{"id":17375,"date":"2023-06-06T20:15:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T19:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/?p=17375"},"modified":"2025-06-22T21:13:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T20:13:10","slug":"dog-in-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/dog-in-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Dog In Heat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Unless she is neutered at a very young age, your dog will have at least one heat in her life, and you\u2019ll want to know when to expect it. And what to expect from it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Being ‘in heat’ is also known as being ‘in season’ and you’ll also need to avoid taking your dog to places where there may be entire male dogs during time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When does this all start?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An unspayed Lab will likely have her first season any time from six months of age onwards. The average age is between nine and twelve months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of my dogs have their first season at around a year old, but a dog’s first heat can start as late as eighteen to twenty four months old in larger breeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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She will be in season for about three to four weeks, and most female dogs will come into season every six months or so thereafter. I’ll explain what’s involved in a heat cycle, but first it’s important to protect your dog from an unwanted pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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During her heat cycle your dog starts releasing the hormones that enable her to become ready for mating. These hormones will make your female dog more appealing to any local fertile male dogs, and also turn some females into escape artists!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So you will need to protect her from the advances of potential suitors, by making sure your home and back yard are secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dog’s behavior may change, during her season and there is likely to be a certain amount of mess. So we’ll also talk about the best way to deal with those changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pet parents worry about how they will cope during their dog’s heat, but I want to reassure you that it needn’t be a big deal. I have had entire female dogs in my home for many years and I’ll explain whats involved, and share my tips for navigating your dog’s heat safely and smoothly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will I know when my dog is in season?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are usually some clear signs when your dog is in season, but it is not always obvious so if you think she might be approaching that time you need to keep an eye on her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical appearance and swelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you are likely to notice is that your female dog\u2019s vulva (external genitalia) becomes very swollen and puffy. It may be literally three or four times its normal size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bleeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Together with a bloody discharge, these symptoms tell you that your female dog has come into season. As your dog moves into her fertile phase, the bleeding may stop or become more watery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although you might expect the main sign to be profuse bleeding, it isn\u2019t always obvious, and I find that some of my dogs bleed a lot less than other. In fact, sometimes all you will see are very small markings on the floor or in the dog’s bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increased cleaning and licking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most Labs are very good at keeping themselves clean, though I find this varies from dog to dog. However, a lot of licking can provide another good sign that your dog is in season. If she is swollen as well as licking her genitals considerably more than usual, her heat has probably started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog heat test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are not sure whether or not your Labrador is bleeding, gently wipe a piece of clean cotton wool or a white tissue over her vulva. <\/a>You\u2019ll probably see some pink staining if she is on heat, even if she is keeping herself pretty clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she is ready to mate, it you touch her butt, your dogs tail will curve around over their back in an action called flagging. Your female dog might also surprise you by exhibiting more masculine traits during this time like humping, or raising a leg to pee. Some may be uncharacteristically grumpy, though most dogs in heat remain in good spirits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do dogs have periods?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although some bleeding is a natural part of their reproductive cycle, female dogs don\u2019t have monthly periods or bleed in the same way that human females do. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Being in season doesn’t mean no more fun – you’ll just need to exercise your dog in safe areas for a few weeks<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Unlike most human females, your female dog is highly fertile during this time. This is the only time of year during which dogs will mate and can conceive. So your lab must be managed carefully during her heat in order to avoid pregnancy<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How often do dogs go into heat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most female dogs will come into season twice a year throughout their lives unless they are spayed. These are averages however. I have had several females that only come into season once a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your female Lab’s season will normally form a fairly regular pattern. Although the pattern may vary widely from dog to dog. The space in between seasons will usually be somewhere between every six months and annually. For example, one of my young female dogs is every six months like clockwork. Another has only one season per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An eight to ten month cycle is longer than average but still considered to be normal. Occasionally a female dog will come into season every three or four months. Although the average is six months, variations in heat cycles is normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a good idea to chat to your vet if your dog’s heat cycles are very different. This is especially true if they suddenly change to a new pattern. This is just a precaution in case there is an underlying health issue that needs looking at. Before we move on to the biology of your dog’s heat cycle and how to best care for her during this time, I just want to mention Pyometra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pyometra – You Need To Know About This<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unmated female dogs are vulnerable to a serious and potentially fatal infection of the womb during the few weeks following each season, so you need to keep a close eye on your girl at this time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This infection is called pyometra. And you can read about the signs and symptoms in this article: Pyometra – How To Make Sure Your Dog Is Safe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Now for the biology part! Below is a quick summary of how the dog heat cycle works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dog heat cycle – oestrus and proestrus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As she reaches maturity, your female dog produces hormones which sets a rhythm in motion. This hormonal cycle controls the fertility of your dog and carries on throughout her life. And it is composed of four stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n