A female dog comes into heat for the first time at the age of six to eighteen months, and then on average twice a year. The most suitable age to have puppies is between the third time she comes into heat and the age of seven. A dog's pregnancy lasts an average of 63 days. The most suitable and safe way to prevent a female dog from becoming pregnant is through spaying. Pharmacy4pets is happy to assist you in supporting the reproductive organs of your dog, both male and female.
Heat in Female Dogs
During heat, a female dog's body prepares for mating. Heat starts with swelling of the vulva and bloody discharge. Some females show this more clearly than others. Some females are very clean and lick away the blood, so you may not notice it. To prevent the bloody discharge from getting on the floor or furniture, you can put a special panty or diaper on your dog.
The behavior of a female dog in heat changes: she is often more distracted, restless, and sometimes moody. Heat typically lasts about three weeks, and during that period, she is very attractive to male dogs. However, she is only fertile for a few days.
When Does a Dog Go Into Heat?
A female dog goes into heat for the first time when she reaches puberty. For small breeds, this is usually between six and ten months, larger breeds reach puberty between ten and sixteen months, and some very large breeds may do so a bit later. If a female dog has not gone into heat by the age of two, it is a reason to visit the vet. Usually, a female dog goes into heat twice a year, although there are breeds where this happens only once a year (such as Basenjis and wolfhounds).
When Is a Female Dog Fertile?
During estrus, the period in heat when ovulation occurs, a female dog is fertile for a few days. The bloody discharge is often less during this time, and the female is willing to mate, assuming a mating position with her tail to the side. The exact timing of this moment can sometimes be hard to predict. By measuring the progesterone level at the vet, the ideal time for mating can be determined. Female dogs do not go through menopause like humans, so they can still go into heat at an advanced age, although fertility decreases with years.
Preventing Heat and Pregnancy
It is possible to suppress heat with medications. However, using these medications carries a high risk of side effects, including a significantly increased risk of uterine infections and mammary gland tumors. The most effective and safe way to prevent heat and pregnancy in female dogs is spaying, commonly known as sterilization. Spaying has several health benefits, so if you do not intend to breed your female dog, it is often advisable to have her spayed. The ideal time is usually after the first heat cycle.
If your female dog is in heat, and you do not want her to mate, the most important thing is to prevent unwanted mating by keeping her on a leash. It is difficult to determine the exact fertile days, so it is best to keep her on a leash throughout her heat cycle. Moreover, she may not listen as well as usual and may even run away during this time. Avoid off-leash areas. Male dogs can detect a female in heat from a great distance and will approach her. Even if they are normally obedient and well-behaved, the power of hormones is so strong that their owners may often be unable to call them back. For this reason, it may also be more convenient to adjust your dog's walk time and walk in less crowded areas during less busy times. Male dogs can become extremely restless when there is a female in heat nearby. Sometimes they stand by the window and whimper all day.
Pseudo-Pregnancy in Female Dogs
Hormonally speaking, every female dog is "pseudo-pregnant" after heat because hormone levels are still high shortly after heat and gradually decrease. In most cases, owners do not notice this. However, in some female dogs, the symptoms are much clearer and resemble those of a real pregnancy. The female may exhibit different behavior: collecting toys and being possessive or even aggressive, being very affectionate or moody, wanting to build a nest, whining, having low energy, appearing depressed, and eating less. The nipples may swell, and sometimes the female produces milk.
Usually, pseudo-pregnancy resolves on its own, and the female does not suffer much from it. However, sometimes she may feel unwell, and it may last a long time, with her continuing to produce milk. In such cases, pseudo-pregnancy can be treated with medication. The homeopathic supplement PUUR Pseudo Pregnancy can also help. If a female dog frequently experiences pseudo-pregnancy, and you do not want a litter, it may be a good reason to have her spayed.
Preputial Inflammation in Male Dogs
Many male dog owners will recognize it: green drops on the floor and a dog licking its genitals extensively. These green drops are pus drops dripping from the inflamed prepuce. While it may sound scary and unpleasant, preputial inflammation is usually a very harmless condition. Especially in non-neutered males, the penis can protrude during the day, which may be due to excitement (PUUR Hypersex can help with that!), but in some dogs, it happens spontaneously or during defecation. When the penis retracts, it brings bacteria with it. The prepuce provides a warm and moist environment, ideal for bacterial growth. Although harmless, the condition can be quite bothersome. You can easily and effectively clean your dog's prepuce with Prepusol prepuce cleaner.
If you have any questions about our products or the reproductive organs of dogs, please contact us.