How to stop a dog in heat from bleeding

Female dogs are "in heat" when they have entered the fertile part of their reproductive cycle. A heat lasts for 3 weeks on average and a dog will usually go into heat every 6 to 8 months.

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Heat Cycle Cleanup Tips For Dogs
Keeping Your Dog Comfortable While In Heat
Preventing Pregnancy While Your Dog Is In Heat

Most breeds have their first heat at about 6 months old but it may be earlier or later.

A heat can usually be identified when there is some bleeding from the vagina, a swollen vulva or increased urination. Female dogs do not produce very much blood however, and in a small dog you may not even notice the bleeding.

Unwanted attention

The first thing you will notice if you have a bitch in heat is that she will attract un-castrated male dogs within a very large radius. Her behaviour will change too, so while she normally wouldn't let males mount her, she almost definitely will while in heat.

Additionally, male dogs will go to surprising lengths to get to a female in heat. While your bitch is in heat it's inadvisable to leave her unsupervised outside, and you'll need to keep her on the lead at all times while on walks. In general, other pet owners you encounter will be able to control their dogs, but the scent of a female in heat can cause aggressive behaviour in some dogs.

Bleeding

The second concern is bleeding. If your dog is producing enough blood to cause a mess you may want to restrict her to easy- to -clean, un-carpeted floors. Just leaving her outside is a bad idea unless you want her to have male visitors (and potentially puppies).

Unless you intend breeding, it is best to have her spayed. Spaying will prevent her from going into heat.

There is some debate about when it is best to spay your bitch. Some veterinarians will advise to let a dog have one heat while others will spay as early as 6 months. Ask your vet which course of action they think is right for your dog.

Reviewed by Kathleen Claussen, DVM on February 14, 2021

There comes a time in the life of an intact female dog when they’re ready to breed. This period is called being in heat. The stage of heat, also called estrus or season, has distinct physical and behavioral signs.

Many of the estrus factors, such as frequency, length of time, and severity, are dependent on your dog’s age and breed. Your dog may have symptoms that are particular to them.

Keep a leash handy, because your dog may have to urinate more when she’s in heat. You may also observe that her vulva is large, red, or swollen with some bleeding or blood-tinted discharge.

Your dog will only bleed for around half of the total cycle, usually 7 to 10 days. Generally, bigger dogs bleed more than smaller dogs, but it varies between dogs. Some dogs bleed very little. If your dog prides themselves on their appearance and grooms themselves regularly, you probably won't find much blood spotting around the house.

Your dog’s behavior will likely change as well. She may:

Be overly friendly with other dogs
Seek out male dogs
Mount or hump
Turn her tail to the side
Fidget or be nervous

Even though your dog will bleed, she isn't in pain during heat. However, being in heat can make your dog uncomfortable and fidgety. If her symptoms seem to be causing her pain, consult your vet.

This depends on your dog’s size.

Smaller dogs can go into heat as soon as they are 4-months old. Larger breeds may not first go into heat until they are 18 to 24 months old. On average, the first heat begins at around 6 months of age.

Even though they are old enough to get pregnant, your young dog’s eggs aren’t yet fully matured. Waiting until after the second estrus cycle will promote a healthy pregnancy.

Similar to the start time, the exact frequency of estrus depends on your dog’s size, breed, and age. Female dogs who have not been spayed go into heat twice a year, around every 6 months. Each heat cycle lasts around 18 days, for generally anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks.

The frequency depends on your dog, but her estrus cycles should be consistent. If these are inconsistent, your vet can determine if your dog has irregular seasons.

As your dog gets older, the frequency of her seasons may slow down. However, she will be going into heat for her whole life. Even though she goes into heat less often, she can still get pregnant.

The canine estrus cycle has four stages:

1.Proestrus: The beginning of heat lasts between 7 and 10 days. During this time, the vulva begins to swell and your dog begins to bleed. She will start attracting male dogs, but she isn’t ready to mate yet.

2.Estrus: This is the mating period of the estrus cycle. It lasts 5 to 10 days. Bleeding may reduce or stop. Your dog is ready to mate during this time.

3.Diestrus: This period lasts anywhere from 10 to 140 days. Your dog is either pregnant during this time or she is in a period of rest.

4.Anestrus: This is the period of downtime before the next heat cycle, lasting around 6 months.

If your dog is in heat, she’ll require a bit of extra supervision and care. She’ll be feeling hormonal. Keeping her entertained and distracted will help relieve some of her anxiety and discomfort. Extra walks will also help her to reduce stress.

