My new puppy just arrived. Did she already have her first heat?

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!

Given that Kisses is eight months old, this would be her first heat. Female dogs can go into heat for the first time anytime after six months of age, and they go into heat once every six months. With her age, there would not be time for her to have had one heat already and then gone into a second. I hope this helps!

It could be that Lanzo is still in heat, as it would be too early for signs of pregnancy if she just had her first heat. Vulva and nipple swelling are also signs of heat, and it does take time for them to go down after a dog ends her heat. I would have her seen by a vet in three weeks for a blood test called relaxin. This is a hormone produced when a dog is pregnant. While it isn't advisable for a dog to get pregnant on her first heat, it does happen and as long as you work with your vet during her pregnancy, she can be ok.

Hi and thanks for posting! Signs of heat in dogs include swollen vulva, red tinged discharge from the vulva, licking near her vulva, and sometimes mounting other dogs or inanimate objects. Standing to be mounted by another dog is also another sign to watch out for. Typically, a female dog's first heat will be around 6 months-1 year of age and can occur at a later age in large breed females. Dogs come into heat twice a year- once in the spring/summer and once in the fall/winter. I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

In regards to your question about Olie having her first heat cycle - on average a dog will have their first heat cycle between 6-12 months of age. It is hard to determine right now at her 2 month age exactly when her first heat cycle will be but it will be several months from now. If you want to take extra precaution during her heat cycle you can have her wear a cloth or disposable diaper to help with the "mess". She does not need to wear cloths and you do not have to change her normal healthy diet. You should take extra precaution when she goes into heat that there will be intact male dogs seeking her out to try and breed with her. If your intention is not for her to have puppies than it is very important to keep her away from intact male dogs during this time of her heat cycle or she will be bred. If you do not wish for her to have puppies it would be best to have her spayed prior to her first heat cycle by your veterinarian. Best of luck with your sweet puppy Olie.

This is a possibility, there is no way to know at the moment, if you start seeing some pregnancy sign in about a month from now (enlarged nipples, weight gain, increase appetite),- take her to the vet in order to do an ultrasound, this will confirm or rule out pregnancy.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A dogs first heat is some what genetic and breed related. Toy and small breeds may have their first heat at 6-8 months while larger breed dogs like Great Danes may not have their first heart until 18-24 months. I have a client who's lab still didn't have their first heat by 1 year of age. I would expect that Bella at 9 months should have her heat very soon or with in the next 3-6 months. Dogs act slightly off when they are in heat. The vulva becomes prominent and swollen. Then you will see bloody fluid from the vulva. Dogs tend to lick a lot. I hope this helps!