone changes that cause false pregnancy are normal in the dog but sometimes the symptoms get out of hand and are distressing for the dog and her owners.
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Is phantom pregnancy in dogs common?
50-75% of unspayed female dogs will experience a noticeable false pregnancy during their lifetime. It is thought by some biologists that it evolved as a useful condition for wolf packs and continues in the domestic dog. If a number of aunties in the pack experience false pregnancy and produce milk, any wolf cubs in the pack would be more likely to survive.
False pregnancies do occur in other mammals. For example, in rabbits, they can occur in stressful situations. The doe may be seen to nest obsessively and lose weight. They are thankfully less common in cats and humans.
What are the symptoms of a false pregnancy?
A dog can display a range of symptoms. These can be grouped together in physical changes and uncharacteristic behaviours.
Physical Signs
The signs of false pregnancy are usually seen 4-8 weeks after a season. Researchers from Glasgow vet school (Root and others) published a helpful review from the experiences of almost 400 vets in 2018. They found that the most common finding was enlargement of the mammary glands (breasts). Clear fluid brownish fluid or milk may be produced by the swollen glands.
Most female dogs who show symptoms will be restless and anxious, unsettled by the change in hormones. They often eat less and are less keen to interact with people and go for walks. Rarely, they vomit and their abdomens appear swollen.
Behavioural indicators
Along with these physical changes, behavioural changes are common. Usually, the dog will act as if she has had pups. She may collect soft toys, cushions, shoes, socks or other objects from around the house and take them to her bed or a chosen corner. She will then mother them: hide them, guard them and lick them.
At this time, she may become aggressive and protective of her nest and imaginary babies. It is important not to misunderstand her at this point. She honestly believes these are pups so it is best to distract her with walks and cuddles when possible, rather than try to encourage her to give them up. She is likely to become uncharacteristically aggressive if she feels the safety of her pups is in question. Even the sweetest family pet can growl and even bite in this situation.
It is believed by some behaviourists that if a dog is spayed when she is experiencing false pregnancy, she may behave more aggressively. This is why vets tend to advise spaying a reasonable time after a season.
What do you do about a false pregnancy?
First, consider carefully whether this is a false pregnancy. Is there any chance that she was mated while in season? In these instances, visit your vet for an ultrasound examination to confirm whether this is a false pregnancy or just a surprise pregnancy.
Swollen mammary glands and milk production can make the bitch lick herself until she is sore. This can lead to more milk production and sometimes infection. So, it is important to stop her if she is licking excessively. An Elizabethan collar, inflatable collar, romper suit or T-shirt can be used to stop her licking.
Some sources will suggest restricting food and water to make her milk dry up. There could cause far more problems and is not advisable. Warm compresses on her abdomen will encourage milk production rather than give her relief.
This is a normal condition and will usually pass in 1-2 weeks.
When to see a vet?
If your dog seems unwell, becomes lethargic or she isn’t eating then visit your vet. Unfortunately, a womb infection or pyometra can also occur after a season and this is a dangerous condition. She may have a vaginal discharge and vomit with a pyometra or just seem very unwell. Mastitis, an infection of the mammary glands, can also make her ill.
If signs of false pregnancy go on for more than 2-3 weeks or she is uncomfortable with her mammary swelling then medication can be used to reverse the hormone changes and resolve the false pregnancy.
Some dogs have marked false pregnancies after every season, others are very distressed by marked symptoms. Spaying (ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy) offers a permanent solution to the condition, as there are no further seasons. The decision to spay also protects her against unwanted pregnancies, womb infections and can be protective against mammary cancer.
As we have seen, false pregnancy is usually a mild, physiologically normal state but in some dogs it causes distress and discomfort. Fortunately, the signs are easily treated when recognised.
Share your experiences with false pregnancies and ask any questions on the topic below.
You may also be interested in;
- Is my dog at risk of a pyometra?
- Neutering and breast cancer in dogs, what’s the link?
- Is my dog in heat?
- When Do Dogs Go Into Heat?
- What is eclampsia in dogs?
Discussion
Idk if my Labrador Retriever is having a phantom pregnancy or not. She has gained a little weight in her lower abdomen, pink nipples. No discharge. Very tired and she is acting the same otherwise. No swollen nipples, just pink, and getting long. She’s going to get an ultrasound on Monday to confirm. The stud owner has said she doesn’t think that she is because we believe it may have been a slip mating because they never tied. I’m so confused.
