What Should You Know About Your Dog’s Heat Cycle?
Written by Armanda |
You're absolutely delighted with your new puppy! She's a little girl – how lovely! But then you remember that female dogs come into season … When will this happen? How can you recognise the signs? How long does it last? What should you do while your dog is in season? Can you prevent her from coming into season? And what should you do if she is accidentally mated? These are all questions you might have about your female dog's heat cycle. We'll answer them in this article, so read on!
How long is a dog in season?
Being in season refers to the period when a female dog, also known as a bitch, is fertile and can become pregnant after mating.
A dog’s season lasts approximately 3 weeks on average and can be divided into several stages:
- Pro-oestrus: This is the first stage of the heat cycle and lasts an average of 9 days, although it can vary from a few days to 2 weeks. During this stage, you’ll notice physical changes in your dog, such as swelling of the vulva and bloody discharge. However, she will generally not allow a male dog to mate with her yet.
- Oestrus: This is the actual heat or fertile stage, during which ovulation takes place. This stage also lasts an average of 9 days, but can continue for up to 2 weeks. The discharge often becomes less noticeable. During this stage, your female dog will be willing to mate with a male dog, so extra care is needed!
- Metoestrus: During this stage, your female dog will no longer accept mating, and her actual season has ended. She may now be pregnant or experiencing a phantom pregnancy. During this period, progesterone levels are high in both pregnant and non-pregnant female dogs. Some dogs develop signs of a phantom pregnancy because the hormonal changes in a non-pregnant female dog closely resemble those in a pregnant dog. This is actually a natural process that originally allowed other female dogs in a pack to assist with nursing the puppies of the leading female. Some dogs show clear behavioural signs of a phantom pregnancy, while others do not. Your dog may be noticeably calmer during this period and have a reduced appetite. Some dogs start carrying soft toys around and may even produce milk. This stage lasts approximately 2 months on average.
- Anoestrus: This is the resting stage between two seasons. The length of this period can vary considerably between dogs. In dogs that come into season every six months, this stage lasts approximately 2 months. In dogs that only come into season once a year or even less frequently, it can last up to 10 months.
