Heat Phases In Dogs
When dogs stop being puppies, their reproductive instinct appears, unless the animal is neutered or spayed. This is a vitally important stage for our faithful friends. What are the phases of heat?
In practice, the heat phase can bring important changes in the behavior of pets, so it is advisable to find out about certain aspects. It can be a difficult time that requires proper and careful handling.
For example, should an animal in heat be bathed? The answer is yes. Next, we will see some elements to better understand the heat phase in dogs.
What is zeal?
Heat is the stage in which female dogs ovulate. During this period they look for a male to mate and reproduce. This phase has a limited duration that is usually a few days, during which the female is allowed to ride by the male. It should be noted that this cycle only occurs in bitches that have not been spayed.
The heat phases appear approximately between six and eight months of life, depending on the breed and size of the animal, as well as other factors: small breeds tend to be earlier. From the first heat, the bitch is adult and fecundable.
The heat of bitches usually lasts about three weeks. This phase repeats itself roughly every six months. It is advisable to write down the date of the last heat, in order to keep track and be able to be attentive in case there is any anomaly.
Symptoms of heat
There are some signs that let us know that a dog is in heat: these are physical and also behavioral. A clear indication that this phase has begun is inflammation of the vulva, which takes place during the first two weeks.
Little by little, the genius area of the female may darken; It is normal for the dog to lick this part more frequently. During this period, female dogs are more sensitive to urinary and genital infections.
The bitch will also lose blood during the heat phases. This situation will also have the effect of attracting the attention of males. Indeed, the blood that females lose in this reproductive period contains pheromones that attract males.
The hormonal changes that occur in the body of the bitch at this stage cause certain changes in her behavior. It usually happens, for example, that she is more affectionate and playful. Or, on the contrary, that they do not pay any attention to their owners. It is also often the case that female dogs have a loss of appetite at that time.
One of the most obvious changes in behavior is undoubtedly the greater interest that the bitch will show in dogs. You will have a clear courtship attitude ; he will want to play with the dogs and they will smell each other more than usual, as a sign of attraction.
What about male dogs?
Male dogs do not experience actual heat phases. However, their behavior towards a female in heat will be of permanent interest. And the signs that this is happening will also be very evident; their behavior will be different than usual.
Just as females produce hormones during heat, so do males. They make testosterone and cortisol, two male hormones. These hormones cause the dog to become more aggressive and anxious than normal.
The male dog can smell the pheromones of a female dog in heat up to a distance of four kilometers. This makes the animal want to run off to find it. It is for this reason that, when there is a bitch that is nearby, she is in heat, the male shows a restless and anxious attitude.
Hormonal production in dogs combined with rejection can also cause mood swings, such as depression. Canine depression is much more prevalent than you might think ; It manifests itself through crying, howling, and lack of appetite.
The female hormones that female dogs produce during heat also cause the male dog’s perception to become unstable. This creates a much greater need for marking. The dog will mark with his urine every corner that he finds in his path, even those that are inside the house.
