Puppyhood flies by - all of a sudden the little one passes six months. Your dog is approaching adulthood, and for you who have a female puppy, the first heat is coming closer. This can raise a lot of questions about what is normal and not, and what is important to keep in mind. Here we sort out some of the most common questions about heat!
What is heat?
A common misunderstanding is that heat is "the dog's period" - but it is not. Heat is the female dog's estrus, when she ovulates, unlike humans where menstruation happens as a result of an egg not being fertilised and the uterine lining being shed. Heat is, in other words, the female's fertile period, which usually occurs twice a year. There are, however, large variations; some are in heat only once a year, others up to four times a year.
When does the first heat come?
Most dogs get their first heat at around 7-12 months of age. Dogs of small breeds often get their heat earlier, and large breeds later. The first heat means the dog is now sexually mature and can become pregnant. It does not mean she is ready to have puppies - in Sweden the female must be at least 1.5 years old before she can be mated, since she still needs more time to mature both physically and mentally.
How long is a dog in heat?
Heat usually lasts for about three weeks, but this too can vary greatly between dogs. What we normally call "in heat" is really the two first phases of the female's fertile cycle - proestrus and estrus.
What does the heat cycle look like?
The female's heat cycle is divided into four parts - proestrus, estrus, diestrus and the resting phase, anestrus.
Heat begins with proestrus, which is counted from the first day you see a light bleeding. This period lasts about 9 days, but can be significantly longer or shorter. During this period the female's hormone levels change and she becomes more interested in male dogs and in spreading her scent by marking territory.
After that comes estrus, which also lasts about 9 days, but here too there are large variations between females. During this period the female ovulates and can therefore mate and become pregnant. Around ovulation, the bleeding usually decreases.
When estrus is over, the female enters diestrus, which lasts about two months. It is towards the end of this period that the female can show symptoms of false pregnancy. This time coincides with when the female would have had her puppies if she had been mated.
After diestrus comes a resting phase, which lasts until the next heat begins. This period varies in length between females, anything from 3 months up to a year depending on how often the female is in heat.
There is also a phenomenon called "silent heat". These are heats that do not show clear signs, with for example no bleeding or no swollen vulva, and are therefore hard to notice. Even females that have silent heats can, however, become pregnant.
Can false pregnancy be prevented?
All females go through the diestrus stage. In some females no noticeable false pregnancy appears at all at the end of diestrus, while others may start to "build a nest", carry around toys and adopt them as "puppies", and some even develop milk production. It is also common for the female to have a poorer appetite or feel a bit generally low or down.
You cannot prevent false pregnancy from occurring, but there are ways to make it easier for the dog. Take away the "puppies" the female adopts, and try to keep her occupied with increased exercise even if she may seem unwilling. It is also good to try to train as usual, but to lower your expectations if the dog is not as focused. Some females get hungrier, while others lose their appetite. Adjust the food portion if needed, or perhaps top it with something extra tasty if she is very unwilling to eat. Remember that the period passes within a couple of weeks, so try to make it easier for your dog without making it "too big a deal", since the dog also senses our mood if we signal that something is wrong. False pregnancy is completely normal!
If the period is very hard for your dog or does not pass after a couple of weeks, contact your vet for help and advice.
When does the dog stop being in heat?
Females never stop having their heat periods - they do not enter any "menopause" and are therefore fertile their whole life. The only time the female stops ovulating or having false pregnancies is if she is spayed, when the ovaries are removed.
What should I keep in mind when my dog is in heat?
When the female is in heat she may experience a small change in behaviour. Some become more tired and have a poorer appetite, others unfocused and harder to connect with during training - which is not so strange, since her thoughts are simply elsewhere. Continue with your routines as usual, and keep exercising as usual.
A heat pant is like a pair of underwear you put on the female, with a pad in it to keep things fresh. For the dogs' own sake no heat pant is needed, since heat is completely natural and there are no risks in them cleaning themselves, but the pad can make cleanliness at home easier. Some females bleed hardly at all, while others so much that it drips. The pad then protects rugs and sofas from stains. Remember to change it so it stays fresh, take it off during walks and let the dog "air out" now and then. If you do not want to use a heat pant, it can be good to put away rugs and blankets during the period, and have clean towels available that the dog can lie on in its bed.
To avoid unwanted puppies you must keep a careful eye on your dog during heat, and never leave her unsupervised or let her meet intact male dogs. Females in heat can turn into escape artists, so even if you have a female that normally would never run off, even the most obedient dog can change its mind if a really interesting male dog is nearby.
How do I know if the heat is normal?
As mentioned, there are large ranges when it comes to the length of heat, how much the female bleeds and the interval between heats. Young females can also have more irregular heat cycles. This is completely normal, but good to note so that you learn what is normal for your dog.
Knowing what is normal for your dog makes it easier to spot if something is off: Does she usually only stay in heat for two weeks, but now it has gone on for four? Is there bleeding when she should not be in heat at all? Or has a discharge appeared again, even though the female was in heat a few weeks ago? Does she seem more tired or "off" than normal?
If you notice anything unusual or feel unsure about your dog's heat, you should always contact a vet. There are several diseases that can be confused with or be related to estrus, such as urinary tract infection, uterine inflammation or other diseases of the female's reproductive organs.
So to sum up and briefly answer the question "how long is a dog in heat?"...
The dog is generally in heat for about 2-3 weeks, 2 times a year. The heat cycle is divided into four phases, each of which can affect and occur a little differently in each dog - so observe your own dog and learn what is normal for her.
We hope you learned something new about your female in this article, and maybe found some good tips and advice to take with you. 💜