Canine Heat Cycles &
What To Expect When Your Dog Is Expecting!
What To Expect With Heat Cycles
An intact female dog will eventually enter estrus. In dogs, this is commonly called a "heat" or a "heat cycle." During this time, the female dog is fertile and can become pregnant. The most noticeable symptom of a heat cycle is swelling of her vulva and bloody discharge, which generally lasts 3-4 weeks. Each dog is unique, but the majority will have their first heat cycle somewhere between 7 to 14 months of age, though anywhere from 5-18 months is normal. Lean/athletic dogs tend to be older at the time of their first heat. Most dogs experience 1-2 heat cycles each year (every 6 to 9 months). The length between heat cycles can vary some each time.
Signs Of Impending Heat
Steps To Take At This Time:
Start Of The Heat Cycle (Day 1 to 6)
The first day you see bloody discharge is considered “Day 1” of your dog's heat cycle.
Along with symptoms above, you may see:
Steps To Take At This Time:
If Using Diapers/Alternatives:
Diapers are great for preventing blood spots from ending up on carpet or furniture- but they are not really great for overall hygiene. It blocks air flow and the ability for your dog to clean herself. If you use a diaper, her hair MUST be trimmed short and you need to replace her diaper/sanitary pad every 4 hours regardless of "flow" to prevent bacteria buildup that can cause infection and odors. It is best to try and let her fanny "breath" without a diaper for at least half of each day. The best way to do this is at night when she is sleeping in her crate. If this isn't an option, many families will cover their bed and couch with an old blanket so she can continue her usual routine, or they put up baby gates to keep her in the kitchen so a few blood spots can be mopped up easily. Many families find that it isn't as bad as they expected. Some females bleed very little, or clean themselves so often that the mess is quite contained.
Most Fertile Time Of Heat Cycle (Day 7 to 17)
By day 7, your dog is entering the most fertile period of her heat cycle. It is imperative that you keep a very close eye on her!
Along with symptoms above, you may see:
Steps To Take At This Time:
Ending Of Heat Cycle (Day 18 to 28)
Though your dog could still be fertile, her chance of being able to conceive beings to reduce with each passing day as her heat cycle comes to a close.
You may see:
Steps To Take At This Time:
When Is Her Next Heat Cycle?
The first day you saw blood was considered “Day 1” of your dog's heat cycle. Regardless of whether she was bred or not this cycle, her next cycle could begin 6 months from this date (so go ahead and mark your calendar).
An intact female dog will eventually enter estrus. In dogs, this is commonly called a "heat" or a "heat cycle." During this time, the female dog is fertile and can become pregnant. The most noticeable symptom of a heat cycle is swelling of her vulva and bloody discharge, which generally lasts 3-4 weeks. Each dog is unique, but the majority will have their first heat cycle somewhere between 7 to 14 months of age, though anywhere from 5-18 months is normal. Lean/athletic dogs tend to be older at the time of their first heat. Most dogs experience 1-2 heat cycles each year (every 6 to 9 months). The length between heat cycles can vary some each time.
Signs Of Impending Heat
- Licking/cleaning herself often
- Mammary swelling, larger/firmer nipples
- Swelling Vulva
- Peeing frequently
- Humping
Steps To Take At This Time:
- Notify Red Spring Farm if she is 12 months of age or older.
- Start doing the "tissue test." Press a tissue against the vulva every day or so. This will help you to catch the beginning of the heat more quickly. Some dogs keep themselves meticulously clean by licking often- if your dog is a licker, regularly doing the tissue test is especially important so you don't miss the first few days of bleeding.
- If possible, trim the hair around her fanny. Not only will this help you keep an eye out for changes, but less hair will keep things more hygienic in the coming weeks.
- You may want to have a few disposable diapers on hand so you aren't caught off guard/needing one! If there is an expensive piece of furniture you don't want a blood spot on, keep that in mind.
Start Of The Heat Cycle (Day 1 to 6)
The first day you see bloody discharge is considered “Day 1” of your dog's heat cycle.
Along with symptoms above, you may see:
- Bloody discharge
- Swollen vulva
- Tiredness/Lethargy
- Appetite Changes
- More Clingy Than Usual
Steps To Take At This Time:
- Notify Red Spring Farm immediately. If this is a "breeding heat" then I need to know immediately as I can notify the stud owner and we can start preparing everything needed for her breeding. See "Honeymoons" section below for details and instructions.
