When Do Dogs Stop Having Periods
A dog never stops having a “period” which is called going into heat and if your female dog ever stops going into heat, there’s most likely a medical issue or more time passes between estrus cycles.
If your female dog has actually stopped going into heat, she’ll most likely go into heat again, there’s just more time between the heat cycles.
As mentioned above, it’s still best to consult the vet due to the potential risks.
Your dog doesn’t have to miss her period, it can even happen that she coincidentally bleeds heavily and in a very unusual way which may indicate a serious health issue.
Pyometra, bladder stones/cancer, and urinary tract infection are all possibilities that should be ruled out.
Now that you know that dogs never stop going into heat, you might want to prepare for all the intrigued males out there (at least that’s true for my Rottie, mounting is a real issue there).
Dogs don’t have menopause as this concept is exclusive to humans as well as pilot whales and Orcas which means even if your female doesn’t go into heat for 6-12 months, she will eventually go into heat again.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent your dog from bleeding during her heat either.
As mentioned above, if you don’t consider spaying, there’s practically no way your dog will never go into heat again as there is no menopause.
If your dog’s heat was skipped, that’s not because she’s reached the age for menopause, but rather due to a medical issue or just a delayed heat.
At What Age Does A Dog Stop Going Into Heat
There is no age a female dog stops going into heat, they will continue to go into heat throughout their whole life unless they’re spayed or suffer from a medical condition.
However, as your dog ages, the heat might occur less frequently.
Instead of 2-3 times a year, your dog might go into heat every 12 months or so (which can be normal for giant breeds even at a young age).
A silent heat is also possible. The symptoms are not as clearly expressed but are still there and the female can still get pregnant.
It’s best to note your dog’s heat cycles to make sure you know when to expect the heat.
For example, my Rottweiler’s heat cycle is between 5-6 months.
This is not only great for planning but helps you if your dog has taken unusually long to go into heat and you suspect a potential health issue.
Don’t worry, while your dog will never stop going into heat on her own, it’s possible that your dog’s time between heat cycles has increased.
It’s still best to go to the vet for a quick check-up if your dog’s heat is overdue for a couple of weeks or even months.
The only way to make sure your dog will never go into heat again is by spaying.
You need to evaluate whether or not spaying is right for your dog.
If any dog is spayed too young, it’s proven to be correlated to medical issues.
That being said, for dogs old enough to be safely spayed, it might even be safer due to the increased risk of pyometra as the dog gets older.
At what age your dog reaches that point depends on the breed and other factors, but it’s usually safe around 2 years of age.
Pyometra is not the only risk, there are also different types of cancer such as ovary, mammary, and uterine cancer.
On the other hand, surgery and anesthesia are associated with greater risk for senior canines.
What are the signs of estrus?
The earliest sign of estrus is swelling or engorgement of the vulva, but this swelling is not always obvious. In many cases, a bloody vaginal discharge is the first sign that a pet owner will notice when their dog comes into heat. In some cases, the discharge will not be apparent until several days after estrus has begun. The amount of discharge varies from dog to dog.
The vaginal discharge will change in color and appearance as the cycle progresses. At first, the discharge is very bloody, but as the days pass, it thins to become watery and pinkish-red in color. A female dog that is in heat will often urinate more frequently than normal, or may develop marking behavior, in which she urinates small amounts on various objects either in the home or when out on a walk. During this phase of her cycle, the urine contains pheromones and hormones, both of which signal her reproductive state to other dogs. This is the reason that dogs in heat will attract other dogs, particularly males.
Male dogs can detect a female in heat from a great distance and may begin marking your property with their urine in an attempt to claim their territory.
Estrus is the stage when the dog can become pregnant. Although this can vary with each individual, on average a dog will be in heat for 1 ½ to 2 weeks but this can be shorter or longer.
4 Stages of Dog Heat Cycle (may be graphic)
If you got your female dog from a pet store or breeder, or adopted her from a shelter or rescue at a very young age, chances are she probably isnt spayed. At some point, then, your pup will inevitably be in “heat” — the part of her reproductive cycle when shes open to mating and can get pregnant.
Heat is sometimes referred to as a “dog period” because of the bloody vaginal discharge, but its important to note that dogs dont menstruate in the same way human females do. They do, however, have cycles during which they experience a surge and then decline in estrogen, and their ovaries release the eggs. Heat is the stage of this process when your dog ovulates.
Male dogs can only impregnate female dogs who are in heat, says Dr. Megan McCarthy, a staff veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society. Thats why its essential to pay attention to signs that suggest your dog is in heat.
Heres everything to know about dogs in heat — when and how often it happens, how long it lasts, and how to tell its happening.
Most dogs will have their first heat cycle between six and 15 months of age. This can vary depending on the dogs size and breed.
According to Dr. Ole Alcumbrac, veterinarian and owner of White Mountain Animal Hospital, dogs typically go into their first heat when theyve reached about 70%-80% of their maximum body weight. Larger breeds tend to start their heat cycles much later than smaller breeds, McCarthy says.
Dogs usually go into heat twice a year, or every 6 months or so, McCarthy says, and small dogs tend to go into heat more frequently than large dogs. Smaller breeds may cycle three times a year, but very large breeds may only cycle once a year.
Heat cycles tend to be pretty consistent, so if your dog has two heat cycles 6 months apart, you can expect that to continue. However, it can take up to two years for your dog to experience regular cycles. Additionally, keep in mind that the length of time between heat cycles can increase as a dog gets older.
Identifying the signs of your dogs heat cycle can help you avoid puppies, for one thing, but it can also help you care for your dog properly.
The first signs of heat appear during “proestrus,” when your dogs reproductive tract prepares for ovulation. During proestrus, male dogs may seem more attracted to your dog, but she likely wont be receptive to mating. Even if she does mate with a male dog, she cant become pregnant during this stage.
The “estrus” stage is when your dog is in active heat and able to be impregnated. You may notice the following signs during estrus, according to Dr. Amy Attas, a veterinarian and founder of City Pets:
Attas says its also not uncommon for female dogs to urinate small amounts on various objects in the home or outside while in heat. Thats because during estrus, their urine contains pheromones and hormones that signal their reproductive state to male dogs.
Note: Some dogs may experience a “silent heat” with little to no physical or behavioral changes, but this is rare.
According to Alcumbrac, proestrus averages about 2-11 days, and estrus usually lasts 3-5 days but can be as long as 11 days.
The length can vary based on your dogs breed, size, and age, but once your dog begins to have regular cycles, you can expect them to stay in heat for roughly the same amount of time.
Your dog may require a little extra TLC during heat. Fluctuating hormone levels can have a big impact on her physically and behaviorally, which is why McCarthy advises giving her plenty of attention and comfort.
Quick tip: Worried about unwanted messes in the house? McCarthy suggests having your dog wear a doggy diaper to contain any blood-tinged discharge. This can also help prevent your pup from spreading pheromones and attracting male dogs. Just note these diapers wont necessarily stop mating from happening.
If you use doggy diapers, McCarthy says its important to change them often — at least every three to four hours — to prevent skin irritation and urinary tract infections.
Keeping your pup away from unneutered male dogs is crucial if youre trying to prevent pregnancy, says Attas. McCarthy suggests avoiding dog parks, group training events, and other events involving other dogs while yours is in heat.
Never leave your dog alone outside, and always keep her on a leash when going for walks. You may even want to keep windows closed to prevent male dog visitors from showing up at your house.