Tips & Tricks to Understand Your Female Dog's Heat Cycle
If the furry friend by your side is a female dog, then you are probably an expert in this area yourself. But do you really know what happens to your dog's body and mind during this time to optimally meet her needs? Or is your walk with her during the heat phase still a challenging experience? Here you will find tips and tricks on how to get through this hormone-rich time together.
Caution, Heat!
Depending on how big and old your female dog is, she experiences heat once or twice a year: the heat cycle is approaching, and each time you find yourself confronted with challenges to master this phase as well as possible for both of you.
But first: This time of year can be nerve-wracking not only for you - it is just as difficult for your furry friend. To make this time as uncomplicated as possible, you should know what is happening with your dog and why she behaves the way she does.
No matter how much your four-legged friend may frustrate you during this time, it is important to give her a sense of security. Treat her as lovingly as ever - this can be especially achieved with a tasty snack now and then.
Give love with our tasty snacks
What Happens to My Dog When She is in Heat?
The entire heat cycle of your furry friend can be divided into four phases, which generally follow a certain pattern. These heat phases are:
Proestrus
In this first phase of heat, your dog will experience a deep red, bloody, and thick vaginal discharge. She begins to smell more attractive to male dogs but is not fertile yet and will vehemently fend off all interested suitors. The first phase lasts on average 9 days, but like the cycle in humans, it can vary and last anywhere from 3 to 17 days.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] In der Vorbrunst sammeln sich zwar schon Verehrer um deine Hundedame, Interesse besteht bei ihr jedoch nicht.
Estrus
The second phase of your dog's heat is characterized by her fertility and a watery, light red vaginal discharge. During this time, multiple ovulations occur in your dog's body, lasting on average up to 9 days. Again, the duration varies between 2 and 21 days.
Thin and light red blood is a clear sign of fertility, and your dog will allow mating during encounters with male dogs - if you do not want puppies from your dog, you should be particularly careful during this phase. This phase is when heat is to be expected.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] In der Brunst stellt sich deine Hündin bei Begegnung mit einem Rüden vor ihn, schwenkt die Rute zur Seite und signalisiert Bereitschaft. Das nennt man Hitze bzw. Standhitze.
Metestrus
For walks, this phase means: relaxation, your dog is no longer fertile and shows no vaginal discharge anymore. If you have decided to mate your dog in phase 2 after consulting a veterinarian, it will be about 63 days until the birth of her puppies.
If not, this phase still lasts 2-3 months, during which a lot happens hormonally and can also affect your dog's mood. If she becomes particularly cuddly and clingy during this time, you should keep an eye on her. Seeking closeness, nesting behavior, and hoarding toys and stuffed animals in her bed can be signs of a false pregnancy. You will learn more about this shortly!
[TRANSLATION ERROR] In der Nachbrunst kommen manche Vierbeiner zu Ruhe, andere werden anhänglich und beginnen mit dem Nestbau. Wurde deine Hündin nicht gedeckt, ist sie möglicherweise scheinträchtig.
Anestrus
From now on, the period until the next heat begins, the current one ends with this phase. Your furry friend will show no external signs anymore, and her uterus will come to rest.
The First Heat - Symptoms of the First Heat
If your girl dog stays out too long in the evening, sneaks out secretly, only hangs out on Instagram, and male dogs are lining up at your door, then it's time: the puberty of your furry friend is approaching.
First symptoms of a heat cycle can include:
- Increased marking during your walks
- Your dog becomes a kind of magnet for male dogs.
- Barking or snapping at intrusive male dogs.
- A swollen vagina and increased licking of it.
- Poor recall and increased distraction.
- Unusual clinginess and seeking closeness.
- A certain lethargy combined with restlessness.
From the 6th month of life, your dog can go into heat, but sometimes the heat cycle only starts in the second year. This is especially true for larger dog breeds and is not a cause for concern. It is not uncommon for the so-called silent heat to occur, where your dog shows no vaginal discharge in phases 1 and 2 but is still fertile.
An exciting time of change begins, as this new phase of life brings several changes and also responsibility for you and your furry friend. Ideally, you have already considered questions like "Do I want puppies from my dog in the future?" before acquiring your dog.
