My Dog Is in Heat: Now What?

If your female dog has not been spayed, she will eventually experience a heat cycle. For first time pet owners, seeing a swollen vulva or spots of blood around the house can be surprising, but in most cases, these are completely normal parts of a dog’s reproductive cycle.

Knowing what to expect can make the next few weeks much easier for both you and your dog.

What Does It Mean When a Dog Is “in Heat”?

A heat cycle, also called an estrous cycle, is the period when a female dog’s body is preparing for reproduction and she can become pregnant.

Most dogs experience their first heat around 6 months of age, but there is a lot of variation. Smaller breeds may begin earlier, while large and giant breeds may not experience their first heat until 18 months of age or even later.

Once they begin cycling, many dogs go into heat approximately twice a year, although frequency varies by breed and individual dog.

What Are the Signs That My Dog Is in Heat?

The first sign many owners notice is swelling of the vulva or small spots of blood or discharge on their dog’s bedding, furniture, or floor. However, every dog is different, and some dogs have much more noticeable signs than others.

Common signs that your dog may be entering her heat cycle include:

• Swelling of the vulva
• Bloody or blood tinged vaginal discharge
• Increased licking of the genital area
• More frequent urination or marking
• Increased attention from male dogs
• Behavioral changes such as restlessness, clinginess, distraction, or irritability

The discharge often begins noticeably bloody and becomes lighter, thinner, or more pinkish as the cycle progresses.

Some dogs keep themselves very clean, so you may see little or no discharge around the house. In those cases, vulvar swelling, increased licking, changes in behavior, or sudden interest from male dogs may be the first clues you notice.

How Long Does a Heat Cycle Last?

For most dogs, expect the noticeable portion of the heat cycle to last approximately 2 to 3 weeks.

Every dog is different, though, and both the duration of the cycle and the amount of discharge can vary.

What Can I Do About the Bleeding?

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and yes, dog diapers are absolutely an option!

Disposable and reusable dog diapers designed specifically for female dogs can help contain discharge and protect your floors, bedding, and furniture.  However, please note that wearing a diaper increases the chance of a urinary tract infection (UTI) if the diaper is not managed properly.

If you choose to use one:

• Make sure the diaper fits comfortably without being too tight.
• Change the diaper regularly to keep the area clean and dry. This generally means every 3 to 4 hours, or immediately if the diaper becomes wet or dirty.
• Keep the skin and vulva clean when needed. During diaper changes, you can use unscented, pet safe wipes to gently clean the area. Unscented baby wipes can also be used, but they must be completely free of fragrances, alcohol, and essential oils. Always wipe away from the urethra and vulva toward the anus to avoid moving bacteria into the urinary tract.
• If your dog will be wearing diapers consistently throughout her heat cycle, we recommend to use wipes specifically formulated for dogs. Human skin is more acidic than dog skin. Human skin has a pH of around 5.5, while dog skin is more neutral, generally around 6.5 to 7.5. Although high quality unscented baby wipes can work in a pinch, using them repeatedly for many days can disrupt your dog’s natural skin barrier. This can make it easier for bacteria to grow and may increase the risk of infection.
• Give your dog regular breaks from the diaper when appropriate to allow the area to remain clean, dry, and exposed to air.
• Watch for redness, irritation, or excessive licking, which may indicate that the skin is becoming irritated.
• Supervise your dog while she is wearing a diaper, especially if she likes to chew or remove things she is wearing.

Some owners prefer washable diapers with replaceable liners or pads, while others find disposable diapers more convenient. Either option is fine as long as your dog is comfortable and the diaper is changed regularly.

Important: A Diaper Does NOT Prevent Pregnancy

A dog diaper is a sanitary product, not birth control.

An intact male can still mate with a female wearing a diaper, so do not rely on one to prevent an accidental pregnancy.

Can I Still Walk My Dog?

Absolutely, but you will want to take some extra precautions.

Keep your dog on a leash at all times while she is in heat, even if she normally has excellent recall. Hormonal changes can affect behavior, and male dogs may be attracted to her scent from surprisingly far away.

During her heat cycle, we recommend:

• Avoiding dog parks and doggy daycare
• Avoiding interactions with intact male dogs
• Keeping her leashed during walks
• Choosing quieter walking areas when possible
• Supervising her closely whenever she is outside

Even a fenced backyard is not necessarily enough protection. An intact male who detects a female in heat can be remarkably determined, so we recommend not leaving a dog in heat unattended outside.

If you have an intact male dog in the household, the two dogs should be securely separated throughout her heat cycle.

When Can My Dog Get Pregnant?

There is not a reliable way for an owner to determine the exact fertile window simply by looking at the amount or color of discharge.

A dog’s fertility changes throughout her heat cycle, and the timing can vary considerably between individual dogs. Importantly, lighter bleeding does not mean the risk of pregnancy has passed. In fact, discharge often becomes lighter as a dog enters the more fertile portion of her cycle.

For that reason, the safest approach is to treat your dog as potentially fertile throughout her heat cycle and keep her completely separated from intact males.

If an accidental mating occurs, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

How Can I Keep Her Comfortable?

Most dogs do not require any special medical treatment during a normal heat cycle.

Try to maintain her usual routine while paying attention to what she seems to want. Some dogs become more affectionate and seek additional attention, while others may be restless or prefer a little more space.

Regular leash walks, enrichment activities, toys, and quiet time at home can all help keep her comfortable.

When Should I Call My Veterinarian?

A heat cycle itself should not make your dog seriously ill.

Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about unusually heavy or abnormal discharge, significant discomfort, or any other changes that do not seem typical for your dog.

It is also important to continue watching your dog after her heat cycle has ended. Intact female dogs can develop a serious uterine infection called pyometra, which commonly develops in the weeks following a heat cycle.

Seek veterinary care promptly if an intact female develops symptoms such as:

• Lethargy or unusual weakness
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Increased thirst or urination
• Abdominal swelling
• Foul smelling, pus like, or otherwise abnormal vaginal discharge

Pyometra can become life threatening and requires prompt veterinary treatment.

What About Spaying?

Spaying prevents future heat cycles and unwanted pregnancies and eliminates the risk of pyometra.

However, there is not necessarily one ideal spay age for every dog. Breed, size, age, lifestyle, and individual health considerations can all play a role in deciding when to schedule the procedure.

If your dog is currently in heat, your veterinarian will typically recommend waiting until the heat cycle has completely ended before scheduling her spay. As a general guideline, a spay can often be scheduled approximately 3 to 4 weeks after the heat cycle has ended. This gives the reproductive tissues and associated blood supply time to return closer to their normal state.

The appropriate timing can vary from dog to dog, so it is always best to talk with your veterinarian about when to schedule your dog’s procedure.

The Bottom Line

Your dog’s first heat can seem intimidating, but for most dogs, it is simply a normal stage of development.

Expect approximately 2 to 3 weeks of physical and behavioral changes, use a dog diaper if you would like help keeping the house clean, and be especially careful about preventing contact with intact male dogs.

And remember, the diaper protects your couch, not your dog from pregnancy!

If you have questions about your dog’s heat cycle, spaying, or anything that does not seem normal, the team at Cali’s Cottage Veterinary Hospital is always happy to help.