Jun 21, 2024
As dog owners, we know lots of things about our dog’s favourite food, toys, and activities. They even know about their favourite spot on the couch. While we may know almost everything there is to know about our dogs, there is something that seems like a blur, and that is their periods. Do dogs get periods?
Do Dogs Get Periods
Dogs do get periods, just like us humans. They, too, get their periods once they reach puberty. But their cycle works differently from ours. Dogs experience an oestrous cycle. This heat cycle is designed to prepare their bodies for mating and potential pregnancy.
What Is The Dog Heat Cycle
A dog’s heat cycle is their period. While this may be similar to other animals, the main differences lie in the cycle and how it affects the dog. The dog heat cycle contains four stages that have different behaviours of the dog. Changes in the behaviour and the physical body of your dog should be expected when she gets her period. Here are the phases of your dog’s heat cycle:
Proestrus
The proestrus is the start of the dog’s heat cycle. This usually includes swelling around the vulva, often accompanied by a bloody discharge. This phase means that the dog is starting to prepare for mating but is still not able to mate. The ovaries begin producing estrogen, and follicles around the egg start to develop. The proestrus can last from 7 behaviours.
Changes in your dog’s behaviour might start to manifest along with the swelling of the vulva and a noticeable discharge. This can be increased affection, restlessness, and sometimes an increase in aggression toward other dogs.
Estrus
The next stage is the estrus. In this stage, the dog is in “heat” and is ready to mate with a male dog. With this, certain changes in your dog’s physical and emotional spectrums will be noticeable by an. These are changes that are related to your dog’s desire to engage in sexual activity with other males. This phase can last anywhere from 5 to 10 days.
The main changes during estrus would be:
Swollen Vulva
Your dog’s vulva will be very swollen by the time she reaches this stage. While this is nothing to be alarmed about, it is important to monitor your dog’s genital area in case of any complications.
Lighter Discharge
the colour discharge becomes lighter in colour, turning into a yellow-to-brown colour that also decreases in amount.
Increased Affection
Your dog will continue to show more affection towards you and other dogs. She will try to go outside and find a male dog to mate with.
Urge to Lick
Your dog will have the urge to like her genital parts. This is because of the swelling of its vulva.
Frequent Urination
When your dog experiences heat, it will start to urinate more frequently to claim the territory as theirs.
Flagging
Flagging is when your dog moves their tail to the side. This signifies that she’s ready to mate with male dogs.
Diestrus
The diestrus stage comes directly after the estrus stage and indicates a gradual return to your dog’s normal state. Two possible scenarios might occur. Either your dog will return to its normal state or get pregnant. The most obvious signs of diestrus are when the vulva stops swelling, and the discharge comes to a halt. Your dog might also be less aggressive, affectionate, and receptive toward other male dogs.
In the event your dog gets pregnant, the pregnancy will last for about an average of 63 days, lasting the entire diestrus stage.
Anestrus
The anestrus marks the end of the cycle and the start of a period of sexual inactivity. This can go on for about 4 to 5 months before starting all over again with the proestrus. Progesterone levels are at a low level throughout this stage and the body prepares the uterus for another cycle.
When Do Dogs Get Periods
Dogs start to get their periods once they reach at least 6 to 15 months of age but this can vary by breed. Smaller dogs will get their periods earlier than large dog breeds. Female dogs do not experience monthly periods. Instead, they have theirs once or twice a year, lasting about two to three weeks. This varies from a multitude of factors such as breed and genetics.
What To Do When Dogs Get Periods
A dog’s heat cycle brings a lot of emotional distress to your dog. It’s a period of weakness wherein only you can help to get her through it. Here are some of the ways you can do to help your dog in her periods:
Manage the Discharge
Discharge can start as early as the first stage of your dog’s heat cycle. It is important to manage her discharge and prevent any infection from stemming from it. Cleaning up her genital parts and using diapers to keep them at bay is a great start to creating a comfortable situation for your dog. Female dog diapers help in keeping your dog’s discharge at bay but replacing it constantly is key to avoid any infection or irritation.
Monitor Behavior
Monitor how your dog acts during her heat cycle. Unusual behavior may translate to outlying conditions and issues that go beyond the effects of the period. Take note of the general changes dogs experience with their behavior during their heat cycle. It is important to know how your dog is faring with the increased affection and aggression she is experiencing.
Keep Her Safe
Keeping your dog indoors is a great way to ensure her safety, especially when she is experiencing her heat cycle. Your dog gets extremely receptive to male dogs whenever she is in heat. By keeping her inside, you essentially remove all the dangers and hazards your dog could face. Stray animals, fast cars, and the dirty outdoors would lead to potential injuries and infections for your dog. Protecting your dog is a priority. This strategy also prevents unwanted pregnancy.
Provide Comfort
Create a comfortable space for her in your home. Your dog will feel very uncomfortable with all the physical and behavioural changes she will experience. It is important to relieve some of the stress by replacing her bedding, changing her diaper, and providing her with all the attention to keep her comfortable.
As much as possible, try engaging her with an activity that she loves. Dogs are extremely playful and will appreciate all the time you spend playing with them. This would give your dog the emotional boost she needs to get through her period. Playing can also distract your dog from the stress and keep them busy.
Feed Her Well
With all the physical and emotional changes going on during your dog’s heat cycle, feeding her with the right food is important. A balanced diet with some tasty snacks to go with it can help your dog maintain its bodily functions and cope better with the changes that have been going on.
Use Pheromones
Pheromones are invisible chemical signals that dogs use to communicate their reactions to various stimuli. In every emotion dogs have, they use pheromones to give off a sense of their feelings to animals around them. Pheromones can be used for bond-making, alleviating stress, and sharing emotions.
Pheromone products such as diffusers, collars, and sprays all help in reducing the stress and extreme emotions dogs may feel during their heat cycle. However, it is always important to consult an expert to see if these products can be used on your dog.
How To Prevent Periods In Dogs
The main way to stop dogs from having periods is through spaying. Spaying is a surgical procedure in which a female dog's uterus and ovaries are removed. This means that they lose the ability to reproduce and experience their heat cycles. But with the removal of these organs, a multitude of benefits will follow.
What Are The Benefits Of Spaying Dogs
Spaying dogs can essentially stop them from having periods. As a bonus, there are several benefits to this:
Prevention of Heat
When dogs are spayed, they no longer have the ability to undergo the heat cycle. They remove all the effects of this process entirely. This means that they won’t have a significant change in their behaviour and bodies, which includes painful and stressful factors. By doing so, they become happier, healthier, and safer from harm.
Reduced Risk of Diseases
By removing the ovaries and uterus, any risk of contracting diseases related to these organs would be removed entirely. Certain conditions, such as ovarian and uterine cancer, would not exist in your dog’s body.
Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy
Female dogs undergoing their heat cycles may feel the need to mate with males. As a result, unwanted pregnancies occur, and puppies get abandoned. Through spaying, female dogs lose the ability to reproduce and the risk of unwanted pregnancies.
Conclusion
Whether you are a seasoned dog owner or a newbie to the world of dogs, understanding your dog’s heat cycle is important to maintaining your best friend’s health. Her heat cycle is a big part of her life, and she needs all the help she can get to get through this tough time. Providing the right care and love lets your dog know you are there and ensures that she remains healthy and happy.