- It is also critical that you do not allow the girl to be outside unattended during her heat cycle. Intact male dogs can smell a female in heat from miles away. A female dog may act out of character and become an escape artist when in heat. It is very risky to leave her outside unsupervised even in a fenced yard or kennel. Supervised time in a secure, private yard or leash walking is acceptable.
- A female dog's body is expending more energy than usual, and hormonal changes may impact her mood and appetite. If she is tired and experience appetite changes. If she is more hungry, increase her daily ration of food. If she seems sluggish on her afternoon walk, end it a little early so she can go home and relax.
If Using Diapers/Alternatives:
Diapers are great for preventing blood spots from ending up on carpet or furniture- but they are not really great for overall hygiene. It blocks air flow and the ability for your dog to clean herself. If you use a diaper, her hair MUST be trimmed short and you need to replace her diaper/sanitary pad every 4 hours regardless of "flow" to prevent bacteria buildup that can cause infection and odors. It is best to try and let her fanny "breath" without a diaper for at least half of each day. The best way to do this is at night when she is sleeping in her crate. If this isn't an option, many families will cover their bed and couch with an old blanket so she can continue her usual routine, or they put up baby gates to keep her in the kitchen so a few blood spots can be mopped up easily. Many families find that it isn't as bad as they expected. Some females bleed very little, or clean themselves so often that the mess is quite contained.
Most Fertile Time Of Heat Cycle (Day 7 to 17)
By day 7, your dog is entering the most fertile period of her heat cycle. It is imperative that you keep a very close eye on her!
Along with symptoms above, you may see:
- More interested or playful towards other dogs in the household
- General restlessness, like she is searching for something (a boyfriend!)
- If you scratch the base of her tail, she may swish her tail to the side and hold it there
- It is most critical that you do not allow the girl to be outside unattended during this time. Intact male dogs can smell a female in heat from miles away. A female dog may act out of character and become an escape artist when in heat. It is very risky to leave her outside unsupervised even in a fenced yard or kennel. Supervised time in a secure, private yard or leash walking is acceptable.
Steps To Take At This Time:
- If this is a breeding heat, your girl will likely be traveling to Red Spring Farm during this time. See "Honeymoons" section below for details and instructions.
- It is also critical that you do not allow the girl to be outside unattended during her heat cycle. Intact male dogs can smell a female in heat from miles away. A female dog may act out of character and become an escape artist when in heat. It is very risky to leave her outside unsupervised even in a fenced yard or kennel. Supervised time in a secure, private yard or leash walking is acceptable.
- During this time frame some dogs give off a peculiar and less than pleasant odor. It is most noticeable if she is overly hairy, licking so often her fanny doesn't get a chance to dry, or if she is wearing a diaper often (if using diapers- this tends to be the time frame that the worst "diaper funk" can happen). A quick rinse and towel dry tends to help tremendously.
Ending Of Heat Cycle (Day 18 to 28)
Though your dog could still be fertile, her chance of being able to conceive beings to reduce with each passing day as her heat cycle comes to a close.
You may see:
- Her discharge will lesson, reduce to spotting, then go away altogether
- Other dogs may still express interest in her during this time
- She will begin acting like her usual self as her cycle ends
- Vulvar and mammary swelling will reduce slowly over the next few weeks
Steps To Take At This Time:
- If this was a breeding heat, your girl will likely be returning from her visit to Red Spring Farm. See "First Trimester" information below for more details and instructions.
- Understand that bleeding/discharge doesn't go away in a linear fashion. She may appear to stop bleeding, only for you to find another blood spot a couple days later. Nothing to worry about!
- Out of an abundance of caution, do NOT allow the girl to be outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or kennel. Supervised time in a secure, private yard or leash walking is acceptable.
When Is Her Next Heat Cycle?
The first day you saw blood was considered “Day 1” of your dog's heat cycle. Regardless of whether she was bred or not this cycle, her next cycle could begin 6 months from this date (so go ahead and mark your calendar).
What To Expect With "Honeymoons"
In most cases, you will drop your female dog off 7-8 days after the start of her heat cycle. Most female dogs are with us for 3-5 days before she is ready to return back to her guardian home. Though every situation is unique, in most cases the female dog will go on 1 to 3 "dates" to have a natural breeding with her chosen suiter (an average of 2).
When you bring the girl to me for her honeymoon, there are 3 things that you need to bring with her:
1) If your dog is NOT on our typical brand of dog food, please bring plenty of food with you.
2) A blanket or bed that your dog uses often. We will put this in her crate to help her feel secure and comfortable.
3) Please write down (or email, or text) us your girl's typical schedule, any special dietary needs, and emergency contact information.