Remember that dogs can get pregnant without a tie, it’s just less common… hope the scan goes well!
I breed my girl twice and then never breed her again. She has false pregnancy every 6 months and I thought no big deal but she is 3 years old now and I noticed on her stomach by her nipples and y where she had a c section a blister kinda like a boil was on her. The size of a nickel. So took her to the vet and he’s said it’s from the false pregnancy to get her fixed and gave her some antibiotics. I’m having a hard time believing just because she has a Lil milk and a false pregnancy would cause something like a ulcer or a boil looking blister. Would someone please let me know if this is possible or should I be looking for a different vet. Please and thanks
Without seeing it, it’s impossible to know, but it certainly could be mastitis (from the false pregnancy). If it’s not responding to treatment, definitely go back and have the vet check it again, though – or seek a second opinion if you prefer.
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My friends french bulldog is currently going threw a phantom pregnancy and really down and struggling she wanted to no if it would be good to get her a puppy to look after, she really wants another puppy anyway but she wondered if it would benifit her other dog or makes things worse thank you 🙂
It won’t help in the least! The next time she has a season she’ll probably just be even worse afterwards.
There are medications that are usually very effective at stopping a false pregnancy, and I would strongly advise your friend to contact a vet for advice.
Can you please help. My jack Russell has been going through a phantom pregnancy for 3 days. She is being very aggressive that she has bitten one of us and drew blood, I managed to put her in a cage to keep us safe from her but she has not left the cage all day for 3 days, I open it during the night so she can drink or eat, she has had to do her business inside as we can’t go near her to let her out.
Definitely time to get in touch with your vets! There is medication that can end a false pregnancy, and it sounds like you need that ASAP. You then need to get in touch with a good clinical animal behaviourist to work with and see if there’s an underlying behavioural issue that has simply been triggered by the phantom pregnancy – your vet will be able to refer you, or look at the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians. Good luck!
My 13 month old puppy is going through a phantom pregnancy, it has been 4 weeks now, we have taken her to the vet & they have said her mammary glands are full, she is licking them & we have been told to remove all her toys, but we have a 6 year old & she’s pinching her toys & growling at her when she has a baby. How can we help her get over this? Thank you
Time to go back to your vets and ask for a medical approach – there are medications that will end the false pregnancy.
Please can someone help! My girl has been mated and we would be on day 38 today we had a scan at 28 days and they confirmed pregnancy but they wanted to come back 5 days later to do a count on them as she could only just see them, she came back and said she had absorbed the litter but since then my girl has been putting more weight on and she’s also having morning sickness please could someone give me advice thank-you
I would DEFINITELY get her checked by your vet again – morning sickness isn’t really normal; did you get her scanned by your vet or someone else? The reason I ask is that a pyometra – a life-threatening disease – can present just like this, and an inexperienced scanner could easily mistake early signs of pyo for an early pregnancy. If she’s resorbed the whole litter, that’s also quite abnormal, and may suggest metritis or some other uterine disease.
Either way – get her checked out by your vet ASAP.
Thank-you for your reply. I went with someone else for the scanning, I have spoke to my vet and she has told me to monitor her and take her in next Tuesday, as all her symptoms are pregnancy related. She’s happy in herself.
That’s fine – getting vet advice is the key thing, if they’re happy having taken a full history, then great! Good luck with her!
The vet did say she may not have been pregnant and the scanner got it wrong so she could be having a phantom but if that’s the case would she still have the morning sickness? She has had that from 14 days but she isn’t nesting or carrying toys to her bed. Everything just seems so confusing is I’m getting told to many different things. I just wish the vet would see her sooner. Thank-you again for taking your time to reply to me I feel like I’m going out of my mind 😞
My dog is so sad. She is not herself at all. I took her to the vet as she appeared confused and ‘lost’ she seemed to unsteady on her feet. The vet checked her over and said phantom. Which we can see with the swelling. However so unsure about the confusion. She almost appears blind and peeing everywhere. Falling over. Falling in her food. We are taking her back to the vet tomorrow which will day 8 of symptoms to get her to check again and give blood tests.
Yes, definitely time for more workup – that doesn’t sound normal for a phantom pregnancy! I’d be very worried about a pyometra, given what you’ve seen, and I think an ultrasound scan to rule that out would be a really good idea.
