Understanding Dog Periods

Understanding the frequency and signs of a dog's heat cycle is essential for responsible pet ownership and can aid in proper care and planning. A typical heat cycle in dogs lasts for about two to four weeks. During this time, hormonal changes occur, and your pooch becomes fertile. Typically, dogs will get a period every six months but this can depend on a number of factors, including age, breed and health. Smaller dogs may have shorter gaps between periods, and larger dogs mature slower, so they will generally have their first heat later. Young dogs, in general, may have irregular cycles along with aging companions too. 

During their period, you’ll notice a number of symptoms, both physical and behavioural changes. Early signs include their vulva appearing more swollen than normal. This is a sign that their body has started to prepare itself for finding a mate. They will often start to show some nesting behaviours where they like to make a nice cosy bed and make sure they have everything they need in one area like their favourite toys. She might also become either aloof because she’s busy preparing for the possibility of puppies or she’ll become extra affectionate. 

The rush of hormones your canine companion goes through when she’s having her period can make her extra cuddly and needy. There is the very obvious symptom of spotting, which is when you may notice that she starts to leave blood where she’s been resting, and it can drip onto the floor. Different symptoms occur during different stages. A period is not just the time when she is bleeding, but there are weeks around that single symptom that she can still be considered as having a period. A dog's heat cycle contains four stages.

These include:  

Oestrus: This is when you will first notice the vulva swelling and bleeding, your pup will be preparing to breed but won’t tolerate male attention just yet. Other symptoms like nesting and becoming overly affectionate can occur here too.  

Proestrus: At this stage, she is ready to mate and will be much more welcome to any male dogs approaching. Her bleeding will gradually slow to a stop. 

Diestrus: This is the time after her period that can last from a week to the entire time she’s pregnant if she has mated where her body either recovers from being in season or prepares for puppies.  

Anestrus: The period of the cycle where she is back to normal with no signs or symptoms of being in heat.  

Providing proper care during their period really depends on each dog. Some pups will need lots of physical contact and comfort, while others may need a little bit of space. It’s important to monitor changes in their behaviour but also in their bleeding and discharge to make sure everything is going smoothly. Complications like phantom pregnancies can occur when a dog hasn’t mated, but their body shows signs of being pregnant after a period which may require a trip to the vet if it doesn’t resolve quickly. While they’re bleeding, be sure to wash their beds frequently. You can use puppy pads as dog period pads like the Rufus & Rosie Puppy Pads to help protect their beds and the floor from staining. You can also get dog period nappies that are reusable, like the Simple Solution Diaper Garment Clamshell, to cut down on washing and keep their space clean.  

You can do everything in your power to keep things nice and clean but be prepared for the occasional accident or mess. If you don’t want your pooch to become pregnant, one of the most important parts of management is keeping them away from male dogs. If they still want to go on walks, choose quieter times and keep to street walks on lead instead of taking her to parks where there are lots of dogs running around off lead. Every male dog will likely show her a lot of attention, so you can avoid unwanted puppies by limiting her access as best you can.  

Considering how similar a dog’s period is to a human period, it would be unsurprising if they suffered from cramps like we do but there isn’t enough research to confirm it. There are behavioural signs that there is some discomfort, like becoming restless. Dogs will often seek extra attention from us when they’re hurt or unwell, and many pups want extra cuddles during their period, so this could be due to cramps, but we can’t be entirely sure. 

If you don’t want your pooch having puppies then neutering is a good option. It will not only eliminate the worry of her accidentally becoming pregnant, but it will also make her less at risk of health concerns like mammary cancer. She will also stop coming into heat, meaning no more messy periods! There is a lot of discourse around if and when you should neuter your canine companion. Studies find that female dogs are more likely to go through the process while male dogs are often left entire, likely because they don’t risk becoming pregnant.  

 

Some vets will recommend spaying before the first period, while more vets will not opt for waiting a little longer. From a behaviour perspective, it’s often thought best to let them fully mature before neutering them to make sure they can develop properly first. You can discuss your options with your vet and work out what’s best for you and your beloved pet.  

The key to caring for your pooch and making the right decision for her is all about understanding. You should know how to take proper care of her throughout her cycles and provide the comfort and protection she needs. If you don’t want to risk a litter of puppies then neutering is an option that will help to regulate her hormones, prevent periods and prevent some common health issues later in life. It’s a natural process, and there is no right or wrong, you know what’s best for your beloved pet, and your vet can help you make all of the right decisions for her. If you are looking to breed from her, then you also need to have a keen understanding of how her needs might change. Even simple things like her diet will need an overhaul to help meet the demands of her body going through such big changes.  

For everything you need to help keep your pooch content throughout her period, visit us in store and online.