The 10 questions I get asked the most about bitches in heat

1. What is heat?

The heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, bitches can become pregnant. It is equivalent to human menstruation.

2. What are the symptoms?

Women bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Don’t expect bleeding comparable to that of a human female.

For small dogs, it’s usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your pup to identify his first cycle. Besides bleeding, the most noticeable symptom may be

male dogs hanging around your house.

3. When does a bitch go into heat?

The average female dog has her first cycle around six months of age. Some dogs start earlier and some later, even up to 14 months.

If you have a new puppy, you should observe her and note when she has her first cycle. If she is 14 months old and not yet in heat, you should take her to the vet.

4. How long is the heat cycle?

The average is three weeks or 21 days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks, while others last four weeks.

5. How often will she be in heat?

Most female dogs have regular cycles, usually every six to eight months. It is quite typical to be in heat twice a year.

6. When can you get pregnant?

She can get pregnant only when she is in heat. some breeders

it tests progesterone levels to identify your most fertile days, but the general rule of thumb is that your most fertile days are 11-15 of your cycle.

Note: When in heat, the average bitch will allow any male

dog to ride However, few females will accept a male when

they are not in heat.

7. Can you get pregnant on your first cycle?

Yes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one thing, you have to do genetic testing and some serious problems like hip conditions don’t show up until the dog is about 2 years old.

8. Can I take her for a walk during this cycle?

Yes carefully. She doesn’t have a problem with exercise, but she is a walking magnet for male dogs.

Even the best trained and educated female dog will succumb to hormones. You can’t trust her off leash or out of your control. Never leave her outside alone, even in a fenced yard, if there is a chance that male dogs are near her.

For walks, if there are male dogs in your neighborhood, it’s a good idea to take your dog in your car and drive to a remote area. Take her for a ride there and drive back home. Otherwise, the smell of her urine and vaginal discharge will find a way to your house.

9. When can I sterilize it?

The answer to that has continually changed over the years.

25 years I’ve been in the dog business. People were told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or let her have a litter.

Today, vets are doing it much sooner. Some vets spay at 6 weeks of age! Talk to your vet about your dog and the vet’s preferences. The state of veterinary medicine has also greatly improved in the last 25 years.

10. If you don’t get spayed, you’ll go through menopause.

No. Your fertility may decrease, but you will not go through a menopause comparable to that of a human being. She will not lose her ability to get pregnant even when she is older, so if she does not want her to have any (or more) litters, she should be spayed.