07 Apr Everything about periods in dogs

If you have a female dog at home or your dog hasn’t been spayed, it must be interesting for you to know that there are also periods in female dogs. Female dogs usually bleed regularly after puberty. Periods in dogs may be scary and dirty at first, but if you have the right information and understanding of the story, you can help your dog more and better.

Periods time in dogs

 Menstruation is part of the estrous cycle of dogs. It is sometimes said that the dog is “in the heat” or “in season” during this time, and this estrous cycle is also called the “heat cycle.”

The first estrous cycle for dogs is around six months age and reaching puberty, But this age varies between different breeds and dogs. In other words, smaller breeds sooner and larger dogs may experience their first heat later. While humans experience an average menstrual cycle every 28 days, a dog’s estrous cycle lasts between 3 weeks to six months or more. Dogs continue their cycle, but as they get older, the time between estrus will increase.

This cycle isn’t constant and sometimes occurs twice a year. For example, some smaller breeds heat up to four times a year, and huge dogs, such as St. Bernard or Great Danes, only heat up once every eighteen months. The timing of this cycle also varies, But this cycle usually lasts up to three weeks. During this time, the vulva becomes red and swollen with pink or clear discharge. Dogs are likely to become nervous and alert during this time.

Periodic discharge in dogs

The periodic discharge varies in different breeds, and it isn’t just pure blood. Some dogs may have a lot of discharge and leave spots on the floor or bed, while others have little discharge, and their spot is difficult to see. Discharge in this cycle begins with a large red discharge and later turns into yellow, pink or watery spots. Cleaning these stains is a very tedious task; That’s why dog ​​diapers have been created. If you use diapers, you should change them regularly and keep your dog’s skin clean and dry. Heavy bleeding or bleeding outside the heat cycle isn’t normal, and you should contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms. The dog’s heat cycle has four stages. The first three can last up to 30 days and include the following times:

• Bleeding (7-10 days)
• Admission for reproduction (7-10 days)
• Return to normal (7-10 days)

The fourth stage is the months between the end of one period and the beginning of the next.

 Dogs urinate more with bleeding. During this stage, estrogen levels rise, fall sharply, and then your dog’s ovaries release an egg; So they prepare for mating. Some dogs mark areas of their home or outdoors with strong-smelling urine to attract their male counterparts. Dogs can usually get pregnant late in the first week until after the second week. Your dog may initiate sexual contact, such as raising her back and tilting her tail to one side, which is called “flagging.” she will probably actively propose to male dogs by the end of the cycle.

During this time, show more love and attention to your dog. She gets hungry and tired earlier in this period. Please pay attention to her appetite and thoroughly clean and bathe her frequently to remove any possible discharge. These female dogs should be kept away from any aggressive male dogs during this period. So when your dog is out, make sure she is on the leash or behind the fence. You can get help from your veterinarian or a groomer to pass this period easily and better in all these steps.

Managing periods in dogs

Now that you are more familiar with your dog’s estrous cycle, you can use the following products to control and manage this period. Before starting your dog’s period, it’s better to get reusable or disposable diapers.

• Reusable diapers:

Reusable diapers are suitable for those who are concerned about their economy or environment. These diapers are absorbent, multi-layered and washable by hand or in the washing machine and are available for small, medium or large breeds. You can choose the best for your dog from neutral colours or popular prints to your taste. Most dog owners find these diapers to be effective, useful and great for their dog.

• Disposable dog diapers:

If you don’t like to wash diapers, you can use disposable ones for dogs. These diapers are leak-proof, absorbent, comfortable, safe, and available for small, medium or large breeds. Disposable diapers have been called “saviour” and very suitable for dogs.

• Full-body dog ​​diapers:

If your dog is very active, you can try full-body dog ​​diapers. These diapers are very safe and have been reviewed by various specialists and veterinarians. These diapers are available in different sizes, from small to very large. These diapers are also antimicrobial to help protect your dog from germs. In addition to different sizes, these diapers are available in several colours, including pink, blue, red and purple.

Neutering dogs

Having estrus costs a lot for dog owners. So if you don’t intend to breed your dog, there is no reason for your dog to experience this estrous cycle. Pets that don’t want to get pregnant can be sterilized through surgery. This is called ovary hysterectomy or sterilization of female animals. Until the dog becomes infertile, it becomes estrus every six months or in adulthood. Sterilization has numerous benefits, including reducing the dogs’ health risks, many dogs’ softer behaviour and fewer stray animals.

Dogs need proper nutrition before and after spaying, which you should talk to your veterinarian about. After a dog is neutered, her metabolism decreases, so you should have a neutered pet food. Proper nutrition plays a central role in the recovery and your puppy’s overall health.

Keeping a dog is a big responsibility. You have to love dogs to be able to support and care for them in every aspect. Menstruation or estrus is a sensitive and difficult period that should be paid much attention to. Sterilization is another way to prevent this period and its problems, But this operation will deprive the dogs’ chance of pregnancy forever. Mishka’s specialized team will accompany you at all stages during this period and help clean and bathe your dogs frequently to increase their cleanliness and health.