If you are planning this, always discuss this intention with your veterinarian, who can provide information on puppy planning, inheritance, and measures.
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Lass dich unverbindlich und kostenlos von unseren Tierärzt*innen beraten und stelle alle Fragen zum Thema Haustiergesundheit.
The Second Heat - and All Subsequent Ones
The first heat is over! But when is the second one coming? Just like in humans, the heat cycle in female dogs is a cyclic recurring process. Typically, dogs go into heat twice a year. The interval between heats depends on various factors such as size and age. Individual predispositions also influence the timing of heats. Smaller female dogs typically go into heat approximately every 6 months, while larger female dogs tend to go into heat every 8 to 9 months.
Staying Fit During Heat: What to Consider?
As soon as you notice that the male dog world has an above-average interest in your furry friend, you should prepare for a few behavioral rules during walks to keep it stress-free for both of you. If your dog tends to be lethargic during her heat, varied walks are especially important.
Intrusive male dogs are a high stress factor for your beloved, which is why it is advisable to shift walks to forests and avoid contact with male dogs as much as possible. In any case, you should leave a situation where a male dog is intrusively sniffing and bothering your dog immediately to reduce her stress.
Since the transition from phase 1 to 2 can be gradual and your dog may seek closeness to male dogs the next morning, you should generally not let her run free during heat.
The risk that she might escape hormonally overwhelmed and have a good time on a date with Beagle boy Robby is high - simply use long leashes during this time to still allow your furry friend some exercise. If you encounter free-running male dogs, kindly ask other dog owners to leash their dogs due to the circumstances.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Während der Läufigkeit solltest du Hundewiesen meiden und ruhige Wege wählen. Lass deine Hündin nicht von der Leine, weil sie schneller abhauen kann, um nach Rüden zu suchen.
False Pregnancy - How Can I Help My Dog?
Are there also situations where a veterinarian should be consulted? Yes! Not every female dog experiences the third phase of heat as it should after fertility ends. You may observe that your furry friend seems depressed, is more clingy than usual, and starts nesting, even though no puppies are on the way. Some female dogs also exhibit aggressive or apathetic behavior. This includes hoarding toys, stuffed animals, and shoes.
If this is the case with your dog, you should keep a close eye on her, as she is likely experiencing a false pregnancy. What does that mean? In a false pregnancy, female dogs believe they are expecting puppies, even though they are not pregnant. They take all necessary precautions, such as nesting. The hormone progesterone is released at the end of phase 2 - whether pregnant or not. This hormone stimulates mammary gland growth - under normal circumstances, milk production remains low, and most owners notice nothing. However, if your dog is false pregnant, the mammary glands will swell further, leading to increased milk production.
Während deine Hündin denkt, dass sie tatsächlich Nachwuchs erwartet, baut sie ein Nest und produziert Milch. Passiert das, sollte der Bauch nicht gestreichelt, lose Gegenstände aufgesammelt und ggf. eine Tierarztpraxis aufgesucht werden.
During this time, you should provide your dog with a varied daily routine. Take her for walks, possibly change her feeding times, and remove any toys and materials she uses for nesting. Prevent your furry friend from licking her teats, as this will increase milk production.
Under no circumstances should you press on the mammary glands, as this can also lead to increased milk production and cause infections. If your dog's condition does not improve, you should seek veterinary advice. A veterinarian can end the false pregnancy by administering hormones. For female dogs that regularly experience false pregnancies, a →spay surgery may be advisable. Keep in mind that spayed female dogs are prone to →overweight, and a balanced, healthy diet is important.
At Pets Deli, we have food for every need - whether light, extra meat, or sensitive stomach, everyone will find something here:
Our cans are packed with fresh meat, crunchy vegetables, and sweet fruit!
Hygiene During Heat - What Does My Dog Need?
It is completely natural that your dog loses body fluids during this time - so do not let her feel unclean and do not scold her for it.
And also: Mopping blood off the tiles is a thing of the past; nowadays, many manufacturers offer protective panties that optimally catch your dog's blood and are also comfortable to wear. However, these are not intended for contraception; an unplanned mating cannot be avoided this way! You also do not need to bathe or wash your furry friend during her heat, as she has an increased need to groom herself. You should continue with the →regular grooming as usual.
