How do I know my dog is in heat?

Question

My Maltese is about a year old. How will I know she is in heat? Are there any warning signs? I know blood, but what else. She's rarely around other dogs.

Answer 1

Most smaller breed dogs will come into season, or heat, before a year of age, but all females are unique. Apart from the discharge, which you may or may not see, you will notice that the female's vulva is swollen and soft. With a coated breed you may not notice any discharge, although white is usually fairly obvious. Many females are extremely clean about themselves so you may only notice an excessive amount of cleaning and licking. Check where she sleeps for evidence of discharge.

Regardless of when your female does first come in season the best plan would be to have her spayed at some point in the near future. If she indeed has not been in season then spaying now would go a long way towards preventing mammary cancers. Spaying obviously will prevent unwanted pregnancy but is also very benifical to your girl's health. Uterine pyometera is always a possible event after each and every season and can result in a very sick dog. If not treated quickly and properly it can even result in death.

Your dog's temperament or personality will not change because of this procedure and it is a myth that she "will get fat" if she's "fixed". Reduced activity is a function of increased age and along with excessive food intake is the prime reason for weight gain in an older dog. People too for that matter. Monitor your dog's food intake and her excerise levels and she'll enjoy a long healthy live as a fit and trim dog!

Answer 2

First, I notice a slight change in her bahavior. She becomes more cuddly and nurturing, but that's just her. Another dog might show different behavior or no change at all. Then, you'll notice the blood, and yes, maybe an odor as well, though the smaller dogs don't seem to be so stinky. Some dogs will only drip, and you have to watch for drops of blood on the floor or her bed, or the furniture. Some dogs will bleed a good amount, and have you wanting to buy doggie diapers.

I have had dogs with differing cycles. Most of them have had a 6 month cycle. They go into heat every 6 months. But, I have also had dogs with 7 or 8 month cycles, and I have even heard of others with longer ones, and some with very short cycles.

When she is in heat, counting from the first day she is bleeding, keep her away from males for up to 20 days. Better safe than sorry. Good luck!

Edit: Oh, and sometimes they need to go out more often when they are in heat. And don't be surprised if she does act a bit different, or if she acts like her tummy hurts a little bit. (They can get crampy, too.)

Answer 3

My dog will watch and stare at me. She wants to be by me or close to me all the time. She seems to require much more attention. She also has mood swings, and she can actually gets a little hyper. After that she swells by and around her vagina. Then comes her cycle. Most dogs bleed for about 9 days. Then they still have the mating discharge after that for another 7 to 9 days. Then she gradually calms down. One of my females you don't even notice she bleeds, so you have to see all the other signs. Then the other Bleeds heavy. Hopes this helps. Give her lots of TLC & Good Luck

Be sure not to turn her loose by herself outside without a leash when in heat. They are bad apt to run away to find a male when its time. And the scent will attract dogs for up to a mile they say. And you would not want just any dog after her..

Answer 4

I just recently went through this for the first time with my pup... Believe it or not they tend to get a little testy at first. The first time a dog goes into heat is the toughest because it last about three weeks instead of the normal one or two. The bleeding will come and she will not want to be around any male dogs, but it's weeks two and three you need to really be careful because this is when they only want to be around male dogs, if you know what I mean.

Answer 5

Ok, first off, dogs don't have heat cycles every month. It is every 6-8 months, normally. I had a dog that had her heat cycle every year, but that could be just what I thought because she kept herself very clean. There will be swelling in the vulva area. Keep a very close eye on her if you don't want her bred. Every loose male in a 6 mile radius will be knocking on your door so to speak! Also, if in time you do want to breed her, she is able to get pregnant on the 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th days of her cycle. To time it right, let her be bred every day for a 3-4 day period during that time span.

Answer 6

A female will usually begin to swell in her private areas she would come into her heat at between 6&8 months of age. her heat will last approximately 3 weeks or 21 days. IF she hasnt come into her heat yet look for the swelling she will also lick herself alot down there too.

Answer 7

She doesn't have to be around other dogs. Female dogs bodies work the way ours do. However, there is no warning signs. it will just happen. She will have her "time of the month" every month where she bleeds and is whiny and wants to lay down a lot. she can't control it any more than us, so it can be very messy and gross. I suggest you have a lot of carpet cleaner around. Good luck!

Answer 8

I don't know of any warning signs that it is about to happen. Sometimes (and this is disgusting), you may notice an odor just beforehand. Also... my dog (a chihuahua) tends to get a little more aggressive during that time. Fortunately, this happens only once every six months or so.

Answer 9

If she starts to lick herself down there a lot then you might want to get her to a doctor and don't let her around other male dogs unless you want some puppies around... also if she is very playful and is very possessive of you that is a real big warning sign.

Answer 10

She won't be in pain, but it's a pain in the neck for a good 3 weeks ! Just make sure that NO WAY she can be impregnated !!! and wait another 3 to 4 months before you have her spayed. NEVER leave her outside alone !!