How Long Do Dog Estrous Cycle Last?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Similar to the start time, the exact frequency of estrus depends on your dog's size, breed, and age. Female dogs who have not been spayed go into heat twice a year, around every 6 months. Each heat cycle lasts

around 18 days, for generally anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks

.

How long does a dog stay in heat and bleed?

The first signs your dog is in heat are the swelling of her vulva and bright red bloody discharge. “There will be lots of licking,” Nielsen says. A dog in heat can bleed for around

7 to 10 days

. During this first stage of the reproductive cycle, the female will not accept a male.

How many days does dog heat period last?

The heat cycle of the female lasts from

18 to 21 days

. The first stage is called proestrus. It begins with mild swelling of the vulva and a bloody discharge. This lasts for about 9 days, although it may vary by 2 or 3 days.

What are the 4 stages of a dog in heat?

The canine estrous (reproductive) cycle is made up of 4 different stages. These are

proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus

.

How do I know when my dog has finished her season?

Heat usually lasts between 2-4 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to , although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer and you'll know the cycle is over

when all her vulva returns to its normal size and there's no more bleeding or discharge

.

Why is my dogs heat lasting so long?

A prolonged interestrous interval happens when a female had a regular heat but is still not starting her next heat after 16 months or more.

Usually, the cause is an ovarian cyst that will start producing progesterone

, a hormone similar to androgen, both either stopping a heat or preventing it from happening.

Can a dog bleed longer than 10 days?

Answer: A normal heat cycle in dogs typically lasts an average of 7 to 14 days.

If a female dog's bleeding goes on longer than that, then it is worthy of wondering whether something's going on

. At times, some dogs may develop ovarian cysts, and these may cause irregularities in a dog's heat cycle.

How long will a female dog bleed?

You may also observe that her vulva is large, red, or swollen with some bleeding or blood-tinted discharge. Your dog will only bleed for around half of the total cycle, usually

7 to 10 days

.

How do you stop a dog from bleeding in heat?

The bleeding can be controlled by

investing in some doggy diapers that your dog can wear while she is around the house

. If you can, keep her off the furniture, and perhaps leave her in a part of the house that has floors that are easy to clean, rather than carpet or rugs.

How long after bleeding is a dog fertile?

After about

9-10 days

, the bleeding will become more watery, or stop. It is at this time your female will, most likely, be at her most fertile. This proestrus stage can last as long as 20 days in some dogs. So the end of bleeding can be a more useful indicator of peak fertility.

How many times a year is a dog in heat?

Most dogs come into heat

twice per year

, or about every six months, although the interval can vary between breeds and from dog to dog. Small breed dogs may cycle three times per year, while giant breed dogs may only cycle once every 12 months.

Can a dog be in heat but not bleed?

You may think your dog is no longer in heat once she stops bleeding. However, that's not true.

Each heat cycle lasts three to four weeks, but bleeding is seen only during the first two weeks

. The most fertile period is when the bleeding lessens and becomes clear or pink.

How long does a puppy's first season last?

Overview. A heat/season is the fertile period of a dog's cycle when they can get pregnant. Dogs usually have their first heat at around 6 months old, and then every 6-7 months afterwards. Each heat tends to last approximately

16-18 days

.

Do dogs change after their first season?


Changes can range from quite mild to more severe

. Sometimes a female dog will become more affectionate and clingy with her owner, other times she may seem a bit grumpy. Appetite changes: It's not unusual for a dog to go off her food a bit during this first week, or she may get hungrier.

Can a dog go into heat every 4 months?


Female dogs cycle into heat on average every six months

. But this can vary, especially in the beginning, so it's a good idea to keep track. It can take some dogs 18-24 months to develop regular cycles. Small dogs will tend to go into heat more frequently, as much as three or four times a year.

Can a dogs heat cycle last longer than 21 days?

Prolonged estrus (persistent estrus) The mean duration of estrus is 9 days in an adult dog, which may sometimes be prolonged up to 3 weeks.

Estrus of longer than 21 days with the absence of ovulation at the end of this long period is defined as prolonged estrus

.

Can a dog bleed for 2 weeks in heat?

With dogs in heat, each dog heat cycle lasts 3 to 4 weeks, but

you will only see bleeding during the first 2 weeks

. “The fertile period is actually when the bloody discharge starts to subside and it becomes pink or clear and there's much less of it,” Dr. Kelso says.

Why is my dog leaving blood spots?


Urinary or Bladder Infection

Dogs can contract infectious organisms in their urinary systems. When this occurs, much like humans, spots of blood may be seen in the urine and sometimes discomfort occurs as well. When this blood spotting is seen in the house, it can have the appearance of pure blood.

Why is my dog bleeding from her private area?

If you see blood coming from your dog's vulva, it could be a result of

trauma, tumors, infections, anatomic abnormalities, blood clotting disorders, and conditions affecting the urinary tract

. Your dog should be evaluated by a veterinarian unless she is known to be in heat and there are no other issues.

What is a split heat in dogs?

Split heats happen

when a female starts her heat, does not ovulate, and then eventually finishes her heat cycle with another set of follicles

. Females do interrupt the cycle after standing, do not ovulate, and bring up another set of follicles standing a second round to be bred.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.