Why Is My Dog Producing Milk? - Wag!

• Home
• Dog Symptoms
• Producing Milk in Dogs

Producing Milk in DogsWritten By hannah hollingerPublished: 06/19/2017Updated: 04/15/2021Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVSWhat is Producing Milk?One would expect their female dog to produce milk after she has had puppies. Female dogs can produce milk that is secreted by their nipples, as any female mammal can. But dogs may even produce milk—or what looks like milk—through their nipples when they are not pregnant and have not recently given birth. Causes include:

• Lactation post whelping
• False pregnancy
• Hypothyroidism
• Mammary gland tumor

Most of the time, milk production will be either a normal and healthy physical function, or at least not dangerous. However, there can be sinister underlying causes, so a milk-producing dog who is not recently or currently pregnant should be examined by a veterinarian.

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

Why Producing Milk Occurs in DogsFemale dogs produce milk, or something with the appearance of milk, for two sets of reasons. Most of the time it is related to real or perceived pregnancy, but it can also be related to various illnesses.  Lactation Female dogs spontaneously produce milk when they have given birth to puppies. This is a normal part of biological parenthood for any female mammal.  False Pregnancy Female dogs may also produce milk when experiencing a false pregnancy or when another creature attempts to nurse from her. A false pregnancy is a condition where a female dog exhibits various symptoms of pregnancy, such as producing milk and building a nest for her puppies, but is not pregnant. Female dogs can also produce milk when another creature, such as a puppy or kitten, sucks and kneads her mammary area, even though she may not be pregnant or have recently given birth. This would have been essential when dogs lived in the wild in the case of orphaned pups. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism occurs when the circulating level of thyroid hormone (T4) is too low. This causes the dog’s metabolism to slow down, resulting in symptoms that are typically associated with old age, such as lethargy, weight gain, loss of muscle coordination, and many more. Hypothyroidism usually occurs in medium to large dogs between 4 and 10 years old, and can be caused by lymphocytic thyroiditis, thyroid cancer, improper level of iodine, being born with it (congenital hypothyroidism), or for no clear reason. Mammary Gland Tumor Mammary gland tumors are growths in one or more of a female dog’s eight to ten teats. They may or may not be cancerous. Hormones are a clear factor in mammary cancer, as only half of one percent of dogs spayed before their first heat ever develop the disease. Toxins, such as pesticides and household chemicals, may be a risk factor, but there are no clear and certain non-hormonal causes of mammary gland tumors. In the case of a mammary gland tumor, the white substance produced may look like milk, but it is actually pus.What to do if your Dog is Producing MilkIf your dog is pregnant or has recently given birth, she should be producing milk. Leave her to it. Neither are a false pregnancy or spontaneous nursing problematic. They are interesting phenomena, but they do not typically present a health problem. Discomfort or engorgement of the mammary glands may occur in any of these cases; these may be eased with alternating warm and cold compresses. However, hypothyroidism or mammary gland tumors require immediate medical attention. Hypothyroidism is the less serious of the two conditions. It cannot be cured, but it can be treated, and a dog with medicated hypothyroidism can live a normal and healthy life. Your dog’s veterinarian will give your dog thyroxine, an oral hormonal replacement, which she will take for the rest of her life. The dosage may need to be adjusted as your dog’s weight and drug tolerance fluctuates. Mammary gland tumors will need to be surgically removed, possibly followed by chemotherapy or, less likely, radiation. Following treatment, the owner should take care to regularly check the dog’s mammary glands for a recurrence of tumors.Prevention of Producing MilkThere is no need to prevent a normally lactating female dog from producing milk, even if it is experiencing a false pregnancy or nursing without being pregnant. Hypothyroidism is typically not preventable; however, mammary gland tumors are almost entirely preventable by spaying your female dog before her first heat.Cost of Producing MilkA normally lactating dog does not require any medical treatment, nor does a dog experiencing a false pregnancy or spontaneous milk production for another nursing animal. The average cost of treating hypothyroidism is $1300, while it costs an average of $5500 to treat mammary gland tumors.

Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Get a quote

Producing Milk Questions and Advice from Veterinary ProfessionalsAlstrain sheperd/pitthree years

72 found this helpful

72 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:Pruducing MilkMy 3 year old female is producing milk and isn't pregnant we did get a puppy a month or so ago from a friend and every since my female has been producing milk why is she doing this whats going on with herJan. 11, 2021Answered by Dr. Maureen M. DVM72 RecommendationsHi, This can be due to hormonal imbalance. Certain hormones in the body help stimulate milk production. Kindly visit the vet for him to run blood test to check if there is anything of concern.Jan. 11, 2021Was this question and answer helpful?

YES

NO

beagle mixSeven Years

119 found this helpful

119 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:Lactating But Not PregnantShe is not spayed but I only have female dogs and she is lactating. She is acting normal otherwise.Oct. 25, 2020Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS119 RecommendationsHi there, thank you for your question. Is there any chance at all she could be pregnant (e.g. if she mated while outside or when not under your supervision)? If not, this is likely a 'false pregnancy ' or 'pseudopregnancy'. These are very common in unspayed females. Other signs can include bloating, nausea and nesting. Usually, it will naturally stop over time and no treatment is needed. If the signs are affecting her quality of life, you can request medicine from your vet to stop the symptoms. Going forward, if you do not wish to mate from her, consider spaying her for health reasons and to prevent future false pregnancies.Oct. 25, 2020Was this question and answer helpful?

YES

NO

See moreSee moreMost popular symptom guidesShakingNot EatingShaking When Breathing InwardHaving Trouble BreathingLimpingItchy in WinterIgnoringDripping SalivaLosing Hair on Her BackRunning a FeverEating PoopLosing AppetiteShakingNot EatingShaking When Breathing InwardHaving Trouble BreathingLimpingItchy in WinterIgnoringDripping SalivaLosing Hair on Her BackRunning a FeverEating PoopLosing AppetiteShakingNot EatingShaking When Breathing InwardHaving Trouble BreathingLimpingItchy in WinterIgnoringDripping SalivaLosing Hair on Her BackRunning a FeverEating PoopLosing Appetite

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

Need pet insurance?Wag!

About Wag!

About Wag!Trust & SafetyDo Not Share My InfoCommunity GuidelinesWag! PartnersBlogCareersBecome a Dog Walker

Top Wag! cities

San FranciscoLos AngelesChicagoNew YorkAtlantaWashington D.C.DallasMiamiPhiladelphiaHelp Center

Resources

Dog HealthDog TrainingDog GroomingDog BreedsDog NamesDog ActivitiesDog SensesDog Behavior

Lifestyles

Dog BeachesDog CampgroundDog ParksDog Trails

Security

Responsible Disclosure

Account

Delete your accountApp StoreGoogle Play StorePrivacy policyCA PrivacyTerms & conditionsAccessibilityTransparencyYour Privacy Choices

© 2026 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wag!Help Center

Download the Wag! app

App StoreGoogle Play Store

About Wag!

About Wag!Trust & SafetyDo Not Share My InfoCommunity GuidelinesWag! PartnersBlogCareersBecome a Dog Walker

Resources

Dog HealthDog TrainingDog GroomingDog BreedsDog NamesDog ActivitiesDog SensesDog Behavior

Top Wag! cities

San FranciscoLos AngelesChicagoNew YorkAtlantaWashington D.C.DallasMiamiPhiladelphia

Lifestyles

Dog BeachesDog CampgroundDog ParksDog Trails

Security

Responsible Disclosure

Account

Delete your accountPrivacy policyCA PrivacyTerms & conditionsAccessibilityTransparencyYour Privacy Choices

© 2026 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wag!Help Center

Download the Wag! app

App StoreGoogle Play Store

About Wag!

About Wag!Trust & SafetyDo Not Share My InfoCommunity GuidelinesWag! PartnersBlogCareersBecome a Dog Walker

Top Wag! cities

San FranciscoLos AngelesChicagoNew YorkAtlantaWashington D.C.DallasMiamiPhiladelphia

Resources

Dog HealthDog TrainingDog GroomingDog BreedsDog NamesDog ActivitiesDog SensesDog Behavior

Lifestyles

Dog BeachesDog CampgroundDog ParksDog Trails

Security

Responsible Disclosure

Account

Delete your accountPrivacy policyCA PrivacyTerms & conditionsAccessibilityTransparencyYour Privacy Choices

© 2026 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.