False Pregnancy – Symptoms, Duration, and Treatment

Many unspayed female dogs experience a false pregnancy a few weeks after their heat cycle. Find out here what the typical symptoms are and how you can best help your dog!

False Pregnancy in Dogs – What Is It?

False pregnancy, also known as pseudopregnancy, is a hormone-related condition that occurs primarily in unspayed female dogs. During this phase, the dogs behave as if they were pregnant and raising puppies, even though this is not the case.

This behavioral trait is a remnant from the time when dogs—or rather, wolves—lived in packs and all the females worked together to raise the pups. 

Although it is no longer necessary today, this behavior remains genetically ingrained in our domestic dogs. Smaller breeds, in particular, are more prone to false pregnancies than larger ones.

How long after estrus does pseudopregnancy occur?

Pseudopregnancy often occurs about 3 to 12 weeks after the heat cycle—that is, during the period when the female dog would normally be expecting puppies if she had been mated. This phase usually lasts two to three weeks, but in some cases it can last longer.

What are the typical symptoms of a false pregnancy? 

Here is an overview of typical symptoms that may occur:

• Swelling of the breast tissue leading up to the onset of milk production
• Inertia
• loss of appetite
• An increased need for solitude
• Nesting behavior in which the female dog cares for stuffed animals or similar objects

The symptoms usually subside on their own once the female dog's hormone levels return to normal.

Treatment – Can pseudopregnancy in female dogs be treated?

In severe cases, the veterinarian may prescribe prolactin inhibitors, which prevent the release of the pregnancy hormone prolactin. Prolactin is responsible for the hormonal changes that occur during a false pregnancy. 

In particularly severe cases, when the false pregnancy significantly impairs the quality of life for both the dog and her owner, spaying may be considered. However, this should only be considered as a last resort when no other measures are effective in alleviating the symptoms.

False Pregnancy in Female Dogs – How Can Owners Help?

To prevent things from getting that far, however, the owner can also do a lot to help her dog:

• Physical and mental stimulation – During a false pregnancy, it is important to provide the dog with plenty of distractions, such as long walks and playtime with other dogs.
• Prevent nesting behavior – Make sure your dog doesn’t get too caught up in nesting behavior, and if necessary, stop her from doing it to prevent her from becoming more deeply entrenched in her symptoms.
• CBD as a natural remedy – CBD can be given to help manage false pregnancies, to support the dog’s hormonal balance, and to help her stay more relaxed overall.