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.
The three stages of the canine heat cycle
Your puppy's heat cycle has three phases: proestrus, estrus, and diestrus. Each stage is important to understand if you're looking to breed.
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.
1. Proestrus: The beginning of heat lasts between 7 and 10 days. During this time, the vulva begins to swell and your dog begins to bleed. She will start attracting male dogs, but she isn't ready to mate yet.
How long does a dog in heat bleed? Dogs in heat tend to bleed for approximately a week to 10 days. Some dogs bleed very heavily and others so lightly that it's barely noticeable.
Once the bleeding stops, the second stage of the dog heat cycle, called the estrus stage, has begun. Many people make the mistake of thinking their dog's estrus is done at this point, but this second stage is actually when your dog can become pregnant.
After about 9-10 days, the bleeding will become more watery, or stop. It is at this time your female will, most likely, be at her most fertile. This proestrus stage can last as long as 20 days in some dogs. So the end of bleeding can be a more useful indicator of peak fertility.
Diestrus Stage
As diestrus takes over, the fertile part of the heat cycle comes to an end. This stage can last from 60-90 days and, at this point, the dog is no longer fertile. If the dog has been impregnated, the diestrus stage lasts from the end of the estrus until the birth of the puppies (around 60 days).
Excessive genital licking: A female dog in heat will excessively lick (or “clean”) her genital area. Nervously aggressive behavior: Since a female dog in heat is secreting mating hormones, she may exhibit unusually aggressive behavior.
Behaviour Changes. You may notice your female dog's behaviour change just before and while she is in heat. She may appear more agitated, nervous or aggressive during her heat cycle.
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!
Absolutely not. All the medical evidence suggests a dog should be spayed before their first heat. It's much easier for them then because it's a much easier surgery at that time.
Keep your dog's environment calm to prevent agitation.
A little extra attention will go a long way. To reassure your pet, offer praise in a calm, soothing voice. Spend extra time gently brushing its coat, scratch around its ears, and give a fun new toy or a comfy new bed.
A: A dog is said to be in heat when they are in the proestrus and estrus stages of their reproductive cycle. During proestrus and estrus a dog will have bloody discharge from the vulva, and during estrus, a dog can get pregnant. Proestrus and estrus last anywhere from 1-3 weeks in most dogs.
It is normal for a dog in estrus (heat) to continue to have bleeding even after they've been bred. As long as the bloody discharge isn't excessive and you dog isn't acting unusually (not eating, acting lethargic,vomiting or having diarrhea) then this shouldn't be cause for concern.
Is a Dog's First Heat Shorter? A dog's first heat is typically between two and four weeks. The RSPCA said that while the average heat cycle lasts three weeks, some dogs could come into season as early as six months old and stay in season for just two weeks.
A dog's typical heat period with bleeding will last two to four weeks. The complete heat cycle happens in about five to seven months. There are four phases to the heat cycle, each with its own symptoms and behaviors. Bleeding or bloody discharge occurs in two of the four phases.
Answer: A normal heat cycle in dogs typically lasts an average of 7 to 14 days. If a female dog's bleeding goes on longer than that, then it is worthy of wondering whether something's going on. At times, some dogs may develop ovarian cysts, and these may cause irregularities in a dog's heat cycle.
Female dogs do experience cramps when they are in heat. In the same way that women get period cramps during their cycle, dogs may experience something similar during their heat cycle. This can cause a lot more than just a little discomfort.
It is recommended that you spay your female dog between 6 to 9 months of age, preferably before a heat cycle to reduce the future risk of mammary cancer.
The earliest sign of estrus is swelling or engorgement of the vulva, but this swelling is not always obvious. Bloody vaginal discharge is often the first sign that an owner notices when their dog comes into heat. In some cases, the discharge will not be apparent until several days after estrus has begun.
An age of six to nine months of age may be appropriate for neutering or spaying a toy breed puppy or small breed puppy but a larger or giant breed may need to wait until they are near or over 12-18 months of age.
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.