Dog Heat Cycle in Pearland, TX: Stages, Signs, and Vet Care Tips

Sign of a Dog in Heat (Estrous)

A dog in heat shows some signs indicating that its cycle has begun. Be on the lookout for the following:

1. Swollen Vulva

   A dog in heat will have noticeably-bright red and swollen vulva. If you notice this as a new dog parent, don’t be alarmed because it’s normal. It simply means your dog’s body is in readiness to mate with a male dog.

2. Bloody or Dark Discharge From the Vulva

   A dark red or bloody discharge is likely to be observed oozing from the vulva when a female dog is in heat. This might last for a few days then subside gradually.

Behavior of Dog in Heat

Dogs in heat have a unique set of behaviors that manifest physically. Some of these behaviors include:

• Friendly and Receptive to Males

  A female dog in estrous will become receptive to male dogs coming close and even mounting her. You may notice it trying to mount other dogs, or mounting objects or even your legs when you’re close by.

• Nervousness and Skittishness

  When a dog is in estrous, it can become anxious, nervous or skittish. Some female dogs can show aggression towards other females but remain welcoming to any male dogs.

• Frequent Urination

  When a dog is in heat, one of the signs you’d notice is frequent urination. This urine contains markers which pass hormonal information to make dogs around that the female dog is ready to mate.

• Constant Genital Licking

  A female dog in heat will constantly lick the genital area, probably because of the extra sensitivity of the area.

• Tail Position Change

  Dog in heat will change her tail position depending on the stage of the estrous cycle. Usually a dog undergoing estrous will tuck its tail close to the body and between its legs. Gradually, as the estrous cycle runs its course, it’ll move its tail to the side as an invite to mate whenever a male is present.

The Estrous Cycle in Dogs

Typically, dogs start experiencing estrous from the age of 6 upwards. Some dogs might get to 2 years old before having their first estrous cycle.

Most breeds experience this cycle twice in a year while others will have just one cycle, especially large breeds. This development comes in 4 stages called the dog heat cycle stages or the 4 cycles of estrous in dogs.

Below, we have discussed each of the 4 parts namely – Proestrus, Estrous, Diestrus, and Anestrus.

• Proestrus

  This is the stage where estrogen production is at a high. This period lasts for 6-11 days and signs include swollen vulva and bloody discharge from it. Male and female dogs experience high attraction to each other at this stage.

• Estrous

  This is the stage when there is another hormonal change – from estrogen to luteinizing hormone and then progesterone. At this point, the female dog is ready to be mounted and bred by the male. The Estrus period can last up to 9 days but averagely lasts 5 days.

• Die

  This is the period where the progesterone hormone peaks then plateau before gradually coming down after 1-2 weeks. The female dog will no longer show interest in being mounted and the ‘in-heat’ signs will gradually diminish. At this time, there may or may not be any pregnancy.

• Ane

  This cycle is characterized by low production of progesterone. The dog would have completed its dog heat cycle or be in litter expecting puppies. If the dog isn’t pregnant at this time, it’ll experience a period of uterine repair that lasts 4 months in preparation of the next estrous cycle.

Steps to Take for a Dog in Heat

If a dog is in heat, there are several steps to take to care for it and make the experience easier for the animal. Without requiring professional help or hiring a vet in Pearland TX, consider the following suggestions:

1. Keep the female dog within your space to avoid unwanted mating with a strange male. A dog heat cycle comes with pheromones that can attract male dogs from a few miles away.
2. If a dog is in heat, keep it leashed. Even obedient dogs may not recall easily when overstimulated by hormones driving it to find a mate.
3. Ensure your dog has proper ID tags with information to locate you. This is helpful in a case where the hormone-driven animal runs off your property in search of mating.
4. Spay your pup if there are no plans to breed it. By doing this, there will be no future estrous cycles. Please consult a trained vet in Pearland TX if you live within the area for this.
5. Sometimes, female dogs might suffer infection problems from poor fluid drainage and exposure during the estrous cycle. When noticed, consult an animal hospital Pearland like Safarivet to investigate and treat the condition before it gets worse.

Frequently Asked Questions