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Although the heat period is an entirely natural process for female dogs, irritation at stains on the new carpet, fear of an unwanted pregnancy or their pet’s strange behaviour can cause many dog owners to worry. Find out here everything you need to know about your female dog’s heat period and how you can both overcome this without any stress.
Many dog owners consider the heat period of their female dog akin to running the gauntlet. They barricade themselves indoors, avoid long walks in the park where many male dogs “lie in wait” and cover beds and upholstered furniture with old sheets in a state of panic in order to avoid ugly stains. After all, furniture is expensive and most domestic dog owners can probably do without a pregnancy. Relax though: with a few tips and tricks, you can get through this phase without any problems and have no need to fear unwanted offspring. As is so often the case, the better informed you are about how the heat period works and the changes it will provoke in your dog, the less hassle this time will prove for you.
The heat period describes the fertile phase (mating season) in the oestrous cycle of female dogs. This changes their body, hormone distribution and their behaviour. This natural process affects all female dogs that have reached puberty.
As with us humans, the onset of puberty and the related start of sexual maturity is highly variable with dogs too. When the heat period commences for the first time differs from dog to dog. The dog being of adult age and having reached its full size are decisive factors for the timing of the first period. Whilst small dogs enter heat for the first time as early as six months in age, large-breed dogs often only reach this phase once they are 12 months in age, since they reach adulthood much later. The duration of the heat period is just as variable as the time puberty is reached. Small-breed dogs can be in hear every four months, whilst prototype dogs like Basnejis, Thai Ridgebacks or Dingos only go through heat once a year.
Even though the timing and duration of the heat period are very different, the mating season follows the same pattern with all female dogs. The heat period can be divided into four phases:
The female’s first heat phase during puberty doesn’t usually stick to this fixed sequence. It’s not uncommon for there to be a so-called “quiet heat period” the first time round, in which no external indicators such as discharge can be recognised despite hormonal changes. Hence, it can be the case that the dog owner has no idea whatsoever that its female dog is in heat for the first time. For instance, this often occurs with breeds such as the Beagle, American Staffordshire Terrier, Cocker Spaniel or Miniature Pinschers.
Even so-called “split oestrus” for young females is not uncommon. Here typical signs of the heat phase such as discharge first come about during the pre-oestrus phase, but don’t lead into the oestrus phase during which the dog is fertile. Instead, they initially subside completely. The female only shows fresh signs of pre-oestrus again after a few days or weeks, and this is then followed by oestrus.
If the heat phase fails to materialise for an adult female, this can be caused by an interruption in ovarian function or adrenal gland hyperactivity. In this case, you should get your dog examined by a vet to be on the safe side. The same applies when the heat phase goes on for an extremely long time, such as the bloody discharge or willingness to reproduce lasting longer than three weeks or the heat period being shortened, meaning that pre-oestrus and oestrus last less than ten days in total.
In contrast to us humans, dogs don’t go through the menopause, as there is no period in which menstruation does not occur. Hence, female dogs will be in heat for the rest of their life. However, some females that are older than seven years in age only go through the heat phase once a year. The heat intervals can also be extended in old age – but they do not disappear entirely.
A female dog’s fertile period generally lasts five to seven days, but since the transitions from phase to phase are fluid, the “heat days” can’t always be precisely pinpointed. An indication is the change in the colour of the blood from dark red to a light, watery discharge. This doesn’t give 100% certainty though, since there are also female dogs that reproduce despite their blood being dark red. A further possible way of recognising the fertile period is to test tolerance reflexes. During standing heat, females indulge males, raise their tail to the side and the vulva gently rises. If you tickle the area between the vagina and anus, this reflex can be detected – however, it is no crystal-clear signal, as there are also female dogs that react to this reflex outside the heat period.
Only a vet can give you precise information on the fertile period by determining the moment of ovulation. If you find out once after how many days of pre-oestrus actual oestrus itself starts, it will be at the same time for future heat periods. It’s important that you recognise when exactly pre-oestrus has started, because only this way can you count the days until oestrus.
Even if you can’t pinpoint your dog entering oestrous to the day, there are a few signs to indicate that the heat phase is underway. Caution should be exercised at the very latest when bleeding becomes more watery and your female dog remains standing when males attempt to make a pass. In this situation, you generally still have enough time to separate the two dogs from one another. Very few males pounce on the female straight away, but instead begin with “foreplay”. However, there are of course others that get down to business quickly – in such cases, your timely intervention is required. Order your female dog to sit and stand behind her. Hold the male dog at a distance and wait until its owner takes it away on its lead.
In order to avoid such stressful situations from the outset, you should be aware of a few things during the heat phase. Go out for walks at times when there are as few dogs around as possible and avoid parks or open spaces where you know there are lots of dog running around (off the lead). Only let your female off her lead during the heat phase if she follows you faithfully and put the lead back on as soon as another dog approaches you. As well, try to distract her on walks with intensive games. At home, ensure that the love-crazed dogs in your neighbourhood have a hard time entering your property. You’re best off keeping the house doors and garden gates closed.
These are dog nappies that females can wear during the heat period. This is recommended if they bleed heavily during pre-oestrus and red stains cannot be avoided despite their innate self-cleaning ritual. Caution: these nappies are not a chastity belt and cannot prevent pregnancy.
In order to do without the stress of the heat period, nowadays many dog owners seize the opportunity get their pet spayed. In contrast to sterilisation, where the female dog will no longer be able to have any offspring but the hormonal changes of the cycle continue, spaying avoids the heat period entirely. There are definitely some advantages for such medical intervention: females often become calmer, stop bleeding and the risk of certain types of tumours and cancers, such as uterine cancer, is significantly reduced.
However, there is another side of the story too: spayed dogs often suffer from obesity and the danger of urinary incontinence in old age. An altered fur structure is a side-effect for Cocker Spaniels and Irish Setters after spaying, which leads to the fur felting more and requiring more maintenance. Before you decide to get your female dog spayed, you should closely weigh up the advantages and disadvantages and take advice from your breeder or vet.
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Although the heat period is an entirely natural process for female dogs, irritation at stains on the new carpet, fear of an unwanted pregnancy or their pet's strange behaviour can cause many dog owners to worry. Find out here everything you need to know about your female dog's heat period and how you can both overcome this without any stress.
