If your dog has been in a heat cycle, you may notice that she is acting a little differently than usual. Some dogs show physical changes like a swollen vulva and bloody discharge, while others may become more restless or lethargic.
You can also notice more aggressive behavior toward other dogs during this time. This is a normal part of your dog’s response to her hormone levels changing.
Proestrus
When a female dog is in heat, she will exhibit a variety of behavior. She may be more clingy than normal, or she might become overly anxious or restless. Providing her with a variety of resources for energy will help her stay calm and focused on her mating process.
The first phase of her cycle is proestrus, which lasts between seven and 10 days. During this time, your dog’s vulva begins to swell and she will begin to bleed. She will also start to attract male dogs, although she’s not ready to mate yet.
This is an important period of her cycle, and one that you need to be aware of. If your dog is not properly cared for during her heat, she can develop a medical condition called pyometra which can be life-threatening.
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, it’s imperative to get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible!
Behavioral Estrus
While there is no specific time that a dog’s reproductive cycle starts, most dogs will go into heat twice per year. They may also cycle more frequently during their early years, depending on breed and individual personality.
During the behavioral estrus stage, your dog may display behaviors like mating calls or peeing on the ground to signal her readiness for a breeding. She might also lick her chin or suck on her tail during this time.
In addition to these signs, you should be able to recognize other changes in your dog’s body and behavior. If she’s shedding more than usual or showing other signs of discomfort, such as swollen rear legs, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian.
You should also watch for changes in her eating habits. She might stop eating some of her regular food and switch to a different diet, especially during this time.
She might also eat more fatty foods, or more of the same types of food. The fat in her diet will help to reduce swelling and discomfort during this time, so she can more easily mate.
It’s also common for her to have a bloody vaginal discharge during this time, and she might urinate more than usual. This can lead to urinary tract infections, so it’s important to take her to the veterinarian if she’s having any issues.
The next step in your dog’s cycle is estrus, which lasts between five and 10 days. This is the most fertile part of her cycle, as she’s releasing eggs for fertilization.
Her body will start to swell, and her vulva will swell and get red in color. She’ll bleed a little more, and she might be more aggressive with male dogs during this time.
This is the most popular and easiest stage for your dog to mate in, so be sure to give her plenty of attention during this time. She might show less interest in her toys and more interest in playing with other dogs.
The next stage of the cycle is diestrus, which occurs after estrus has ended. This is a less active period of the cycle, and it lasts about two months. During this time, her body will return to basal levels of estrogen and progesterone.
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