Common Behaviors of a Female Dog in Heat!

A female dog’s heat cycle indicates they are ready to reproduce. When eggs are released from their ovaries, some hormonal imbalance may occur. You can observe some of the strange behavior in them at that time. A detailed analysis is given below about the heat cycle for female dogs.

What is a Heat Cycle? Definition & Stages

The heat cycle of a female dog is a biological process. It is the time when the female dog is most open and receptive to mating. For a female dog, this cycle starts from six months in general. But for different breeds and sizes, the age may vary. Different dogs behave in different ways during this time.

They generally experience this cycle in six months. This cycle generally passes through four stages. In each stage, they experience several physical and psychological changes in their body. The stages are discussed in the content below:

The Proestrus Stage

This is the first stage of the heat cycle for a female dog. This stage starts with the swelling of the Vulva. This stage can last from 3-17 days. At that time, they are not open up for mating, but some physical and psychological changes are prominent.

Swelling of Vulva

The first physical indications of the proestrus stage begins with the swelling of the Vulva. But the amount of swelling depends from dog to dog. They were bleeding at that time. But the first few days, bleeding slightly at the mid-week, they bleed heavier. But the quantity of bleeding also varies.

Change in Personality

An essential change in personality gets suddenly prominent at this stage. But this change can be seen from mild to extreme. Some of them show extreme mood swings. Some become affectionate and like to stick to their master. Some get aggressive, and their obedient nature suddenly vanishes. They become more unpredictable at this time.

Tail Tucking

Tail tucking is another prominent feature of this stage. They either tuck the tail between their legs. This behavior can also be seen when they see another male dog near them. It is a common reaction to guard their Vulva at that time.

Change in Appetite

A sudden change in appetite is a prominent indication of the proestrus stage. There is nothing to worry about with your dog and to go off her food entirely at that time. Sometimes the contrary reaction can also be found. She may get hungrier than ever. Still, if it seems unusual, take note of the significant changes. You can show the note to the vet to better understand when the heat cycle has begun.

Psychological Signs

Some of the psychological changes found at that time are as follows- red/pinkish vaginal discharge, swollen Vulva, development of ovarian follicles, and a peak in the level of estrogen.

The Estrus Stage

Unlike the proestrus stage, the female dog opens her up for mating in the estrus stage. At that time, she will automatically follow her breeding instincts. The fertility rate was the highest at that time. Eggs are released from her ovaries for fertilization. So naturally, she is most willing to meet the male dogs. Some indications, like raising her rear part towards the male dogs, can be seen to attract her partner. This stage can last 3-17 days. From this stage, the actual breeding process may start.

Flirting

As she is willing to meet her male companion, she behaves almost flirtatiously. Previously tucked her tail to keep away her male companion, but now she invited them with her body posture. Sometimes she turns her rear towards her male partner. Sometimes she holds the tail high up and out of the way. All these are the signs that she is willing to mate.

Vaginal Discharge

The vaginal bleeding or discharge proestrus stage now lightens in the estrus stage. Previously it was bright red, but now it has changed to be around pink. The quantity also lessens with time.

Softened Vulva

Previously, the swollen Vulva subdues with time. At this stage, it is softened enough as her body is ready for penetration.

Psychological Signs

Some of the psychological changes that can be found in the estrus stage are something like: more friendly behavior towards other male dogs, showing aggressive behavior towards other female dogs, increased quantity of progesterone, and decreased quantity of estrogen.

The Diestrus Stage

A female dog’s heat cycle ends in the diestrus stage. The excitement of the previous stages decreases with time. If their bitch has already been impregnated, this stage can last long until her puppies are born. In this case, the stage length can be up to 60 days.

Less Flirting

Now, the female dogs have become less excited. Female dogs’ willingness to get mingled with a male partner also lacks. Now she is no longer interested in flirting. Whether she is impregnated or not, this gesture is seen in every dog at the end of her eating cycle.

