The bitch's heat is a part of the cycle. Among other things, it also includes the period in which the female quadruped is ready to mate. Depending on the phase, the bitch's heat becomes noticeable through various signs and behaviours.
When bitches come into heat for the first time, which phases the cycle includes and at which intervals the heat recurs, you will learn in the following paragraphs. We also explain how you can recognise a bitch in heat and give you tips if you are planning to have offspring.
When a bitch comes into heat for the first time, she is usually between six and twelve months old. When exactly a bitch comes into heat for the first time depends, among other things, on the breed of dog.
Large dogs usually mature a little later than their smaller counterparts, as it takes longer for them to become adults.
In addition, the nutritional and health status of the bitch also plays a role in the timing of the first heat. An underweight or sick dog may therefore take a little longer to come into heat for the first time.
Furthermore, it can sometimes happen that a bitch has already reached an age of up to two years at her first heat. However, this is normally no cause for alarm.
In most bitches, the heat is repeated at intervals of between six and nine months. Representatives of small breeds usually come into heat twice a year, while the interval in large dogs can be as long as 11 months.
Nordic dog breeds such as the Siberian Husky or the Alaskan Malamute usually only come into heat once a year.
Regardless of this, a bitch's heat intervals do not change. If your four-legged friend does not come into heat or it is delayed, this may indicate a health problem and you should consult a vet.
During her cycle, the bitch goes through four different phases. The duration of the bitch's heat is about three weeks, but she is only ready to mate for about five to six days.
When a bitch is in heat, this is noticeable both by changes in her behaviour and by various external signs. During pre-mating, the bitch's vagina swells considerably. In addition, bloody discharge comes out of it and the bitch urinates remarkably often, which serves to set scent marks.
During the actual heat, the discharge becomes lighter and more watery and the bitch's vagina swells somewhat, making it softer. Once the fertile phase of heat is over, the discharge first becomes yellowish and eventually stops altogether.
Apart from obvious physical signs such as bleeding, a bitch in heat is also noticeable through various changes in behaviour. These can vary and do not necessarily occur equally in all bitches in heat.
Apart from this, bitches develop a pronounced interest in the opposite sex by their second heat at the latest and are suddenly strongly attracted to males.
In contrast to their male counterparts, who are ready to mate all year round and basically cannot resist the smell of a female dog in heat, a bitch usually only accepts the advances of males during the actual heat. Before and after that, intrusive males are vigorously repelled.
Even though a bitch is not usually ready to mate during her entire heat, it is advisable to take a quiet route for walks together. Otherwise, pushy male dogs can prove to be a real nuisance, causing considerable stress not only for your bitch in heat but also for you.
Some bitches can bleed quite heavily during heat. In addition, not every dog in heat cleans herself conscientiously. As a result, it is not uncommon for the bitch to leave traces of blood all over the home.
To avoid this, it can be useful to put a pair of pants on the bitch when she is in heat. This is similar to a sanitary napkin and ensures that the blood is collected. Please note, however, that wearing a pair of pants when in heat cannot protect your bitch from unwanted mating, but is worn solely for hygiene purposes.
Theoretically, it is possible to stop the bitch from coming into heat by injecting hormones. However, due to the risks involved, this is rarely practised. As an owner, you should therefore either accept that your bitch is in heat or consider spaying her.
Spaying not only permanently prevents unwanted pregnancy, but can also prevent various diseases. If you don't want your bitch to have any offspring, the procedure is worth considering.
By the way, unlike us humans, bitches do not go through menopause. This means that a bitch will regularly come into heat throughout her life and can theoretically still become pregnant at an advanced age.
However, given the stress associated with pregnancy, it is advisable, depending on the breed, to refrain from mating the bitch from the age of four to six years, despite her being in heat. At the latest from the age of seven years, pregnancy should no longer be attempted in dogs.
If you want to mate your bitch in heat, it is important that your four-legged friend has reached breeding maturity and is completely healthy. A balanced diet with high-quality dog food made from natural ingredients makes a valuable contribution to avoiding health problems.
In addition, it can be useful to support the fertility of your bitch in heat with a suitable food supplement such as Shiimun Vitalizer. Shiimun Vitalizer contains selected ingredients such as shiitake, maca extract and L-arginine, which provide your bitch with numerous important nutrients and can thus help to improve fertility during heat.
Sooner or later, heat is a regular part of everyday life for owners of a bitch, which can only be permanently avoided by spaying.
Regardless of whether your four-legged friend is intended for breeding, it is important that you support your bitch during her heat and also take good care of her during this very stressful time for the animal itself.
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