Skip to main content

What you need to do when your large dog is in heat

If you’re the proud pet parent of an unspayed dog, you might find yourself the unsuspecting pet grandparent to an unwanted litter. Dogs can have their first heat cycle when they’re as young as six months old. Consequently, most veterinarians recommend spaying your dog around that age to prevent pregnancy. Spaying also reduces the risk of other health complications, such as mastitis and uterine cancer. But if your dog hasn’t been spayed, you might be wondering what to do when your dog is in heat. We’re here to help. 

A golden retriever gazing into the camera.
Bruno Cervera from Pexels

How to tell if your dog is in heat

Unlike female cats, dogs tend to produce discharge during the estrus phase. While many dogs go into heat at around six months old, it varies by breed. Large dogs may not go into heat until they’re around two years old, and toy breeds can experience their first cycle as early as four months old. Here’s what you should look for if you think your dog could be in heat. 

Related Videos
  • Discharge from the vulva (it ranges in color and can appear off-white, yellowish, pink, or bloody)
  • Swelling of vulva
  • Frequent urination
  • Frequent licking of the genital area
  • Behavioral changes around male dogs
  • Laziness 
  • Increase in affectionate behavior
  • Nervousness or aggression

Your dog’s behavior can change from cycle to cycle. Just because she’s cuddly and affectionate the first time she’s in heat doesn’t mean she won’t become aggressive the next time.

The stages of the heat cycle

There are four stages to a dog’s heat cycle, which lasts around 21 days. Estrus — the stage of the cycle where dogs can become pregnant — typically lasts from one and a half to two weeks, but shorter and longer durations are also possible. Most dogs have an average of two heat cycles per year, but that also varies by breed. Let’s look more closely at the different stages of the heat cycle.

Proestrus stage

During the proestrus stage, which lasts an average of nine days but can last three to 17 days, you’ll notice the vulva beginning to swell. Other symptoms to look out for include appetite changes and behavioral changes. These changes vary in every dog. While some dogs lose interest in their food, others become ravenous. Behavioral changes differ, too. Some dogs become clingy and demanding, while others don’t want to be touched at all. Your dog may also tuck her tail between her legs to protect her vulva.  

Estrus stage

The estrus stage, when your dog is fertile, usually lasts around nine days, but it can be as short as three days or as long as 21. This is what’s commonly referred to as being “in heat.” During this period, your dog’s ovaries release eggs, and she’ll be much more receptive to male companionship. Your dog could also try to run away from home during this stage. Other symptoms include discharge from the vulva, reduced swelling around the vulva, and affectionate behavior around male dogs. 

A Jack Russell terrier lying on the floor.
Ylanite Koppens from Pexels

Diestrus stage

In this stage, your dog is no longer fertile. Whether or not your dog is pregnant at this stage, you’ll stop seeing any discharge, she’ll stop being flirtatious with male dogs, aggressiveness toward other females will cease, and her vulva will return to its normal size. This stage of the cycle lasts anywhere from 60 to 90 days. 

Anestrus stage

The final stage of your dog’s heat cycle is also the longest, lasting roughly 100 to 150 days before starting all over again. The anestrus stage is also called the resting stage. As with the diestrus stage, you won’t see any signs of hormonal aggression or sexual behavior from your dog during this stage.

Keeping your dog safe and comfortable during heat

If this is your dog’s first heat cycle, she’s probably pretty confused right now. Some dogs become withdrawn and sullen, while others want to spend every waking moment plastered against your side. Here are a few tips to help your dog get through heat as comfortably as possible. 

  • Touch base with your vet if your dog appears ill. While behavioral changes are common during the heat cycle, dogs can develop a pyometra, a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus. Symptoms include fever, excessive drinking, lethargy, decreased appetite, vaginal discharge (including pus), and whimpering. 
  • Don’t let your dog outside alone — not even in your own backyard. Male dogs have been known to jump fences to reach female dogs in heat. It’s not worth the risk. 
  • Postpone trips to the dog park. No matter how much your dog enjoys romping around with her friends, now is not the time to take her outside where there are intact males. Also, no matter how well trained she is, she could run off in search of a mate. 
  • Invest in doggie diapers to cut down on the mess. You’ll keep your dog from potentially licking herself raw, and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and energy on cleanup.
  • If necessary, keep your dog separate from other pets. Your dog may have to spend her heat locked away from the rest of your furry family, but it’s better to keep her isolated than risk a fight.

After your dog’s heat is over, you may want to have her spayed. Veterinarians recommend spaying dogs when they’re around six months old, but it varies based on breed and your dog’s general health. If you decide to spay your dog, our tips will help you get her through her heats as comfortably as possible.  

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
4 2023 pet trends we’re happy to see (and 1 we’re not)
Pet care trends to look forward to in 2023, according to experts
Pet owner playing with his dog

Every time a new year rolls around, we can't help but think ahead. That's what New Year's resolutions are all about, right? Whatever our goals for the next 365 days may be, though, making predictions for the following year is nothing short of fun. What do you think 2023 will be like for us and our animal companions?

It's impossible to know for sure what the most popular pet trends of 2023 will be, but these animal experts have an idea. From the positive to negative and everything in between, these are next year's predictions.

Read more
What are the 7 breed groups and where does my dog fit in? Find out what your pup is known for
The American Kennel Club dog groups and the breeds that fit in them
A group of dogs sits on the sidewalk during their walk

We know dogs came to us from wild canines (likely wolves or jackals) and probably domesticated themselves rather than the other way around. In the process, different types of pups came about, possibly splitting into groups more than 5,000 years ago! To categorize all these beasties, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has a list of recognized breeds, each of which fits into one of the seven groups. We'll walk you through the breed groups so you can determine where your pooch fits best.

What are breed groups?
Like any other classification system, these categories came about to help determine where each animal goes due to specific characteristics. In this case, breeds are placed together based on the original job they were bred to do. That means if you went back in time to your dog's ancestors, you would see them performing a job and being bred to do it well. Now, certain breeds continue to have similar dispositions as a result.

Read more
5 things vets wish pet parents would do in 2023: You can do all of these for your furry companion
Here are the things vets say you should do to keep your pet healthy and happy in 2023
Dog and cat cuddle in the yard

As the new year approaches, we all resolve to make a few enhancements to our lives. Maybe it's finally doing 30 days of yoga or participating in dry January or switching to Paleo. But you might also need to think about your resolutions for your pets  — there are so many small, easy steps you can take to improve their lives, and by extension, yours.

We checked in with a few vets to figure out the best practices to make 2023 an excellent year yet for both you and your animal. Here are the five things you should add to your list for the new year to keep your pet happy and healthy.

Read more