The Disappearance of Swollen Vulva

The vulva part is most swollen at the proestrus stage. At the diestrus stage, swelling is mostly gone. It takes around one week to minimize the swollen part. However, in some cases, it can remain slightly enlarged up to the end of this stage.

Psychological Signs

There are several psychological changes in this cycle, like ceasing of flirting or inviting behavior, becoming less excited, normal behavior starts to regain, stopping flirting indications, and disappearance of vaginal discharge.

The Anestrus Stage

The anestrus stage is the longest stage of the heat cycle of a female dog. This stage is also known as the resting stage. No excitement or inviting behavior is shown at that time. This stage lasts from 100 to 150 days. The behavior of the female dog gets utterly ordinary at that time. At the end of this stage, the heat cycle starts again.

Psychological Signs

Here, we can notice a few psychological changes like normalized behavior, regular diet starts, aggressive decreases, and Vulva comes to its shape.

After estrus, a serious unexpected problem called pyometra can happen. Pyometra is a disease of the uterus. Signs incorporate discharge-like release from the Vulva. Since this condition can be hazardous, your dog should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

What are the Indications that a Female Dog is in Heat?

By seeing some psychological and physical gestures of your female dog, you can get to know when she is in heat. As a female dog owner, you should get well-versed in these signs. After entering into the heat cycle, her behavior changes a lot suddenly. Some common indications for a female dog when in heat can be as follows

Attractiveness Towards Male Dogs

In the heat cycle, especially in the proestrus and estrus stages, the female dog is most attracted to a male dog. If she sees any male dog nearby, she can show some indications of flirting. She raises her rear part towards his direction and swings her tail out of the way. Sometimes they can escape from the house to search for their male partner.

Urination

Frequent urination is another sign of a female dog in heat. Female dogs frequently urinate even though their bladder isn’t complete. Especially when a female dog sees a male dog nearby, this tendency increases. Sometimes your female pet dog automatically urinates even in the house though she can not see any male dog nearby.

Aggressiveness & Anxiety

Female dogs in heat discharge mating hormones. That is why some kind of aggressiveness can be prominent in their behavior. They get active and show attacking behavior. In contrast, they may also become lethargic because of the extreme discharge of hormones.

Vaginal Discharges

The vaginal discharge or release in the proestrus stage, presently reduced in the estrus stage. Already it was radiant red, yet presently it changes to associate with pink. The amount likewise decreases with time. It is a very prominent sign of their mating season. They like to clean themselves up at that time because of this vaginal discharge. It occurs as their Vulva swells up that time.

Repetitive Genital Licking

A female dog is prone to keep herself clean. At that time, she cleans her genital parts again and again. It is one type of indication that she is in heat. That type of behavior is evident in the estrus and proestrus stages.

Licking Her Private Parts more than Expected

When a female unspayed dog licks her private parts, it signifies that she may be in heat. It happens because her Vulva swells up at that time. It is a natural and automatic behavior she shows. It also happens because of the vaginal discharges that were pretty normal then. So to keep herself clean and mating-ready, she keeps licking her genital parts.

Changed Tail Position and Posture

When a female dog in heat enters the estrus stage, its physical posture and tail position change. They are ready for mating at that time, and their bodily posture is suggestive and indicative of that. At that time, they raise their rear part and tail slightly and move it out of the way. It is an invitation gesture for her male companion. This posture becomes even more prominent when she is touched.

Prone to Self-Grooming

Around then, the dogs are more inclined to keep themselves clean. Accordingly, they are more interested in self-prepping and cleaning, so they continue to lick their vagina to clean out discharges. It is one sign of getting an opening for mating.

Humping and Mounting

The female dogs are more aroused at that time. So a kind of aggressive behavior is found in their nature. Mounting, humping, or thrusting are some kinds of activities they show when they are ready to mate. But these do not only happen in front of male dogs. She is ready to mount or hump female or male dogs or other objects she has mistaken for dogs. It is one of the most prominent signs of heating.

Desire to Escape

A female dog is particularly desperate to seek a mate in the estrus stage. So she recklessly follows her instincts and tries to find a male companion. In this process, she sometimes goes out of the house or escapes from the backyard to be mingled with her partner. So when your dog is in heat, always keep an eye on her or use a microchip to know about her vacation.

Self-Grooming

At that time, the dogs are more prone to keep themselves clean. As a result, they show more interest in self-grooming and cleaning, so they keep on licking their vagina to wash out discharges. It is one indication of getting an opening for mating.

Mood Swings

Strange behavior is expected when the female dog is in heat. They sometimes grow too aggressive or active and sometimes wholly lethargic. You can suddenly observe that your obedient and bubbly furry friend goes extremely rude and arrogant. Mood swings are also prevalent at this stage. It mainly happens because of the discharge of mating hormones.

Extremely Affectionate Behavior

At the time of the heart stage, the female dog begs for physical affection and pampering. Female dogs sometimes grow moody, and the owner is always around them. They might think this behavior will initiate if they are ‘sexually available to their male companions. They require initiating a petting session sometimes. At that time, they discharge hormones, more specifically pheromones, to attract other male dogs. Getting attention from them is another part of their affectionate behavior.

Swollen Vulva

The main sign of the heat cycle, mainly the proestrus stage, starts with enlarging the Vulva. However, enlargement depends on one dog to another. They were bleeding at that specific time. However, in the initial days bleeding slightly; at the mid-week, they bleed heavier. However, the amount of bleeding likewise changes. From the estrus stage, the amount of bleeding starts to decrease. At the anestrus stage, it completely ceases.

Enlarged Nipples

At the start of the heat cycle, her nipples will grow. It is an obvious sign of their physical changes at this stage. After the heat cycle ends, nipples could set aside some margin to get back to standard size.

Extreme Wag Tail

Another observable behavior for the female dog is wagging the tail excessively. It occurs at the estrus stage mainly. It is a physical posture where they wag their tail excessively and unusually. This behavior is more prominent when she sees male dogs around. It is a type of flirting-like behavior which is an invitation sign for physical contact.

Challenges Female Dogs Face in Heat

Some of the significant challenges that dog owners face for unspayed female dogs are tough to handle. Intact female dogs are more difficult to maintain than neutered ones. The challenges that a female dog owner can face when the dog is in heat are as follows:

• Some dogs may get injured while escaping or mixing with other dogs during their heat time.
• They are hard to handle at that time. Restlessness significantly increases at night.
• The problem of blood stains and drippings all over the house is a real mess. Some dogs do not like to get friendlier with diapers, so the dog owners may feel it hectic to clean over and over again.
• In multi-dog households, the risk of undesired mingling cab happens.
• Some dog boarding facilities are unwilling to give services to unspayed female dogs.
• If they give services sometimes, they charge higher prices to keep them.
• The female dog in heat should always be kept under watch as they can escape at any time from the house.

What Age Female Dogs First Go Into Heat?

Female dogs first experience their heat cycle at puberty. It is the time when they get sexually mature. It also means they are capable of reproducing. First, the heat cycle happens when they are around six months old. But this may vary according to the species.

For example, smaller breeds first experience their estrus cycle earlier. Whereas the larger breeds first experience it around 18-24 months.

The heat cycle can hit female dogs at any time of the year- no specific season exists. However, Tibetan Mastiffs and Basenjis go in their heat cycle in spring. To know about the heat cycle, you can ask the breeder. Know from then when this breed goes into the heat cycle for the first time. It’ll give you an idea of when your dog can face this stage for the first time.

How Long Do Female Dogs Stay in Heat?

The first two stages of the heat cycle, i.e., the proestrus and the estrus stage, can last for 2-4 weeks. However, the time may vary from dog to dog when the cycle begins. It initiates with the swelling up of the Vulva and ends with returning to standard size. If the diff gets pregnant, the period may last long until the birth of her puppies. The anestrus stage is the resting stage or an intermediate period between two heat cycles.

