How often does a dog have their period

Reviewed by Kathleen Claussen, DVM on February 14, 2021

There comes a time in the life of an intact female dog when they’re ready to breed. This period is called being in heat. The stage of heat, also called estrus or season, has distinct physical and behavioral signs. 

Many of the estrus factors, such as frequency, length of time, and severity, are dependent on your dog’s age and breed. Your dog may have symptoms that are particular to them. 

What Are the Signs?

Keep a leash handy, because your dog may have to urinate more when she’s in heat. You may also observe that her vulva is large, red, or swollen with some bleeding or blood-tinted discharge. 

Your dog will only bleed for around half of the total cycle, usually 7 to 10 days. Generally, bigger dogs bleed more than smaller dogs, but it varies between dogs. Some dogs bleed very little. If your dog prides themselves on their appearance and grooms themselves regularly, you probably won't find much blood spotting around the house. 

Your dog’s behavior will likely change as well. She may:

  • Be overly friendly with other dogs
  • Seek out male dogs
  • Mount or hump
  • Turn her tail to the side
  • Fidget or be nervous

Even though your dog will bleed, she isn't in pain during heat. However, being in heat can make your dog uncomfortable and fidgety. If her symptoms seem to be causing her pain, consult your vet. 

When Does Estrus Start?

This depends on your dog’s size. 

Smaller dogs can go into heat as soon as they are 4-months old. Larger breeds may not first go into heat until they are 18 to 24 months old. On average, the first heat begins at around 6 months of age. 

Even though they are old enough to get pregnant, your young dog’s eggs aren’t yet fully matured. Waiting until after the second estrus cycle will promote a healthy pregnancy.

How Often Do Dogs Go Into Heat?

Similar to the start time, the exact frequency of estrus depends on your dog’s size, breed, and age. Female dogs who have not been spayed go into heat twice a year, around every 6 months. Each heat cycle lasts around 18 days, for generally anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. 

The frequency depends on your dog, but her estrus cycles should be consistent. If these are inconsistent, your vet can determine if your dog has irregular seasons.

As your dog gets older, the frequency of her seasons may slow down. However, she will be going into heat for her whole life. Even though she goes into heat less often, she can still get pregnant.

The Estrus Cycle

The canine estrus cycle has four stages:

1.Proestrus: The beginning of heat lasts between 7 and 10 days. During this time, the vulva begins to swell and your dog begins to bleed. She will start attracting male dogs, but she isn’t ready to mate yet.

2.Estrus: This is the mating period of the estrus cycle. It lasts 5 to 10 days. Bleeding may reduce or stop. Your dog is ready to mate during this time. 

3.Diestrus: This period lasts anywhere from 10 to 140 days. Your dog is either pregnant during this time or she is in a period of rest.

4.Anestrus: This is the period of downtime before the next heat cycle, lasting around 6 months. 

Care

If your dog is in heat, she’ll require a bit of extra supervision and care. She’ll be feeling hormonal. Keeping her entertained and distracted will help relieve some of her anxiety and discomfort. Extra walks will also help her to reduce stress. 

Not only will she be attracting male dogs, but she’ll be attracted back! To avoid pregnancy, you’ll probably want to keep her away from other non-neutered dogs. This is true even in your own household. 

If you’re worried about your dog bleeding around the house, you can create a limited space for her to roam in. This usually means restricting her to easy-to-clean areas without carpeted floors or upholstered furniture. 

Creating a nest for your dog to nap in with towels to catch the blood will help prevent any accidents from occurring. Doggie diapers can also help control bleeding accidents.

Your dog’s needs while she is in heat may vary. This can be a challenge and a big responsibility. If you want to avoid pregnancy, you can have your dog surgically sterilized before her first season. Since the timing of the first heat cycle varies, these procedures are recommended before she is 6-months old.

Do dogs have periods? No—at least not like humans do. Dogs do not menstruate and are only receptive to mating when actively in heat. Do dogs go through menopause? No; dogs can become pregnant throughout their entire lives.

There’s no short answer to explain the reproductive cycle of a female dog, especially in comparison to the human menstrual cycle. Here’s a guide to help you better understand dog heat cycles and all the changes that come with them.

When Do Dogs Go Into Heat?

The term “time of the month” in relation to our canine companions is a misnomer. Female dogs do not cycle every month, but usually only once or twice a year. The average is about every seven months.

Just as the duration of a human menstrual cycle varies from person to person, every dog is different, and there can be variations among breeds and even variations from one cycle to another in the same animal. 