I have German shepherd female dog age 3 Year i mate her on 10th day of heat i am wondering that will conceive it or not?
It is unlikely but a long way from impossible!
I was pet sitting for multiple families for years now. One woman accused me of abusing the dogs as the neighbours heard apparently me hurting the dog which could cause miscarriage and therefore she wants to get me to see the police and stuff. However, her bitch showed symptoms of fake pregnancy and had 7 actual litters already as well so if it was actual pregnancy it would be her 8th and the dog is pretty young . She (the lady) was alright with everything and things until I asked her about the money and then she started making up things like video evidence against me etc.
she was supposed to be back and pay me on 26th. However, she made her holiday in London longer and now she’s back on 7th. She made me stress out as the pups from litter of one of the dogs went missing few days before during the robbery which i feel was planned.
Few days later the kettle incident (not going into details) happened and it was stressing me out: no alarms, faulty of the stuff etc. I was never told about so I said I quit and wish her luck so her daughter’s friends are looking after them now. I wanted to ask, is it normal for a dog who experienced false / phantom pregnancy to become timid and hide from people in the corner of the garden etc. ? Thank you.
It can happen, and timidity and hiding are not uncommon for the duration of the false pregnancy. However, behaviour should return to normal rapidly once the false pregnancy ends.
Regarding the other matters, I’m afraid I’m not qualified to advise you: I suggest you seek legal advice rather than veterinary!
My bitch is now 2.5 years old. She had her last season that finished end Jan/early Feb (after being delayed due before then, she was stressed with me being soo poorly with morning sickness) and it seems as though, again she is having a phantom pregnancy.
The thing is, she is a fairly anxious dog at the best of times, and is absolutely petrified of the vets (even with weekly visits to the vets surgery for treats and fusses and getting used to the nurses!) so the vet will not go ahead with spaying her as they are worried that it will make her more anxious than she already is. While I do agree that we ideally don’t want that, it’s not fair that she has to keep going through this and spaying would resolve this and the fact that she also wouldn’t have a season.
I’m at a bit of a loss, do I get a second opinion from a different vets? Do i put my foot down and say that we want her to be spayed, or do we continue going through this pattern?
We have a new baby due in mid June which I know is likely to send her all over the place but I have no idea what is best for her right now.
any thoughts?
My best advice is to get her a soft small little baby stuffed animal, and let her love that for a couple weeks or up to a month or she loses it. But either way, give her long enough for it to run it’s course, then schedule the spay. Because it happens in cycles, and she’ll continue to experience it again following her next heat. But you’ll have plenty of time between to let her hormones level out, so you can proceed at a time when she won’t be as stressed and protective. Just my advice from my going thru it with my pup. She has a tiny squeaker baby cow only like 2inches big, and she carries this thing around with her EVERYWHERE. I think it’s freaking adorable, especially how when she lays down she will try and position her baby on her belly between her legs, then lays on it. Almost like she’s trying to nurse it. Sweet but heart breaking too. It seems to calm her stress having a baby to atleast pretend with. And she gets really happy bringing her to everyone in our family, and is so proud of herself she wants to share. She hasn’t had any aggression, she just wants to be a mommy so we pretend with her. ❤️Good luck.
This definitely can work; the problem is when they get SO attached that it makes things worse! But in terms of managing her while she gets over the worst of it, this can be effective.
This is a really hard call to make. I think it might be best to get an opinion from a good clinical animal behaviourist. Your vets are right that spaying can increase anxiety (although the effect is much less dramatic than for castrating a male); however, it sounds like the reasons not to spay are behavioural, so perhaps that might be the best way forward?
Regarding the false pregnancy, there is medication for that, so give the vets a ring and see if that might help!
Good luck with her!
My female boerboel had pseudopregnancy twice now and she is 1 year and 8 months old.
Please which drug or medication can I use
Pseudopregnancy is a normal part of a dog’s reproductive cycle. While there are medications that can be used, such as cabergoline, these are prescription medications in most jurisdictions and require a veterinarian to prescribe them; inappropriate use can be highly dangerous for the dog.
