An intact female dog eventually reaches the point in her life when she is prepared to breed. This period is called being in heat. There are distinct physical and behavioral indications of the heat stage, also known as estrus or season. Â.
Many estrus factors, including frequency, duration, and severity, depend on your dog’s breed and age. Your dog may have symptoms that are particular to them. Â.
Keep a leash on hand because when your dog is in heat, she may need to pee more frequently. You might also notice that her vulva is large, red, or swollen, with some bleeding or discharge that has a bloody tint to it. Â.
Only about half of the total cycle, typically 7 to 10 days, will be marked by bleeding in your dog. Although it varies between dogs, larger dogs typically bleed more than smaller dogs. Some dogs bleed very little. You probably won’t notice a lot of blood spotting around the house if your dog takes pride in their appearance and grooms themselves frequently. Â.
Your dog will bleed, but she is not in pain when she is in heat. However, your dog may feel uneasy and restless while in heat. Consult your vet if she appears to be in pain as a result of her symptoms. Â.
Smaller dogs can become fertile as early as four months old. Larger breeds may wait until they are 18 to 24 months old before they first go into heat. The first heat usually appears around the age of six months. Â.
Although your young dog is old enough to become pregnant, the eggs are not yet fully developed. Putting off getting pregnant until after the second estrus cycle will help it be healthy.
Clubs Offering:
It’s critical that you are prepared to be a responsible dog owner before getting a dog. There is a lot of preparation to be done, from getting a dog crate that is the right size to scheduling puppy doctor visits. This includes preparing for your dog’s “periods,” or more precisely, her estrus cycles, if you have a female dog. Dogs don’t menstruate in the same way human females do.
What you need to know about caring for your dog during her estrus cycle, including how frequently and when dogs go into heat, as well as the products you’ll need to manage the physical symptoms
Change in posture and tail position
The posture and position of the tail indicate that female dogs are ready to mate when they enter the estrus (second) phase of the dog in heat cycle. Your dog may adopt a sexually suggestive stance to appeal to male dogs. She will also raise her tail slightly and move it to the side; when touched, this movement will become even more noticeable.
How often does a female dog come into heat?
Although the interval can vary between breeds and dogs, most dogs go into heat twice a year, or roughly every six months. Giant breed dogs may only cycle once every 12 months, whereas small breed dogs may cycle three times annually. It’s typical for young dogs’ cycles to be a little erratic when they first start to cycle. The development of regular cycles in a female dog can take up to two years. For (domesticated) dogs, there is no season that corresponds to breeding, with the exception of Basenjis and Tibetan Mastiffs, which typically cycle in the spring.
FAQ
What are the symptoms of a dog’s period?
- A large, red, swollen vulva.
- Bleeding from the vulva (or a yellow/red/brown discharge)
- Licking the back end more than usual.
- Weeing more than usual.
- Behaviour changes such as: being over friendly to other dogs. roaming to find male dogs. mounting and humping.
What do you do when your dog gets her period?
- Set aside some extra time for lots of cuddles during this period because puppies often become very snuggly.
- Offer her a chewable toy that is secure for her to brush up against.
- Never chastise your dog if she makes a bloody mess; instead, kindly reassure her as you clean it up.
Do dogs get period pains?
Given that the female dog heat cycle shares many symptoms with the female menstrual cycle, it is reasonable to assume that your dog is uncomfortable during her heat cycle and may even feel mild pain and cramping.