We have a house full of treats, chews, toys, leashes, etc. here for your dog to enjoy, so there is no need for you to bring any of these items with your dog. If you do, understand that it is difficult for us to keep your dog’s items away from other dogs here, and therefore you are risking them being chewed or damaged by the others (and believe me, they will)!
Information About The Breeding Itself (feel free to skip if you don't want details): A "natural breeding" means that the male and female dog meet one another in person and mate as nature intended. I prefer this method, as I believe that when a female dog accept her mate and conceives without intervention, it is an excellent sign that her body is healthy and prepared to carry a litter. Many guardians worry about their girl for her first honeymoon especially. I can assure you, female dogs that breed naturally are willing participants, and in many cases, they are more eager than the stud dog. In most cases, a natural breeding takes 45-90 minutes (depending on how quickly they "get to it"). There are two phases to a natural breeding, the first is the initial phase of coitus where the male mounts the female, this part only lasts a minute or so. The "tied" phase of coitus is lesser known and usually lasts 15-30 minutes (though it can lasts as long as an hour). During this time, the male and female remain connected to one another as they stand side by side. When natural breeding is not an option, there are many different types and methods of canine "artificial insemination" (AI). We don't AI often, but when we do, the process is overseen by our reproductive veterinarian so the best decisions are made for the wellbeing of the dog and highest chance of success.
Progesterone Testing: Despite the heat cycle lasting 3-4 weeks, your dog is only fertile for 2-4 days! But determining when she is in that small fertile window can be tricky. In some cases, we may have a blood progesterone test performed by our reproductive veterinarian who has a machine in-house (we are super lucky, as this test is not available same-day at most vet offices). This is a non-invasive, simple blood test that tells us whether or not the dog has ovulated yet, and whether her eggs are still viable/able to be fertilized.
In most cases, you will drop your female dog off 7-8 days after the start of her heat cycle. Most female dogs are with us for 3-5 days before she is ready to return back to her guardian home. Though every situation is unique, in most cases the female dog will go on 1 to 3 "dates" to have a natural breeding with her chosen suiter (an average of 2).
When you bring the girl to me for her honeymoon, there are 3 things that you need to bring with her:
1) If your dog is NOT on our typical brand of dog food, please bring plenty of food with you.
2) A blanket or bed that your dog uses often. We will put this in her crate to help her feel secure and comfortable.
3) Please write down (or email, or text) us your girl's typical schedule, any special dietary needs, and emergency contact information.
We have a house full of treats, chews, toys, leashes, etc. here for your dog to enjoy, so there is no need for you to bring any of these items with your dog. If you do, understand that it is difficult for us to keep your dog’s items away from other dogs here, and therefore you are risking them being chewed or damaged by the others (and believe me, they will)!
Information About The Breeding Itself (feel free to skip if you don't want details): A "natural breeding" means that the male and female dog meet one another in person and mate as nature intended. I prefer this method, as I believe that when a female dog accept her mate and conceives without intervention, it is an excellent sign that her body is healthy and prepared to carry a litter. Many guardians worry about their girl for her first honeymoon especially. I can assure you, female dogs that breed naturally are willing participants, and in many cases, they are more eager than the stud dog. In most cases, a natural breeding takes 45-90 minutes (depending on how quickly they "get to it"). There are two phases to a natural breeding, the first is the initial phase of coitus where the male mounts the female, this part only lasts a minute or so. The "tied" phase of coitus is lesser known and usually lasts 15-30 minutes (though it can lasts as long as an hour). During this time, the male and female remain connected to one another as they stand side by side. When natural breeding is not an option, there are many different types and methods of canine "artificial insemination" (AI). We don't AI often, but when we do, the process is overseen by our reproductive veterinarian so the best decisions are made for the wellbeing of the dog and highest chance of success.
Progesterone Testing: Despite the heat cycle lasting 3-4 weeks, your dog is only fertile for 2-4 days! But determining when she is in that small fertile window can be tricky. In some cases, we may have a blood progesterone test performed by our reproductive veterinarian who has a machine in-house (we are super lucky, as this test is not available same-day at most vet offices). This is a non-invasive, simple blood test that tells us whether or not the dog has ovulated yet, and whether her eggs are still viable/able to be fertilized.
What To Expect When Your Dog's Expecting
Your dog's due date is 63 days from her first honeymoon. This is not an exact science, but most dogs do not waiver from their due date more than 3-5 days. Keep in mind, very small dogs (under 15lb) are more likely to deliver a day or two early. Their "buns" tends to bake a little faster!
