What is a Phantom Pregnancy?
A phantom pregnancy is a condition that can develop about 6-8 weeks after a season, which causes a dog to act and feel pregnant when she isn’t. It is very common, and it is also known as false pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. After a season, a female dog will produce ‘pregnancy hormones’ (regardless of whether they are pregnant or not!), which make some dogs feel pregnant when they aren’t.
What happens during a phantom pregnancy?
Of course, every dog is different so they will show differing symptoms however generally those noticed are:
It is very common for dogs to begin to show nesting behaviours such as:
Collecting toys/blankets/clothes
Mothering a soft toy or another item
Nervousness and/or aggression
More symptoms can include:
Low energy
Reduced appetite
Mastitis/mammary gland infection (in severe cases)
Swollen tummy (in more extreme cases)
Swollen mammary glands and milk production (or clear-brown liquid)
How long does it last?
The majority of phantom pregnancies are very mild and resolve themselves with a couple of weeks, however some do require medical intervention so if in doubt, please seek a check up with your vet at the earliest opportunity.
It is worth noting that once a dog experiences 1 phantom pregnancy, they are likely to have them after each season until their are spayed.
Monitor closely
It’s important to keep a close eye on your dog if she is having a phantom pregnancy, because in some circumstances, it can cause more serious problems such as mastitis (mammary gland infection) and mammary cancers.
How to help reduce these issues and support your female dogs health
These can be giving at the start of a bitches season to help prevent a phantom pregnancy from developing but can not guarantee it won't still occur.
Homoeopathic remedy Urtica 3C, which is specifically used to suppress milk production
Pulsatilla 15C both from Dorwest may also be of help.
Distractions
Ensuring you use plenty of exercise (sensibly of course) and mental stimulation will help to distract your dog from their phantom pregnancy.
Prevent overstimulation of the mammary glands
It’s important to prevent your dog licking around her nipples because this is likely to increase her milk production, and could even cause mastitis (infection of the mammary glands). The best way to stop your dog from licking herself, is by using a protective body suit or buster collar if this is proving to be problematic.
Remove any toys she is ‘mothering’
If your dog ‘mothering’ her toys or other items, you may need to remove them.
It’s likely that your dog will be thinking of these toys as her puppies so you will need to take them away in a non-stressful way so she doesn’t become upset or aggressive.
A good way to go about it is to take her out for a walk while someone else removes the toys.
If she starts nesting or mothering again, distract her with games, and toys that she is less likely to ‘mother’ such as a filled ‘Kong’.
Never punish your dog for mothering her toys, she won’t understand because her behaviour is perfectly natural.
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