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Suppose you plan to adopt a dog and are looking up female dogs, wondering what their care may entail- then one of the most important questions you might have is, “Like humans and other female primates, do female dogs have periods too?”
We’ve all studied how humans experience periods as a part of their menstrual or reproductive cycle each month. The uterine lining becomes thicker and engorged with blood in preparation for the receipt of a fertilized egg, sheds when the egg is not fertilized and results in bloody vaginal discharge. And a pet parent wonders whether a female dog goes through the same.
The answer to that is not as straightforward as a yes or no. While female dogs do ovulate and get their periods as a part of their reproductive or menstrual cycle, they do not menstruate the same way their human counterparts do.

1. Do Female Dogs Have Periods?
As a pet parent, you may have noticed clear or vaginal discharges in your unspayed female dog and been surprised. You must wonder, “Do female dogs have periods like humans?”
While dogs have periods, they do not menstruate in the same manner as humans do; a better way to describe this would be that your female dog is going into a heat or estrous cycle. The bloody discharge from your dog’s vagina is due to its heat cycle.
Blood-tinged discharge in dogs indicates that a dog is now fertile and ready to breed, whereas, in humans, it marks the end of their reproductive cycle. Thus, it is said that a dog is said to come into Heat when her estrus cycle begins. Similarly, the timing of the dog’s estrus cycles differs from humans. While a human menstruates every 28 days, a female dog’s reproductive cycle occurs over 180 days.
During your dog’s estrus cycle, the ovaries release eggs as estrogen levels increase and decrease. The bloody discharge is caused because the dog’s genitals swell up with blood in preparation for breeding and fertilization. Unlike female mammals, where the lining of the uterus is shed, the engorged uterine lining in a female dog is absorbed back into the dog’s body in case of no fertilization. This is also termed covert menstruation. Also, a female dog is most receptive to male dogs only during this period. And won’t want to accept the company of a male dog at other times.
2. When do Female Dogs have Periods?
Many dogs typically get their first period when they attain sexual maturity at six months. While six months is the average age of the dog’s first heat cycle onset, the number may differ according to the breed. Smaller dogs enter their heat cycles as early as four weeks. While in some cases, large breeds like Tibetan mastiffs and great Danes may not get their first period till seven months to a year, while other dogs may not go into their first Heat till up to two years. A dog’s estrus cycle typically lasts around three weeks but ranges between two and three weeks.
Though dogs typically go into Heat every six months, the first few of your dog’s heat cycles can be irregular. It can take some dogs up to eighteen to 24 months to settle into a regular cycle, so you shouldn’t worry too much if your dog is not having regular periods in the beginning.
Four stages of the estrus cycle ensue over about 180 days in canines.
2.1. Proestrus Stage
The proestrus stage marks the beginning of a female dog’s heat cycle and spans from a few days to about three weeks. However, it lasts between 7-10 days on average. During this time, due to the swelling of the vulva with blood, dogs experience bloody discharge from the vagina. Your female dog’s body is preparing for fertilization and starts attracting male dogs even though her body isn’t ready to breed.
2.2. Estrus Cycle
The estrus cycle is commonly referred to as the heat stage, your dog is ready to mate during this stage, and her bleeding also reduces or stops. Since she starts ovulating and her body is ready for fertilization, she accepts male company. The estrus stage spans anywhere from 3-21 days; however, it lasts over an average of 9 days for most dogs.
2.3. Diestrus Stage
During this stage, your dog’s cycle begins to end. If a dog has been impregnated while entering the diestrus stage, then the duration of this stage will be from the end of the estrus stage till she births puppies, which will be around 60 days. If she is not pregnant, she will not want to mate as much, and the lining of her uterus will be absorbed into her body, causing the swelling of the vulva to reduce gradually. This period can last anywhere between 100-150 days.
2.4. Anestrus Stage
This is the final stage of a dog’s cycle, lasting about 4-6 months. During this stage, the dog’s body is resting, and she will not welcome any sexual contact. At the end of the anestrus stage, your dog’s heat cycle would begin again.
Giant breeds usually go into Heat only once a year, while small dogs may go into Heat as many as three to four times a year, depending upon the breed’s size. Additionally, your furry friend will continue to go into Heat, but as it grows older, the length of time between each cycle will also grow.
Also, it is advisable to wait until your dog’s third heat cycle to breed it. You can consult your vet to advise you regarding the frequency of your canine’s periods, and they can also genetically test your female dog to find out if it is ready to breed before its third estrus cycle.
3. What are the Signs your Female Dog is in Heat?

