My female dog is in heat what can i do

When your unspayed female dog enters her heat cycle, this can be a stressful time for you both. She will go through both physical and mental changes at this time, but you will also see other dogs behave in unusual ways when they are around her. When a female dog is in heat, her body undergoes hormonal and physical changes making this a very confusing and stressful time for her, so your job should be making her feel comfortable and more at ease. Here’s what to do when your dog is in heat:

When a Female Dog is in Heat

A female dog can be between 6 and 24 months old when she goes through her first heat cycle. Smaller dogs can go into heat earlier, and large and giant breeds might not have their first heat cycle until they are about 2 years old. Most female dogs enter their heat cycle about every 6 months, usually 2 times a year, and the heat cycle can last about 4 weeks.

Some of the typical signs that a female dog is in heat are:

• Bloody discharge
• Swollen genitals
• Excessive grooming and licking of the genitals
• Frequent urination
• Physically responsive to male dogs
• Raising her hindquarters and holding her tail close to her body
• Agitated, aggressive, and easily distracted

How to Help a Dog in Heat:

Here are 11 tips and tricks to help you and your dog while she’s in heat:

1. Use a diaper

This tip might sound weird, but if you put a diaper on your female dog, it can help prevent her from spreading her scent and discharge around your house. All kinds of disposable diapers are available, such as this one for small dogs and reusable diapers like this one for large dogs. Some female dogs are very meticulous about keeping themselves clean, so this step might be unnecessary, so use your own judgment.

2. Tire her out

Make sure you exercise your dog a lot, which will help distract her and tire her out but consider taking her out for multiple shorter walks. Avoid long walks and ensure she gets her exercise in an enclosed space where you can keep her under close supervision. Occupy her with lots of exercise and playtime as it can help keep her calm and expend some of her aggressive energy.

3. Change her walking schedule

Change the time of day that you usually take your dog for a walk. Most people tend to walk their dogs in the morning before heading to work, so consider walking your dog earlier in the morning or in the evenings when fewer people will be out. This way, you don’t have to worry about male dogs or too much noise and distraction, and the walk will be less stressful for you both.

4. Hide her scent

Use a good odor control dog shampoo and give your dog more frequent baths than usual to keep her clean and reduce her scent.

Some dog owners believe that adding liquid chlorophyll to your dog’s water will help minimize her scent. It also has the advantage of giving her fresher breath and healthier teeth and gums.

It is also thought that dabbing a tiny bit of Vicks VapoRub at the base of your female dog’s tail can mask her scent. If you decide to try this method, be sure to put on a tiny amount and immediately distract your dog after the application, so she doesn’t lick it off. Also, be sure to avoid putting it too close to your dog’s genitals as this will be very uncomfortable for her.

5. Give her love and support

Your dog may enjoy extra attention from you, so be sure to spend more time petting, cuddling, and playing with her. She’ll appreciate it if you talk to her and brush her more often as it will help to make her feel calmer and more comfortable. If she seems sleepy, do give her time to sleep without interruptions.

6. Use calming treats, scents, and sounds

There are treats available that are designed to calm anxious and stressed dogs without making them drowsy. You can ensure her environment is quiet, turn the volume down on the T.V. and make sure the children lower their voices. You could consider using this dog speaker that plays music designed to reduce stress or use a spray that is meant to calm anxious dogs.

• We reviewed the best calming dog treats – Check out our top picks here!

7. Use a stress-relief coat

The ThunderShirt is a coat that provides a sensation of a gentle hug for your dog and can help calm her when she is feeling stressed during specific times. It won’t be as effective if you have your dog wear it throughout the entire duration of her heat cycle, so only put her coat on when you notice if she’s anxious.

8. Distract her

Use toys or treats that encourage lots of time chewing, like this chew toy or a ball with treats. The more time she spends occupied with playing and chewing, the less she’ll feel anxious or stressed.

9. Supervise when in the yard

You should never leave your dog alone when she’s outside and be sure that your yard is secured with no chance for a male dog to find a way in. Having said that, male dogs can be exceptionally ingenious finding their way to a female dog in heat, so stay with her at all times. You should also make sure that her microchip and dog tags are up to date as she might attempt to run away.

10. Keep her on leash

While the recommendation is to take your female dog for shorter walks, you must never take her off-leash. No matter how well trained she is, there’s always the risk that she might attempt to run away.

• Related Read: Best Leash for Dogs That Pull

11. Surgery for your dog

The final and most permanent solution is to have your female dog spayed.

Other than stopping the heat cycle and preventing unwanted pregnancies, another advantage of spaying your dog is that it can help prolong her life. Spaying helps prevent serious health conditions in the future and can lessen any aggressive behavior, and any urges for your dog to run away. Your dog will also be much less anxious, not to mention less stress for yourself.

It’s advised that you should have your female dog spayed before she has her first heat cycle, but it is generally recommended to spay your dog by 6 months of age.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering what to do when your dog gets her period or what to do when your dog is in heat, we hope we’ve answered your questions! If you decide to have your dog spayed, then most of these tips are unnecessary, and you and your dog will have a much less stressful life together. However, taking care of your dog and, in some cases, just leaving her alone could prove to be the only thing she needs at this time. You want your dog to be happy and comfortable, and hopefully, these suggestions will help you both during this challenging time.

Featured image credit: Sha_shin, Pixabay