Phantom Pregnancy or false pregnancy can happen to any unspayed female dog. Based on clinical studies, 50–75% of unspayed female dogs can develop phantom pregnancy at least once in their lifetime. Some dog breeds such as Afghan Hounds, Dachshunds, or Beagles show a higher predisposition. The false pregnancy shows up as a set of behaviors that mimic the real pregnancy. From nesting and lactation to restlessness and whining, the symptoms differ from dog to dog. 

What Is Phantom Pregnancy?

Phantom pregnancy or pseudo-pregnancy is a set of behaviors and bodily changes in unspayed female dogs that start 6 to 12 weeks after estrus (heat). It can also occur after spaying a female dog while she is in heat. It is not a real pregnancy, but a false one with symptoms mimicking real pregnancy.

Phantom pregnancy happens because of the hormones produced by the ovaries during the estrus cycle. These hormones are normally produced whether a dog is pregnant or not. The hormones have a very important role. They prepare the uterus for the implantation of the fertilized egg cell (zygote). When a female dog is pregnant, the hormones are produced until after the puppies are born. 

If a dog is not pregnant, then the level of these hormones declines after 4 to 6 weeks. However, while declining, they send a “message” to the brain (the body) that the dog is in labor. That’s why a dog prepares a nest to give birth and carry toys or other objects around as if they are puppies, and that’s why lactation and enlargement of breasts happen.

The hormone produced during heat is called progesterone. It is believed that a sudden drop in levels of progesterone triggers the secretion of another hormone called prolactin. Together, these two hormones change the body and behavior of a female dog leading to a false pregnancy.

If a false pregnancy lasts more than eight weeks, there may be a hormonal metabolism issue, potentially indicating problems with the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or liver function. We should take the dog to a vet if the symptoms last more than 8 weeks or if we notice any other abnormalities, such as cloudy discharge with an unpleasant odor. We should also consult a veterinarian if a dog vomits or exhibits signs of depression.

What Are The Symptoms?

The most common symptoms are:

•  Nesting
•  Lactation
•  Vaginal discharge
•  Abdominal swelling or weight gain
•  Mothering
•  Whining
•  Aggression towards people or other dogs
•  Restlessness
•  Over-affection

These symptoms and their severity differ from dog to dog. The most common symptom is the enlargement of mammary glands which can be followed by lactation. Other more common symptoms are lethargy and weight gain because of the increased water retention.

Nesting means a dog looks for a place to “give birth”. She can bring toys to the place, owners’ clothes, or anything else that makes “the nest” safe, warm, and comfortable for her and her puppies. Of course, there are no puppies, so this is false nesting.

What Can We Do?

The permanent prevention of false pregnancy in dogs is spaying. Without the hormones to interfere there are no symptoms, hence, there is no pseudo-pregnancy. If you choose not to spay your dog, the symptoms will most likely come back, after another estrus. Sometimes, the symptoms don’t come back or there is a pause of a few years or a few heat cycles.

If you plan on not spaying your dog, these are some possible solutions to help with the symptoms or shorten the duration:

• Removing the toys (mothering and nesting symptoms)
• Preventing self-nursing (putting on a T-shirt on a dog or an E-collar)
• Drug intervention (only if prescribed by a licensed veterinarian)

In most cases, there is no need for medication. The symptoms go away on their own and the dog gets back to normal. However, if there is aggression, agitation, or mastitis, sometimes a vet can prescribe drugs to help with the symptoms. The key of the prescribed drugs is to lower the effect of the prolactin.

Summary

The phantom pregnancy is not as uncommon as people might think. After all, it can happen to around 80% of unspayed female dogs. In most cases, a false pregnancy happens once in a lifetime, but it can be alarming and we have to ask the question, “Is my dog really pregnant?”. This is especially alarming if you know your dog has been outside during the heat cycle. Hormones are astounding parts of a dog’s body, even making the abdomen larger. However, everything should go away after 6 to 8 weeks. Just remember to pay attention if it lasts longer than 8 weeks because it can point to hormonal issues. 

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