Why Milk Comes out of Dog’s Breast When Squeezed (Not Pregnant)

The following reasons may help explain why milk comes out of your dog’s breast when squeezed, even when you are certain your dog isn’t pregnant!

1. Effects of phantom pregnancy

The breast of some female dogs may produce milk even when they aren’t pregnant due to the effects of phantom pregnancy. This typically happens with unspayed dogs and may continue to happen in the dog’s lifetime unless they get a spay procedure done. It’s a common problem that can have female dogs act and feel like they are pregnant when they aren’t.

Lactating is a common symptom of phantom pregnancies and may be the reason why milk is coming out from your dog’s breast when squeezed. In general cases, the symptoms of phantom pregnancies should disappear within a few weeks. In addition to milk coming out from the dog’s breast, phantom pregnancies may lead to other signs like nesting behaviors and a reduced appetite.

2. Infection of the mammary glands

The liquid you see coming out from the dog’s breast might not be milk. It could be some kind of discharge that’s caused by an infection in the dog’s mammary glands. For example, mastitis is a bacterial infection that could happen to female dogs that live in unsanitary conditions. Other symptoms of mastitis may include swollen teats, lethargy, and a loss in appetite.

3. Development of mammary tumors

The white discharge of pus might be a result of breast cancer. According to American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the risk of a female dog getting breast cancer becomes higher the longer they remain unspayed after each heat cycle. The dog’s teats may also release bloody discharge when squeezed.