Heat in dogs

Estrus in dogs is a natural and logical process, the features and nuances of which every responsible owner should know.

By choosing a sweet and playful female puppy, we unconsciously choose a more difficult path. This is the path of the owner of a loyal and active dog who, twice a year, forgets everything except the need for brief doggy affection.

Signs of heat in dogs

It's important for owners to notice their dog's heat cycle early. Not missing the onset of this period is crucial, both if you plan to breed and if, conversely, you're trying your best to protect your dog from casual encounters.

Today we'll talk about how long a dog's heat cycle lasts, how often it happens, when the first one should be, and many, many other nuances related to this issue.

When observing a dog, you can notice the following changes:

• changes in mood (may become more playful or, conversely, more irritable);
• the desire to urinate frequently (the desire to “mark territory” also occurs in female dogs, but only during the heat period);
• molting (quite often the events coincide);
• showing interest in the opposite sex;
• loop enlargement;
• the appearance of bloody discharge.

It's worth noting that obvious signs such as discharge and visual changes do not appear from the first day, and inexperienced owners can easily miss the beginning of an important period.

First heat

Puberty is an individual characteristic of each individual dog and depends on many factors. While it's impossible to give a definitive answer to the question of when a dog goes into heat, some general guidelines can be given.

In most cases, dogs begin to go into heat for the first time after 6-7 months. For medium-sized dogs, this period shifts to 7-8 months.

Much also depends on the breed. For example, Labradors, poodles, and others may wait up to a year or even longer before the first time. However, the individuality of the pet should also be taken into account.

The first heat cycle in many young female dogs can go completely unnoticed. Discharge and behavioral changes may be minimal or absent. Obviously, breeding during this period is strongly discouraged, as the dog's body is not yet ready for pregnancy and birth.

You'll likely notice a full range of characteristic symptoms in your dog by her second heat cycle. In dogs without hormonal imbalances or reproductive system diseases, the cycle typically stabilizes and becomes predictable by 1.5 to 2 years of age.

Cycle periods

The dog's cycle is divided into 4 periods: proestrus, estrus, metestrus (diestrus) and anestrus.

Proestrus (beginning)

During this period, the animal's body actively prepares for conception. Follicles actively mature in the ovaries, and under the influence of hormones, the uterine lining begins to form.

In the first phase, the dog attracts the opposite sex with a characteristic smell, but reacts extremely aggressively to males’ attempts to mate.

Important! Discharge is not the primary symptom, as some dogs experience what's known as a "dry" heat, during which discharge is virtually absent.

Estrus (hunting)

This is the optimal time for mating, as evidenced by the dog's behavior. She happily responds to advances from the opposite sex and adopts a comfortable mating position when interacting with a potential partner.

Metestrus (completion)

Hormonal activity subsides and the dog's behavior gradually returns to normal.

The physiological symptoms of estrus disappear, and the dog begins to react negatively to advances from the opposite sex again.

Important! During this period, uterine diseases most often worsen, and false pregnancy.

Anestrus (rest)

The period of sexual rest is characterized by a general balance in the functioning of the body's systems and a low level of hormones responsible for the sexual sphere (progosterone and estradiol).

Main questions

Below we offer you answers to the most frequently asked questions about heat in dogs.

How long does a dog's heat last?

There are plenty of nuances that influence the duration of a dog's estrus period:

• conditions of detention;
• nutrition;
• age;
• breed, etc.

In fact, you can only find out how long your dog's heat period will last based on personal experience and observations. If we take the average number, it is 20 days. Keep in mind that a dog's heat cycle isn't established immediately; it stabilizes only by two years of age. If you want to know exactly what, how much, and when, keep an eye on it and record your findings.

As mentioned above, a dog's first heat cycle is short-lived. On average, the entire cycle lasts 3-5 days.

How often do dogs go into heat?

On average, ornamental breeds go into heat twice a year. This heat lasts 20-25 days. The interval between heats is approximately six months.

Important! The frequency of heat in female dogs depends on age, breed (size of the dog), and health.

For example, a husky only goes into heat once a year. If the dog is old, there may be no outward signs of heat at all, but if allowed to mate, she will become pregnant. Hormonal imbalances can also disrupt the cycle. For example, if a dog has an anostria, the pet's body produces few hormones and will not go into heat.

When does heat occur in dogs after giving birth?

To determine how long after a dog gives birth, it's important to consider the animal's size and breed. Typically, small dogs go into heat once every six months, while larger breeds go into heat less frequently—once every 8-12 months. Generally, it's impossible to assign precise figures to the frequency and duration of heat cycles. It all depends on the individual case: breed, size, etc. To accurately determine when the first heat cycle will occur after giving birth, the owner should observe the pet and monitor her cycles.