Phases of Dog Heat Cycles

A female dog’s reproductive cycle is called an estrous cycle and is broken down into three different phases:

  1. Proestrus is the beginning of the heat cycle. It’s characterized by swelling of the vulva and a blood-tinged vaginal discharge. Female dogs will not allow mating to occur in this phase. This phase can last anywhere from a few days to four weeks. On average, it lasts 7-10 days.
  2. Estrus is also known as “heat.” This is the time when the female dog will allow mating to occur.  This phase of the cycle lasts anywhere from 3-21 days, with an average length of 9 days.
  3. Anestrus is defined as the timeframe when cycling ceases. This phase usually lasts about four to five months.

How Do Male Dogs Know a Female Dog Is in Heat?

When a female dog is in heat, her vaginal and urinary secretions will contain different pheromones than when she is not in heat. Male dogs’ keen sense of smell can detect these pheromones.

What Happens When a Dog Goes Into Heat? How Can You Tell Your Dog Is in Heat?

Dog pheromones are undetectable to humans, but there are several other reliable ways to tell if your dog’s in heat, including:

  • Physical changes: You may notice continued swelling of the vulva, cessation of the bloody discharge, or even a change in the color (usually straw-like). Your dog may also arch her back when pressure is applied to her lower back, and you may notice her moving her tail sideways.
  • Behavioral changes: Courtship-like behavior is often initiated by the female dog and may include releasing pheromones, vocalization, postural changes, increased physical activity, urinating in the presence of a male dog, or allowing male interest (e.g., sniffing or licking the vulva).
  • Diagnostic testing: Vaginal cytology (similar to a pap smear) is a low-cost, relatively quick and valuable monitoring tool that can be performed on an outpatient basis with the veterinarian.

When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

At What Age Do Dogs Go Into Heat?

The first time you may notice that your dog has come into heat may be as soon as 6 months of age or as late as 24 months of age. Even though dogs can become pregnant during this timeframe, it’s generally not advisable, as they are still not fully mature.

Do Dogs Go Through Menopause?

In short, dogs do not go through menopause. Because their reproductive cycles are different than in humans, dogs can continue to go into heat and subsequently become pregnant throughout their lives. 

You may notice, however, that your dog’s cycle may occur less often, or the duration seems longer from one heat to the next. That’s normal in dogs as they age; however, dogs that have ceased having cycles altogether should be examined by a veterinarian, as this can signal an underlying health condition or metabolic disease process.

But just because dogs can get pregnant as seniors doesn’t mean they should. Litters tend to be smaller, there may be more puppy deaths, and labor may be more difficult if carried to term. Moreover, females that get pregnant after 8 years of age are more at risk of developing pyometra, which is a life-threatening disease.

Having Dogs Spayed Is the Most Reliable Form of Dog Birth Control

Preventing your dog from getting pregnant is not as easy as it sounds. Don’t underestimate the determination of your dog—or someone else’s—to reproduce. Extra vigilance is needed; trust me, just because you have a fenced-in yard, that doesn’t mean anything!

Having dogs spayed, which involves removing the ovaries and/or uterus, is the most common and effective method for preventing unwanted dog pregnancies and reducing pet overpopulation. Sterilization is permanent and cannot be reversed.

From dog diapers to body wraps, there are multiple at-home, nonpermanent ways to prevent pregnancy. Do not frequent dog parks or other dog-populated areas while your dog is in heat.  Additionally, if you choose to use a dog diaper, keep in mind it should be leakproof, absorbent, comfortable, and most importantly, secure. It should also be changed frequently.

Featured Image: iStock.com/Capuski

How long do dogs have their period?

A dog may experience a sort of “period” when they're in heat, which is part of the estrous cycle. Dog “periods” typically last about 2-4 weeks, but that duration can vary a bit depending on your dog. During this time, your dog may try to attract male dogs and mate.

Do female dogs have periods every month?

When Do Dogs Go Into Heat? The term “time of the month” in relation to our canine companions is a misnomer. Female dogs do not cycle every month, but usually only once or twice a year. The average is about every seven months.

How long do dogs bleed on their period?

Your dog will only bleed for around half of the total cycle, usually 7 to 10 days. Generally, bigger dogs bleed more than smaller dogs, but it varies between dogs. Some dogs bleed very little.

How long do dogs have their period every month?

Their estrus cycles typically last three weeks but can range between two and four.