Why is my female dog whining, carrying toys, and hiding under the bed?

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

Hi. Thanks for using PetCoach. Since she is not spayed my best guess is that she is having a false pregnancy. If you are not planning on breeding her my recommendation would be to get her spayed. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/false-pregnancy-or-pseudopregnancy-in-dogs ) Best wishes.

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, 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.

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

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

Thanks for visiting Petcoach. Based on your description of what she is doing, whining and finding toys. This sounds like she may be having false pregnancy symptoms. This isn't painful nor is it a true medical concern for her. However, I can understand it being hard to watch her act in this manner. If you want something to calm her down you can try either Zylkene supplement available online or ask for anti-anxiety medications that can be prescribed by your veterinarian. I would also highly consider having Briggles spayed soon to help prevent any chances of a spontaneously infected uterus (pyometra) which can make pets very ill and require emergency surgery due to it being a life threatening event. This can happen at any time in pets that are not spayed. Here is more information on pyometra in pets --> https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951481 I do hope that Briggles does well moving forward. Best of luck and take care.