Many dog lovers compare having a dog to having a child.
Perhaps it is because these creatures easily become members of the family through their natural loyalty and affection.
It isn't a wonder then that when dog owners find that their dog is pregnant, do they swell with the pride only grandparents understand.
It is a feeling of excitement and anticipation.
What happens, however, when you find that what is happening is a false pregnancy? A false pregnancy in dogs is quite common (more uncommon in cats.
) It can happen every time a dog goes through a heat cycle, it can happen only every other heat cycle, or it can never happen at all.
In order to understand how a false pregnancy in dogs can happen, it's first important to understand a dog's heat cycle.
Most dogs go through two heat cycles a year.
Some larger breeds will have it about once a year.
This heat cycle is what is commonly referred to as the menstrual period of a dog.
It is important to distinguish, however, that dogs do not go through menstruation.
They simply go through a heat cycle, also known as an estrus cycle, wherein a bloody discharge takes place.
This bloody discharge is what is often thought of as menstruation.
During the estrus cycle, a dog can become pregnant.
If they do not become pregnant during this period (either they have no mate or the mating was unsuccessful) then a false pregnancy in dogs can occur.
Since a dog's hormones continue on as if pregnant, the dog's body believes it to be pregnant.
This has come to be known as hormonal pregnancy.
You will notice signs of a false pregnancy in dogs when you see that your dog has any of the following signs:
Most veterinarians suggest that if you have no plans of breeding your dog, to simply have them spayed so as to lessen the chances of a false pregnancy occurring.
However, there are other options.
Practitioners of the raw dog food diet claim to have noticed a decline in the percentages of false pregnancy in dogs across all breeds when they're dog is on the raw diet.
Perhaps it is because the raw food diet is able to keep a dog's hormones in better balance, and a dog in better health in general.
This non-invasive or non-surgical option as a manner of helping false pregnancy in dogs has become really popular among animal lovers, and dogs too!
Perhaps it is because these creatures easily become members of the family through their natural loyalty and affection.
It isn't a wonder then that when dog owners find that their dog is pregnant, do they swell with the pride only grandparents understand.
It is a feeling of excitement and anticipation.
What happens, however, when you find that what is happening is a false pregnancy? A false pregnancy in dogs is quite common (more uncommon in cats.
) It can happen every time a dog goes through a heat cycle, it can happen only every other heat cycle, or it can never happen at all.
In order to understand how a false pregnancy in dogs can happen, it's first important to understand a dog's heat cycle.
Most dogs go through two heat cycles a year.
Some larger breeds will have it about once a year.
This heat cycle is what is commonly referred to as the menstrual period of a dog.
It is important to distinguish, however, that dogs do not go through menstruation.
They simply go through a heat cycle, also known as an estrus cycle, wherein a bloody discharge takes place.
This bloody discharge is what is often thought of as menstruation.
During the estrus cycle, a dog can become pregnant.
If they do not become pregnant during this period (either they have no mate or the mating was unsuccessful) then a false pregnancy in dogs can occur.
Since a dog's hormones continue on as if pregnant, the dog's body believes it to be pregnant.
This has come to be known as hormonal pregnancy.
You will notice signs of a false pregnancy in dogs when you see that your dog has any of the following signs:
- Abdominal swelling: the dog's abdomen seems to swell, like she is pregnant.
- Nesting: the dog is creating small soft areas around the house in preparation for her puppies.
What she is doing is creating places wherein she can place her puppies.
She often uses pillows, soft towels, and blankets. - Aggressive: some dogs become somewhat aggressive during the false pregnancy, already taking up the protective nature of a mother.
- Searching: this is when a dog goes from each part of the house like she is looking for something.
She may be trying to pick up a scent or just walk around seeming sad.
What she is doing is looking for her puppies. - Lactating: if your dog's mammary glands swell and her nipples become sensitive, she could be lactating.
Some false pregnancies in dogs lead to the actual production of milk. - Mothering: when a dog tries to nurse or mother soft objects smaller than herself, like stuffed toys, soft blankets, etc.
This often goes along with nesting.
Most veterinarians suggest that if you have no plans of breeding your dog, to simply have them spayed so as to lessen the chances of a false pregnancy occurring.
However, there are other options.
Practitioners of the raw dog food diet claim to have noticed a decline in the percentages of false pregnancy in dogs across all breeds when they're dog is on the raw diet.
Perhaps it is because the raw food diet is able to keep a dog's hormones in better balance, and a dog in better health in general.
This non-invasive or non-surgical option as a manner of helping false pregnancy in dogs has become really popular among animal lovers, and dogs too!