Your new female pup is playful, sweet, adorable and—unspayed! Does that mean that she’s going to have periods? When will they start and how often can you expect them? And, when it is your girl’s time of the month, what can you or her doting Pet Sitter do to keep her comfortable?
Here is everything you need to know about canine estrus!
The basics of your dog’s estrus cycle
The reproductive cycle in dogs contains four phases:
- Proestrus. This is the first phase of your dog’s cycle and is characterised by a swelling of the vulva as well as vaginal discharge that contains blood. This is the phase that we’re referring to when we talk about dog periods, even though it’s quite different from human menstruation. And it typically lasts between 7 and 10 days
- Estrus. This is the time period when your dog will be in heat and ready to mate. Bleeding tends to cease during the estrus phase, which lasts anywhere from 5 days to three weeks
- Diestrus and anestrus. Unspayed dogs spend most of the year in these phases, when they are no longer receptive to mating and are gearing up for their next proestrus and estrus phases. During diestrus and anestrus, the vulva returns to its normal size and there should be no vaginal discharge
How often does a dog go into estrus?
You might have noticed that we don’t use the term menstruation when it comes to dogs. And that’s because the biggest difference between canine estrus and human menstruation is timing. Unlike menstruation, which takes its name from the Greek word for monthly or moon, dog reproductive cycles only happen about twice per year. Every doggo is different, though, so some may go into estrus more or less frequently.
Breed is a big factor when it comes to predicting how often your dog enters their reproductive cycle, with small breeds having more frequent estrus cycles. Large and giant dog breeds, such as the Irish Wolfhound or St. Bernard, may only go into heat once per year.
At what age do dogs have their first heat?
Because dogs mature so quickly, it will feel like your furbaby has gone from a wrinkly ball of fluff to a full-grown dog in a blink of an eye! And, as soon as it feels like you’re getting used to the puppy phase, guess what? Your puppy is just about to hit puberty!
Small and medium sized dogs tend to go into their first heat around 6 months old, although this can be as early as 4 months. For larger breed dogs, females will have their first heat somewhere around 6 to 8 months, with giant breeds reaching sexual maturity as late as 18 to 24 months.
Remember that every dog is different! As long as your female furry friend has been cleared as healthy by your vet, you don’t have to worry about her being a bit late (or early) to her first heat.
Do you have to wait until after your dog’s first heat to desex her?
For many years, it was common for Dog Owners to wait until after their dog’s first period to spay their pet. But according to the RSPCA and other dog experts, it’s now considered safe to desex a female dog before she reaches puberty. This is good news for Dog Owners who are unsure about how to care for their dog during estrus or who live in close proximity to intact male dogs.
Of course, it’s still a good idea to check with your vet to see whether they would recommend waiting.
What can you expect when your female dog goes into heat?
As a Dog Owner, there are a few changes that you can expect when your dog goes into her estrus cycle.
On the one hand, you’ll likely notice the physical evidence. As we mentioned, proestrus is characterised by a swelling of the vulva and your dog’s version of having a period. While your dog will do her best to keep herself clean, you may notice spotting or staining around the house.
There are also a few behavioural changes you can expect when your dog goes into heat. Some female dogs, for instance, experience personality changes that have to do with finding a mate. You might notice increases in your dog’s energy levels, appetite, vocalisations, and excitement around other dogs. She may also urinate more often as a way to spread mate-attracting pheromones. Many female dogs also become more aggressive or irritable during estrus, even if she is otherwise a sociable, sweet pup.
Overall, it will be fairly obvious when your dog has entered her first heat! If you’re not sure, you can always take her into the vet to confirm.
How can you help your dog during her canine period?
The estrus cycle can be a challenging time for your dog, as she experiences rapid and sometimes uncomfortable bodily changes. Here are a few tips that you can try to make her feel more comfortable (and keep her from an unexpected pregnancy!):
- Desensitise her to doggy diapers. You may want to protect your home from spotting by fitting your pup with doggy diapers or pupper period pants. But, your dog will likely be less than enthusiastic if you force her into them while she’s already going through so many changes. Instead, introduce these garments weeks beforehand so that your dog can feel comfortable when it’s actually time for her to wear them. Start off with a few minutes at a time and reward your pup with tasty treats and positive praise
- Make sure she has access to fresh water. Because your dog will feel driven to urinate more during this time, make sure that she stays hydrated. You may also want to schedule in more frequent potty breaks so that your furry friend isn’t tempted to mark her territory inside
- Talk to your vet about her increased appetite. Thanks to the hormonal changes taking place in the body, some dogs experienced increased hunger during estrus. Talk to your vet about whether they would recommend giving your dog more food during this time
- Keep a close eye on her outside. When you do go out with a dog in heat, be ready to stay vigilant! With increased aggression and a drive to mate, you might find that your dog is unpredictable and a bit difficult to manage during this time! Instead of taking her to the dog park or dog beach, opt for walks in the neighbourhood or less crowded areas. A dedicated Dog Walker can be a huge help during this time, as long as they know that your dog is in heat so they can care for her appropriately
- Be patient with your pup! Dog Owners are often surprised to see such a drastic change in their formerly angelic pup. And while some aspects of estrus can be challenging or frustrating, try to be as understanding as possible with your dog! In just a few weeks, she’ll be back to her normal self. In the meantime, give her a few extra chin scratches and treats. She’ll appreciate it!
