If you share your home with an unspayed female dog, her heat cycle will come around regularly. Knowing what to expect makes it much easier to keep your dog comfortable and your floors, bed and sofa clean.
Signs your dog is in heat
- A swollen vulva and bloody or straw-colored discharge
- Licking the genital area more than usual
- Peeing more often, sometimes in small amounts
- Changes in mood: clingy, restless or easily irritated
- Male dogs suddenly very interested in her
The stages of the heat cycle
Timing varies a lot between dogs and breeds, so treat these as general guidelines and ask your vet about your own dog.
- Proestrus: swelling and discharge begin, but she is usually not ready to mate yet.
- Estrus: the fertile stage, when she may accept a male.
- Diestrus: things settle down as her body returns to normal.
- Anestrus: the resting phase before the next cycle.
Many dogs go into heat about twice a year, and the active phase often lasts a few weeks.
How to keep your house clean during a heat cycle
- Choose one or two rooms with easy-to-clean floors for your dog to relax in.
- Put washable covers or old towels on her favorite sofa spots and bed.
- Wash her bedding often and clean spots quickly.
- Use a washable dog diaper for extra coverage at home. The Cocoon Pets Washable Dog Diaper is made for moments like heat cycles and comes in sizes XS to XL.
- Measure carefully first, using our size guide.
Keep her safe
A diaper helps with mess, but it is not a method of preventing pregnancy. Keep your dog on a leash outdoors, avoid dog parks, and never leave her alone in the yard while she is in heat. Talk to your vet about spaying and the best timing for your dog.
Keep reading
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your veterinarian.