My girl
Had a season December 23 was not mated has had two litters previously but will not be mated again so she acting off won’t settle seems miserable hallybwen she out walking but once she home she sad and restless can this be a phantom , ? It’s like 13 weeks since her season started so I’m working out the maths ? Is it most likely a phantom no milk but moody and toy fussing
It could be, although I agree it seems too long a period since she was in season. I’d definitely get her seen by a vet though as this could be due to a hormonal problem, or even be associated with a pyometra (I’ve seen a couple of pyos that presented like this, although it’s not common).
Hi there from London. I am looking after a dog displaying this condition. She had a long season then into a pseudoprensncy which is prob over 7 weeks now. She has tonight been prescribed a drug to dry up her milk and treat the condition. Her aggression has been so elevated and reacting to doors opening, noises outside the home and she has been controlling folk moving indoors. She started poohing in her bed and keeping the pooh wrapped up. Makes sense after reading this that she’s been nesting and keeping these trophies.
Hi my dog had puppies 3 years ago she looks pregnant now by her breast only they hanging so bad , her nipples are swollen and she has milk but she has no tummy at all , the way her breast look now is like she had puppies that how bad they look what could the problem be
There could be a number of issues going on, however, if she has milk, it is most likely this is a false pregnancy. It would be worth having a chat with your vet about the options, as there are medications to stop it if it’s really draining her; in addition, it might be worth considering spaying in a few months if she’s suffering from this a lot.
My poor baby has false pregnancy after every season. She produces milk and actually sucks her own teats. I rescued her from someone else who had rescued her and I’ve had her for 2 years. She has been to the vet and had her shots, but spaying is so expensive. Guess it’s time to start saving so my little Princess doesn’t have to keep going through this! Other than the collar, do you have any suggestions to keep her licking/sucking to a minimum?
there are low cost vet services all over the country. most are the mobile kind. look up your area on the internet. i had to drive about an hour, but i got my 100 pound dog spayed for just $120. just check around. call local pounds and see if they have any suggetions.
There are medicines that can stop a false pregnancy that your vet can prescribe, and that would be my first port of call… but yes, definitely spaying is probably the best option longer term!
Lulu on Utube wears a onesie (baby pj) so her milk stops and her pups can be weaned…a little jumpsuit.
Before 82 days I mated my female but she didn’t give birth to puppies that mean she didn’t conceive but from last 2 days she’s secreting blood. Initially the blood was brownnish red but now her blood become red without any other substance like puss and anything else
It was his 2nd heat when I mated her
Time gap between 1st and 2nd heat was 3 months and 10 days
She just secreted whitish thick liquid during his pregnancy but didn’t gave birth
Now i’m confused that it is heat cycle or any infection
Please guide me because there’s not any vet and animal’s hospital
Please guide me its request
Age of my german shepherd is 1 year and 6 months
This sounds like an infection, such as metritis or a pyometra (although it is impossible to say for sure without examining her and taking a full history). Try to get in touch with an animal rescue charity that may have access to veterinary staff, as I think you need to know what is happening, for her sake.
Hi. I recently adopted a young dog who was in heat in June, according to her previous owner. A few days after I adopted her I noticed that she has signs of false pregnancy. She has enlarged teats and is producing milk. Her previous owner said that she’s always had enlarged teats but he didn’t know if she’s had puppies while with a different previous owner. She’d been living with her sister until I adopted her, (her sister is currently in heat) who was very dominant over her. Recently she’s become aggressive towards other female dogs. She’s fine with males and fine with her previous owner’s mother’s and brother’s dogs who are both male and female. I’ve spoken to my vet who advised against medical treatment, but it’s since then that she’s shown aggressive behaviour. I plan to get her spayed when her milk has dried up but in the meantime I’m not sure what to do. There are two female dogs living in close proximity to my home, our plots don’t have fences and the other two dogs are allowed to roam loose in the communal areas. I don’t want to have to keep her on a lead on my own plot and I can’t risk her wandering and meeting the other two dogs unexpectedly. Any advice would be gratefully received. Many thanks.
I think if it’s prolonged and she’s suffering because of it, it might be worth talking again to your vet about medications that can speed up the drying up.
Otherwise, it’s a matter of just waiting it out! A collar to stop her self-sucking will also help, because if anything is sucking the milk, it’ll keep on coming. Personally, I don’t think witholding water is safe, although reducing the diet can sometimes be useful, just until the milk stops.
Good luck!