Dogs in Heat can be fidgety and uncomfortable. Although you will see bleeding during your dog’s heat cycle, it doesn’t mean she is in pain. If it appears that her period is causing her pain, then a visit to your vet would be advisable to check if she has any health problems.
A dog will exhibit certain physiological and behavioral signs during the dog heat cycle. While not all dogs behave identically while in Heat, there are certain common symptoms that any dog in heat exhibits that dog owners should keep an eye out for.
3.1. Engorged Vagina
During the first stage of a dog’s estrus cycle, as her body readies itself for mating, the vulva will be swollen, red, and distended for three-four weeks your dog is in Heat.
3.2. Bloody Vaginal Discharge
One of the most obvious signs that a dog is in Heat is a blood-tinged discharge from her vagina during the first stage of its heat cycle. Although the dog’s heat cycle spans about three weeks, she will only bleed for half that period. How much vaginal bleeding dogs experience will again vary per dog. A bigger dog typically bleeds more than a smaller one.
3.3. Continual Genital Licking
When a dog is excessively licking (or cleaning) her genital area, then it suggests that your dog is in Heat.
3.4. More Attentive Towards Male Dogs
If a dog is over-friendly with other dogs she comes across, is actively seeking out male dogs, tail tucking while turning her rear towards male dogs, or mounting/humping other dogs, then your dog may be in Heat.
3.5. Frequent Urination
Another common symptom of a female dog in Heat is frequent urination. While puppies may still be house-trained, if the older dogs are also frequently, uncharacteristically, urinating inside the house, it could mean your female dog is in Heat.
3.6. Nervous/ Aggressive Behaviour
A female dog in Heat secretes mating hormones when in Heat; dogs experience discomfort and nervousness, fidget, and exhibit unusually aggressive behavior.
4. 3 Ways to Take Care of your Female Dog during her Heat Cycle

Don’t panic if you see your dog in Heat; it’s a natural process. As a pet parent, it is important to plan and ensure that your dog gets all the care she needs during her heat cycles; the following are three ways you can do so:
4.1. Pay More Attention to Her Indoors
It is advisable to keep a constant eye on your dog during her heat cycle while indoors to ensure that she’s doing alright. Typically dogs don’t experience pain due to their swollen vulva and bleeding. However, they can experience discomfort and be aggressive. It is best to keep her away from furniture, as she may try to chew, scratch at it, or leave blood stains on your shiny, white rug due to blood-tinged discharge. To prevent blood stains on the furniture, you can use dog diapers during your dog’s estrous cycle.
Also, try to spend more time than usual with her to comfort her and make her feel more at ease and happy since she will feel uneasy during this period.
Check out: Tips on Keeping your Dog Healthy and Happy
4.2. Don’t Leave Your Dog Supervised Outside and Walk your Dog with a Leash
It is necessary to be attentive when your female dog is in Heat and outdoors if you don’t want your dog to have an unwanted pregnancy, as alone outside, she is the perfect company for a passing stray male dog in Heat ready to mate. You can’t leave her inside for the whole period, as dogs require adequate exercise to remain mentally and physically fit. However, it’s necessary to find a balance between rest and exercise because your dog may not have as much energy as she usually does because of her heat cycle.
To prevent pregnancy, ensure your dog does not mate with a male dog in Heat. Also, always keep your dog on a leash while taking her for a walk since her instincts will influence her despite her training and obedience.
4.3. Use Disposable Dog Diapers
Vaginal bleeding of a dog in Heat is natural, and she will also need to urinate more frequently. Use disposable or reusable dog diapers or pads to prevent bloody messes. Using a disposable dog diaper or a full-body dog diaper will ensure fewer diapers if your dog stays indoors with you.

As we addressed the question, “Do female dogs have periods?” above, we saw that while canines do not menstruate the way primates do, dogs have periods when they go into Heat.
We must recognize the signs that our furry friend is entering her heat cycle, so we can take the necessary steps so that she can have a safer and cleaner, and more manageable experience.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat