Pseudopregnancy – frequently called “false pregnancy” – is common in intact (non-spayed) female dogs somewhere between 6 to 12 weeks after a heat cycle (called “estrus”). All normal bitches go through a stage of their reproductive cycle after estrus that is called the luteal phase, or “diestrus,” where the hormone progesterone is produced at elevated levels, whether or not the animal is pregnant. During this time, animals develop most if not all of
False pregnancy occurs most commonly in dogs that are not spayed. The symptoms are brought on when your dog goes through estrus (the period of the reproductive cycle known as "heat") and does not breed. The dog shows signs similar to pregnancy such as lactating, morning sickness, appetite fluctuations, weight gain, and nesting. She may also begin to "mother" toys or other items. These signs typically occur about a month of two after the estrus