- 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.
If you adopted your female dog from a shelter or rescue at a young age or purchased her from a breeder or pet shop, the likelihood is that she hasn’t been spayed. Your pup will eventually reach “heat,” the stage of her reproductive cycle when she is available for mating and capable of becoming pregnant.
Because of the bloody vaginal discharge, heat is sometimes referred to as a “dog period,” but it’s important to remember that dogs don’t menstruate in the same way that human females do. They do, however, go through cycles where their estrogen levels rise and then fall and their ovaries release the eggs. Your dog ovulates during the phase of this process known as heat.
According to Dr., male dogs can only impregnate female dogs when they are in heat. Megan McCarthy, a staff veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society. Because of this, it’s crucial to be aware of indications that your dog may be in heat.
Everything you need to know about dogs in heat, including when and how often it occurs, how long it lasts, and how to recognize it when it does.
Most dogs will experience their first heat cycle between the ages of six and fifteen months. This can vary depending on the dogs size and breed.
According to Dr. According to White Mountain Animal Hospital’s veterinarian and owner Ole Alcumbrac, dogs typically experience their first heat when they have reached about 70% to 80% of their maximum body weight. McCarthy notes that larger breeds typically begin their heat cycles much later than smaller breeds.
According to McCarthy, dogs typically go into heat twice a year, or every six months, and small dogs tend to do so more frequently than large dogs. Large breeds may only cycle once a year, whereas smaller breeds may cycle three times annually.
Heat cycles are generally fairly consistent, so if your dog has two heat cycles that are separated by six months, you can anticipate that to continue. However, it may take your dog up to two years to go through regular cycles. Additionally, remember that as a dog ages, the intervals between heat cycles may lengthen.
Knowing your dog’s heat cycle symptoms can help you take care of your dog properly and avoid puppies, among other things.
During “proestrus,” when your dog’s reproductive system gets ready for ovulation, the first indications of heat appear. Male dogs may seem more attracted to your dog during proestrus, but she probably won’t be open to mating. She won’t be able to get pregnant during this stage even if she does mate with a male dog.
When your dog is in active heat and ready to become pregnant, it is in the “estrus” stage. According to Dr., you may observe the following symptoms during estrus Amy Attas, a veterinarian and founder of City Pets:
According to Attas, female dogs frequently urinate in small amounts while in heat on various objects inside the house or outside. This is so that male dogs can recognize their estrus by the pheromones and hormones present in their urine.
Note: It is uncommon for dogs to go through a “silent heat” with little to no physical or behavioral changes.
Proestrus typically lasts between 2 and 11 days, and estrus typically lasts between 3 and 11 days, according to Alcumbrac.
Breed, size, and age can all affect the length, but once your dog starts having regular cycles, you can anticipate them to remain in heat for roughly the same period of time.
Your dog may require a little extra TLC during heat. Because fluctuating hormone levels can have a significant effect on her physically and behaviorally, McCarthy suggests providing her with lots of care and comfort.
Quick tip: McCarthy recommends that your dog wear a doggy diaper to contain any blood-tinged discharge if you’re worried about unwelcome messes in the house. This can also help stop your dog from emitting pheromones and drawing attention from male dogs. Just note these diapers wont necessarily stop mating from happening.
McCarthy advises using doggy diapers frequently — at least every three to four hours — to avoid skin irritants and urinary tract infections.
If you want to prevent pregnancy, it’s essential to keep your dog away from male dogs who haven’t been neutered, advises Attas. While your dog is in heat, McCarthy advises staying away from dog parks, group training sessions, and other events where there will be other dogs.
Never let your dog out alone, and when going for walks, keep her on a leash at all times. You might even want to close the windows to keep male dog visitors out of your home.
4 Signs Your Dog Is in Heat
You may observe physical and behavioral changes as well as adjustments in how other dogs behave around your dog once she is in heat. These are the most typical indications that your dog is in heat.
When your dog is in the height of her cycle, the blood usually decreases. When this happens, your dog enters the most fertile stage of estrus and remains there for a week to ten days before bleeding resumes (although bleeding doesn’t always resume).
Your dog’s behavior will noticeably change when she is around other dogs (both male and female). This might entail allowing herself to be mounted or mounting other dogs. Your dog might attempt to mount your legs if there are no other dogs around.
Your dog’s tail will frequently move or curl to the side once she is fully in heat. She signals to male dogs that she is available and prepared for mating through a behavior known as flagging.
When your dog is in heat, male dogs in your home or those you encounter on walks will react differently. Aggression toward other male dogs or an increase in barking and whining are examples of this. Additionally, they might take a keener interest in your dog’s genitalia.
Remember that different dogs exhibit different signs of going into heat and being in heat, so your dog might not exhibit all (or any) of the symptoms listed above. If your dog initially showed signs of heat but then stopped, she is still most likely in heat.
When Should I Expect My Dog’s First Heat?
Breed differences in the age of a dog’s first heat cycle are significant. While large and giant breeds may take up to two years to go through their first heat cycle, toy breeds can come into heat as early as four months. Most dogs typically experience their first heat cycle between the ages of six and fifteen months. .
4 stages of the dog heat cycle
It’s best to break down the various stages of the dog in heat cycle, also known as the estrus cycle in dogs, in order to better understand the symptoms of a female dog in heat. Your female dog who has not been spayed will go through the following four stages:
FAQ
What are the signs that your dog is going into heat?
- Swollen Vulva. Your dog’s vulva, which is situated just below the anus, will change color and grow in size, frequently by two to three times what it normally is.
- Behavior Quirks. …
- Increased Licking of the Vaginal Area. …
- Vaginal Bleeding.
How long does dog season last?
A dog’s season typically lasts between two and four weeks, depending on the breed. The buck will be fertile throughout this time, but there is a brief window, 9 to 10 days into the cycle, when they are particularly fertile.
How long is a dog in season before they bleed?
The Estrus Cycle Proestrus: The first seven to ten days of heat Your dog’s vulva swells during this time and starts to bleed.
Can a dog be on heat and not bleed?
Silent Heat Cycle This is when your female will go through a heat cycle without displaying the typical signs, such as bleeding and vulvar swelling. Females can still become pregnant and remain receptive to males. By using vaginal cytology and progesterone assays, your veterinarian can examine your pet for a silent heat cycle.