The main thing to understand is that, in most cases, estrus after birth will occur when the cycle is due, and the animal's pregnancy has no effect on this. That is, birth does not delay estrus.

Do dogs stop going into heat after mating?

A dog's heat intensity decreases after mating and rarely ceases. Everything continues as normal. Therefore, it's important to monitor your dog until her sexual desire has completely subsided. Even if your pet behaved kindly toward the future father of the puppies during mating, this doesn't mean she won't want to go out somewhere else.

Dog smell

The unpleasant odor in a dog during heat, as well as its intensity, depends on the individual characteristics of the pet.

One female dog may smell during her heat cycle, another will be fragrant during her second cycle, and a third will haunt their owners with an unpleasant odor almost constantly. Of course, we're talking about the odor that humans detect; to a male dog, a female dog in heat always smells.

If you visit a pet store, you can find a variety of products to combat unpleasant odor in female dogs. Popular products include the following sprays:

1. Jimpet.
2. Beaphar.
3. 8 in 1.

These products are considered luxury, but if you're looking for something a little more affordable, consider options like Smart Spray, Antikobeline, and more.

Important! It's important to note that the odor may not be related to heat, but rather a signal of hormonal imbalances in the dog's body.

It's also possible that a dog is completely healthy, and the unpleasant odor during heat is just a characteristic of her. However, if there's any suspicion about the nature of the "odors," it's best to take your pet to the veterinarian.

Heat in a spayed dog

Whether or not spayed dogs go into heat depends on the type of surgery performed. Sometimes, a veterinarian may perform a tubal ligation to sterilize an animal. If this method is used, the dog's heat cycle will remain intact, but she will no longer be able to become pregnant.

If a female dog's uterus and ovaries were removed during surgery, she will no longer go into heat. However, there have been cases in veterinary practice where the adrenal glands took over the ovaries' function, and heat in such dogs resumed after some time.

Complications of estrus in dogs

Although the process of estrus itself is a natural state for a dog's body, sometimes conditions may arise that require medical attention. Complications are quite common. Among the most common causes are:

• hormonal imbalances;
• inflammatory processes of the genital organs;
• chronic diseases.

An attentive owner who understands the main symptoms of potential problems will be able to spot the problem early and consult a veterinarian promptly. It's worth noting that if problems are detected, a visit to the vet should not be delayed, as many inflammatory processes can progress very quickly, and the dog's condition will worsen with each passing hour.

Discharge after estrus

When monitoring your dog's condition during heat, it's crucial to monitor all aspects of her discharge. All aspects should be taken into account:

• consistency;
• color changes;
• quantity;
• smell, etc.

Important! Your dog should be seen by a vet immediately if the discharge is very heavy or has a characteristic putrid odor.

During estrus, a dog expends a great deal of energy preparing her body for reproduction. Her natural defenses are sharply weakened. This is a fertile time for various pathogenic bacteria to take root in the body's weakened immune system. If an infection is allowed to gain a foothold during this period, it can not only affect the entire subsequent estrus cycle but also seriously damage the animal's health. And some diseases, such as pyometra life-threatening for your pet. Most often, you can tell if a dog is sick by its external signs:

• the temperature rises;
• decreased appetite;
• activity decreases.

But in any case, only a specialist can give a general conclusion on the situation, so it’s best not to delay.

Delayed estrus in a dog

A dog's lack of heat, as well as its delay, is a sign of ovarian dysfunction. In some cases, the delay is due to the pituitary gland. For example, hypothyroidism – one of the reasons for hidden estrus.

1. If the dog is old enough, ovarian hypofunction is inappropriate. In some cases, a delayed estrus may be due to a complicated birth, which may trigger a reproductive system disorder. In such cases, a veterinarian will examine the animal and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment.
2. If you'd like to help personally, you can introduce your pet to another female dog in estrus. In some cases, the foreign pheromones trigger the mating cycle.
3. If the delays are persistent, the dog may require surgery; if it is impossible or difficult to help the animal, the doctor will suggest sterilization.
4. Oncological diseases can also cause delays. To avoid these types of problems, it's important to undergo regular preventive screenings.

Also watch a video about how dogs go into heat and how to care for your pet during this period:

Any questions? You can ask our website's staff veterinarian in the comments below, who will answer them as quickly as possible.

Read also:

• Mating dogs: how and when to mate
• Covinan for dogs
• Why do dogs stick together when mating?