Food/Supplements During Pregnancy: We recommend you begin giving your dog 1 cooked egg every day (it is pretty easy to boil a weeks worth at a time) and being increasing the amount of kibble she normally eats by 25-50% by day 30 of pregnancy (she may not finish it all). The yolk of an egg is an excellent and natural source of extra nutrients to help support her pregnancy. This combined with her high quality kibble will ensure the proper nutrition through pregnancy. Other than a couple treats or a spoonful or so human food here or there (low-salty meat, pumpkin/sweet potato, yogurt, green beans, etc) no other supplements should be given during her pregnancy. Her belly will be squeezed as her pregnancy progresses, so you may want to split feedings up into smaller meals 3-4x a day if she has a difficult time eating her usual portion all at once. Do NOT increase her consumption of any products that are considered calcium rich, like milk, cottage cheese, etc. This is detrimental to a pregnant dog and can actually cause early delivery/pre-eclampsia!
Leaving The Home During Pregnancy: Your dog can still go on regular walks, but avoid areas with lots of dog-traffic, like dog parks and pet stores, to avoid exposure to viruses and other "ickies" that can negatively impact the pregnancy. Pregnant doggies, especially further along in pregnancy, are more prone to motion sickness in the car. If her due date is very close, car rides can even trigger the start of labor! So avoid when possible except for her "return trip" to Red Spring Farm.
1st Trimester (Days 0-21): Now we wait! Your pup's bleeding from her heat cycle will slowly dissipate during this time. No significant changes occur during this trimester until the very end- between day 18-21 any fertilized eggs will try to implant into her uterus. This is a delicate time. Her dietary needs durign the 1st trimester are the same as usual, and she can continue with her usual routine except:
1) Postpone her Heartgard Plus and Frontline Plus until she is 30 days along (unless necessary... both are technically "pregnancy safe" so if there is a high risk of fleas/ticks or mosquito exposure, let us know).
2) Avoid extremely intense exercise or extreme hot/cold weather that results in intense panting or shivering.
2nd Trimester (Days 21-42): Your dog may have a low appetite or slight morning sickness for a few days sometime in in the first half of her 2nd trimester (caused by hormone changes and the pups taking up space in her belly, as they grow fast during this time). Luckily, morning sickness usually only lasts a few days. Some dogs may throw up a little. If yours seems to be experiencing some queasiness, offer her small meals over the course of the day. Around day 30, pregnancy can be confirmed via palpating or ultrasound. Unless there is a reason for early confirmation, we typically don't subject the dog to an unnecessary vet visit. Instead, we watch for signs (such as a growing belly). Between days 30-42, her appetite should begin to slowly increase. Increase her ration slowly by 25-50% (if possible, feed more frequent small meals). She is expending a lot of energy creating life, so she may tire more quickly and nap more often. This is normal! You may notice that she is quite clingy and lovey, this is normal too and is due to those pesky pregnancy hormones.
3rd Trimester (Days 42-63): Your girl will have an increasing urge to nest as the days pass (see symptoms of nesting below). If she has a large litter coming she will grow rapidly during this time. She may need a little help getting up on furniture safely. She may need to have more frequent bathroom breaks, as her bladder is under more pressure than usual! Split her meals up into frequent small meals, as large meals may make her very uncomfortable. She will be tired, and resting a lot. You may notice her breathing more heavily when she sleeps or panting easily. This is normal and due to the extra pressure in her abdomen pushing on her lungs. Ideally, she should stay at home during this time (see "Leaving The Home During Pregnancy" above). She may become very clingy or very reclusive during this time. You may notice that she is a little cranky or irritable. In the second half of this trimester, if you rest your hand on her belly, you may feel puppies move around! She should return to Red Spring Farm around 7 days before her due date to allow her to settle in before she delivers. If she has delivered before, we may be able to push this to 3-5 days if you live very nearby, are home at all times, and willing to check her temperature 2x/day.
Normal Signs Of Nesting
Abnormal/Signs To Look Out For
Your dog's due date is 63 days from her first honeymoon. This is not an exact science, but most dogs do not waiver from their due date more than 3-5 days. Keep in mind, very small dogs (under 15lb) are more likely to deliver a day or two early. Their "buns" tends to bake a little faster!
