What to do when your dog has her period

Before you get a dog, it’s important that you’re ready to be a responsible dog owner. From getting a properly-sized dog crate to setting up puppy vet visits, there’s a lot of preparation to do. And if you have a female dog, that includes getting ready for your dog’s “periods” — or more accurately, her estrus cycles. Dogs don’t menstruate in the same way human females do.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to take care of your dog during her estrus cycle, including when dogs go into heat, how often, and products you’ll need to help manage the physical signs.

When Do Dogs Get Their ‘Period’ and How Often?

Female dogs typically reach sexual maturity around six months old and that’s when have their first “heat” or estrus cycle. During this stage, there’s an increase in estrogen levels, then a sharp decrease, and then her ovaries release eggs. Their estrus cycles typically last three weeks but can range between two and four.

While six months is the average age of a dog’s first heat, it can vary between dogs. Some dogs may go into heat at four months, but bigger dogs may be as old as two years before their first heat. It’s considered best practice to wait until your dog’s third heat to breed her. However, your vet can perform genetic testing and tell you when your dog is ready.

Dogs typically go into heat on average every six months, but this varies especially in the beginning. It can take some dogs around 18 to 24 months to develop a regular cycle. Small dogs usually go into heat more often — as much as three to four times a year. Large breeds such as Great Danes and St. Bernard might only go into heat once a year.

Dogs will continue to have cycles, but the length of time between estrus will increase as she gets older.

How to Tell if Your Dog is in Heat?

When your dog is in heat, there are both physical and behavioral signs. For example, she’ll typically urinate more than usual, and there will be a blood-tinged discharge and swollen vulva.

Your dog may also seem nervous, distracted, and be receptive to male dogs. She may initiate sexual contact such as raising her rear and deflecting her tail to one side, which is called ‘flagging.’ Your dog will likely actively court males dogs until the cycle is over.

The heat cycle lasts about three weeks. The discharge starts as frank blood and then gradually lighten to pinkish in color. A bitch can usually become pregnant around the end of the first week until after the second week, sometimes longer.

How to Manage Your Dog’s ‘Period’

Now that you know more about your dog’s estrus cycle, here are some products that will help you manage it. Whether reusable or disposable, you’ll want to get some diapers before your dog goes into heat.

Reusable Dog Diapers

Reusable diapers are ideal for dog owners who are economically or environmentally conscious. While being absorbent with multiple layers, they’re also washable. These reusable dog diapers are available for small, medium, and large breeds. Plus, you’ll get the chance to choose from neutral colors or trending prints. Along with fun colors, the diapers are both hand and machine washable.

With more than 4,700 reviews and 4.5 out of five-star rating, it’s clear other dog lovers find these diapers effective, helpful, and that they work great. Price: $13.59

Disposable Dog Diapers

If washing diapers isn’t your thing, consider buying disposable dog diapers. These diapers are also available for small, medium, and large breeds. The diapers are designed to be leak-proof, absorbent, comfortable, and secure.

The more than 840 customers gave an average of 4.3 out of five stars. Reviewers called the diaper a “lifesaver,” and noted they recommend the item and it fits their dogs great. Price: $18.94

Full-Body Dog Diapers

Your dog struggles to keep her diapers on, check out full-body dog diapers. These diapers were designed by a veterinarian and are used by other veterinarians, trainers, and pet trainers. From small to extra large long, these diapers come in a lot of different sizes and are designed to be secure. They are also antimicrobial, which help keep your dog safe from germs. In addition to different sizes, these come in multiple colors including pink, blue, red, and purple.

The more than 1,200 reviewers mostly praised the diapers and gave an average of 4.4 out of five stars. They called the diapers “well made,” a “lifesaver,” and that they highly recommend the product. Price: $25.44

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 between 2 to 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 8 tips and tricks to help you and your dog while she’s in heat:

1. Use a diaper

Image Credit: Zmaj88, Shutterstock

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

Image Credit: BONDART PHOTOGRAPHY, Shutterstock

Make sure you exercise your dog a lot, which will help distract her and tire her out but consider ways of getting her to move inside your home. While your dog is still not receptive right now it is safer to avoid bringing her outside. Try to engage in play with her a couple of times in the day. Occupy her with lots of exercise and playtime as it can help keep her calm and expend some of her energy.

3. Give her love and support

Image Credit: Albina Glisic, Shutterstock

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.

4. Use calming treats, scents, and sounds

Credit: Unsplash

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!

5. Distract her

Image Credit: Chewy

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.

6. Supervise when in the yard

Image Credit: Jayme Burrows, Shutterstock

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.

7. 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

8. 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

Contents

• When a Female Dog is in Heat
• How to Help a Dog in Heat:
  • 1. Use a diaper
  • 2. Tire her out
  • 3. Give her love and support
  • 4. Use calming treats, scents, and sounds
  • 5. Distract her
  • 6. Supervise when in the yard
  • 7. Keep her on leash
  • 8. Surgery for your dog
• Conclusion