If you have ever had a feeling your female dog was pregnant after her cycle of heat, when in fact she was never given the chance to breed, you are not alone. Many people have seen their female canine companion show signs of pregnancy, even though she is not. This is called false pregnancy, or pseudocyesis, and it has the same signs of a real pregnancy.  If you are a first time female dog owner who hasn’t spayed your pup, this condition may raise some concern and even fear. Discussing this condition with your veterinarian will help you understand why this is happening, and keep you proactive in dealing with this issue in a calm manner.

False pregnancy in female dogs is referred to in veterinary terms as pseudopregnancy or pseudocyesis. It is characterized by behavioral and physical changes, without the presence of a true pregnancy.

Before understanding the condition of false pregnancy, it is important to know how a female dog’s cycle works.  Estrus is the stage when the dog can actually become pregnant; many people refer to this stage as “heat”. Estrus lasts for two to three weeks, and you can tell a dog is “in heat” by noticing a swollen vulva and obvious discharge. She will also have hormones and pheromones in her urine that attract male dogs and let them know she is in heat; she may urinate more often and in several different places she walks to attract the males. Toward the end of this period (about ten days), the discharge will become lighter and less frequent. This is the time she is most fertile; however, she can get pregnant at any time during estrus.  

Most dogs go through estrus twice a year, and the cycles can start as early as six months of age, depending on the dog and breed. Also, there is no definite time of the year the dog is in heat. Smaller dogs may go through estrus up to four times a year, and large breeds may only go into heat once a year. Also, the first few times of estrus may be very irregular; it takes a few cycles and a little more age on the dog for them to start occurring in a distinct, more predictable pattern. 

At the end of diestrus (the period following estrus), your pet may show behaviors seen with impending motherhood, even though she is not pregnant.

At the time of estrus, there are also eggs released by the ovaries. These eggs wait to be fertilized by a male dog’s sperm. The corpus luteum is the remaining part of the follicle – the part that is left over after the egg is released. It is produced by the ovary, and gradually fades if the female has not gotten pregnant. Until then, while it’s still present (about sixty days), it produces progesterone and other hormones that would normally prepare her body to support a developing embryo and the pregnancy. Sometimes, though, the corpus luteum stays there for a longer time than normal, and this can be confused with pregnancy. The rapid decrease of progesterone, and the increase of prolactin are hormonal changes thought to be responsible for pseudopregnancy.

At the onset of signs, the first thing you should do is to have your dog checked by a veterinarian.

During a false pregnancy in dogs, the dog’s mammary glands may swell and may even produce milk. You may see the milk leaking or be able to express it by massaging them. This, however, is not recommended because they will only produce more if milk is expressed manually. In addition to the glands becoming fuller, the belly area will begin to look “fuller” and swollen. These are some of the clinical signs that your veterinarian will be looking for and discussing with you.

Tell your veterinary team about the exhibiting of nesting behavior, and the arranging of her bed. If she has been acting as if she can’t get comfortable, or waking a lot during the night and pacing around the house in an almost panic-like state, be certain to make the veterinarian aware.

Your veterinarian may ask questions similar to these.

Your veterinarian will eliminate the possibility of a true pregnancy by taking radiographs or performing an abdominal ultrasound, at the appropriate timing in the cycle.  

Your veterinarian will discuss the choice of allowing this false pregnancy run its course;  typically signs will resolve on their own. As for toys she has added to her collection, it is best to let her keep them rather than increasing her anxiety by taking them away from her. One thing you can do is to change her routine a little bit by taking her on more walks and increasing the distance as she becomes less anxious in wanting to return home to her “babies.” It is best to ignore her behaviors; the more you show her you are concerned about what she is doing, the more stressed she may become. Eventually, she will return back to normal.

With a false pregnancy, remember that your dog is following her mothering instincts and this really cannot be controlled. These behaviors may fade after about three weeks, but all dogs are unique and some may continue these behaviors longer than a month or so. If her behaviors continue for a long time, about eight weeks or longer, you should consult your veterinarian again. The veterinarian can give her an exam and if need be, intervene with medical procedures to get her to stop feeling so anxious. The veterinarian may give her something to stop the production of milk or have other suggestions to help the symptoms end. She will also want to check for the presence of other diseases; for example, hypothyroidism can prolong pseudopregnancy symptoms.

If the pseudopregnancy resolves itself but returns again and again, you may want to consider discussing an ovariohysterectomy, or spay, with your veterinarian, in order to provide relief for your furry family member. There are medications available as well, but you must discuss the effects of long term use with your veterinary caregiver.

A false pregnancy can be very interesting to observe, as it will become apparent how much mothering instincts a female dog possesses. It can also be quite stressful on the dog, and you, the owner. It is not easy watching her go through any anxiety over her “puppies” and future “litter” but, rest assured, false pregnancies do happen, and more than likely her behaviors are quite normal. If you feel as if the dog is suffering immensely or have any concerns, a visit to your veterinarian will help ease your mind. More than likely, the doctor will tell you to give her lots of love, patience, and time, and before you know it she will be back to her old self once again. 

Possible complications that can occur with allowing a false pregnancy to run its course are discomfort due to mammary gland enlargement, and engorgement due to lactation. You can alternate cold and warm compresses to provide relief.

Caring for a pregnant or breeding dog can be expensive. Most accident and illness policies don’t cover costs related to pregnancy. But some providers, like Trupanion, offer add-ons that reimburse vet care costs. Start comparing pet insurance plans today to find the right fit for your fur-baby.