I adopted a dog about 11 weeks ago. She is a former dog walking client, so I had seen her with diapers on in the past, but I have never experienced the symptoms associated with the heat cycle.
Lately, I have noticed that she seems a bit “off”. usually, she is a happy, energetic girl. She is always affectionate, but for the past few days she has been going back and forth between family members and even other animals in the house, looking for pets, cuddles and kisses. She is even happy to just lean on us.
This morning, she wandered off to be alone in her bed in a dark room. It suddenly occurred to me that she may be in heat. As this is new for me and I want to make her as comfortable as possible, I delved into learning everything I can about what happens to a dog when she is in heat.
I am neither a veterinarian nor a medical professional. The information in this article has been researched and sourced at the end of the post if required. All safety and medical issues or questions regarding your pet’s health or symptoms should always be brought to the attention of your veterinarian for clarification, assessment, advice and treatment.
The 4 Stages of Heat for Dogs
There are four stages of the heat cycle, each lasting several days to several months. Here is how it breaks down and what you will see in your dog.
Stage 1
Proestrus – The first stage lasts about 7 to 10 days. During this time your dog will show signs of being in heat, but may not begin bleeding until the later end of this stage. You will notice that your dog’s vulva is swollen and she will likely be licking at it frequently to clean any discharge. She may need to pee more often or begin marking (short pee stops to leave her scent) along your walks. Sometimes this can happen in the house as well. Try taking her out more frequently to avoid it happening in the home.
Stage 2
Estrus – This is the second stage where she is at her peak mating time. During this time there will be bleeding, but over the 5 to 9 days that this stage usually lasts, the bleeding may taper off or even stop completely. The amount of bleeding varies from dog to dog, with larger dogs tending to bleed more. NOTE: If you are concerned that there is too much bleeding, if there are clots, or if the bleeding lasts beyond the expected amount of time, you should take her to the vet. These could be signs of underlying problems and should be looked into.
Even if the bleeding stops the discharge will continue but may change to a yellowish color. Your dog will continue licking to clean the blood and discharge from the vulva. Emotionally, she will still be dealing with elevated and fluctuating hormones. At times she may seem needy. Other times she may seem aggressive around male dogs, and sometimes, she may even seem sad.
Stage 3
Diestrus – The third stage of the heat cycle is where your dog’s fertile stage comes to an end. She is no longer bleeding or experiencing any discharge. Physically, the vulva returns to its normal size. Your dog will no longer be constantly licking herself. The emotional swings should begin to subside.
Stage 4
Anestrus – This is the fourth stage which lasts several weeks. You will not notice any physical or emotional symptoms during this time, but internally, her hormone levels are leveling off and her body is returning to its normal state. Her mood and temperament will return to her pre-heat state.
How You Can Help With the Emotional and Physical Changes When Your Dog is in Heat
Emotional Changes Will Affect Your Dog’s Mood When She is in Heat
During the four stages, there are a lot of hormonal changes. As they elevate and drop, your dog’s emotional state may change as well. This can happen by the day or even over a few hours. She may be asking for extra cuddles. Take the time to sit with her. Reassure her that everything is going to be ok. If possible, spend a little more time than usual just rubbing her belly or laying on the couch with her. She doesn’t fully understand what is happening to her and having you close may help her to be less stressed or confused.
Offer Your Dog a Few Options to Comfort Her When She is in Heat
In my dog’s case, she wanted to be alone and calm one minute, and was cuddling with the cat in the middle of the living room the next. She was growling at my neutered male, who is her best friend, one minute and playing happily the next. These are signs of the hormonal changes going on inside her. She clearly didn’t know what she wanted or needed, but was trying to cope. Be patient, it’s temporary and she will return to her normal self in a few days. If aggression becomes an issue for the household pets, provide her with a calm, quiet place away from the rest.
If she likes to be in her crate or spend time in a penned area, let her rest in there until she feels better. Another option would be to gate off a room for her to have some privacy. Put some soft music on or leave the TV on for background noise. Visit her or sit with her often if she is happy with it. She will let you know when she is ready to come out.
You may want to read: Using Music to Calm an Anxious D
When to Call the Vet About Your Dog’s Heat Cycle
If your doggo seems to be handling the discomfort reasonably well, there is probably no need to see the vet. If she has any of the following issues or symptoms. Please call a veterinarian immediately. Describe the symptoms clearly and they will be able to tell you if there is anything to worry about and if you should bring her in.
- If you feel that she is bleeding excessively
- If she is vomiting
- If she stops eating
- If she has difficulty peeing
- If she is panting excessively
- ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT YOU FEEL ARE UNUSUAL – never second guess yourself. If it seems wrong, call the vet.
Do Dogs Get Cramps When They Are In Heat?
While nobody really knows if dogs get cramps, there are definite signs of discomfort. She may seem to have trouble staying comfortable for any length of time. She will move from one place to another, or be fidgety. It is possible that she will become aggressive around other dogs (usually male). Alternatively, she may become overly friendly when around male dogs, especially during the Estrus (2nd) phase, where she is in prime mating mode.
To help with the fidgeting and physical discomfort, you may want to take her for a few extra walks each day. Being active will help to relieve her stress, as well. Be sure to walk her in a quiet area, away from other dogs when possible, in case she reacts negatively or aggressively toward them.
Extra walking is also a good idea because she will need to pee more often during this time. If you have a dog walker coming in during this time, it might be wise to add a visit or extend the walk she usually has. This way she won’t add the discomfort of holding her bladder to her already anxious body. Explain the situation to your dog walker so that they know how to care for her during the cycle. The added attention from her walker will be welcome emotional comfort as well.
See: How to Find a Good Dog Walker
What to Ask When Hiring a Dog Walker
Can I Spay My Dog When She Is In Heat?
You should wait until her entire cycle has completed before having her spayed. As the hormone fluctuations may continue for a couple of months, you should wait until the full process is complete. Check with your vet to see when the best time would be for your girl to be spayed.
Summary
Being in heat can be a stressful and uncomfortable time for your pup. She will need your help, patience and understanding to navigate her way through this time. Now that you are aware of what happens to a dog when she is in heat, and you have some understanding about how to make her physically comfortable, emotionally supported, and more able to cope with the changes happening in her body. She will appreciate everything you do.
If you are interested in breeding you may be interested in this article from the American Kennel Club:
