Some females will be a little more aggressiveduring their heat period, but most show no change in behavior andinteraction with their owners. Below, we’ll dig into some of the details of the cycle, explore the different stages, explain the three primary hormones involved in the process, and discuss the frequency and duration of your dog’s periods. The behaviour of an unspayed female dog will sometimes change dramatically when she is in season, and as it is recommended that female dogs are not spayed until after they have had their first season, this is something that all owners of female dogs or puppies will have to deal with at least once! While dogs are bleeding, they also urinate more frequently, says Daily Puppy. Dogs have periods for varying lengths of time, but they typically last about 14 to 28 days. It's important to realize that a dog can go into her first heat as young as six months of age. So, do dogs have periods? Your dog’s vulva will swell during this phase, and a blood-tinged discharge will become apparent. Actually, this is not the case. Ben’s had the chance to work with hundreds of different species, but his favorite animals have always been dogs. Reproductive Season, Heat, Oestrus, And Pregnancy Tests. The female dog menstrual cycle lasts for 21 days or three weeks on an average, but it may vary from 8 to 30 days. K9ofMine.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. How long does a dog in heat bleed? On average, most dogs reach puberty by the age of six months, but this can vary. Estrogen and progesterone levels remain low for the duration of this phase. The only way to stop her from going into heat is to have her spayed. Dogs usually become sexually mature at about 6 months of age, which is about the time most females experience their first period. Deborah Lundin is a professional writer with more than 20 years of experience in the medical field and as a small business owner. You have successfully joined our pup pack. If you do not plan to breed your dog, spaying should take place before puberty and the first estrus. Although dog cycles can vary for a number of reasons, most pooches will get a period about twice per year – once every six months or so. Dogs have their first estrus cycle upon reaching puberty, usually at about six months of age, though this can change from breed to breed. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Some older females may experience “silent” cycles at times, and their chances of conceiving and successfully birthing a litter may also diminish, but failing a bona fide health problem, they will continue to cycle for their entire life. Small breeds often mature earlier than this (occasionally as young as 3 months), while giant breeds mature at a glacial pace, and may not have their first period until 18 months of age. First estrus generally occurs when an unspayed female dog is between six and 24 months old. However, the animal kingdom is littered with other examples of seasonal breeders. The age of first heat will vary by size of dog … On average, this occurs between 10 and 12 months of age. The female dog menstrual cycle lasts for 21 days or three weeks on an average, but it may vary from 8 to 30 days. Dogs don’t have a uterus, they have uterine horns. Diestrus lasts about two months. It is important to consult your vet if your dog’s period lasts much longer than this or she continues to bleed after her vulva shrinks. Dog Health However, the reproductive cycle of dogs – like that of humans and some other animals – is not tied to seasonal changes. When do female dogs get their period - Answered by a verified Dog Specialist We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. This often happens when a dog’s body has not yet produced enough progesterone to initiate all of the signs of the estrus cycle. As estrus approaches, your dog’s hormone levels begin to change. Talk to your vet about the best time to spay your pup. On average, a complete estrus cycle lasts 18 days. Do Dogs Have Periods: In short, no, female dogs do not have periods in the same way that human females do. 11 Hacks to Get Your Dog to Take Medicine. During this initial stage, the external vulva swells. VCA Animal Hospitals: Estrus Cycles in Dogs. On average, your unsprayed female dog begins an estrus cycle every six months, or twice a year. Smaller dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas, reach puberty and estrus as early as 6 months of age. Many dogs will remain active after their operation. You may see slight behavioral changes, such as nervousness, alertness and an increase in urination frequency. Most female dogs will be willing to stand for a male dogand permit breeding around 10 to 16 days after the beginning oftheir heat period. Humans shed the lining of their uterus during menstruation, which in turn causes bleeding, aka their “period.” Roughly 14 days after this occurs, humans ovulate which is when they are most fertile. 6 months long. Most female dog heat cycle is experienced at least twice a year or once every seven months. Because sperm can survive in the dog’s uterus or fallopian tubes for 5 to 7 days, successful mating can take place during the entirety of her period. © Copyright 2021 by K9 Of Mine / Marrsipan Media LLC |, time period during which your dog is in heat. Conception typically takes place about half-way through the estrus phase, which lasts about 9 days or so in most dogs. She studied medical science and sociology at Northern Illinois University. If your dog still bleeds after being spayed, it could potentially relate to a post-operative problem or internal bleeding around the wound. However, there is significant variation among breeds, health statuses, and individuals. Don’t think you’re in the clear once the bleeding stops. Swelling of the vulva, like other symptoms, varies in extremity from one dog … This discharge typically lasts for seven to 10 days before changing to a clear discharge. Small breeds tend to reach sexual maturity more quickly, while large breeds can take longer. Breed and size can also play a role in estrus frequency. They reach their highest levels about halfway through the phase and then begin to return to normal levels. If you don’t get your new addition spayed right away, she’s going to start having heat cycles, known as estrus. Male dogs will likely be attracted to your pup during this time, but she will not yet be receptive to their advances. But it will not involve bleeding. If your dog gets pregnant, you should know that the gestation period for dogs is between 58 and 68 days. When do dogs get their first period? They have a reproductive cycle, of course. Answer. This is the five to eleven-month period of inactivity that eventually cycles