How Do I Know If My Female Dog Is In Heat?

August 10, 2015

by Natalie Secretan

You may recall an article I wrote about waiting to spay or neuter your dog or cat. If you’ve decided to wait, you’re probably wondering what to expect during your dog’s heat cycle.

Typically female dogs go into heat around 8 or 9 months, depending on the breed, and will go into season twice a year. For some dogs, it happens much earlier at 6 months and for others, it’s much later. The first thing you’ll notice is that her teats and vulva will start to swell. Her energy levels will decline, along with her appetite (though some dogs’ appetites actually increase). Don’t be surprised if she experiences an upset tummy the first day the bleeding starts. She will also become restless and hypersensitive to sounds and smells.

Some dogs can become moody or irritable when they’re in season, while others will become more needy and not let you out of their sight. It all depends on the breed and the dog’s temperament. She may also experience abdominal pain and become lethargic. This was the case for my dog; she would moan and groan in discomfort, as she shifted in her sleep trying to find a comfortable spot. So I would gently rub her tummy, which she found very soothing.

Also, I noticed that with the increased swelling of her vulva, she experienced discomfort when walking and preferred short trips outside instead of her regular exercise. I let her tell me when she was ready to go back inside, and didn’t push her beyond her comfort levels.

There are four stages of a dog’s heat cycle:

Proestrus – 10 days. During this time a dog is not fertile and though she may flirt with other dogs, she will not encourage them to mount. For the first few days, there will be a slight bloody discharge that gets heavier around day 5.

Estrus – 5-9 days. You’ll notice a change in colour in the vaginal discharge from red to light brown, but it won’t be as heavy as in proestrus. This is the stage when your dog is fertile and most receptive to other dogs. You will also notice an increase in how often she has to urinate. Stocking up on pee pads is probably a good idea.

Diestrus – 6-10 weeks. During this time, your dog’s cycle will die off and there will be no more discharge. However, her teats and vulva may still be swollen for a while. It seems to take a long time before things gradually return to normal.

Anestrus – 15 weeks. This the rest period before the dog’s next cycle, where hormone levels return to normal.

All in all, a heat cycle lasts about a month from the very beginning when things start to change to the time when everything dies down and returns to normal. During this time, it is recommended that you stay away from off-leash dog parks and always keep your dog on a leash when you’re out walking. If your dog has access to a back garden, do not leave her unattended because if she doesn’t find a way out, then a male dog will certainly find a way in.

One thing I noticed about my dog was that she became stressed out and fastidious about keeping herself clean, almost to the point of obsession. So I outfitted her in some diapers and this seemed to take her mind off it.

If you are thinking of breeding your dog, then it is recommended you wait till heat cycle #3 before allowing her to get pregnant. 

Photo Credit: Pawstruck.com