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Simulated pregnancy in dogs: causes and treatment

Simulated pregnancy in dogs

Most bitches are in heat about twice a year. If they get the chance to mate during this time, it is very likely that you will soon have to prepare for four-legged offspring.


However, even without contact with a male dog, your four-legged friend's mammary can swell up and possibly even produce milk. In this case it is probably a false pregnancy. 


What this means exactly, what causes the false pregnancy in your dog can have and how you can best support your four-legged friend now, we will explain to you in the following.

What is a false pregnancy in dogs?

Dogs that develop a false pregnancy mistakenly give the impression of being pregnant. Changes in hormone levels in affected bitches cause them to show both physical and psychological abnormalities. 


Usually, the false pregnancy occurs three to twelve weeks after the last heat. It can occur in all breeds, but is much more common in small dogs. Large breeds, on the other hand, rarely develop a false pregnancy.

Causes of a false pregnancy in dogs

It is not clear why dogs are a false pregnancy. What is certain, however, is that it is triggered by changes in hormone balance. If the prolactin level rises sharply after the period of heat, while the progesterone level simultaneously falls, there is always the possibility of a false pregnancy in dogs.


The higher the increase in prolactin levels and the decrease in progesterone levels, the greater the risk of a false pregnancy in general. However, there may be individual differences from dog to dog, so that a false pregnancy cannot be determined by certain hormone levels.

Symptoms of a false pregnancy in dogs

Apart from an increasing abdominal girth, a false pregnancy in your dog is basically characterised by the typical symptoms of a normal pregnancy


These include, in particular, a marked swelling of the mammary gland caused by the rise in prolactin levels. In many cases, the growth of glandular tissue is even accompanied by the production of milk.


In addition, behavioural changes, which can range from depressive to aggressive moods, are among the possible symptoms with which the apparent pregnancy can make itself felt in your dog. 


Some animals also develop a strong maternal instinct that leads them to protect and care for objects such as a simple toy, such as a puppy.

Diagnosis of a false pregnancy in your dog by the vet

Even though the physical and psychological changes may seem strange, a false pregnancy in dogs is not a big deal at first. Nevertheless, if the symptoms are particularly severe, it may be advisable to consult a veterinarian.


Treatment of the false pregnancy

Among other things, the vet will check the swollen milk ducts and, with the help of an ultrasound examination, will also check whether your dog really is only a false pregnancy or whether the four-legged friend may be carrying offspring after all.

Treatment of the false pregnancy in dogs

In most cases, it is not necessary for the vet to become active and initiate treatment measures because of your dog's false pregnancy. This is because the condition is not usually permanent and the symptoms disappear on their own after two or three weeks.


However, if the false pregnancy triggers strong aggression or excessive depressive behaviour in your dog, drug treatment to inhibit prolactin formation may well be advisable. 


But even then, your dog should be able to complete the false pregnancy within a few weeks without having to worry about permanent damage.

This is how you support your dog during the false pregnancy

Although the false pregnancy does not normally pose a serious risk to your dog, the hormonal fluctuations and the associated changes will of course place some strain on the animal.


For this reason, you should do your best to support your dog as much as possible during the false pregnancy. Most importantly, make sure you pay enough attention to your bitch to distract her from her unfamiliar condition.


You should also try to keep objects away from your dog that could serve as puppy substitutes during the false pregnancy.


Furthermore, it is important to prevent your four-legged friend from licking his or her mammary, as this additionally stimulates the production of breast milk. It may also be necessary to temporarily collar your bitch for this purpose, if not possible.

Our tip for dogs during the false pregnancy

A false pregnancy and the associated changes in hormone balance mean considerable stress for your dog. Therefore, it makes sense to support your four-legged friend with a suitable natural remedy to calm him down.


For this purpose we recommend Bellfor Shiimun Calm. This natural food supplement based on the shiitake mushroom is ideally suited to counteract stress and nervousness in your dog. 


Thanks to its special composition of shiitake and other carefully selected ingredients such as green tea and L-tryptophane, the preparation is not only easily digestible but also particularly effective.


This makes Bellfor Shiimun Calm the perfect choice to support your dog during the false pregnancy and help him to calm down and relax despite hormonal fluctuations.

Avoid a new false pregnancy in your dog

A castration is the only way to safely avoid a new false pregnancy in your dog. Not only does castration help to prevent false pregnancies, it also reduces the risk of various diseases, such as the formation of tumours on the milk line.


If a real pregnancy is out of the question for you anyway, it is therefore definitely worth considering neutering your dog. The absence of a new false pregnancy is only a welcome side effect in this context.

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