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Psicología del Amor

First heat of a dog: what do I need to know?

All dog parents face it once or twice a year: their dog’s heat phase. For many owners, heat presents some challenges, especially when it comes to the first heat. Both your four-legged friend and you first have to get used to sexual maturity. In this article we will tell you everything about your dog’s (first) heat and how you can get through it stress-free so that nothing goes wrong in this situation!

What actually is heat?

Heat, or heat, is the period in which a dog’s body prepares for mating. It is a very hormonal condition for your dog. Many physical changes take place, which can lead to mood swings in your dog. As an owner, you should know how to tell when your dog is in heat.

recognize heat

You can recognize your dog’s first heat from external things, but also from behavioral characteristics. Not every dog knows when heat will start. Therefore, we briefly explain what to expect from you as the owner.

External characteristics of a dog in heat

  • Swollen vulva (pre-estrous)

The dog’s vulva is thicker and more swollen when it is hot.

  • Bloody discharge

Your dog is losing blood from the vulva. If necessary, this can be compensated with a pair of pants that are in heat.

  • odor removal

Humans can’t smell it, but male dogs love the smell of a dog in heat.

When males are around, it will be clearly visible that your dog is in heat. It smells very attractive to admirers and gets a lot of attention. At the beginning of this period, your dog will chase men away from her, but later she wants to be mated.

Behavioral characteristics of a dog in heat

  • uneasy

Your dog is showing restless behavior and doesn’t seem to know what to do. She also sniffs indoors and outdoors more often. She can appear frightened at times. We give tips for this.

  • Moody

In addition, your dog may not seem too happy when she is in heat and may react moodily.

  • Quickly distracted

When playing, going for a walk or other activities, your dog is easily distracted by impulses.

My dog is pregnant

False pregnancy occurs after heat. Six to twelve weeks after the start, a certain hormone called prolactin is produced in the dog’s brain. False pregnancy is accompanied by symptoms similar to real pregnancy. After each heat your dog pretends to be pregnant. This can also lead to different behavior. Sometimes the dog becomes more affectionate, but sometimes also more dominant. So, as the owner, you should keep a close eye on this.

What to do if the dog is on heat for the first time?

The first heat is unusual and exciting for both your dog and you as the owner. The signs are the same as in the other periods of heat, as described above. But what can you do to get your dog through her first heat?

  • Keep your four-legged friend on a leash while walking.
  • If necessary, adjust your running route so that you run into as few male dogs as possible
  • Do not train difficult and new things with your dog. She is easily distracted and that could lead to frustration on both sides.
  • Buy diapers or jogging pants. This of course depends on how clean your dog is, but most dogs will shed a drop of blood every now and then.

When is a dog’s first heat?

When does a dog first come into heat? This is a question many owners ask themselves. The first period of heat begins in the dog’s adolescence. Puberty in dogs usually starts after 6 to 7 months. Females are considered sexually mature during this period and are ready for cute puppies from this age!

How many times does a dog come into heat per year?

A dog will generally come into heat twice a year, although some breeds only come into heat once a year. Most dogs come into heat about every seven months, but animals vary greatly in this regard. Some dogs even come into heat once every four months, while others only come into heat once a year.

How long does a dog’s first heat last?

The first heat can be normal, but also very short or very long. The bloody discharge is not always present, but it can also be very intense. So there is no fixed answer to the question of when your dog will be in heat for the first time. However, we know three phases of heat:

Four stages of heat.

  • proestrus

During the phase when the vulva swells, your dog loses blood. At this stage, your pup isn’t interested in flirting with male dogs!

  • estrus

Your dog will begin to take an interest in the male dogs around her who are in heat. Your dog is ready and turns her tail aside.

  • metoestrus

After about nine days, the swelling and blood loss will subside, and the dog will exude an – for males – attractive scent. This drives the males completely wild. Your dog’s body is raging with hormones. The hormone progesterone ensures that the embryos implant in the uterus. This hormone only disappears after about nine weeks.

  • anestrus

Hormones and genitals return to their normal state. This phase lasts until the next run phase. During this phase, your dog will not show any signs of heat.

Sterilization before or after the first heat?

Many dog ​​owners choose to have their dog spayed. In this way, the dog will no longer be in heat. Of course, sterilization has both advantages and disadvantages. We will list them for you:

Benefits of Sterilization

  • No pregnancy

The ovaries are removed during sterilization to prevent your dog from becoming pregnant again.

  • Reduced risk of mammary gland tumors

This has the best chance of success if spaying occurs immediately after your dog’s first heat period.

  • No uterine infection

Hormones that can cause this inflammation are removed by sterilization.

  • No more fake pregnancy

Your dog no longer pretends to be pregnant, so she no longer suffers from this «restriction».

  • Lower risk of diabetes

The hormone that causes diabetes is called progesterone. Sterilization reduces this hormone.

  • Cheap

Sterilization is the cheapest method to avoid heat for life.

Disadvantages sterilization

  • risks

Every operation simply carries certain risks.

  • overweight

Dogs can gain a lot of weight after spaying. There isn’t much you can do about it.

  • chance of urinary incontinence

If your dog is already an old dog, the risk of urine leakage increases. This can be remedied with medication.

  • coat change

The fur can also change after sterilization. Irish Red Setters and Small Munsterlanders are more likely to suffer from it.

When should my dog ​​be spayed?

It is best to sterilize your dog before her first heat. This greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer. Sterilization after the first heat also reduces the risk of breast cancer. Most vets recommend having your dog spayed as soon as she is five to six months old. Young dogs recover from surgery faster than older dogs. It is also easier for the vets themselves to sterilize young animals. However, you should always consult your veterinarian and ask for advice during any surgery.

The dog pill

As with humans, there is also a birth control pill for dogs. The advantage of the pill is that it works quickly. The downside is that as the owner, you have to remember to give it to your pet. Long-term use also increases the risk of cancer. So think carefully about this method and ask your veterinarian for advice on this as well. The pill is mainly used to postpone heat. This can e.g. B. come in handy during holiday periods or other times when your dog is alone.

Have a dog mated in its first heat

It is not advisable to let your dog mate during the first heat. This is because the dog is not fully grown at this age. The larger the dog, the later it is advisable to start mating. For dogs over 25 kg, it is recommended that mating be started after the third or fourth heat. In smaller dogs, this can usually be done a little earlier.

How long does a dog’s heat last?

It is well known that the heat lasts three weeks on average. During these weeks the dog is only fertile for a few days. It’s tough,…

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