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You must be prepared for her heat cycles if you have a female puppy.
A female dog encounters puberty in the first 9th or 10th month of her age.
In some smaller dog breeds, the signs of the heat cycle can occur even earlier.
Whereas, in the larger dog breed, the heat period may take up to 18 to 20 months.
Having a non-neutered male in the house can speed up the time it takes for a female to go into heat.
It could be as young as four months.
One of the significant concerns you might have is, “How much do dogs bleed in the heat?”
It is essential to consult a professional veterinarian regarding the heat cycle and breeding process.
For your dog not to have any health issues, it is best to wait for your dog’s second or third heat cycle before getting her bred with a male dog.
Bleeding is one of the signs in the heat cycle that a female dog experiences.
It is significant for a dog owner to know about the heat cycle signs, stages, and care required by a female dog.
So, let’s get started.
Signs Of Heat Cycle in a Female Dog
One significant sign that a female dog experience is vaginal bleeding.
The amount of bleeding in some dog breeds is heavy, while it is normal in others.
Dogs in heat don’t usually bleed a lot, so if you’re worried, go to the vet and explain the problem in detail.
You will notice blood spots here and there inside your house.
Other visible signs appear during a heat cycle, including genital swelling when the dog starts to lick herself.
In addition, the females ask for male dogs’ attention as they want to mate.
Your female dog will appear to be more receptive to male dogs for mating during the second week of her heat period.
Another visible sign of a heat period is spraying.
This sign can irritate you when the female dog sprays her urine to attract male dogs with her pheromones.
How to Ease the Signs with Care
A heat period can be a phase of real infuriation, but you must be prepared to care for your female dog.
As your female dog will be experiencing bleeding from her vulva, make sure to provide hygiene care to her.
Always wipe out the blood spots immediately. Furthermore, clean your dog’s comfort area every day.
How Long Does the Heat Cycle Take?
The heat cycle can take around three weeks in some female dogs.
For others, it can be longer.
A female dog will get pregnant after mating with a male dog or entering a resting phase.
There are four stages in a female dog’s heat cycle which include:
Proestrus Stage:
This phase will last for 9 to 10 days when you notice signs such as bleeding and vulva swelling.
As the phase ends, the bleeding becomes very light or stops.
Your female dog might seem jumpy or ask for your attention.
In the proestrus phase, a female dog attracts male dogs for mating.
Estrus Stage:
After the first phase ends, the female dog enters the estrus phase, lasting 9-15 days.
The bleeding stops at the estrus stage, but the female dog will spray her urine more often to attract male dogs.
As soon as a male dog is presented, she will indulge in the mating process.
Diestrus Stage:
This phase is a long one that will last for 3 to 4 weeks in which, whether the female dog is bearing her pups or entering the resting phase.
There is no more bleeding at this stage, nor is she receptive to being mated.
Anestrus Stage:
The last phase is called the Anestrus phase, which involves the recovery stage.
Your female dog will act normal, and there will be no sexual behavior during this stage.
The Anestrus phase can last for 3 to 5 months until the next proestrus phase starts.
Which phase is safe for spaying?
If you do not want pups from your female dog, it is better to get her spayed.
The spaying can be done during the anestrus phase when she fully recovers.
Consult your veterinarian during the spaying process, so your dog does not face any health issues.
Final Thoughts
Your female dog’s heat cycles require your attention and care.
In some dog breeds, heat signs appear earlier, while in others, they may appear after 18 to 24 months.
Some signs, such as bleeding or spraying, can worry you at first, but you will get used to them once you know how to tackle them.
Some veterinarians also prescribe medications to ease this tough time for your female dog.
If you want your female dog to carry pups, then it is essential to get her in touch with a male dog, especially during the second phase, i.e., estrus.
Spaying is another option if you do not wish for any more pups.
Spaying or getting your dog neutered has various health benefits.
Purrfect n’ Pawesome is the brainchild of Amanda, who has been into researching and writing about pets to help other pet parents in nurturing their adorable pets. Currently, she runs Purrfect n’ Pawesome along with her team of experienced and dedicated pet experts. Along with being an awesome writer and entrepreneur, Amanda is a cat mom to two innocently spoiled cats, Balanca and Scruffy.
She has been writing about pet care and nurturing and wants to share her readers’ experiences, learnings, and knowledge.
Over the years, she had the opportunity to work with various pet owners having multiple breeds, and that exposure gave her experience and the lessons of a lifetime.
Her family, her entire universe revolves around her two cats, who give her endless support and inspiration to move ahead with her objectives in life. Amanda is a live example of a balanced approach to all parenthood questions we all face in life.
