Help! My female dog is in heat!

The course of heat in dogs

The first signs of the onset of heat vary greatly from dog to dog. In most cases, you will notice that 2 - 3 weeks before she loses the first drop of blood, your female dog will sniff a lot on walks and also mark. Male dogs may show an increased interest in the female dog. Many female dogs also have an increased appetite and are more restless than usual. Many female dogs prefer not to go home at all, no matter how long the walk has been.

A conspicuous clinginess towards you or an increased defensive attitude towards other dogs can also indicate that your female dog is about to go into heat. You will know at the latest when the first drop of blood appears. From this point onwards, your female dog will clean herself more often, as dogs are very clean animals. Nevertheless, the odd drop of blood may end up on the carpet or sofa, which is why it is advisable to cover upholstered furniture with blankets and move carpets aside during this time.

Duration, signs and behaviour when a dog is in heat

Once the female dog has started to lose blood, you can assume that the heat will be over in four weeks at the latest. In the first phase of heat, which lasts approx. 3 - 11 days, your female dog will lose dark red blood and be very dismissive of potential male suitors. Intrusive males are kept at a distance by the female dog with a short snap in the air, the so-called snapping off.

In the second phase, the blood slowly lightens and the female dog shows great interest in other dogs, especially males of course. The female dog is now in the heat of the moment and ready to receive. You can see this very clearly in her behaviour when she sees a male dog: Your female dog will become very excited and will put her tail to one side when she is ready to receive. If you don't want your female dog to have puppies, you need to be particularly careful now and you should never let your female dog off the lead outside, as many female dogs no longer respond to the owner's call when a male dog appears on the horizon. Of course, also make sure that you do not unnecessarily stress your female dog by bringing her together with male dogs. It is best for the female dog if you avoid places where there are lots of dogs around during this phase. The standing heat lasts 5 - 11 days.

In the third phase, the blood finally becomes almost transparent until it disappears completely. The female dog now shows clear defensive behaviour towards intrusive males again. To be on the safe side, however, you should still keep your female dog on a lead for a few days during walks, as the animal is still fertile at this stage and may still allow males she knows well to mount her. This phase also lasts between one and 1.5 weeks. After this phase, the heat is over and it takes between 6 and 12 months until the next heat. Small female dogs usually have a shorter cycle than large female dogs. Outside of the heat period, you can also let your female dog run with unneutered males without any problems, as the female dog is no longer fertile.

But please bear this in mind: When your female dog goes into heat for the very first time, there may be slight deviations. It can happen that some female dogs are only in heat for a few days, others do not lose any blood during their first heat and others go through a so-called silent heat, in which neither humans nor other dogs can see that the female dog is in heat. The only sign of a silent heat may be the fact that the female dog suddenly seems calmer and even a little phlegmatic. If the first heat does not occur even after 12 months, the cause should be clarified by a vet. The vet can also determine whether the female dog may have had a silent heat. Please also note that your dog can become pregnant during her first heat, even if it only lasts a few days!

Failure of the heat

In addition to silent heat, which can affect dogs of any age, female dogs are also capable of completely suppressing heat so that it fails. Especially if the female dog is currently under a lot of stress (possibly due to a move or other major change in living conditions), she may postpone her heat for a few weeks or months. It is also completely normal for a female dog to not only postpone a heat, but to skip it altogether. However, a vet should always check whether the female dog is really healthy, as illnesses can also have a major influence on the female dog's cycle.

False pregnancy after heat

Symptoms of a false pregnancy can occur approx. 2 months after the heat. During this time, the female dog behaves as if she is pregnant and begins to build a nest for herself and her young. Some animals also suddenly behave aggressively towards their owner during this time and start hoarding and defending toys. They may also have a significantly reduced appetite or refuse to eat for days at a time. In most cases, the female dog's teats will swell considerably and a yellowish liquid - the mother's milk - will come out. Make sure that you do not stroke your female dog's belly to prevent further stimulation of milk production, as this can lead to a build-up of milk, inflammation and tumours.

All symptoms usually subside on their own after a few weeks. It may be advisable to consider neutering in the event of severe behavioural changes, noticeable stress or other complications. However, this should only be done if there is a medical necessity for the procedure.

FAQs

How do you recognise a dog's first heat?

You can recognise your dog's first heat by the following signs:

• Your female dog presents herself to male dogs and pays more attention to them than usual.
• Your dog's behaviour may change. She may become more in need of love or more withdrawn. She may become more alert, but also lazier.
• Your dog may urinate and mark more than usual. She may also lift her leg differently than normal, almost like a male dog.
• Her tail may be turned to the side.
• Your dog's recall is not good.
• Your female dog licks her genitals more often and grooms herself more extensively.
• The female dog has a swollen vagina and may have a watery, yellowish or mucous discharge.

How long does a dog bleed when in heat?

When the female dog's vulva swells, a bloody discharge is secreted. This usually lasts about 9 days. However, it can vary, and fluctuations between 3 and 18 days are possible. The amount of blood secreted also varies from female dog to female dog.

How do male dogs behave when a female dog is in heat?

If a female dog is in heat in the neighbourhood, the male dogs around her will of course also notice this. The following male dog behaviour is possible:

• The male dog is restless, he barks, howls or whines more.
• On walks, the male dog pulls on the lead and is not very easy to call off.
• If the female dog in heat is nearby and the male dog is not on the lead, he may run after the female dog.

Can a female dog become pregnant even if she is not in heat?

If the female dog shows no signs of being in heat, she cannot become pregnant as she is not fertile during this time.

Can female dogs become pregnant during the first heat?

Depending on size and breed, the first heat usually occurs between 6 and 12 months of age. Diet can also influence the timing of the heat. The first heat is often silent, as the female dog is not yet fully developed at this time. However, caution is also required here. Your female dog can also become pregnant during her first heat.

Can you go to dog school with a female dog in heat?

Basically, every dog school has its own individual view on this. Just ask the trainer at your dog school. In any case, you should also consider your pet's behaviour. If your dog is subject to hormonal fluctuations and prefers to withdraw, it is advisable to take a break from dog school for around 3 weeks.