Dogs that have not been spayed or neutered will generally come into heat when they are in heat. In particular, spring and fall are the two seasons when dogs are in heat. Of course, there are a few dogs that will come into heat outside of this time period. The first heat cycle for dogs is usually at the age of 8 months, depending on the breed, it may be earlier or later. Generally, smaller dogs come into heat earlier than larger dogs. The average dog comes into heat twice a year, six months apart, although there are variations from breed to breed. This rule helps you determine all the signs of your dog, whether it is in heat or not. For example, when a dog was in heat just two months ago, then the vulva is now swollen with discharge, it is definitely not in heat. If it is physiologically abnormal, there must be something else wrong. Due to differences in hormone levels, some dogs come into heat very punctually, once every six months. Physical conditions can vary, but variations within 4-8 months are normal. The dog’s estrus usually lasts three to four weeks. Oestrus behavior
Female and male dogs behave differently when they are in heat.
Female dog in heat behavior.
During a bitch’s heat, physical and behavioral you will change. The main manifestations are: behavioral changes, increased excitability, increased activity, restlessness, barking, eyes shiny; swollen pubic door, flushed, red mucus with blood; reduced appetite, frequent urination, tail arching back, like to approach the male dog, often climbing across other dogs, etc. The time of estrus is about 5-12 days, if conceived, the late performance of estrus will be pregnancy period.
Male dog in heat performance.
Again, during the male dog in heat, he may hold some kind of object, territorial awareness will increase, and frequent urination everywhere to occupy the territory, and will grasp attached to different objects or the owner’s legs. And the male dog can mate at any time as long as he is in the adult phase, unlike the female dog, who will only give his tail during estrus.
Duration of estrus
Female dogs generally go into heat for 10-15 days, and some young dogs can last up to 17-18 days before it ends. Adult male dogs, as long as they are in good health, may go into heat at any time.
What to do
What should pet owners do when their dogs are in heat?
1. Feed probiotics
Dogs tend to lose their appetite and eat less when they are in heat. At this time, pet owners can feed some special probiotics for pets, because probiotics can help dogs regulate the gastrointestinal, help digestion, improve appetite. You can put a packet of water inside the dog to drink every day, or mix it into the food to feed.
2. Pay attention to the diet
The dog in heat will become anxious, excited or food is not tasty, when the pet owner is best to give it with a balanced nutrition, good palatability, easy to digest natural dog food. And because it is easy to constipation during the rut, so to increase the appropriate coarse food and vegetables, do not feed cold and sour, spicy food.
3. Reduce the time to go out
During the heat, both male and female dogs are prone to “scattering”, so try to reduce the time your dog goes out to avoid getting lost. If the dog has to go out, the pet owner must put a leash on the dog, or the dog will be lost and difficult to catch back!
4. wear physiological pants
During the dog in heat to focus on the health situation, because improper hygiene treatment, it is easy to lead to infection. So, in the estrus pet owners can give the female dog wear physiological pants, one can prevent the dog’s secretions dripping, the second can prevent it from making some indecent behavior.
And male dogs are prone to cross-riding behavior during estrus, which makes many pet owners feel very embarrassed. Therefore, when the male dog appears to straddle the behavior of the pet owner should be stopped immediately. The owner can immediately press the dog to the ground, belly up, seriously stare at its eyes and say NO! Note 1. 2. reduce or even do not take the dog out during the heat, because the female dog in heat has a great temptation to male dogs, sometimes bring home stray male dogs, or let some male dogs to fight because of the scramble, and easy to let other people’s dogs get lovesick, do not eat or drink. So the best way is to try not to take the female dog in heat out. Especially the time after two weeks of seeing red. 3. If you bring diapers to the dog, make sure to change at least 2-3 a day, because wearing diapers dogs are also prone to pee directly into the pants, over time, very muffled.
