Female dogs experience their first heat cycle between four and 15 months of ageThis time varies a lot by the dogs breed and size. Keep the Male Dogs Away.
Go out into the yard with your dog when shes in heat.
What to do when your dog is in heat. Spaying will prevent her from going into heat. There is some debate about when it is best to spay your bitch. Some veterinarians will advise to let a dog have one heat while others will spay as early as 6 months.
Ask your vet which course of action they think is right for your dog. If carpets do become soiled the PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner is a miracle worker thats affordable and small enough to fit in a coat closet. Keeping Your Dog Comfortable While In Heat.
Being in heat for the first time can be a confusing experience for your girl. Shes going to need extra love and attention. Strike a Balance Between Rest and Exercise.
Different dogs will react differently to being in heat. Some may feel restless and need a bit more exercise while some may feel tired most of the day. Its important to really observe your dogs behavior and offer the right amount of rest and exercise for her.
Here are some best practices. Use your phone or a paper calendar to track your dogs heat cycles. On your phone record the day your dogs heat cycle started and then set a reminder for 6 months in the future with a 1-week alert ahead of time so you know it is coming.
Protect your dog from male dogs and unwanted pregnancy. Go out into the yard with your dog when shes in heat. You might even consider using a leash.
Even if you consider your dog extremely well trained walking off-leash is a no-no when your dog is in heat. No obedience training is as strong as natural instincts. Handling a female dog in heat can be a stressful experience but there are a few things you can do to make your life easier when it happens.
Keep the Male Dogs Away. If you have both male and. Having a female dog in heat is a natural dog psychology fact but it can be stressful with all the behavioral changes and the cleaning up that you have to do.
Spaying your dog can help with this and it is probably one of the best ways to manage heat if you do not want to breed your dog. Consult your vet for more advice on spaying your female dog. Consider spaying your dog after her heat cycle is over.
If you have no plans to breed your dog consider waiting until after her heat cycle is over to spay her. Your veterinarian can advise you on the appropriate age to spay your pet and will likely recommend that you wait until she is finished with her estrus phase to spay her. To help keep life neat and tidy while your dog is in heat consider giving the fur around her genitals a trim.
The discharge your dog expels during her heat cycle can get caught in this fur and create a messy and matted mess. This is particularly true of long-haired breeds. How to Determine When to Breed Your Dog Image credit.
There are two ways to determine your dogs approximate ovulation cycle when shes in heat. Both involve taking your pup to the vet. First theres a blood test that your vet can do.
Second they can complete a vaginal cytology. You can make your dog come into heat faster with regular walks high quality food and exposure to male dogs. All can encourage heat to start.
Some breeders use unapproved artificial hormones such as PG 600 but this can be painful for the dog and lead to smaller litters and irregular natural cycles. However if your dog prefers to go au naturale covering furniture and keeping your dog to a certain room of the house may be necessary. Keep an Eye on Appetite.
Appetite changes are common when female dogs are in heat. While the majority of dogs will experience a decrease in appetite some may experience an increase Farricelli 2016. Whether your dog has a small.
According to Banfield Pet Hospital dogs in heat may also need to urinate more often so be sure to allow your dog more bathroom breaks than usual if this is the case with her. Dogs in heat may also be a little more anxious or nervous during this time so keep an eye out for any triggers and offer her as much quiet serenity and structure as possible. If your dogs first heat cycle hasnt come at around 8 months of age but you dont see any signs of sickness dont worry.
However if your dog hasnt had her first heat and she appears off in any way its a good idea to take her in to. The Dog Heat Cycle. Female dogs experience their first heat cycle between four and 15 months of ageThis time varies a lot by the dogs breed and size.
Typically dogs average two heat cycles a year each about six months apartIts the only time in. What You Can Do When Your Dog Is In Heat Have Sanitary Supplies Ready. When your dog begins to have discharge during her proestrus and estrus phases having wearable heat pants or diaper can help keep your home clean.
Every dogs flow is different and is often heavier and more bloody in the beginning.