Why can I squeeze fluid from my dog’s nipples?

Fluid that can be squeezed from a dog’s nipples is a common sign in late pregnancy. Generally, after about 50 days of pregnancy, pregnancy hormones cause the mammary glands to develop and secrete a small amount of milk, and a little whitish fluid can be expressed just before labor — this is a normal physical change.

If you notice the dog’s belly is fairly large, prepare for whelping in good time. If the dog is not pregnant, the symptom may be caused by a false pregnancy.

In that case, take the dog to a veterinary hospital for an ultrasound to confirm. For female dogs that often show false-pregnancy signs, consider having her spayed.