Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my dog's first heat bleeding for so long and irregularly?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired) | Female | unspayed | 11 months and 29 days old | 10 lbs

My mini dachshund has been bleeding o her first cycle since July 24. It's been 3 weeks and 1 day. Last week she stopped bleeding and today she is bleeding again. Is this normal?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 15th, 2019

Hello. It is very normal for first heats to be longer than normal & quite irregular. As long as Chanel is feeling & acting normally, then she should normalize her heats over the next few cycles. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Susan England-Foster
Veterinarian
Published on September 1st, 2017
Typically the first heat cycle can be a little more abnormal. I would not be concerned as long as she is eating, drinking and playing normally. If you feel like she is tired or not acting like her self I would take her to the vet. Make sure to keep her away from male dogs to prevent puppies. hope that helps
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 23rd, 2017
A typical heat cycle will last for 3 weeks and occurs every 6 months. It is very soon for the cycle to restart. This may be a sign of a pregnancy or labor or a uterine infection or a urinary infection If she is not showing signs of pregnancy then she needs to be checked for an infection
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Silvia De Cecco, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on March 9th, 2018
It is a very long time so I would consider to bring Cookie to the vet to make sure is otherwise fine. However, in young female dog the first cycle sometimes can slightly different compared to the subsequent; it can be either silent or last longer but the following, usually, normalize. Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Why is my Frenchie's first heat cycle so long? Is it normal?

Hello. It is very normal for young dogs to have split & prolonged heat cycles the first few times. They usually regulate to a more normal rhythm later on. As long as every test turned up nothing abnormal, you can definitely wait a bit. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's first heat: Is her bleeding and spotting normal?

A dog's heat cycle lasts for around three weeks, so if she started on February 26, it should be ending soon. It's normal that she is spotting occasionally, and you know when she's out of heat when the discharge stops. Now if the bleeding continues for longer than three weeks or Sophie develops other signs such as anorexia, thick pus filled discharge, vomiting, increased bleeding, and/or lethargy, this is not normal and she will need to see a vet immediately. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Female dog in heat: How long does she bleed, what's normal, & worry?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Dog's heats will last a variable amount of time from animal to animal. Some will last a few days, and some can last up to 3 weeks. Most will be on average around 7 days long. A fair amount of blood coloured fluid will be produced, however dogs are pretty good at cleaning themselves up. About 1 month after she has finished bleeding, I would talk to your vet about getting her desexed to prevent pyometra (pus filled uterus), decrease her risks of mastitis, and many different types of cancers, and prevent unwanted pregnancies. Best of luck with Bella!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my 8-year-old Chihuahua having her first long bleeding cycle?

Hi there. If Izzy has never had any vaginal discharge during her heat cycles previously, that's very odd. I would be concerned that what you are seeing now may indicated a pyometra (uterine infection), as this is a common cause of vaginal discharge in middle-aged and older intact females. If she does have a pyometra, this is a serious problem that can be life-threatening - so I would recommend taking her to the vet today for an exam to find out for sure what's going on.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 7-year-old dog is constantly in heat. Is this a health problem?

This is unusual in dogs. Typically smaller breeds have 2 to 3 heat cycles a year. I am assuming this is a new change in the frequency for her and that you are seeing vaginal discharge or bleeding. If so, it is possible these are not normal heats and that she has disease in her reproductive tract. I would recommend a visit to your family vet for an exam. Additional testing to evaluate her reproductive tract may be recommended such as vaginal cytology and abdominal ultrasound. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

How long does a puppy's first heat last and will she bleed daily?

When she bleeds, she is in pre-estrus. This is the time where she prepares for estrus (heat). This means she will be bleeding for about 2-3 weeks, continuously. Then the bleeding gets less and her discharge will be more of a clear red-tinged discharge. This is when she actually will go into heat for another 3 weeks, approximately, and this is where is can conceive. You should wait until about two months after her heat cycle is over before having her spayed. Here is some good information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/anatomy-and-function-of-the-reproductive-system-in-dogs/

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My older dog in heat has black blood. Is this normal or a vet concern?

With any new reproductive symptom out of the norm for your pet, it is best to have a vet take a look, especially if the symptoms persist, Tinkerbell continues bleeding, or if she seems otherwise ill or in distress. A vet check in person can help rule out any issues such as infections, hormonal problems, or other related issues that may be causing the change. If you're having trouble affording care, this site may help give you some options to make it more affordable if you need to bring Tinkerbell into your vet: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/having-trouble-affording-veterinary-care

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share