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My unspayed dog's nipples are leaking. Pregnant or false pregnancy?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 7 years and 3 months old | 16 lbs
A clear sticky fluid without odor has come out of my dogs nipple, a couple days ago she developed a 6 pack of breasts, I acquired her from a rescue less than 2 months ago, she was/is bony and thin but gained some weight since adopting her. We do not believe she is spayed, we were waiting for her to go into heat and after proper timeframe get her spayed. Is she pregnant? Is there another concern or is this normal? I have always had boy dogs.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on April 18th, 2018
Normal pregnancy length in dogs is 60-63 days. If she mated right before adoption then she could be pregnant. Puppy heart beats can be detected on ultrasound at 28 days gestation and we can see their skeletons on X-rays around 50 days. She could be pregnant or she could be suffering from a false pregnancy which occurs after they have a heat cycle from a hormonal imbalance. This imbalance causes the body to think it is pregnant when it actually isn't. The dog can develop mammary glands, produce milk, nest, carry stuffed animals around like babies, act anxious. It resolves with in 2-3 months.
I would make an appointment with your Vet to see if you can confirm or deny pregnancy.
I wish you the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Dr. Paula Simons
Veterinarian
Published on August 28th, 2022
I'm sorry Aria is not feeling well. From the photo you have sent, it does not appear that she overtly has mastitis but I cannot say without examining her myself. She may be uncomfortable from the swelling of her mammary glands. You can try alternating warm and cool compressing her mammary glands to offer her some relief. If at any point the mammary gland becomes hot, red, swollen, has discolored discharge, or she appears systemically unwell, she should be taken to a veterinarian ASAP.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 29th, 2017
If this is a false pregnancy most cases resolve on their own in three weeks. We want to limit any stimulation to the mammary glands so if she is licking then you may need to put an e-collar on her for a time to stop the stimulation. Also prevent other dogs from licking the area. If after three weeks there is no resolution there are different medications your vet may try to stop the process. Here is an article with more info FYI: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1896
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on January 6th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Boo!
If Boo had a heat recently and you know for sure she isn't pregnant then she is likely experiencing a false pregnancy. This is a hormonal imbalance where the dog thinks she is pregnant when she isn't. The mammary glands can enlarge and produce milk, she can show nesting behavior, carry toys around like babies and act needy or anxious. False pregnancies last 2-3 months and tend to reoccur with subsequent heat cycles, so it would be best to have her spayed once her symptoms resolve.
I hope this helps and I wish Boo the very best!
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/reproductive-disorders-of-dogs/reproductive-disorders-of-female-dogs3Pet Parents found this answer helpful