What to do when your dog is in heat

Updated 11/09/2023

If you’ve got a female pup at home, you will experience her being “in heat” for at least one season. If that’s got you wondering what to do when your dog is in heat, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll guide you through the best ways to care for your pooch during this time. But before we begin, do you know how to tell if your dog is in heat? We take a look at the signs to look out for so that you don’t get any messy (or furry) surprises!

When do dogs go into heat?

Age is a great indicator of how to tell if your dog is in heat. Girl pups often go into heat for the first time at around six months of age, but this can vary from as young as four months old for smaller breeds to two years for bigger doggies. Your fur baby may still only look like a pup, but it’s important to keep an eye out for signs your dog is going in heat as this means she’s able to have her own furry pups!

What happens when a dog is in heat?

There are four stages of a dog’s heat cycle, each with its own signs and symptoms. 

1. The first stage, known as Proestrus, typically lasts around seven to nine days. Your four-legged friend will have a swollen vulva and will bleed a little. Male pups will get particularly excited by the sight of your female pooch - you will be able to hear them whining from the other side of the park. But, unfortunately for them, female dogs have absolutely no interest in male dogs at this stage. 
2. Next comes the estrus cycle, during which your female dog will enjoy male attention because she is fertile. This typically lasts around nine days, during this time the vulva may appear less swollen and there will be less blood. 
3. The next stage, called Diestrus, lasts around 60 days. During this time, the female dog is no longer fertile and won’t be interested in male dogs, the vulva will return to its normal size, and there won’t be any more blood (phew!). This is also the time that a normal gestation would last, and your dog may be pregnant if she has been mated. 
4. The stage between Diestrus and Proestrus is called Anestrus. This will last around three to five months and it prepares your pup for the next reproductive cycle.

Signs your dog is in heat

Wondering how to know if your dog is in heat? There are a number of physical and behavioural changes to look out for.

1.  A few drops of blood are the most obvious sign your pooch is in heat. There may be a few droplets on the floor or a couple of spots left in her favourite nap place, but there should never be excessive bleeding. The blood can vary in colour from bright pink to a darker brown or rust colour.
2. Increased urination. Your dog will urinate little and often, especially on walks. Dogs use urine as a scent marker so this is her way of letting all the gents in the area know she's coming into heat. 
3. The vulva will be noticeably swollen or enlarged. 
4. Licking at her vulva or back end. If your dog is a very clean dog, you may only notice this sign and not see spots of blood.
5. Females in heat can have a lower or reduced appetite. This is normal and will improve when her season is over.  
6. Aside from physical changes, your pup’s mood is also likely to change. She may be grumpy and growl at humans and other pups, especially un-spayed female dogs. 
7. At some stages of the cycle, she will probably seem a little reserved, indicating she needs some time alone, while at other stages she may be extra clingy and affectionate. 
8. She may also show an unusual enthusiasm for going outside - this is due to her natural instinct to find male doggies to mate with.

What to do when your dog is in heat

Ok, so we’ve answered the question “how do you know when your dog is in heat?” but it can still be an uncomfortable and stressful time for both of you. Knowing what to expect when your dog is in heat is key to understanding how to handle it, and while your vet is the best person to advise you on what to do if your dog is in heat, here are a few tried and tested tips.

• Track your pup’s heat cycles so you know what to expect and when. Heat cycles are approximately every six months, so after the first one, you should have an idea of when to expect the next. If nothing else, this will save you from ordering new carpets at the same time your pooch is in heat. 
• Although doggy diapers look a bit silly, they help to prevent messy situations at home. Some are made to be washed and reused, whereas others are disposable.
• Give your furry friend a special blankie or a cosy bed to snuggle up in - something that gives her comfort and is easy to wash when her cycle is over. 
• Have wipes on hand for quick clean-ups and never, ever get angry with her for bleeding. 
• Give her space - if you’ve got other four-legged friends in the house, find her a quiet, secluded area or get her a cosy dog crate to hide away in. This is particularly important if she becomes aggressive towards other pups during her heat cycle, or if you own an un-neutered male doggo.
• Continue with regular exercise, but do not exercise your dog in areas where other dogs may be walking. If you have to exercise off your property, try to go very early in the morning or late at night - and keep your dog on lead at all times. 
• Make your dog's safety your priority and ensure your property is secure - check all fences to stop your dog from escaping and vice versa. Lock all the doors and windows at night, and if you have a doggy door or larger cat flap, you may want to think about locking these at night to prevent dogs from entering or leaving the home. 
• If you notice anything unusual during her cycle, speak to the vet. Abnormal bleeding or discharge and changes in your dog’s behaviour may be cause for concern. 
• Speak to your vet if you decide to have puppies. The American Kennel Club recommends responsible breeders wait until at least the third heat, at around 18-24 months old.
• If you have decided to get your dog spayed, wait to do it at least one month after her heat cycle ends. 
• Make sure your dog's microchip details are up to date, and that she is wearing a collar with an ID tag just in case she does accidentally escape.

How to comfort a dog in heat

An important part of knowing what to do when your dog is in heat is keeping them comfortable.

• The heat cycle can be a period of hormonal ups and downs, so give your pooch space when she needs it and extra snuggles when she wants them. If she seems to be feeling anxious, try not to leave her home alone for long periods of time, as the heat cycle can be a confusing and uncomfortable time for puppers. 
• Get her a snuggly toy to comfort her, and provide her with some cosy blankets.
• Remember that if you’ve got other four-legged friends in the house, make sure she has a cosy space that’s just for her. Provide her with her own food and water bowl to avoid any disagreements.
• Never tell her off for making a mess, it’s your job to clean up any spots of blood quickly and efficiently. Using incontinence sheets or puppy training pads on her bed can help with the clean-up process. 
• Using pheromone diffusers such as Adaptil can help your dog to feel more relaxed during this emotional time. 

How to prevent pregnancy when your dog is in heat

Unless you want to add some additional fur babies to your household, there are a few things you will need to do to prevent nature from running its course. Unfortunately, we can’t teach dogs the birds and the bees, so it is down to the pet parent to prevent unwanted pregnancies. 

• Stay vigilant. A whiff of female hormones is enough to turn any un-neutered male dog into a frenzy, and some can become quite aggressive so it’s best to steer clear of them. If you live with other male doggies, keep your female pooch in a separate area. 
• If you have a male and female dog who are related, don’t think they won’t mate if given the opportunity! Keep your intact male and female completely separate even if they are brother and sister (remember, the animal world is a bit different from ours!)
• It’s not just the male dogs you need to watch out for. We don’t want them to sound desperate, but a female pup in heat will jump fences in search of a mate, so don’t let her out of your sight (not even to go potty).
• Make sure you know the ins and outs of her heat cycle. She is still fertile (actually, extra fertile) just after she stops bleeding, so don’t let down your guard. 
• If there is an unwanted encounter, contact your vet. There is such a thing as a morning-after injection which can be given to pups to terminate pregnancies, but this has a time limit so contact your vet ASAP if you are concerned about accidental mating. 
• Of course, spaying is the most effective way of preventing pregnancy. Spaying has a number of additional health benefits, including the prevention of uterine infections and ovarian cancer. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.