Dogs in Heat

A lot of dog owners face various problems when their dogs in heat behave in an odd way or due to the troublesome neighborhood male dogs. To combat such problems, it is essential that you equip yourself with information on dogs in heat and managing and caring for a dog in heat. You should also have adequate information on pregnancy in dogs, their gestation period and about getting them spayed or neutered. This will be beneficial for your dog's health as well as its safety. If you are looking for answers to some questions regarding dogs in heat like 'my dog is in heat, how long will she bleed', you will be able to find them below.

Dog owners often find it difficult to recognize dogs in heat and are not really aware of how to deal with dogs in heat. Firstly, dogs being in heat is a very normal phenomenon, just as menstruation in humans. This phenomenon of dogs in heat is also known as the canine estrous cycle. Male dogs do not go into heat but are surely affected by female dogs in heat around them. Female dogs go through a lot of behavioral changes during this time and need to handled appropriately.

Dogs in Heat Cycle

Like the menstrual cycle in humans, the canine estrous cycle has different stages that vary in duration, and dogs in heat go through different changes during this time. The beginning of the estrous cycle indicates that the female dog has reached a stage of sexual maturity, also known as puberty. The canine estrous cycle has four stages - proestrus, estrus, diestrus and anestrus. The duration and frequency of the canine estrus cycle depends upon the breed and age of the dog in heat.

Proestrus: This is the first stage of the canine estrous cycle which generally lasts from the first to the ninth or tenth day of the cycle. During this stage, the female dog in heat bleeds through her vaginal area and male dogs are attracted to the female due to the vaginal discharge. However, during this stage, female dogs are non-receptive.

Estrus: This is a crucial stage wherein the female dogs in heat start ovulating, become receptive to the pursuing male dogs and allow breeding or mating. It lasts for approximately five to nine days.

Diestrus: This stage follows the mating period. If the female dog in heat mates successfully, she would be pregnant. If she does not mate, some hormonal changes would occur with decreased vaginal discharge and receptiveness towards male dogs.

Anestrus: In this stage of the cycle, the female dog undergoes no hormonal change and shows no interest towards mating. It lasts for about five to six months.

Female Dogs in Heat Symptoms

Dog owners who have female dogs should watch out for the following female dogs in heat symptoms to recognize if their dog is in heat:

• Bleeding or spotting in the form of vaginal discharge.
• Swelling and softening of the walls of the vulva.
• Increase in the frequency of urination.
• Receptiveness to male dogs.

Dogs in Heat Behavior

One of the most important point in female dogs in heat information that you should have is regarding the behavioral changes that occur in them. There is usually a remarkable change in the behavior of female dogs in heat and also in male dogs if there are female dogs in heat around somewhere. Apart from the dogs in heat signs, you would also notice behavioral modifications like increased lethargy and laziness, aggressiveness towards other female dogs, increased need for attention and pampering, etc. Male dogs display a lot of aggressiveness and excitement caused due to the odor of a female dog in heat. They may wander off in pursuit of female dogs in heat or display restlessness and the urge to be around the female dog in heat.

Spaying Dogs in Heat

Spaying dogs in heat can be useful for the prevention of various health risks like the development of mammary tumors, uterine infections, uterine cancer, and to avoid having too many litters. There are also various neutering benefits for male dogs like the prevention of the development of testicular tumors, decrease in aggression and territorial behavior, prevention of wandering, etc.

Dogs in Heat - Common Questions

Q: At what age do female dogs first go into heat?
A: Female dogs may go into heat anywhere between six months to 12 months of age. Large breed dogs may go into heat between 12 to 24 months of age.

Q: How long do dogs stay in heat/How long are dogs in heat?
A: Female dogs stay in heat for around 21 days or three weeks on an average. The duration may differ depending upon the age and breed of the dog.

Q: How long do female dogs in heat bleed/How long do female dogs have their period?
A: Female dogs in heat bleed for a minimum of two weeks, a few days more or less.

Q: How many times a year does a female dog go into heat?
A: A female dog goes into heat twice a year, every six to eight months. Some breed of dogs may go into heat just once a year.

Q: Does a dog get pregnant in her first heat?
A: Yes. A dog can certainly get pregnant in her first heat, but it is advisable not to breed dogs in their first heat.

Q: For how long does a female dog get pregnant/What is the gestation period for dogs?
A: The gestation period for dogs is approximately nine weeks or 63 days.

Caring for a Dog in Heat

When dogs in heat behave weird, it is because they need a lot attention, love and care from you. You can provide them with relief from the changes that they go through when in heat, by caring for them, feeding them appropriately and ensuring heir safety. The vaginal discharge could a little troublesome and to tackle this, you can confine her to a crate or a suitable area around your house. You can also make use of dogs in heat diapers available at pet stores. Do not leave your female dog in heat unattended outdoors or take her for walks to an isolated place. Ensure that she gets adequate rest and do not leave her alone at home for a long time.

Hope the above information proves to be helpful for all dog owners and that they understand their female dogs in heat better.