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Why is my unspayed female beagle sniffing obsessively? Is it heat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Beagle | Female | unspayed | 28 lbs

My 1 year old female beagle has been obsessively sniffing our yard. She runs around the yard sniffing and whining. Her lips have now become very red from doung this. Is there something you could recommend to get her to stop?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Emily Fukuzato, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 2nd, 2017

Hello there. Thank you for reaching out to Pet Coach. Eva's behavior can be very typical of a Beagle as this breed uses their nose all the time for many things. However, this new sudden behavior for Eva MAY be because she is going into heat. You listed that she is an unspayed female and typically intact female dogs will go into their first heat cycle anywhere between 6-12 months of age. When they go into heat they will have odd behavior, possibly as you are describing. I suspect this may be what is happening. The redness on her lips will resolve as she stops doing this behavior. I would recommend an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss getting her spayed (if you do not intentionally plan to breed her), and in the mean time, limit her outdoor free time so that she is not constantly doing this behavior.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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