The heat cycle is a very emotional time for female dogs. They can easily lash out or get anxious because they don't know what's going on with their body. This is especially true during your pup's first few cycles. You can put her at ease by simply spending more time with her.
Much like humans, female dogs experience cramps and hormonal changes when their bodies are preparing to mate. Also, like humans, this can be uncomfortable and can make them feel irritable and emotional. Be sure to consider your dog's feelings and needs during this time. A little extra love could go a long way.
One of the primary assumptions is that the entire process of ovulation and the hormones which make it possible brings a level of discomfort to the dog. Just as human women experience cramping, nausea, and pain during their periods, so too do dogs. Whining may be a reaction to the discomfort your dog is experiencing.
Some signs of a female dog going into heat may include lower energy levels, more aggressive behavior, differences in leg-raising while urinating, urinating more often than usual, and even running away from home. This is unlike male dogs, who do not experience heat cycles.
Being more vocal – Female dogs in heat may become more vocal, with additional whining and whimpering; they may even try to escape from the house or yard if given the opportunity.
If your dog seems unusually tired, or not as interested in playing with you, it could be a sign they are beginning their heat cycle. More Irritable or "Cranky" With Other Dogs: As their hormone levels change, you might see your dog become less tolerant of other dogs in your home.
The dog estrous cycle is made up of four stages. These are the proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. The proestrus is the most obvious stage, while the other stages are more subtle. Proestrus - This stage lasts for nine days on average but can reach 27 days.
You may also observe that her vulva is large, red, or swollen with some bleeding or blood-tinted discharge. Your dog will only bleed for around half of the total cycle, usually 7 to 10 days. Generally, bigger dogs bleed more than smaller dogs, but it varies between dogs. Some dogs bleed very little.
Typically, a dog period lasts 2-4 weeks, but the duration can vary from dog to dog. A dog's “period” is also known as the estrous cycle, and you may hear people refer to this as a dog “being in heat.” These terms are all interchangeable, so the information in this article applies to all these terms.
Prioritize comfort: Dogs can experience behavioral and physical changes during their heat cycle, making them feel sluggish and depressed. It's highly unlikely your dog is in any severe pain during heat, but they can experience discomfort.
When the dog is in heat? During her heat, your female dog exhibits some fairly obvious symptoms. You will be able to see the many physical and behavioural changes she makes. When a dog is in heat, its behavior often mirrors that of someone who is depressed.
If your dog experiences cramping during her period, she may become listless and exhausted. This occurs due to stress placed on the digestive system and the spine. Additionally, if your dog's cramping causes pain, she may move more slowly than usual or limp when she walks.
Whilst your instinct may be to limit your walks or pause them altogether while your dog's in heat, it's important to remember that physical exercise and outdoor playtime are still much needed. Especially given the hormonal changes that happen during heat!
Heat usually lasts between 2-4 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer and you'll know the cycle is over when all her vulva returns to its normal size and there's no more bleeding or discharge.
It usually lasts around two to four weeks, and the dog may show behavioural and physical changes due to hormone fluctuations. Common behavioural changes during this time include irritability, anxiety, roaming to find males, friendliness with other dogs, and aggressive or defensive behaviour.
Progesterone hormone can become higher which can lead to aggressive behaviour in a female after a season has ended. If your dog is having a phantom you will also start to see nesting behaviour. She will attempt to create a safe area for her puppies (though non-existent) picking an area within the home.
Agitated, nervous, or aggressive behavior: In the first phase of estrus, your dog might seem skittery or nervous. It might be aggressive towards other household pets, or even towards you. As estrus progresses, your dog may be aggressive towards other female dogs, but welcoming to male dogs.
"This stage, when the blood is done, is when she will accept a male," Nielsen says. "This lasts an additional seven to 10 days." During this stage, the vulva will become soft and enlarged.
Females may show less aggression towards dogs and humans after they're spayed. By getting your pet spayed, you can also eliminate the chances of hormonally driven defensive behavior. Female dogs will sometimes behave aggressively if other pets or people try approaching or touching their puppies.
If your female dog is in heat, they will need more of your love, care, and attention. If it is her first heat cycle, there are a couple of things must be done to prevent an unplanned pregnancy and help make your furbaby's heat more comfortable for the both of you.
Your dog will be feeling hormonal, out of sorts and probably a bit confused during her season, so it's important to keep her happy and distracted. Keep her entertained by playing games and giving her things to do in the house (such as a treat-filled toy), and take her on walks (away from other dogs) to keep her calm.
Generally female dogs tend to be a little more independent than males dogs and mostly aren't so demanding of attention. They love a big cuddle as much as any male dog, but they tend to take themselves away when they want a bit of down time.
It's a misconception that dogs can only enjoy off lead exercise – plenty of dogs need to be kept on lead for health or behaviour reasons and they still get the exercise and mental stimulation they crave.
A menthol spray, such as Vick's vapor rub, helps overpower the female dog's scent during heat. Just apply the spray several times a day to the female's tail so your male dog can't smell her as well. When you apply the spray, distract your dog with toys or a treat to stop her from licking the spray before it dries.