That the dog in heat requires some special care is not news to anyone! In addition to bringing physical changes, such as bleeding, the period can influence your puppy's behavior and make her a little more skittish and aggressive due to hormones. But do you know how this process occurs? How many phases can it have? Or how to identify when the dog is in heat?To clear up these and other doubts once and for all, the Paws of the House has put together a complete guide for you to understand everything about the subject, check it out!

"Is my dog in heat?" See the main symptoms of the period

The phases of heat in dogs are completely different from the fertile period of a woman, for example, so it is very common to have doubts about how long a dog's heat lasts, how long the dog goes into heat and, above all, what happens in her body during this phase. The first heat usually occurs between the first six months and one year of the dog's life, butcan vary according to the breed of the animal. Large bitches, for example, can take up to two years to go through the process for the first time. As for the symptoms, the main ones are increased volume of the vulva, redness and bleeding in the region and genital licking. Excessive attraction to male dogs may also indicate that your pet is in heat.

Phases of heat: learn how to identify each of them

Generally speaking, the female dog's heat is composed of four phases and lasts about three weeks, with some variations for less or more time. To better understand the subject, we have gathered the main characteristics of each of these phases and how long the heat lasts according to each stage:

1) Proestro: this is called the initial phase of hormonal stimulation of the estrous cycle. In it, the release of pheromones occurs and, therefore, the males are already attracted to the smell of the bitch, but she does not yet accept them. During the period, it is possible to identify some physical changes, such as enlargement of the vulva and slightly reddish secretion. The duration is usually 5 to 10 days;

2) Estro: the second phase, also known as oestrus, is responsible for ovulation. So, if you are wondering in which phase of the heat the bitch becomes pregnant, know that this is the time to take the necessary care to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. At this time of the cycle, it is common for animal behaviour to change considerably. The bitch may be especially affectionate, restless and very eagerEstrus usually lasts between 3 and 10 days;

3) Diestro: this phase is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of pregnancy. Therefore, its duration can vary between 56 and 90 days, varying according to fertilization or not. It is worth remembering that this phase occurs even in bitches that have not crossed or have not fertilized. Precisely for this reason, it is common for many dogs to develop psychological pregnancy during this stage. As for the signs, theirpuppy may refuse sex and eat excessively.

4) Anestrus: is characterized as the interval between the main phases of the estrous cycle. For bitches that have become pregnant, the stage ends with parturition, giving rise to anestrus. For bitches that have not been fertilized, anestrus does not usually show any obvious signs of changing the previous phase. The average duration of this stage is usually 3 to 10 months.

The care you should take during the phases of your dog's heat

After identifying a female dog in heat, it is essential that the guardian understands that the period will be accompanied by physical, hormonal and, above all, behavioral changes. For this reason, some precautions can and should be taken to ensure the well-being of the animal. It is very likely that, due to bleeding in the vulva, the dog will need diapers or panties that act as an absorbent. To eliminate this problem, it is necessary to take care of her.Giulia, guardian of Luna and Lola, these accessories were the best option to control the drops of blood scattered around the house. "When I need to go out and I can't monitor them, I usually use the specific panties for heat. But I avoid using it for a long period so that they can do their needs freely ", he explains.

It is not uncommon for some dogs to be more aggressive and irritable during heat, as is the case with Luna and Lola. "Luna gets quite aggressive and, therefore, I always keep them separated during this period to avoid possible fights", she says. In this case, it is important that the guardian does not fight with the animal. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the vulva region of the dog. Thisbecause the swelling combined with excessive licking can cause inflammation and compromise the animal's health. If in doubt, it is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Finally, remember: if you do not want your dog to become pregnant, the best option is to castrate her in the first year of life. Sterilization prevents the disorders caused by heat and prevents serious diseases, such as heat stroke.canine pyometra and breast cancer.