Have you recently adopted a female doggy? If yes, it is essential to know everything about their heat cycle and how to manage it during this phase. Unravel the complete information on the dog heat cycle to responsibly handle their sensitive phase, causing many physical and emotional changes!

For many pet parents, tackling the heat cycle of their furry companion gets exhilarating. Especially if your pet canine is not spayed or you are planning for their breeding, it is crucial to monitor their changes closely. 

Female dogs undergo multiple heat cycles in a year and there are symptoms they show during this time. Understanding these signs is imperative to help them feel comfortable and loved while this phase is going on. 

Read down to go through the behavioural and physical changes occurring in your female pooches during this time!

When Heat Cycle Begins in Dogs?

In canines, 6 months is the age of turning adult, and female doggies hit puberty when they are between 6-24 months old. It is the most crucial phase as they might anytime experience the first heat cycle. The exact onset time differs based on size, breed, and various other aspects. 

The smaller canine breeds are found to get in heat earlier, while the older breeds might take around 2 years to hit the cycle. On average, the pooches might get the estrus cycle every 6 months, and each of them can last for 3-4 weeks. During this time, taking care of your pet is crucial due to the excitement and physical changes they experience. 

If your female canines are not neutered, they need utmost care for 18 days twice a year when they are in heat. Irregular heat cycles indicate some problems with your canines and demand vet attention. It also increases the risk of unwanted breeding as keeping track of heat cycles is difficult with irregular seasons. 

When the doggy gets older, the consistency of the heat cycle might slow down, but few may experience the same all year around. It doesn’t mean that your pooches can’t get pregnant if they get into heat fewer times. 

Different Stages of Estrus (Heat) Cycles in Dogs

There are four main stages in the estrus cycle of dogs explained below:

1. Proestrus- It is the start of a heat cycle lasting from 7-10 days. Pet owners can check the genital of female canines as their vulva starts swelling with mild bleeding. It is the time when she craves male dog attention as she’s prepared for mating. 
2. Estrus- During this time, the bleeding in male canines stops or reduces, and they are ready for mating. It lasts for around 5-10 days. It is the most crucial phase, as your pooches are highly fertile and ready to conceive. 
3. Diestrus- This is the resting phase in canines, or they are already pregnant by now if breeding. It stays for almost 10 to 140 days. 
4. Anestrus- Now your doggy has completed the recent heat cycle, and it has a waiting period of almost 6 months until it receives the following season. 

Main Signs of Female Dogs in Heat

Do you know that healthy female canines get heat cycles for their entire life without any menopause? Keeping a check on her behaviour and bodily changes can help in understanding if she’s in heat and how to calm her through this phase. 

• Bleeding and Swollen Vulva: The genitals of your female doggy develop a bulge as she is prepared to breed and releases a reddish or brownish mucus discharge. 
• Raising Tail Towards Body: It is an inviting gesture as the female canine is willing to seek attention from male dogs to get enter the mating phase. It is advisable to avoid their contact with male dogs around during this time as they’re eager for breeding now. 
• Refusal to Eat: During the heat cycles, canines usually depict changes in their eating patterns. They are not very keen on eating as the focus is primarily shifted to mating now. Try to feed them some delectable chews and treats in a timely manner to ensure they don’t remain hungry. It might affect their health and well-being. 
• Grooming Genitals: The heat cycle results in a swollen vulva, which causes discomfort in female canines. As a result, they try to soothe themselves by excessive licking in that area and clean up the discharge as well. 
• Restlessness: If your female furry friend seems over-enthusiastic about daily walks and wants to step out to see other male dogs, it means she’s in heat. They might also lay near windows for hours during this time in an urge to mate.
• Mood Swings: Most sweet and calm female dogs might also become aggressive while they’re in heat. It leads to whining in canines as they desire a partner due to hormonal fluctuations in the body. 
• Frequent Urination- Dogs in heat cycles are prone to increased urinating cycles, and their pee consists of dog pheromones. When your canine companions pee at various spots during walks, it’s a hint to their male counterparts to approach them. Constipation is also a common concern in dogs during this time. 

Tips to Take Care of Dogs in Heat Cycle

Once you are sure that your female canine is experiencing the above signs and is in a heat cycle, it’s time to shower them with care and love so they feel secure. Handle them with love and care as their biological changes make them uneasy or restless. Follow these tips to manage your puppies during the season:

• Engage her in Exercises: Find different ways to exhaust your canine by engaging them in playtime or exercises to divert attention. It works as a distraction to the physical signs they’re experiencing. Find ways to vent her energy out to calm them down. 

• Ensure Safety by Keeping them Indoors: Female pooches lure male attention during the season and can easily allow male counterparts to mate. If you want to avoid breeding, practise safety by keeping your furry friend indoors and limiting their contact with other dogs. They are at the peak of fertility at this time and will take no time to reproduce.

• Try Doggy Pads: The bloody discharge during the estrus phase can irritate the canine and might also cause stains at your home. So, get the doggy diapers from pet stores to make them feel comfortable and protected. 

• Comfort them with Love: Behavioural changes in female canines are expected during the heat cycle as it often makes them restless. You might find them snuggling with you and craving the attention. Offer her all the comfort required and also allow some peace and space to be at ease. 
• Hydration and Nutrition: Reduced appetite and unwillingness to eat are common in female canines while they’re in heat, and it is essential to take care of their diet during this time. Complete hydration and nutrition are the key to keeping them healthy during the estrus phase. 
• Professional Assistance: In case of any abnormal physical or behavioural health changes like lethargy or excessive bleeding, take your canine to the veterinarian for a check-up and consultation. 
• Grooming Helps: The heat cycle is tolling for female dogs when they are unable to mate, and your extra care might comfort their anxiety. Brushing them helps in making them feel calmer and more peaceful. Try to give them a cosy environment by playing slow music and keeping them away from outdoor noises. 

• Spaying is Important- The ultimate step to keep your furry companions safe from unwanted breeding cycles is to get them spayed. It is a minor surgical process performed by vets which safeguards your doggy from various illnesses and ensures a healthy life for them. Spaying also contributes to controlling the count of strays who struggle in vulnerable living conditions. 

Spayed canines are less anxious during the estrus cycle, and it’s easier to calm them down. So, consider it as a first step when you’re adopting a female doggy!

Wrap Up- ‘Visit Experts to Know More about Heat Cycles in Female Dogs!’

Being aware of the dog season and how to manage them during the estrus period makes you a responsible pet parent. It is stressful for them to sustain these changes and they deserve all the love as well as care at this time. Taking good care of their diet, lifestyle and hydration during season can ascertain good health in them. 

Pet parents can also opt for a permanent solution to heat cycles by spaying their female canines, which is the best, of course. Ask your vet about the complete process, and until it’s done, keep your pooches indoors to avoid pregnancies. Hopefully, you’ve complete details on the dog heat cycle handy now!

Come back for more such dog-related guides and tips to raise your beloved pet friend responsibly. Please drop us a comment below for any queries or information about this. 

Happy Petting!