Can my female dog who didn't have puppies still make milk?

Yes, the puppies can have milk from either source, though it is unlikely that your Labrador is making milk until after she has her own puppies. Milk production is hormonally regulated, and the proper milk producing hormones won't be made until she goes into labor. Right now she is making colostrum, which won't be enough for the Husky puppies. You can supplement with puppy milk replacer. It is important that you start measuring each puppies weight in grams on a small kitchen scale so that you can make sure they are gaining weight every day. Here is an article you may find helpful: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951456

If Maple is not the mother, then she won’t have the proper hormones to get milk. The only way you can tell if the puppies are getting enough milk from their mother is to weigh them daily in a gram scale to make sure they are gaining weight every day.

Poor mama dog! Don't worry--her lactation will stop as soon as her hormones realize there is no more nursing going on. She will gradually stop lactating and her mammary glands will dry up in a few days. This is a normal process with weaning and no cause for concern.

If she stopped feeding them suddenly then mastitis would be a risk (she may refuse them because it is painful or the excess milk after she stopped could cause the problem after). If she is off form, has any fever or her milk glands are red, hot or painful to firm touch then she will need prescription treatment from a vet. If everything is otherwise good, just monitor for any changes. 48 hours of very light food if she is healthy and not underweight can discourage active milk production but do not starve her

She may be having a false pregnancy. If she had contact with a male while she was in heat, she could be pregnant. She could also have a hormonal problem or a mammary tumor. It would be best to take her to a veterinarian for an exam. The vet can also tell you whether she is pregnant. Unfortunately this is impossible without a hands-on exam.

If she had puppy recently and she was feeding them, is normal to produce milk for few days after stopping the activity. Without puppies stimulating milk production by suckling, Gracie will stop the milk production soon. Do not squeeze the milk out otherwise she will continue to produce it and monitor the mammary gland. If the glands become painful/red/inflammed, please seek veterinarian attention. Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.

[False pregnancy](https://www.petcoach.co/article/false-pregnancy-in-dogs), or pseudopregnancy, is a term used to describe a common condition in a non-pregnant female dog that is showing symptoms of [pregnancy](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/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. Unless symptoms persist, treatment is typically unnecessary. Otherwise, your veterinarian may recommend hormonal supplementation or spaying to prevent further episodes. To reduce mammary gland secretions, your veterinarian will advise you on using cold or warm packs to minimize the stimulation that promotes lactation. An Elizabethan collar (cone) can also help prevent the self-nursing or licking behavior that can stimulate lactation. In some patients, reducing the daily food intake can help to reduce the production of milk. If you are not planning to breed your dog and do not want her to reproduce in the future, [spaying](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-great-reasons-to-spay-or-neuter-your-pet) is recommended for preventing future episodes of false pregnancy behavior. The overall prognosis is good and most dogs improve within two to three weeks, even without treatment.