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.
Diapers for dogs in heat can really be made from any absorbent material that will cover your dogs vagina. Some people opt to use diapers designed for children on their dogs, assuming their dog is small enough to fit into them. To make a DIY diaper out of an existing diaper, simply cut a hole for your dogs tail to fit through and secure the diaper around your dogs waist as one would a baby. The same things can be done with a baby onesie, which usually fit well on small dogs.
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.
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.
Sometimes crafting homemade items for your dog in heat can add up to time and money you dont want to spend. Innovative dogs can find a way to wiggle out of onesies, dislodge diapers made for humans, or chew up and make a mess with sanitary pads. Wrap-style doggie diapers such as Pet Parents Washable Dog Diapers stay in place and are more comfortable with a pet-oriented design.
Each diaper has a sewn-in absorbent pad that holds up through many trips through the washing machine. The high cut allows your dog natural freedom of movement, meaning it wont rub or be uncomfortable for her. An elasticized tail hole keeps moisture in. The snug fit is more likely to deter successful mating than a loose-fitting human diaper.
For travel or other times when washing is inconvenient, use disposable varieties of female dog diapers such as Simple Solution Disposable Dog Diapers for Female Dogs. The dog-specific diapers have fur-friendly closures that wont pull your pups hair or leave gummy residue behind.
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.
The Best Diapers For Dogs In Heat
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Oh no, it happened! My Husky Sasha started her first heat. I quickly realized that if I wanted to keep blood out of the carpet and off of my upholstered couch (also known around these parts as “Sasha’s spot), I’d need to get some doggie diapers. These are good for incontinent dogs, of course, but they’re also great for female dogs in heat.
After trying several different ones, I decided that the Paw Inspired Disposable Dog Diapers were the best choice for me and my Sasha. They are super convenient and don’t require washing diapers or using liners. They come in a large quantity, allowing you to always have them on hand, since your dog’s heat schedule can catch you off-guard. There are also smaller packages available for if your pup is still growing or if you plan to only let her have one heat cycle before spaying.
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.
Best Diaper Cover Best Diaper Cover
Sometimes you might want to cover your dog’s disposable diaper for going on a walk; other times, your dog might not feel like having her disposable diaper on and might try to pull it off. A diaper cover can help! The Wiz BBQT Diaper Cover Ups are a set of two simply adorable strawberry-themed covers that will help conceal and protect your pup’s diaper.
The covers are made of soft cotton and are easy to toss in the washing machine. You can use them over a disposable diaper or you can slide a diaper liner or a sanitary pad inside. Your dog will step into these with her back legs; there are no hook-and-eye fasteners, so they tend to be difficult for dogs to pull off on their own. To adjust the waist size, you can tighten or loosen the drawstrings on the back.
FAQ
Do dog diapers work for dogs in heat?
How long can a dog in heat wear a diaper?
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How do you keep a diaper on a dog in heat?