My dog acts pregnant after heat. Is she in pain? How to calm her?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Maya! Sometimes when a dog is spayed close to the start or the end of a heat cycle they can experience pregnancy signs (false pregnancy). This occurs due to a hormonal imbalance or sudden withdrawal of hormones. The body then thinks that it is pregnant when it is not. The dog will carry stuffed animals around like puppies, nest, act clingy or anxious, they can even have mammary gland development and produce milk! It is temporary but can last 2 months but can be shorter. I hope Maya feels better soon! https://www.merckvetmanual.com/reproductive-system/reproductive-diseases-of-the-female-small-animal/false-pregnancy-in-small-animals

Hi there. It sounds like Rose may be having a false pregnancy. This is related to unbalanced hormone levels. Honestly, if you are not planning on breeding her you should have her spayed. That will stop this behavior. Not only that but spaying decreases the risks of mammary cancer and uterine infections (pyometra) both of which can be life threatening. There is really no treatment you can do for this at home. Usually these episodes last 2-3 weeks. If it lasts longer than that you should get her examined by your vet. My only recommendation would be to try a calming therapy like DAP. http://dapdiffuser.com/ https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/comfort-zone-diffuser-with-dap-for-dogs

If you dog is an unspayed female, she could be pregnant or having a false pregnancy. According to petMD, false or pseudopregnancy "is a term used to denote a common condition in a non-pregnant female dog that is showing symptoms of pregnancy, lactation, or nursing, without producing puppies. The affected female dog shows these symptoms about a month or two after her estrus (heat) is over. A hormonal imbalance is thought to play a central role in affected female dogs. Depending on the severity of problem, the symptoms may last for more than a month." Affected dogs may display behavioral changes, including restlessness, nesting and mothering activity. Regardless of whether she is spayed or unspayed, it is important that you have her examined by a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical causes, with symptoms such as pain or discomfort, for her behavioral changes. http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/c_dg_false_pregnancy

If she is not spayed, this could be a false pregnancy symptom: https://www.petcoach.co/article/false-pregnancy-in-dogs/ It could also be anxiety or just Pepa just REALLY likes this toy. I do recommend to spay all dogs not intended to breed as this is beneficial for health: https://www.petcoach.co/article/spaying-ovariohysterectomy-the-benefits-in-dogs/ I hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor girl! I’d allow her to have the toy. Bring the water and food to her. If she is experiencing a false pregnancy then it should resolve in 2-3 months from the end of her heat cycle. I hope this helps and I wish you both the best!

Yes if she didn’t get bred she could be having a false pregnancy. If you don’t plan to breed her I do recommend having her spayed. Dogs that have irregular heat cycles and false pregnancies can get uterine infections that can be very serious and need emergency treatment and spaying. Also the constant hormonal ups and downs make dogs moody and may be a factor in developing breast cancer sometimes later in life. A false pregnancy can last the nine weeks of a normal pregnancy then she should get over it a week or two after that. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lily.

Hi, yes she is probably suffering with phantom pregnancy. Things should settle, however if she is also producing milk she might need to see a vet to get a medication to stop milk production. Hope this helps.