back into proestrus to begin the cycle anew. However, female dogs pass through several different stages while completing this cycle, with each of these stages lasting for a different length of time and being characterized by different levels of various hormones. When do female dogs get their "periods"? This is sometimes referred to as a dog's period … Contrary to previous beliefs, waiting until after the first heat cycle to spay does not provide any health benefits -- it actually increases the risk of breast cancer. From the time they get their milk teeth and start to play with each other, puppies will nip at their litter mates, roll around with each other, knock each other down, and cuddle – all designed to be part of learning how to socialize with other dogs. This means your dog will probably get a period twice a year. Dogs do not have periods, they have estrus cycles, commonly referred to as coming into heat. It tends to occur earlier for small-breed dogs and later for large-breed dogs. Smaller breeds may have up to three estrus cycles a year, while larger dogs may only have a cycle every 12 to 18 months. Dog puberty is the period between sexual maturity and social maturity and can happen between around seven months to almost two years, depending on the breed (larger breeds take longer to develop). Puppies do tend to bite, but it’s perfectly normal behavior for a puppy. Like humans, dogs get periods if they fail to become pregnant during the fertile portion of their reproductive cycle. Estrus in an unspayed female dog occurs once or twice a year. At the conclusion of anestrus, your dog’s body will begin increasing the production of estrogen (progesterone... Estrus. During a heat cycle, a female dog that has not been spayed will have a swollen vulva and bleed from its vaginal opening. Appetite changes mean your dog may experience decreased appetite during proestrus, though more rarely, she may become hungrier. Hey there, Ms. Ovulation typically occurs once the luteinizing hormone levels drop back to normal levels, and your dog will likely become receptive to males at this time. The first half of the pregnancy is the one that allows the formation of the puppies, creating their organs, muscles and bones; this period lasts for 6 weeks. 2 Comments. At the conclusion of anestrus, your dog’s body will begin increasing the production of estrogen (progesterone hormones remain at low levels during this phase). 2) Dogs absolutely have a uterus. In a word…no. However in the case of bitches this does not happen; female dogs continue to have seasons for their entire lives and therefore could potentially get pregnant. Uterine horns are paired outgrowths of the body of the uterus. A dog getting her period is usually referred to as the dog “going into heat.” It usually occurs about twice a year, with the first cycle coming sometime between the time the dog reaches six months of age and her first birthday. Dogs do not get menstrual cycles with a period every month like women do, they get heat cycles instead. Female dogs go through a heat cycle, which is similar to a period in a human, every 6 to 9 months or so. Get tons of great dog training advice and tips about gear! Some dogs may begin raiding trash cans during this period; others may go off their food entirely. If you do see a small amount of bleeding from the wound after your dog has been spayed, you should consult with your vet and get it checked out. Do Cats Get Periods? Sundowners Syndrome in Dogs: Symptoms and Solutions! Spaying can occur as early as 2 months of age. Most female dogs will have have their first periods irregularly, but the cycle tends to normalize in the first two years. Female intact dogs also referred to as "bitches", reach sexual maturity (puberty) between 4 to 18 months of age, at which time they experience their first estrus. How Long Does a Typical Period Last for Dogs? Get tons of great dog training tutorials, canine gear guides, and the latest doggy discounts. A puppy has her first estrus cycle when she reaches sexual maturity, or puberty. Some dogs will mark areas of their house or outdoors with their strong-smelling urine, known to attract their male counterparts and alert them of their … Many owners opt to outfit their dogs in period panties during this time to avoid any mess. During this time, your dog’s vulva will appear normal and no discharge will be apparent. This is the time when they are most fertile and receptive to mating. The majority of dogs come into heat twice a year, roughly every six months, but this is far from a rigid timetable and can vary between breeds and between individual dogs. Note that female dogs do not go through menopause (lengthy menopauses are actually fairly rare in the natural world). Another way of looking at it is as a time when their hormones are running ahead of their brains – pretty much like with human teenagers! Once she "gets her period," as it were, you’ll want to keep her away from other dogs. Dogs do not have periods as such, they have heat, or … Further complicating matters, some dogs have what is colloquially known as a “silent heat,” in which no visible signs (specifically a bloody vaginal discharge) occur. It takes some dogs a few years to settle into a reliable pattern, so it can be difficult for owners to predict the length of their dog’s cycle. In addition to reducing accidental pregnancy and dealing with estrus cycles, spaying reduces the risk of breast and other reproductive system cancers. Smaller dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas, reach puberty and estrus as early as 6 months of age. This third stage is the period following mating, it commonly lasts 58 to 63 days in a pregnant female and 60 to 90 days in a non-pregnant female. The female dog menstruation period usually starts when she is 5 to 10 months old; however, in some small breeds, it may start at six months. Dogs don’t have periods like humans. Otherwise, she's bound to get pregnant and present you with a litter. During the first two years, your dog’s cycles may not come in regular intervals, as it takes some time for the body to develop and cycle. Dogs generally tend to go into heat every 6 to 12 months (depending on breed) and their heat cycle lasts for about three weeks. However, the breed and size of your dog play a role in sexual maturity. If your dog experiences it, you should call your veterinarian immediately. Having an unspayed dog—especially if you also have an intact male dog—in your home can be a challenge, but knowing what to expect can help prevent problems from arising. How Often Do Dogs Go Into Heat? Bitches may not be receptive towards male dogs during the first few days of their cycle but this varies from dog to dog.