(NOTE: This blog post is for the adult owners in the family -- kids would most likely enjoy one of these comics or reads much more!)
If you own a bitch (female dog) that hasn’t been neutered, it’s important to understand when your dog is likely to have her first season, how often they happen, what to expect and symptoms to keep an eye out for that she’s in heat. It's also important to understand what she's going through regarding hormonal changes and how that may affect her behavior, mood, appetite, and more. Seasons of Love . . . .
What is a season?
A dog’s season, otherwise known as being ‘in heat’, is the part of a female’s reproductive cycle that can allow her to become pregnant. When she’s in season, your dog may act differently and her genitals may swell and produce a discharge. Knowing how to recognize the signs of heat, and being able to roughly predict when a dog’s in season, can help owners avoid unwanted pregnancies. Most reputable breeders require, as we do at Pickwick Pugs, that owners allow their female pug to complete at least one cycle before spaying. Honestly, our vet even recommends waiting until a year or a bit over a year before neutering a male. At an absolute earliest, however, our contract for pet owners at Pickwick Pugs is never before 6 months of age or before first cycle is completed. Why do we require this? Allowing a female dog to have at least one heat cycle before spaying her can potentially benefit her physical development. By allowing her bones and urinary tract to fully mature, this potentially reduces the risk of incontinence later in life. Key points to consider:
Often, people think that spaying/neutering will instantly and miraculously "fix" any behavioral issues. This is not true. Nothing replaces training and then the special handling needed during adolescence (which, yes, is a little more challenging than with puppy's, but it won't last forever. We have another blog entry entitled "Teenage Trials and Tribulations" for more on this subject.)
When can I expect her first season?
Most smaller breeds can have their first season at around six months old, but this can vary quite a lot from dog to dog, while some larger breeds may not go in to heat until they are over a year old. Most of ours have been after 6 months with the earliest at 5 months. Sometimes it’s obvious that she's in heat while other times the signs may be more subtle. What are the signs? Signs your dog is in season may include: swollen vulva (the outer parts of the genitals) and sometimes red. Some dogs may be more noticeable than others. This change usually happens a few days before they begin to bleed. A vaginal discharge that can start off bloody but may become watery and more pinkish as their season progresses. For some dogs, the discharge may be more yellow in color or can be brown Cleaning their genitals more than usual by licking them. She may urinate more frequently. Most of our pugs have not bled heavily and, when they do, it is infrequent. It can be normal but if you are concerned at all do not hesitate to contact your vet. Behavior changes? As your female pug comes into season, and certain hormones begin to increase, you may notice her behaving differently. This might include:
How often will a pug come into season? After your pug has her first season, she is likely to continue to have regular seasons, usually every six to seven months. 2 times per year (sometimes 3). Younger dogs may have irregular seasons to start with, but these usually settle down and become more consistent within a few seasons. Your pug's seasons can be affected by being in the company of other females that are in season. How long does a season last? Dogs are usually in season for about three weeks, but this may be as short as two weeks or as long as four. How long does a dog in heat bleed? Generally, about 7-10 days (around half of her cycle). Your pug's bleeding is a sign that her body is undergoing changes that help her to become fertile. How much does a dog in season bleed? Some dogs may bleed heavily, while for others it may be barely noticeable. Although some dogs may have a very obvious bloody discharge, it may be less noticeable depending on how much they groom and clean themselves. Do dogs get ‘period’ cramps? It’s difficult to tell. Without dogs being able to tell us how they feel, it’s hard to know what your dog is going through, but we suspect that it’s generally not painful. Some dogs do seem to be uncomfortable during their season and may be a little fidgety, but it’s unusual for there to be any obvious signs of pain. How to take care for a dog when she’s in heat: Your pug may seem uncomfortable, anxious, and a little confused about the changes that are occuring to her body during her her season. To help your pug, try:
How can I keep my house clean? Each dog is different, some dogs may not bleed a lot, and others may be meticulously clean and lick themselves to get rid of any discharge. However, if you’re concerned about your pug making a mess when in season then you could limit her access to sofas, bedding and carpeted areas. Some people put down plenty of towels in areas that their dog usually sits and others use special pants that help to catch the blood. We generally use a combination of bitches britches and more crate or Xpen time.
Over the years, we've found that keeping the female in a pen with an easily mopped floor or in her crate on heavy flow days is easier than fooling with the diapers or "bitches britches" but, we do use the diapers or carry a towel to put underneath if we venture outside of the home.
Remember, however, that although these pants may do a good job of keeping your house clean, they may not be effective at preventing her from attracting a mate or accidentally mating! KEEP YOUR pug on a leash, do not venture out where a male may get to her. NEVER let her outside in fenced back yard when in season .... dogs have known to climb 6 feet fences to "visit" a pretty pug ;)
Possible complications? After your pug's season, she may (rarely) show signs of a false pregnancy. This is a condition that causes them to act as if they were pregnant when they’re actually not, with them producing milk and even gathering objects into a nest as if they were puppies. False pregnancy is caused by a change in hormones. Generally dogs recover from these signs naturally, but it can be stressful and can lead to more serious complications, such as pyometra (which is an accumulation of pus in the uterus (womb), which can be life threatening. Signs of pyometra: being off food, seeming tired, being sick, drinking more, licking her genitals, having a smelly vaginal discharge. It's very smelly fyi. If you notice any changes in the patterns of your pug's season, especially if they appear to remain in season for an unusually long time, it's time to talk with your vet.
How long after bleeding is a dog fertile? In humans, a woman’s period is a sign that she’s finished ovulating, but in dogs it’s actually a sign that they are about to become more fertile. Dog’s may start with a very bloody discharge, but this changes and become watery over time. This can indicate that she is at her most fertile and this stage can last for around 10 days, but varies from dog to dog.) What's happening physically to your puppy bitch: Phases:
What if my pug mates during her season? We won't address this since it's not going to happen. We know you will take all the preventative measures necessary to prevent oopsies. But .... if you are concerned, talk to your vet. There are certain injections that can be used within the first few days after mating that can prevent pregnancy. Remember .... an ounce of prevention ....
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AuthorAmy - Concert pianist, composer, lecturer, teacher, adjudicator, pug lover, dog trainer, soap and candle maker, PawTree Pet Pro, and co-owner Pickwick Pugs along with her husband, Dr. Jeff McLelland who is a concert organist, music director. Archives
January 2025
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