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Do you have a female dog that has not been desexed yet? If yes, then being aware of the signs of heat is very important for both male and female dog owners. Insights about the signs of dogs on heat can help you:
Heat is essentially your dog’s period, but it is a little different to the human menstrual cycle. For dogs, it is called the Canine Estrous Cycle. It’s made up of 4 different stages which we will outline in this blog. Your dog’s heat will occur once they have reached sexual maturity. Most people will describe heat, as the time when their female dog is passing bloody discharge from her vulva, however your dog can still be fertile and “on heat” once the bleeding has passed. Heat usually lasts between 2 to 4 weeks; this will be further explored in the four stages of heat section in this blog. What age does it happen?From around 6 months of age, through the rest of her life, your dog will experience heat if she is not desexed. The age at which your dog experiences her first heat will be dependent on her breed. Smaller toy breeds reach sexual maturity and start their heat cycle from as early as 4 months of age, whereas large and giant breeds can be 2 years of age at the time they will have their first heat. It is most common that your dog will have her first heat between 6 and 15 months of age. How do I know if my dog is on heat? You can sometimes work out if your female dog is coming into heat through various signs. The more aware you are of your dog’s cycle, the more prepared you can be to help care for her needs. This can include: The vulva, near your dog’s tail, can become engorged and swollen. This is not always obvious. Bloody discharge LickingYou might notice your female dog excessively licking her genital area. This can indicate that she is cleaning herself and is in heat. Behaviour ChangesYou may notice your female dog’s behaviour change just before and while she is in heat. She may appear more agitated, nervous or aggressive during her heat cycle. You might also note mounting and receptive behaviour changes towards male dogs. Tail PositionYour dog will hold her tail in different positions during the stages of her cycle. What are the 4 stages of heat? During the heat cycle your dog will experience four phases. Each stage is accompanied by different changes in her body and behaviour and they are as follows: How do I know when my dog has finished heat?When your dog enters the Diestrus phase she has finished heat. Her behaviour should return to normal, discharge subsite and sewing of her genitals will go down. This is usually 2-3 weeks after you have noticed the last of her bloody discharge. How often will my dog go into heat? Dogs will experience heat, on average, every 6 months. It can take up to 12 months for your dog’s heat cycle to become
regular. How soon after my dog has finished her heat cycle, can she be desexed?When your dog is in heat, there is an increased blood flow to both the uterus and ovaries. Dogs can be desexed while they are on heat, but there is an increase risk for bleeding. Most vets will recommend waiting 8 weeks after your dog has finished bleeding before they are desexed. How Can I manage it & care for my dog? Heat can be messy and lengthy, and overall, not too fun. These are some simple tips and tricks to keep your fur baby comfortable and clean. Providing some extra mental stimulation and security with toys can help to keep your pet feeling calm. Don’t
Scold How can I keep my dog safe? When your dog experiences her first heat cycle, it can be a nerve-racking experience. These are some things you can do as a responsible owner to care for your female dog in heat. Recommended Products Keeping our pets clean and comfy while they are on heat is made easier with these fantastic Dundies recommended products: How long does bleeding last in dogs first heat?The first signs your dog is in heat are the swelling of her vulva and bright red bloody discharge. This stage is called proestrus. "There will be lots of licking," Nielsen says. A dog in heat can bleed for around seven to 10 days.
What should I expect when my dog goes into heat for the first time?Bleeding and swelling of the vulva. The proestrus stage of the heat cycle is where your dog's body is preparing to mate, she may be clingier to you during this time and also more aggressive towards male dogs. You may notice your dog holding her tail close to her body during this stage.
How do I know when my dogs heat cycle has ended?Cycle length varies, averaging two to three weeks for most dogs. The cycle begins with the first signs of vulvar swelling or vaginal discharge. It ends when all discharge ceases and the vulva has returned to its normal size.
What are the 4 stages of a dog in heat?The canine estrous (reproductive) cycle is made up of 4 different stages. These are proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. Each stage has differing signs related to behavior, physical or clinical changes, hormonal changes, physiologic changes, and cytologic (vaginal smear) changes.
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