(How To Tell If Your Dog Is In Heat)
Before bringing a dog into your life, it is important to ensure that you’re prepared to be a responsible dog owner. This entails various preparations, from acquiring an appropriately sized dog crate to arranging puppy vet appointments. For female dogs, this also involves getting ready for their estrus cycles, often referred to as “periods,” although it is important to note that dogs do not menstruate like human females.
When Do Dogs Go into Heat and How Often?
Female dogs typically reach sexual maturity around the age of six months, marking the onset of their first “heat” or estrus cycle. During this period, there is an initial increase in estrogen levels, followed by a sharp decrease, and the release of eggs from the ovaries. Estrus cycles usually last for about three weeks but can vary between two and four weeks.
“While the average age for a dog’s first heat is six months, this can vary among individual dogs. Some may experience their first heat as early as four months, while larger breeds might not go into heat until they are two years old,” said veterinarian Michael Kearley in the “Dogs in Heat: When It Happens, How Long It Lasts, and What To Do” in the PetMD website.
“It is generally recommended to wait until a dog’s third heat before considering breeding. Your veterinarian can conduct genetic testing to determine the optimal timing for breeding,” Kearley added.
On average, dogs go into heat approximately every six months, but this frequency can vary, especially in the initial stages. Some dogs may take 18 to 24 months to establish a regular cycle. Smaller breeds tend to go into heat more frequently, possibly three to four times a year, while larger breeds may only go into heat once a year. As a dog ages, the intervals between estrus cycles tend to lengthen.
According to Kearley, a dog’s heat cycle phase is as follows:
Phases of a Dog’s Heat Cycle
A female dog’s reproductive cycle is called an estrous cycle and is broken down into three different phases:
1. Proestrus is the beginning of the heat cycle. It is characterized by swelling of the vulva and a blood-tinged vaginal discharge. Female dogs will not allow mating to occur in this phase. This phase can last anywhere from a few days to four weeks. On average, it lasts seven to 10 days.
2. Estrus is also known as “heat.” This is the time when the female dog will allow mating to occur. This phase of the cycle lasts anywhere from three to 21 days, with an average length of nine days.
3. Anestrus is defined as the timeframe when cycling ceases. This phase usually lasts about four to five months, and there are no signs present.
How to Identify When Your Dog is in Heat?
When a dog is in heat, there are noticeable physical and behavioral signs. For instance, she may urinate more frequently than usual and exhibit blood discharge along with a swollen vulva.
Behaviorally, your dog may appear anxious, distracted, and more receptive to male dogs. She may initiate sexual interactions, such as raising her rear end and angling her tail to one side, a behavior known as “flagging.” During this time, your dog will actively seek out and court male dogs until her estrus cycle concludes.
“The heat cycle typically spans three weeks, with the discharge initially appearing as bright red and gradually lightening to a pinkish hue. A female dog can typically conceive from the end of the first week until after the second week of her heat cycle, and in some cases, this fertile period can extend longer,” said Kearley.
What To Do When Your Dog Is in Heat
As an owner, you can opt for non-permanent ways to prevent pregnancy. The use of dog diapers to body wraps is essential in this case. Also do not bring them to dog parks or dog-populated areas while they are in heat.
“Additionally, if you choose to use a dog diaper, keep in mind it should be leakproof, absorbent, comfortable, and most importantly, secure. It should also be changed frequently,” Kearley said.
Having Dogs Spayed Is the Most Reliable Form of Dog Birth Control
The most efficient means of preventing undesired dog pregnancies and addressing pet overpopulation is through the spaying of dogs, a procedure that entails the removal of the ovaries and/or uterus. It is important to note that this is a permanent and irreversible procedure.
It is not as simple as it may seem to prevent your dog from becoming pregnant. Be extra vigilant when they are in heat.