What Is Pseudopregnancy?
Pseudopregnancy, also called false pregnancy or phantom pregnancy, is a condition in which an unspayed female dog shows physical or behavioral signs of pregnancy without actually carrying puppies. It usually appears about 6 to 12 weeks after a heat cycle, when the hormone progesterone falls and the hormone prolactin rises. Because every intact female dog goes through the same hormone phase after heat whether she is bred or not, mild false pregnancy is very common. It is far less common in cats.
Good to know
Pseudopregnancy is a normal hormonal event, not a disease. Most episodes settle on their own within two to three weeks.
Common Signs
- Enlarged mammary glands, sometimes producing milk or a watery fluid
- Nesting: digging in bedding, gathering blankets or hiding in quiet spots
- “Mothering” toys, shoes or other objects and guarding them
- Restlessness, whining, clinginess or reduced appetite
- Occasionally a swollen belly, mild weight gain or even mild contractions
Diagnosis
A vet confirms pseudopregnancy by ruling out a real pregnancy, usually with an abdominal ultrasound or X-rays, and by checking the timing of the last heat. See dog pregnancy tests and the dog heat cycle for how timing and testing work.
Treatment and Home Care
- Most dogs need no treatment beyond time and patience
- Avoid touching or massaging the mammary glands, which stimulates more milk
- Gently remove mothered toys and keep her busy with walks and play
- Use a soft cone or T-shirt if she licks her nipples constantly
- For severe or prolonged cases, a vet may prescribe medication that lowers prolactin
Watch the mammary glands for heat, pain, redness or discolored discharge, which can mean mastitis. Dogs with repeated, intense false pregnancies are often spayed once the episode has fully resolved; see dog spaying.
Timing of spaying
Vets generally recommend waiting until the false pregnancy has ended before spaying. Spaying during an episode can prolong the signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats have a false pregnancy?
Yes, but it is uncommon. In cats it usually follows a heat in which ovulation happened without pregnancy, and the signs are typically mild and short-lived.
Will my dog have a false pregnancy after every heat?
Dogs that have had one are more likely to have more, but intensity can vary from cycle to cycle. Spaying prevents future episodes.
When should I call the vet?
Call if she stops eating for more than a day or two, if the glands become hot, hard or painful, if signs last longer than about three weeks, or if you are not sure she is not truly pregnant.
If you are unsure whether your dog is pregnant or the signs are severe, get her checked. Find a veterinary clinic near you for an exam.