Food/Supplements During Pregnancy: We recommend you begin giving your dog 1 cooked egg every day (it is pretty easy to boil a weeks worth at a time) and being increasing the amount of kibble she normally eats by 25-50% by day 30 of pregnancy (she may not finish it all). The yolk of an egg is an excellent and natural source of extra nutrients to help support her pregnancy. This combined with her high quality kibble will ensure the proper nutrition through pregnancy. Other than a couple treats or a spoonful or so human food here or there (low-salty meat, pumpkin/sweet potato, yogurt, green beans, etc) no other supplements should be given during her pregnancy. Her belly will be squeezed as her pregnancy progresses, so you may want to split feedings up into smaller meals 3-4x a day if she has a difficult time eating her usual portion all at once. Do NOT increase her consumption of any products that are considered calcium rich, like milk, cottage cheese, etc. This is detrimental to a pregnant dog and can actually cause early delivery/pre-eclampsia!
Leaving The Home During Pregnancy: Your dog can still go on regular walks, but avoid areas with lots of dog-traffic, like dog parks and pet stores, to avoid exposure to viruses and other "ickies" that can negatively impact the pregnancy. Pregnant doggies, especially further along in pregnancy, are more prone to motion sickness in the car. If her due date is very close, car rides can even trigger the start of labor! So avoid when possible except for her "return trip" to Red Spring Farm.
1st Trimester (Days 0-21): Now we wait! Your pup's bleeding from her heat cycle will slowly dissipate during this time. No significant changes occur during this trimester until the very end- between day 18-21 any fertilized eggs will try to implant into her uterus. This is a delicate time. Her dietary needs durign the 1st trimester are the same as usual, and she can continue with her usual routine except:
1) Postpone her Heartgard Plus and Frontline Plus until she is 30 days along (unless necessary... both are technically "pregnancy safe" so if there is a high risk of fleas/ticks or mosquito exposure, let us know).
2) Avoid extremely intense exercise or extreme hot/cold weather that results in intense panting or shivering.
2nd Trimester (Days 21-42): Your dog may have a low appetite or slight morning sickness for a few days sometime in in the first half of her 2nd trimester (caused by hormone changes and the pups taking up space in her belly, as they grow fast during this time). Luckily, morning sickness usually only lasts a few days. Some dogs may throw up a little. If yours seems to be experiencing some queasiness, offer her small meals over the course of the day. Around day 30, pregnancy can be confirmed via palpating or ultrasound. Unless there is a reason for early confirmation, we typically don't subject the dog to an unnecessary vet visit. Instead, we watch for signs (such as a growing belly). Between days 30-42, her appetite should begin to slowly increase. Increase her ration slowly by 25-50% (if possible, feed more frequent small meals). She is expending a lot of energy creating life, so she may tire more quickly and nap more often. This is normal! You may notice that she is quite clingy and lovey, this is normal too and is due to those pesky pregnancy hormones.
3rd Trimester (Days 42-63): Your girl will have an increasing urge to nest as the days pass (see symptoms of nesting below). If she has a large litter coming she will grow rapidly during this time. She may need a little help getting up on furniture safely. She may need to have more frequent bathroom breaks, as her bladder is under more pressure than usual! Split her meals up into frequent small meals, as large meals may make her very uncomfortable. She will be tired, and resting a lot. You may notice her breathing more heavily when she sleeps or panting easily. This is normal and due to the extra pressure in her abdomen pushing on her lungs. Ideally, she should stay at home during this time (see "Leaving The Home During Pregnancy" above). She may become very clingy or very reclusive during this time. You may notice that she is a little cranky or irritable. In the second half of this trimester, if you rest your hand on her belly, you may feel puppies move around! She should return to Red Spring Farm around 7 days before her due date to allow her to settle in before she delivers. If she has delivered before, we may be able to push this to 3-5 days if you live very nearby, are home at all times, and willing to check her temperature 2x/day.
Normal Signs Of Nesting
- Digging at a bedding or carpet
- Hiding away under the bed, in her crate, or a similar space
- Rearranging toys or pillows
- Repetitive circling on soft surfaces
- Gathering blankets
- Ripping paper
- General restlessness, often more intense at night
Abnormal/Signs To Look Out For
- Anxiously and obsessively nesting at a much more intense level that ever before
- Panting heavily while unable to relax/settle down
- Shivering, especially if quite heavily
- Refusing to eat, or vomiting
- Significant stomach upset
- Finding watery, straw colored fluid (water breaking)
- Green, purple, or red bloody discharge, especially if smelly
- High (over 102.5) or low (under 99.5) temperature
We will clip your dog’s coat short when she arrives, as well as give a sanitary clip so that she is ready for delivering puppies. It is not possible for us to keep their hair long while they have puppies. Not only is it not sanitary or safe, her hormones will likely negatively impact the quality of her coat, so a fresh start is best!
