Cloud 9 Canine, LLC, is a small business with a mission to cultivate a positive change in our Kalamazoo pet community through readily-available resources, quality education, and proper enrichment by experienced and passionate professionals. SO, when we identify a common gap in our pet community’s knowledge or skill needs, we respond by filling it!
In this case, we have recently informed a few families that their female dog is actively in heat, and they confided in us that they were not clear on how to tell their dog was coming into season. As we all aim to prevent unplanned litters of puppies, this is a vital resource for the health promotion of our dog community.
We are NOT veterinarians; however, as an evidence-based company, we recognize current research trends recommending delayed spay/neuter for developmental benefits (Hart et al., 2020) As a medical procedure, spaying/neutering options require discussions with your trusted veterinarian to make an informed decision on what’s best for your household and individual pet. None of the information in this guide is intended to replace individualized care under the recommendation and supervision of your veterinarian. For those that DO find themselves with an intact female dog, here’s a quick run-down on how to responsibly manage your dog when she enters her first heat!
Recognizing the Signs of Your Dog’s First Heat
Unfortunately, dogs do not come with a glowing “I AM IN HEAT” sign, and the symptoms tend to be quite variable between dogs. Many dogs are relatively easy to manage through their seasons, with the symptoms so subtle they may be overlooked—including split or silent cycles. Without a resource to know how to identify and manage heat cycles, it can be easy for us to miss the signs when our first female is in season. Therefore, it is critical that homes with an intact female dog routinely monitor their girls’ behavior and physical status to catch the heat cycle when it comes on.
- Spotting or Bleeding: Typically, this is the sign that most people tend to notice. Females in heat will leave SMALL droplets of blood or discharge on the floor. Some females do a thorough job of cleaning themselves, so you may not notice at all; others may be a little “messier.” In general, this tends to get noticed first, and it is NOT always obvious if you are not watching closely.
- Reddening, Swelling, and Discharge at the Vulva: Coming alongside spotting, changes in your dog’s vulva (their external genitalia) will also accompany a heat cycle. Regular visual examination, or even wiping, can help you catch early signs in your female dog before her first heat.
- Licking: If your female starts to show extra attention to her rear end, ensure that sets off a lightbulb warning to you! Discharge, spotting, and swelling may lead to additional cleaning. Ensure you visually check and wipe your female if you see her begin to lick or groom herself more frequently.
- Increased Urination: Some females may urinate more than usual. This typically shows up as “small pees” in multiple stops rather than one “large stop” to empty her bladder. This can be a marking signal.
- Behavior Changes—Social: This can vary female to female, as they may become receptive to male dogs at different stages in their heat, depending on the individual. Some may start off irritable to others in the home at first, while others may become more “flirty” than usual at the get go. Watch for any signs that your girl is feeling differently, even if you have not noticed any physical changes yet.
- Behavior Changes—Emotional: Also highly variable. Look for restlessness, anxiety, whining, window watching, vigilance, or other signs that your female dog isn’t feeling like quite herself.
A word on pyometra: if your female dog seems ill, lethargic, vomiting, please seek veterinary care immediately. Although more common in older dogs, any intact female may contract the serious and potentially life-threatening condition of pyometra, which is prevented and treated through a spay surgery (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine). Ensure you are aware of the signs and have a plan in place: do not assume illness or other discomfort are “normal” aspects of a heat cycle, and seek medical guidance from a veterinarian ASAP. Monitoring for illness, such as urinary tract infections and pyometra, should extend into the short period after the heat cycle concludes.
Managing a Female Dog in Heat
Managing your female dog in season will take extra vigilance, but it is doable with the right equipment to keep your home clean and dogs comfortable! See our guide below for steps to take with your female dog to get the household through their first season.
Note that cycle length varies, and dogs can and will breed after the visible spotting symptoms end(Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine): ensure you monitor your girl closely to prevent pregnancy until the fertile stage of the cycle has passed.
In general, it is safe to assume that monitoring will need to occur for a 2-3 week total period: while the dog is only receptive and fertile for a few days, we caution homes new to intact females to err on the side of remaining vigilant for la little longer rather than necessary as opposed to presuming the heat is over and putting their female in a situation where they could conceive.
Dogs may enter their first heat from a few months old up until closer to two years of age. Typically, most dogs start somewhere between 6-18 months, with most occurring in the first year.
- Panties or Briefs: Most families opt for panties with a liner to catch spotting and bleeding. It is best to have your puppy start wearing these BEFORE they need them so they have time to acclimate to the sensation of wearing them.
- Supervision: Even if crated, in a fenced yard, or on a leash, do NOT allow your girl to wander without supervision anywhere where other dogs may have access to her. We are responsible for leaving no chance for dogs to encounter each other while in season, and this requires CLOSE supervision and confinement by the household. Families with children who care for pets should be adequately prepared with this responsibility, or have an adult guardian manage the dog during their season. Crates, fences, gates, panties, and other barriers will not prevent dogs from breeding through them—ensure dogs are FULLY separated and CLOSELY supervised!!!
- Separate Other Pets: In multi-dog homes, have a plan in place to manage the anxiety or behavior of other dogs. Sometimes, other dogs may be best being kept separated, or sometimes even going elsewhere to get out of the home, if they find themselves distressed behaviorally or emotionally by a female in season.
- Carry Back-Up: Our staff carry spray shield while out and about to ensure we can protect dogs we are with. Consider walking in quiet, low-traffic areas or times of day, and/or carrying additional equipment to keep you and your dog comfortable. We generally recommend proactive management of keeping your girl out of busy areas during her cycle, if there is a potential for risk of failure for management. (Hint: The best form of management always considers a back-up plan for WHEN it fails, so be proactive here!)
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