A dog's estrus is an external sign of a physiological reaction. Generally speaking, puppies become sexually mature between six months and one year old after birth, and female dogs can become pregnant and bred when they are one to one and a half years old. When you find that your little male dog starts to raise its legs to urinate, it means that it has reached sexual maturity. Dogs in estrus will have more health and behavioral problems, which trouble many families. This health column will clear up your doubts and talk about the little troubles when dogs encounter "love".

How long is a dog’s estrus cycle?

Under normal circumstances, female dogs go into estrus twice a year, usually once in March-April in spring and September-October in autumn. Generally, small dogs mature sexually earlier (8-12 months old), and some as early as 6 months old. , while large dogs mature later. Large female dogs go into heat about once a year or three times every two years. We recommend that your pet dog at home should not be bred when it is in heat for the first time. Moreover, it is best not to arrange for breeding for female dogs that are older than 5 years old and have not been bred. Approximately, dogs are the same as humans. The older they are, the more likely they are to conceive, and the higher the risk of pregnancy and childbirth.

Performance of male dogs in estrus

Male dogs do not have a fixed estrus period. Generally speaking, male dogs have reproductive capacity at 11 months old and will mate instinctively. Male dogs are in estrus irregularly. During the breeding season when female dogs are concentrated in estrus, the testicles enter a functionally active state. When a male dog approaches a female dog in estrus and smells the odor of the female dog in estrus, it can cause excitement to complete mating. We often see that when a female dog is in heat, she is followed by many male dogs. Jealousy is inevitable. Dog fights are usually caused by this reason. Male dogs raised at home are also likely to "run away from home" following the female dog's estrus scent at this time. Therefore, during the season when female dogs are prone to estrus, the most important thing is not to let the male dog run away, or he will desperately want to find " girlfriend".

Performance of female dogs in estrus

The distinctive feature of a female dog in estrus is vulvar bleeding, and the amount of bleeding varies depending on the breed of dog. Some dogs do not bleed at all and enter estrus unknowingly. This situation occurs mostly in small dogs. Some dogs bleed so little that they will lick it off on their own, making it difficult to detect, so the owner still needs to observe it carefully.

The estrus period of a female dog generally lasts about a month, and it usually takes 7-10 days from the beginning of bleeding to the time when she is ready for mating. During this period, the eggs are close to maturity, the vulva is red and swollen, and bloody mucus is flowing out of the vagina. However, this is a female dog that does not allow male dogs to mate. After that, the vulva continued to swell and soften, and the vagina secreted dark red mucus. Then the color of the secretion gradually becomes lighter, and the amount of bleeding also decreases. If the buttocks are lightly touched, the female dog will deflect its tail to the left and right. At this timeFemale dogs are allowed to mate. When the female dog's vulvar symptoms disappear, the labia gradually return to normal, the dog's temperament gradually becomes quieter, the vaginal secretion of mucus decreases, and the bleeding stops.

During a dog's period of estrus, there will be some changes in physiological functions and behavior. Hosts should pay attention to the following points:

01. A female dog in estrus may not be so “peaceful” and may appear restless, distracted and have a poor appetite. At this time, in addition to being cautious when going out, you must also prepare nutritious, palatable, and easy-to-digest food for it. Since the probability of constipation increases during estrus, vegetables and whole grains should be increased appropriately, and raw, cold, sour and spicy food should not be fed. Warm water should be provided for drinking water, and a little honey should be added to the water. After your dog has exercised strenuously, you can add a few spoons of glucose powder to the water.

02. The biggest characteristic of a female dog in estrus is the discharge of blood and mucus from the vulva. The owner should help her keep her vulva clean. Use clean warm water, a basin and a cloth to clean the vulva every day. Mats that the dog comes into contact with during estrus should be soft and clean and disinfected; do not use dirty cloth, waste paper, or unsterilized mats. Items that dogs come into contact with should be washed and changed frequently, and it is best to dry them in the sun.

03. Keep warm and don’t catch cold. Try not to bathe your female dog when she is in heat, and do not let her lie on the cold floor for a long time.

04. When a female dog is in heat, her body and behavior will undergo some characteristic changes. These changes have three different manifestations:

a. Pre-estrus lasts for about 7-9 days. The female dog shows excitement and restlessness. The secretions from the reproductive tract increase the congestion of the vulva. The vagina is swollen, flushed and moist. There is mucus mixed with blood flowing out. At this time, the female dog is willing to get close to the male dog, but Not receptive to mating.

b. Estrus period, about 9-13 days after estrus, when the female dog’s vulva swells and becomes soft, the mucous membrane turns gray-white, the blood in the outflowing mucus decreases or disappears, and the color becomes light yellow. The female dog will take the initiative to approach the male dog. If the female dog touches his buttocks, the female dog will lift the base of her tail. When the male dog climbs over, the waist will be actively lowered, the two dogs will be separated, and the tail will be tilted to one side to accept mating.

c. In the late stages of estrus, regardless of whether the female dog has accepted mating, vaginal secretions decrease, the external genitalia gradually returns to normal, and she refuses to mate.