The 10 most frequently asked questions about female dogs in heat
1. What is heat?
The heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, bitches can become pregnant. It is equivalent to human menstruation.
2. What are the symptoms?
Women bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Don’t expect bleeding comparable to that of a human female.
For small dogs, it’s usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your pup to identify his first cycle. Besides bleeding, the most noticeable symptom may be
male dogs hanging around your house.
3. When does a bitch go into heat?
The average female dog has her first cycle around six months of age. Some dogs start earlier and others later, even up to 14 months.
If you have a new pup, you should observe her and note when she has her first cycle. If she is 14 months old and has not gone into heat yet, you should take her to the vet.
4. How long is the heat cycle?
The average is three weeks or 21 days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks, while others last four weeks.
5. How often will you be in heat?
Most female dogs have regular cycles, usually every six to eight months. It is quite typical to be in heat twice a year.
6. When can you get pregnant?
She can get pregnant only when she is in heat. some breeders
tests progesterone levels to identify your most fertile days, but the general rule of thumb is that your most fertile days are 11-15 of your cycle.
Note: When in heat, the average bitch will allow any male
dog to mount it. However, few females will accept a male when
they are not in heat.
7. Can you get pregnant on your first cycle?
Yes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one, you have to do genetic testing, and some serious problems, like hip conditions, don’t show up until the dog is about 2 years old.
8. Can I take her for a walk during this cycle?
Yes carefully. He has no problem with exercise, but he is a walking magnet for male dogs.
Even the best trained and educated dog will succumb to hormones. You can’t trust her off leash or out of your control. Never leave her outside alone, even in a fenced yard, if there is a chance that male dogs are near her.
For walks, if there are male dogs in your neighborhood, it’s a good idea to take your dog in your car and drive to a remote area. Take her for a ride there and drive back home. Otherwise, the smell of her urine and vaginal discharge will find its way to your house.
9. When can I sterilize it?
The answer to that has continually changed over the years.
25 years I have been in the dog business. People were told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or to let her have a litter.
Today, veterinarians are doing it much sooner. Some vets spay at 6 weeks of age! Talk to your vet about your dog and the vet’s preferences. The state of veterinary medicine has also greatly improved in the last 25 years.
10. If she is not sterilized, she will go through menopause.
No. Your fertility may decrease, but you will not go through a menopause comparable to that of a human being. She will not lose her ability to get pregnant even when she is older, so if she does not want her to have any (or more) litters, she must be spayed.