Why is my dog suddenly clingy? Is it my pregnancy or her health?

Poor Bella Boo! She definitely could be depressed due to the change in the household. Dogs also can feel our stress. You can try to put a calming collar on her like adaptil. If this isn’t working or if she gets worse, I would have your vet look at her to be safe. Your vet will be able to ensure nothing else is wrong like pain or an infection somewhere. If everything checks out normal, your vet can prescribe her an anti-anxiety to help her adjust. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Diamond is adorable! That tongue!! I wonder, has Diamond had a heat cycle recently? She is exhibiting signs that are consistent with a false pregnancy. This is a hormonal imbalance that occurs after a heat cycle that causes the female to think she is pregnant when he actually isn't. The dog will develop mammary glands and even make milk, they nest, pick up toys and carry then around like babies, more clingy to owners, anxious. A false pregnancy lasts about as long as a normal dog pregnancy or a bit longer, 2 months or more. The symptoms can return on subsequent heat cycles, so I recommend spaying once the false pregnancy symptoms go away. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/reproductive-system/reproductive-diseases-of-the-female-small-animal/false-pregnancy-in-small-animals?network=g&matchtype=e&keyword=false%20pregnancy%20in%20dogs&creative=223892247985&device=c&devicemodel=&placement=&position=1o1&campaignid=939309547&adgroupid=44403893422&loc_physical_ms=9007368&loc_interest_ms=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI24GO3LSJ2AIVzEsNCh02Ow67EAMYASAAEgJxN_D_BwE I hope this helps and I wish you and Diamond the best!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! How old is Sara? Is she spayed? If you find this a good thing then that's great! It could be that she is calming down and is less rambunctious. Or she could be anxious about something (thunder storms or the July 4th fireworks). If she is not spayed and a had a heat recently sometimes female dogs can have a hormonal imbalance where the body is made to think it is pregnant (but it isn't) and the dog can be more anxious and clingy. They can carry one stuffed animal around like a baby, have mammary gland development and even have milk develop. It does go away. Have a good day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Give her vulva a quick inspection to make sure there is no obvious wound or bizarre discharge. If so, see your vet. If not, it could very well be related to either being in heat or being pregnant- both can cause changes in behavior such as you are describing. Best of luck to you and Nova!

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There can be multiple reasons for a dog to suddenly act clingy: fear, separation anxiety, and medical conditions. Medical conditions could be: pain, anal gland issues, fleas, overall nausea from kidney or liver disease, brain tumor or as some dogs age they develop cognitive dysfunction or doggie dementia. If Snicker's behavior persists then I recommend an exam and possibly blood work be done by your Vet. Sadly his symptoms are non-specific and can mean many different things. I hope this helps and I wish you and Sage the best!

Milly's behaviour may be hormonal and she may be having a pseudo pregnancy. She will probably make a nest into which she carries her soft toys, and she may be grumpy with the other dog because of that. If you think she may be ill, please take her to your vet for an exam.

It could be that Sparkles is in heat. When dogs are in heat, they can experience behavior changes and this includes being more clingy with their owners. A dog's heat typically lasts around three weeks, and if you don't want puppies, I would keep her away from all intact male dogs and do not allow her outside unsupervised. I would also recommend spaying her, this would prevent a pyometra from occurring. A pyometra is a life threatening infection of the uterus. Good luck, I hope this helps!