Phantom Pregnancy in Dogs

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Phantom pregnancy in your pup is what many would refer to as a fake pregnancy. The scientific name for this condition is pseudocyesis pregnancy. 

When your pup is suffering from this condition, they behave as if they’re expectant and start showing mothering behaviour giving you the impression that they are about to give birth.  The symptoms start at 6-8 weeks after your pup shows signs of heat and can last up to 9 weeks. 

While a phantom pregnancy is not a life-threatening condition, it is something you as a dog owner should be aware of as it can be quite stressful for your pet.

Why do dogs experience phantom pregnancy?

There are two theories on why dogs experience phantom pregnancy. First, a false pregnancy in your pup may be a side effect of your dog’s natural hormones. A dog's first experience of being in heat occurs at six months to one year. The heat period often lasts for ten days and occurs every six months.  

After the heat period, the dog’s ovaries will produce hormones that prepare your pup for pregnancy, and this happens whether they have been mated or not. If your dog is pregnant, the hormones will last until she gives birth to a litter of puppies. But if she isn’t pregnant, the hormones shouldn’t last for more than a few weeks.

Another theory is based on the behavior of dogs as pack animals. Living together provides dogs with protection from predators and also helps them to find food easily. More importantly, this behaviour allows females to look out for each other. 

All the female dogs help nurture and nurse puppies in the pack. During a false pregnancy, these motherly instincts set in. In the case of your domesticated dog, who doesn’t have a litter of puppies to nurse, they will find other ways to practice their maternal instincts.

How long does the phantom pregnancy last?

For most dogs, a false pregnancy doesn’t last for more than three weeks. A minority will go through the ordeal for a maximum of nine weeks. 

The symptoms may vary from mild to severe, depending on the breed of your dog. Thus, it’s essential as a dog owner to keep a close eye on your female dog once heat signs begin to appear. 

Knowing what to do during a false pregnancy period will help guarantee your pup’s comfort by reducing stress and anxiety.

What are the symptoms of a phantom pregnancy?

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Symptoms of a phantom pregnancy will vary from one dog to another. However, motherly instinct and behaviors are important signs when assessing for the condition. 

Some of the significant key pointers of false pregnancy in your pup include:

• Lethargy (Lack of morale and enthusiasm) -For a usually playful dog, losing their energy after showing signs of heat may be a sign of phantom pregnancy. However, this symptom alone is not conclusive. Hence, it’s important to look for other pointers before concluding. Lethargy may also occur due to illness, which is why you should always consult a vet if you are not sure.

• Loss of appetite - Pet Food Sherpa explains that it’s normal for dogs to lose appetite when they are on heat. But, if this happens for a prolonged period, then the presence of a phantom pregnancy should be explored.

• Sudden attachment to toys and nursing behavior - Attachment to toys immediately after heat may mean your pup has a false pregnancy. In most cases, the dog will appear very protective of one toy, and may even result in aggressive behavior if you try to take the toy. Children-dog interaction should be closely monitored during this period as physical harm may occur to kids depending on the dog’s temperament.

• Development of mammary glands - Another vital pointer to a phantom pregnancy is mammary gland development, especially when you are sure your dog isn’t pregnant. In such a case, it’s paramount that you take the necessary measures to help the dog deal with the condition.

• Swollen belly - A swollen belly will usually indicate the presence of puppies in your dog’s womb. If you’re sure your pooch isn’t pregnant, then this may be a sign that your dog has a false pregnancy. 

• Nesting behavior - Again, the presence of maternal instincts and behaviors such as nesting usually points to a phantom pregnancy when pregnancy is ruled out.

In all these cases, confirming your dog is not pregnant is usually the first step before embarking on a phantom pregnancy conclusion.

What do I do if my dog has a phantom pregnancy?

The bad news is, there isn’t much you can do to make a false pregnancy in your dog go away. 

But there is some good news.

There is a lot you can do to your pup to ensure they go through the phantom pregnancy period as comfortably as possible.

First, you should understand that your dog is probably going through a rough time since their body change and behaviour during a false pregnancy isn’t planned.  Take action to make your dog as comfortable as possible, depending on the visible symptoms. For instance, if the dog has taken a shoe to nurse as a puppy, you should allow her to keep it.

You can also try to take the dog for a walk to ease anxiety and restlessness. Cuddling the dog and offering her their favourite meal will also help a lot. 

An important point to note is that once your dog experiences her first false pregnancy, there is a 70% chance, the condition will reoccur in the future. In that case, you should decide on whether to spay your dog as a permanent solution against future false pregnancies. 

The spaying process is usually done by trained personnel and can only be done after the phantom pregnancy disappears to prevent prolonged symptoms. Also, the surgical process is irreversible. Thus, if you want puppies from your dog in the future, maybe this isn’t an ideal solution.

We recommend that you consult your vet in case of false pregnancy in your dog. A vet will help you assess the symptoms and give you professional advice on the best way forward. Some dog shelters provide check up too. So please support these animal rescue centres.

What are the complications related to phantom pregnancy?

While a phantom pregnancy is not a life-threatening condition, there are several complications that can result from it.

• Infection of mammary glands - If your dog shows a symptom of mammary gland development, it’s essential to seek a vet to prevent a possible infection.

• Skin inflammation - Keep an eye on any swelling around the glands, as this may indicate possible skin inflammation. Make an appointment with your vet to get proper treatment before the condition gets worse.

• Breast cancer, womb infection, and pyometra - Regular phantom pregnancies are linked to the above conditions. Therefore, take your dog to the vet to ensure your dog is well-protected from current and future complications.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, before you start planning for a litter of puppies, always check if it’s a phantom pregnancy. But a false pregnancy shouldn’t be a cause for alarm, especially when proper management is followed. As with any abnormal behaviour in your pet, you should seek the help of a vet during a phantom pregnancy.