Many people like getting female dogs because they are less temperamental and more comfortable to train than male dogs. However, temperaments aside, if you are getting a female dog, you need to learn more about their heat cycle. Understanding this is necessary, even if you are planning on getting your dog neutered or spayed.
Some vets recommend that the dog should be spayed after they have experienced their first heat or have reached physical maturity. In case you have to wait for the first cycle, you need to understand how long dogs stay in heat for to calculate the number of days correctly.
For this reason, you need to work out this factor. Luckily, we’re here to help you out. The following is what you need to know.
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How Long Does a Dog Stay in Heat?
If you are wondering about just how many days does a dog stay in heat, then you’ll know that there is no straightforward answer to this. A dog’s heat can last anywhere from two to three weeks. However, for some, this heat might be shorter while for others, it may be longer.
This aspect also hinges upon the age, the size as well as the overall health of the dog. Even then, the heat cycle can have variations based on the dog’s breed.
The Heat Cycle
To properly work out the days, you need to understand the heat cycle of a dog and the stages that are involved in it. A dog’s cycle usually has four stages, and their body experiences each stage for a set number of days. The following is what you should consider:
Proestrus – 3 to 17 Days
This is the first stage, and it is when the dog’s body will start to get ready for mating. During this time, specific changes might occur in the dog’s body and the behavior of the dog. Physically, the vulva might become swollen, and there may be a blood-colored discharge as well.
Your dog may also start to act clingier and keep her tail close to her body. This stage usually lasts for a minimum of 3 days and can go up to a total of 17 days.
Estrus – 7 to 21 Days
This is the main phase where the dog is exceptionally fertile, and its body will be ready to mate. During this, the dog’s discharge will change color, either getting clear or acquiring a brown tinge to it. Your dog will also start lifting her tail and indicating that it is ready to mate.
It will also start to urinate frequently, especially in areas outdoors. It is doing that in order to attract the attention of male dogs and spread their pheromones. Careful monitoring of your dog is necessary to ensure that it does not mate with unwanted dogs, especially if you don’t want any puppies. This stage usually lasts for a minimum of 7 days and can go up to a total of 21 days.
Diestrus – 65 to 90 Days
This is the third stage and where the mating phase comes to an end. If your dog has mated, this is when the gestation period starts. If your dog did not mate, their body would start to go back to normal, and all signs of discharge will disappear as well.
However, some dogs may still show signs of a false pregnancy. You may need to get the dog checked up to make sure that it is a false pregnancy and not a surprise litter. This stage usually lasts for a minimum of 65 days and can go up to a total of 90 days.
Anestrus – 90 to 150 Days
This is the last stage and the period when the body of the dog is actively in a resting state. The behavior of your dog will also be completely normal. After this ends, the proestrus period will start again. This stage usually lasts for a minimum of 90 days and can go up to a total of 150 days.
By paying attention to the heat cycle, you will get a better understanding of how many days your dog will experience it. Furthermore, you can also monitor their behavior and prevent any unwanted litters. However, it is always recommended that you get your dog spayed.
Figuring Out the Days
When trying to figure out how many days your dog’s heat will last, many people only count the number of days that the first two stages take. In this case, it can range from a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of 38 days.
However, remember that the age, breed and health of your dog matter here. Moreover, small dog breeds get into heat much faster and more frequently than large dog breeds. Larger dog breeds don’t experience heats as frequently, but the number of days for each breed varies with no set standard here.
Using Products for Your Dog
During the heat cycle, you should use products to help your dog, mainly because the heat cycle can be messy. If you keep your dog indoors, you really don’t want the messy discharge on the floors. While some dogs are very diligent and keep themselves clean, getting some products can be a good idea.
The following are our top recommendations for dog products that you should use during the heat cycle:
Our Recommendation-Wegreeco Washable Female Dog Diapers
The Wegreeco washable dog diapers are extremely useful and eco-friendly. Each pack contains 3 diapers that are made from highly absorbent and durable materials. The diapers also have an absorbent pad sewn into the diaper that can be washed as well. Made for comfortable wear, there are no annoying attachments and each diaper uses Velcro holder for tightening. These diapers are best for dog breeds of any size.
Our Recommendation – Paw Inspired Disposable Dog Diapers
There are non-reusable, disposable diapers that are very handy for travel or even for extra protection against leaks. They have a liquid gel technology to instantly seal all leaks and are also available in extra small and extra-large sizes.
