My female puppy is on her period. How can I best manage her heat?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Odesia. When a dog comes into heat, her mammary chain and vulva will swell. She will have a blood tinged discharge. A heat cycle lasts approximately 18-21 days. Spaying her prior to her first heat cycle will prevent this from occurring. Most dogs come into heat for the first time around 7-10 months of age with larger breeds starting their cycles later. If she goes into heat, doggy diapers with a feminine hygiene pad are an easy way to keep her clean. I hope this information helps!

Typically the first period is often the hardest for pets; however, very rarely do you need medication to help them get through. If she is sleeping but still eating, drinking and going potty normally, then I would recommend just a warm compress applied to her belly for 5-10 minutes twice a day, as needed for mild discomfort. She will start to feel better as her menstrual cycle progresses. A pets period lasts 1-2 weeks on average. Take care of that fur baby!

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dogs do not appear to develop pain like women do thankfully. She may though become less playful perhaps at the beginning though she should come around fairly quickly. If no improvement is observed, have her evaluated by your veterinarian. She is likely just fine for now though. Good luck and have a good night

Thank you for submitting your question! Most puppies will start their first heat cycle anywhere from about 6-10 months of age. It can last upwards of 18-21 days. You will notice swelling of her vulva and mammary chain. She will spot and bleed as well. Some dogs keep themselves very clean and you only see small amounts of discharge, others will require diapers. You may observe some behavioral changes as well. These can include a decreased appetite, attraction to male dogs or being more clingy to you. Most dogs will cycle every 6-9 months with small dogs cycling more frequently and giant breeds less. I hope this information helps!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Congratulations on your new little girl! Any pet-store will have diaper products for female dogs in heat, so you can go by and get some. Usually small breed dogs, especially on their first heat don't need any diapers and won't spot too much, and usually will clean themselves up. I recommend that you wait about 1-2 months and then have Lulu spayed before her next heat cycle. Spaying prevents the common and severe condition of pyometra, and also prevents unwanted pregnancies (shih-tzus often have trouble with birth and often require a c-section and get eclampsia, so you should not breed her especially if she is your first dog), and decreases her risks of being hit by a car (less roaming) and also decreases the risks of many cancers. You can chat with your vet about the best timing for this. Best of luck with Lulu! I hope you have fun with her!

Hello, sorry to hear about Snowy. Yes occasionally female dogs may have increased attention demands after their heat cycle. However, some of these similar signs may be seen with a false pregnency. If the signs do not resolve in 3-5 days then she should be seen by her veterinarian so that they may rule out a flase pregnency. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In general, I’m not worried about anything I’m seeing or hearing. The vulva is completely expected for a dog in heat. A few minutes of shivering/trembling can happen for many reasons but the fact that she went right back to playing and eating normally makes me not too concerned. In terms of helping her through the next several days or week of her heat cycle, there is nothing special to do. As you can see, she is basically the same as she always is. Best of luck to you and Eclaire! (Great name by the way!)