What do you need to know about heat in dogs?

What is heat?

Heat is the period in which the female dog is fertile and can therefore become pregnant after mating. The heat, also called estrus, lasts on average 3 weeks and can be divided into different phases:

• The proestrus: this is the first period of heat and lasts on average 9 days, but can vary from a few days to 2 weeks. In this phase you see the external changes to your dog, so swelling of the vulva and bloody discharge. However, she will not be mated during this period.
• The estrus: This is also called the real heat, or fertile period with ovulation. This again takes an average of 9 days, with a spread of up to 2 weeks. In this phase, the dog will also be willing to be mated by a male, so make sure to pay attention!
• The metestrus: In this phase, the female does not want to mate anymore and the actual heat is now over. Your dog may be pregnant now, or falsely pregnant. During this period, the progesterone level is high, in both a pregnant and non-pregnant dog. Any female that has not mated will therefore become falsely pregnant because the hormonal course of a non-pregnant female dog is very similar to that of a female dog that is pregnant. It is actually a natural process, which used to be intended to have the other female dogs in a pack help suckle the puppies of the alpha female. One female dog also shows this pseudopregnancy in the behaviour, the other does not. Your female dog can clearly be calmer during this period with less appetite. Some dogs really start dragging stuffed animals and can even start producing milk. This period lasts on average 2 months.
• Anestrus: This is the rest period between 2 heats. This period can be very different in length between different dogs. For dogs that go into heat every six months, this period lasts 2 months, for dogs that only go into heat once a year or even less, this period can last up to 10 months.

When will my dog ​​first go into heat?

The moment when your female dog first comes into heat differs a lot between dogs. Most dogs go into heat before they are a year old. However, there are exceptions. Especially with larger dog breeds, it can take up to 18 months for the first heat to occur. If your dog has not been in heat before 2 years of age, it is wise to have her checked by your vet.

After the first heat, a dog goes into heat on average 1 to 2 times a year. Unlike humans, female dogs will go into heat all their lives. There is no menopause in dogs. However, fertility will decrease as the female dog gets older. Health problems may arise later in life, but more about this later.

How do I recognize heat in my dog?

The body changes, but so does the behaviour! The vulva swells and you often see bloody discharge. If your dog is very clean and bathes herself a lot, you may find that you hardly find any blood.

You often notice that your dog is more restless, sometimes even moody. She is also often more easily distracted. She often becomes very attractive to other dogs, especially males. She may also urinate more often, which can make it look like she has a bladder infection.

What should I do during the heat?

So keep in mind that your dog can show different behaviour during the heat. She may be more distracted and unsettled by her hormones. So she might not listen as well, so it is wise to keep your dog on a leash. You run the risk of her running away. Also, try to avoid off-leash areas. There is a good chance that males will harass your dog. It may therefore also be necessary to adjust the walking times to avoid encountering many other dogs along the way.

If your dog bleeds a lot, it can be useful to put on heat pants. This can also help to give off less odour. Change the dog bed and blankets regularly.

Can I prevent heat in my dog?

The safest way to prevent your dog from going into heat is to sterilise your dog. This is a procedure that removes your dog’s ovaries. In principle, the uterus will remain in place, unless it looks abnormal.

The advantages of sterilisation are that your dog no longer comes into heat and can therefore no longer be mated or become falsely pregnant. In addition, you have less chance of mammary gland tumors and other health problems in your dog, such as uterine inflammation and diabetes at a later age under the influence of the hormones.

There are also hormonal preparations to prevent heat, such as the contraceptive injection. However, this has so much risk of side effects that this is not the normal advice.

What should I do if my dog has mated?

If your dog has been mated inadvertently, then pregnancy can be prevented with the help of injections. In that case, 2 injections should be given 24 hours apart. It is recommended to give these injections within 20 days after the mating, otherwise, abortion needs to happen.

Do you have any questions about heat in a dog? Please contact veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk