Stages of the Dog Heat Cycle
There are four stage of the dog heat cycle. These stages will vary in the changes that will happen to your furbabys body and behavior. The four stages are the following:
Proestrus: This is the beginning of your dog’s heat period. Her body will get ready for mating and will begin to show heat signs like a swollen vulva and discharge.
Estrus: This stage is where your furbaby will begin becoming receptive to males and will approach males with her tail held to the side, getting ready for a possible breeding. You’ll also notice her getting aggressive toward other female dogs.
Diestrus: This is the phase of the heat cycle in dogs where your furbabys body return to its normal state or develop for pregnancy.
Anestrus: Anestrus is the inactive phase of a dog’s heat cycle. There will be no signs of hormonal or sexual behavior during this stage.
You can also make a diaper out of an old T-shirt, which may be a better fit for larger dogs who may not be able to comfortably slip into human undies. A DIY dog diaper made from a shirt requires no sewing, though the final fit may wear a little loose and may not be best for dogs with a heavy flow. To make a dog diaper from a T-shirt, start by laying the shirt out flat, then fold the seam of one sleeve to about the center of the neck of the shirt. Do the same thing on the other side and then fold the top down until the shirt forms a T-shape, fold the lower half of the shirt up until its the correct size and shape, and then put it on your dog so that her tail pokes out through the neck hole.
Of course, dealing with a dogs period is only part of caring for a dog in heat. According to Banfield Pet Hospital, dogs in heat may also need to urinate more often, so be sure to allow your dog more bathroom breaks than usual if this is the case with her. Dogs in heat may also be a little more anxious or nervous during this time, so keep an eye out for any triggers and offer her as much quiet, serenity, and structure as possible.
If a female dog is not fixed, she will go into heat starting at the age of about nine months. The most obvious sign of a dog being in heat is vaginal bleeding, but they can also experience an increase in urination (because urine has scent signals that can attract a male dog to her), and you may notice her agitated more than usual, licking her genital area, and holding her tail in a different way. Unless your dog stays outdoors 24/7 (ideally with adequate shelter and provisions to be comfortable,) shell need to be dressed in dog period diapers to keep blood and discharge from staining your floors and furnishings.
According to VCA Hospitals, an unaltered female dog will usually go through about two heat cycles per year, and with a heat comes spotting or bleeding. Although there are store-bought dog diapers available for purchase online and at pet shops, making your own at home can be easily done with just a few basic materials and a little time.
An easy way to get a homemade diaper on your dog is to look to materials that you already have in your home. The easiest upcycled dog panties involve human underwear with a hole cut in the back for your dogs tail. Be sure to use brief-cut underwear or string-tie bikini bottoms, no boxers, in a size thats small enough to fit around your dogs waist without falling off, suggests K9 of Mine. For extra protection, you can line the underwear with a sanitary pad, pantyliner, or cut a bit from a puppy pad and change it out as needed.
Do Dogs Get Periods?
What is a dog “in season”? A dog in season is a dog who is experiencing her heat cycle. This is the time where your female dog is most fertile (and sometimes the best time to breed her, given shes mature enough). Just like how a woman gets her monthly menstruation, the heat cycle will continue all throughout your female dogs life.
When do female dogs have periods? And how long does a dog in heat bleed? Four Paws states that majority of female dogs experience their first heat at around six months old, some at around 18 to 24 months old. Others can go into heat even longer than that, especially for large-breed dogs. When dogs go into heat can vary greatly from one dog to another.
FAQ
Are there diapers for female dogs in heat?
How often should I change my female dog’s diaper in heat?
- Our TOP Choice. Paw Inspired Disposable Dog Diapers. …
- Best Reusable Diaper. CuteBone Reusable Dog Diapers. …
- Best Budget Option. OUT! …
- Best Full-Body Wrap. Surgi~Snuggly Washable Disposable Dog Diapers. …
- Best Stylish Diaper. …
- Best Diaper Cover. …
- Best Washable Liners.
Can you use baby diapers on female dogs?