A season, or heat, is the period of time during which a female dog, or bitch, can become pregnant. Most dogs start coming into season from around six months of age, although this is variable.
It is strongly advised not to breed from a bitch during her first or second season, as she would not yet have reached full maturity. A bitch will normally have a season every 6-7 months, although this frequency can vary between individuals.
A season will normally last around 2-4 weeks, although they will only tend to bleed for 7-10 days. However, they are fertile throughout this period and should be separated from male dogs to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
If you are not intending to breed from your dog then it is best to get her spayed, as this also has additional health benefits as well as preventing seasons and pregnancies.
The main signs of heat include swelling of the vulva, bleeding, licking of the genital area, and more frequent urination. There may also be behavioural changes, such as being overly friendly with other dogs, mounting and roaming. Some bitches may also become anxious and nervous.
This will vary between dogs mainly depending on their size. Larger dogs will typically bleed more than small dogs, but some may not appear to bleed at all. Please speak to your vet if you are concerned about the amount of blood lost.
Yes, although it is important to remember that seasons are not always obvious.
This may be a sign she is experiencing a phantom pregnancy. This is common in bitches after a season where the hormones are very similar to the pregnancy hormones. They can even show mammary development and can start producing milk.
Behaviour will often change, and they may start to mother toys and create a nesting space. Symptoms often start around 6-8 weeks after the end of the season and normally last for 2-3 weeks. If the signs are mild then you can try distracting your dog from nesting and mothering with play and walk.
Once they have had one phantom pregnancy, it is likely to recur after subsequent seasons. It is a good idea to speak to your vet about spaying before the next season, but it is important that she is not spayed during a phantom pregnancy as this can cause the symptoms to persist.
No, a white vulval discharge could be a sign of a womb infection and needs urgent veterinary attention. Bitches are at risk of a womb infection following a season, and this risk increases the older they get.
- Lethargy and loss of appetite - Licking around the back end more than usual - Increased thirst and urination - Vomiting - Vaginal discharge (with an open pyometra) - High temperature - Collapse
No, unlike humans, a bitch will continue to cycle throughout her whole life unless she is spayed. Her seasons may become less frequent as she gets older.