Not only will she be attracting male dogs, but she’ll be attracted back! To avoid pregnancy, you’ll probably want to keep her away from other non-neutered dogs. This is true even in your own household.

If you’re worried about your dog bleeding around the house, you can create a limited space for her to roam in. This usually means restricting her to easy-to-clean areas without carpeted floors or upholstered furniture.

Creating a nest for your dog to nap in with towels to catch the blood will help prevent any accidents from occurring. Doggie diapers can also help control bleeding accidents.

Your dog’s needs while she is in heat may vary. This can be a challenge and a big responsibility. If you want to avoid pregnancy, you can have your dog surgically sterilized before her first season. Since the timing of the first heat cycle varies, these procedures are recommended before she is 6-months old.

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It’s not a fun time for either of you—it’s messy, lengthy, and not too comfortable for your pup either. While your vet can provide you with medical advice during this time, we are here to offer tips to keep your dog in heat more comfortable.

It’s not a fun time for either of you—it’s messy, lengthy, and not too comfortable for your pup either. However, until you have baby girl spayed, she will go into heat.

How long is a dog in heat? The canine heat cycle (estrus cycle) consist of various stages: a mash up of bleeding, behavioral changes, and high fertility. So, while your vet can provide you with medical advice during this time, we are here to offer tips to keep your furry one comfortable, and you sane. Read on to learn what to do when your dog is in heat.

Heat Cycle Cleanup Tips For Dogs

The first thing that might be an indication your dog is in heat, is blood. Maybe there will be a spot on the bed, or maybe you have a breed that leaves joyful red sprinkles all over new carpets.

Here are a few ways to handle this:

Invest in a good doggy diaper.
On some pups, these will slide right off, so suspenders or a comfy bodysuit will work. You can find disposable options, or reusable ones with liners, on either Amazon, or at general pet stores. The AKC offers directions on how to use doggy diapers.
Designate a special blankie
for her use during this time, and place it wherever she is about to cuddle up—on the bed at night, on the couch, etc. By the end of the cycle, (hopefully) only one blanket will need washing.
Quick cleanup is best.
Keep disposable wipes on hand so you can rapidly swipe across furniture or hard floors. If carpets do become soiled, the PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner is a miracle worker that’s affordable, and small enough to fit in a coat closet.

Keeping Your Dog Comfortable While In Heat

Being in heat for the first time can be a confusing experience for your girl. She’s going to need extra love and attention. Here’s what to do when your dog is in heat:

Pups tend to get quite snuggly during this time, so set aside some extra slots for lots of cuddles. Maybe consider a lap desk so you can work and snuggle simultaneously.
Offer a safe, chew resistant toy that she can nudge up against. This too will provide a sense of security.
Never scold your pup if she happens to make a bloody mess, just calmly reassure her while you clean it up.
Make sure she’s eating well and drinking plenty of water.
Provide extra potty breaks, as there is a lot going on down there and she may feel the urge to relieve herself more often.

Preventing Pregnancy While Your Dog Is In Heat

There are special considerations to be made when your dog is in heat. Simple steps can reduce risk of pregnancy or any aggressive interactions. Here’s what to do when your female dog is in heat:

Male dogs will be on the hunt, and the smell of hormones given off by your dog, can be detected by instinctual noses from far away. Monitor her at all times during outside potty breaks, and keep your own male dogs separate if not wanting any puppies on your hands.
Male dogs can also become quite aggressive when they sense a nearby female in heat. So, anticipate that you may have to be extra vigilant in preventing mishaps—especially on walks, dog parks, etc.
Just because she’s stopped bleeding doesn’t mean her cycle is over. Another phase follows, where she becomes extra fertile and may produce an unnoticeable discharge.
Watch for any changes in your dog’s health, as any major events such as this could create a health issue. If you suspect something is off, go to your vet.

Having your dog spayed will prevent complications down the road, such as uterine infections which can be life threatening. And as a bonus, you nor your girl will have to deal with the hassle of dreaded “in heat” moments.

Editor’s Note: Is spaying and neutering pets helpful or harmful to their health? Here’s what you need to know about spaying or neutering your dog—from benefits to myths and post-surgical expectations.

Karyn Wofford is a “Mom” to her fluffy, sweet dog Halli. She spends much of her time traveling and advocating for Type 1 diabetes—and Halli sometimes accompanies her on her adventures. You’ll find Karyn’s work on sites like Mother Earth Living, and in magazines such as Diabetes Forecast.