Menstrual Cycle Vs. Heat Cycle

In puberty, female dogs go through the menstrual cycle. At that time, they discharge unfertilized ovum and blood through the vagina. But in the heat cycle, they also bleed at the initial stage. But it is a sign of female dogs’ receptiveness that they are willing to mate. This time also they go through blood and vaginal discharges.

How Often Do Female Dogs Face This Stage?

Female dogs go onto the stage every six months or twice a year. But the frequency may vary and depend on the breed. The frequency is higher for the smaller breeds. Sometimes this circle may seem irregular for the larger dogs when they first experience it.

How to Treat Your Dog in Heat?

You should be patient while treating your dog in heat. There is nothing to panic about. You can apply some of the simple steps given below to tame them-

Keep Under Supervision

Always keep the female dogs under vigilance when entering the heat cycle. They are prone to escaping. Sometimes they get injured in excitement. So keep an eye on them constantly.

Do Not Leave Them Outside

If you do not want your dog to reproduce, do not leave them outside alone. If you are taking your female pet dog out, control them with a leash.

Have a Balance Between Rest and Exercise

As the dogs are naturally active, you can pause exercises at this stage. Their discharges may increase with exercise so that you can maintain a balance between rest and exercise.

Give Menthol on The Tip of Tail

The female dog in heat discharges smell to attract male dogs. So if you have multiple dogs in your house or want to take your dog outside, you can use menthol on the tip of the tail. It reduces the smell, and the male dogs can not identify them from their smell.

Keep Sanitary Supplies Ready

Keep diapers and other sanitary it’s ready to clean them. There are several sanitary items available in the market. These are easy to use and wash. Keep these supplies ready. And most importantly, make your dog used to such tools.

Register Your Dog’s Microchip

As the dogs are prone to escaping at that time, you can use a microchip to detect them. But notice previously if these chips are working or updated. You can easily find your dog from these chips if they escape anyhow.

Control Interactions

With Other Dogs at Your Home: If you do not want your dog to reproduce now, control their unwanted interaction with other dogs: especially at that time. This problem is evident for those who have several dogs in their home.

How to Take a Caring Measure For a Dog in Heat?

Some of the caring measures that you should take at that time are as follows:

• Sanitation (use heat pants).

• During the heat cycle, the dogs may get very unpredictable. Their mood changes frequently, and they can even escape from the house. So try to avoid such dangerous situations by keeping them under watch.

• You can use a microchip or GPS tracking device to detect or find your dog.

• Provide your dog with a heat cycle in a comfortable atmosphere. It reduces their chances of anxiety and extreme aggressiveness.

• Enrichment

What Are Preventive Measures For Unwanted Dog Pregnancy?

If you do not want your dog’s unwanted pregnancy, use some preventive measures.

• Be aware until your dog stops discharges. There may be some noticeable discharge.
• Please keep your dog under watch or use a leash, especially when taking her out. She may not always be obedient at that time.
• The dogs in the heat cycle may get aggressive excessively. It happens particularly for male dogs when a female dog is in heat nearby. So be very careful at that time.
• Do not let out your dog alone in the open space or yards.

False Pregnancy vs. Real Pregnancy

Shockingly, actual changes might also influence dogs with false pregnancy. Some might face side effects emphatically suggesting a genuine pregnancy, for example, weight gain, stomach expanding, settling, tenacity to the proprietor, and, surprisingly, vaginal releases.

Dogs that become pregnant will display signs and ways of behaving intently that look like false pregnancy. Undoubtedly, it is frequently challenging to differentiate the two except if a veterinarian is offered the chance to test the dogs for pregnancy.

Conclusion

The heat cycle for a female dog is a natural process, but it can be stressful for the owners to maintain their behavioral changes. So spaying your dog can help if you do not want to breed your dog. Consult your vet for more fruitful advice.

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