Hello from Indiana! My dog is experiencing pseudo pregnancy and she has all the symptoms! She has swollen mammary glands and has been pacing as if she has puppies. She carries a toy around with her and is very protected of it! I knew nothing about this ‘fake pregnancy ‘ until I read about it. I’m relieved to know my baby is not pregnant and we are going to have her spayed in a few weeks.
My Australian Shepherd started “purring” a couple weeks ago when I would scratch under her chin. Following this “purring” was excessively licking my hands. After a week or so of this behavior she had a happy snarl and would proceed with excessive licking. I don’t feel threatened but I look forward to her being spayed next week. She had her first heat start on March 22..
Hi, my dog is currently experiencing a phantom pregnancy. 4 of her teats are swollen and she is eating less but she is still eating a little. She has taken several toys to her bed and just lies with them. She is fine and energetic when we go on walks but she just sleeps when we are at home and is not interested in anything else. She is not showing any signs of aggression. It has been 2 and a half weeks now and I just wandered if there is anything I can do to help her. Should I start trying to remove the toys at some point or just leave her with them? Will she just lose interest in the herself? I hate seeing her like this and just feel so helpless and sorry for her. Thanks in advance, Jo
I’d have a chat with your vet about medical options – there are treatments that will help to speed things along!
Does it hurt female if they are bred following false pregnancy? Does it take calcium from bones etc?
My dog had puppies then , was with my male second time and showed signs of pregnancy . Is it safe to breed her next season????
You shouldn’t really be breeding a dog every season anyway – a rest is helpful! – but at the end of the day, a false pregnancy is normal in dogs after every season – we just don’t always notice it! SO there’s no reason to think that it would cause any problems.
I have a 2 year old blue nose pitt. I rescued her when she was 4 months. Omg Indy has had 4 false pregnancies already. She’s in One now. It’s like having a emotional teenage girl and a pitbull form. It’s hard subject about getting her spayed it she had a bad experience with her last vet. Does anyone else’s female have one every cycle?? She went into one bc I bought her a toy with squeakers in it.
Strictly speaking, all dogs have a false pregnancy after every single cycle. The thing is though, they aren’t all dramatic enough that we humans notice! If it’s affecting her welfare, then spaying might be a good call.
I have a jack russell and she is having a phntom pregnancy.
She is really aggressive she wont let anyone come in shes just basically mean and shes really a loving dog i dont know what else to do.shes allways growling and you cant even look at her with out her wanting to bite your head off .Please help what should i do
My jack Russell bitch has one twice a year. She stays in her bed for 2 weeks and will not leave it except to go to the toilet when she is desperate. She will not allow anybody other than me to go near to her and she pants and cries and shakes.
That’s quite bad… might be worth thinking about spaying her if it affects her that badly?
Talk to your vet about it and they can prescribe medication that will end the phantom pregnancy. Then, if she’s aggressive, I’d strongly advise neutering her in 1-2 months time!
Should i let my dog that is going through false pregnancy be around a puppy and let her think its hers?
Ideally not – as she may try to adopt the puppy permanently! And if the puppy starts suckling, she’ll stay in false pregnancy until he/she weans.
Hi, i have a dog that recently had puppies and one of my other dogs is going through a false pregnancy so she thinks the puppies are hers and she keeps taking one and tries to feed it. We don’t know what to do and she gets really frustrated when we take the puppy from her, what can i do?
Firstly, I’d try and separate them; but then get in touch with your vet ASAP. There are medications that can be used to end the false pregnancy and the associated behaviours; it might also be worth considering neutering if you’re not planning to breed from her.
Hi I also have pregnant pitbull her belly is normally big but not much, and her nippels and her breast are swollen she’s around 7 to 8 weeks. But it hard to see puppy movement. After some time she licks at her vaginal. Please help is she pregnant or not.!?
The only way to be sure is to get a pregnancy scan – your vet can almost certainly do this. She probably is, but all dogs go through a “false pregnancy” after every season; if dramatic, it can also look like this!
my dog is pitbull breed. breast is incresed but ultrasound scaninng not a pregnant. but my dog breasat is enlarged day to day what can do.
False pregnancies are actually a normal part of dog behaviour. It might just be that. However, other problems that could cause breast enlargement include breast cancer, which is common and often malignant. I would advise a vet check to make sure it is not anything nasty.