Phantom Pregnancy in Dogs

Some female dogs that have not been spayed have what is called a phantom pregnancy. It can be stressful for the owner because the dog can appear pregnant with swollen nipples and nesting behavior.

  1. Features

    • Phantom pregnancies, which are often referred to as false pregnancies, occur as a result of the hormonal changes that a female dog goes through after she is in heat. When a dog experiences this, she will actually physically respond as if she were pregnant and begin preparing for her puppies. (See Reference 1.)

    Symptoms

    • Swollen abdomen, lactation, maternal behavior, nesting and gathering toys as if they were her puppies are all common symptoms of a phantom pregnancy. (See Reference 1.)

    Treatment

    • In mild cases, the dog will stop the maternal behavior within a few weeks. In more severe cases where the dog is actually producing milk, a hormone can be given to the dog to stop lactation. (See Resource 1.)

    Considerations

    • If you are not planning on breeding your dog, having her spayed will prevent phantom pregnancies. Spaying also helps prevention specific kinds of reproductive cancer in dogs. (See Reference 1)

    Warning

    • If you notice that your dog is producing milk, it is important to keep her from licking her nipples since this activity will produce more milk. An Elizabethan collar can be used to prevent her from licking. Spaying a dog during a phantom pregnancy will not end the condition. (See Resource 1.)