When our bitch experiences her first heat, it means that she has reached her sexual maturity Usually, the furry ones have two heats per year and, during these periods, they experience various physiological and hormonal changes, which can be reflected in their behavior. Some dogs may be sadder during heat, while others are constantly anxious or nervous. In some cases, females in heat may become more aggressive than normal and should receive special attention for their behavior.
If your furry is very nervous, sad or anxious during her fertile period, surely you wonder why some dogs cry during heat or what can I do if my dog is in heat and won't stop crying In this new addition to our site, we give you some tips to deal with behavioral changes in females in heat and make them feel better during this period.
The behavior of bitches during heat
The first thing we must understand is that the arrival of sexual maturity does not mean that a bitch is ready to experience a pregnancy. During her first heat, the female is still a "teenager" and is in full physical, cognitive and emotional development. A pregnancy at this age not only interrupts this development, but also usually brings certain complications in childbirth.
If we want to talk about the behavior of bitches in heat, we must look at the different phases of their estrous cycle. Next, we will explain them very briefly, but we highlight the importance of understanding them in more detail in order to know how to understand and care for our bitches during their heat.
- Proestrus: This first phase can last from 3 to 17 days depending on the breed, size and body of each bitch. During proestrus, the female is not fertile, but she is often very anxious and may try to run away from home. In addition, some bitches can execute the characteristic movements of a mount.
- Estrus: During this stage, which lasts from 3 to 17 days, the bitch experiences her most fertile days and is receptive to males. During estrus, behavioral changes are more intense: the females will be more affectionate, but also less calm and eager to go outside. She may also urinate very frequently to spread her pheromones and attract males from the neighborhood.
- Diestro: the duration of the diestro will depend on whether fertilization has occurred or not, and may last from 60 to 100 days. In this phase, the females reject mounting and usually eat abundantly. In general, her character normalizes and the dog is calm and serene. During right-handedness, psychological embarrassments can also appear.
- Anestrus: If the female has become pregnant during diestro, she will enter the next phase of sexual inactivity (anestrus) after delivery. This period usually lasts up to 130 days and prepares her body for the next heat
Why can a dog in heat cry very often?
Depends… Crying can appear as a way of expressing different emotions. A jealous dog may cry very often when feeling sad, anxious, nervous or simply to get attention and receive the affection of her guardians Therefore, if your bitch is in jealousy and won't stop crying, you should be attentive to her behavior and identify the alterations she shows compared to her usual behaviors.
However, if you notice that your dog cries a lot and shows other symptoms, such as excessive bleeding, purulent vaginal discharge, lethargy, hyperactivity or aggressive behavior, it is important to go to your trusted veterinarian.
What can I do if my dog is in heat and won't stop crying?
If your bitch cries a lot and shows symptoms of sadness during heat, such as tiredness, drowsiness or a slight loss of appetite, you can follow the following recommendations to improve her mood:
- Spend time playing with your dog and giving her your love: females require special attention during heat, so don't let provide him with affection or neglect his physical and mental stimulation. If your furry one is not neutered, you can propose activities and games inside the home. You can even enjoy intelligence games at home, to work on your furry's cognitive and emotional abilities.
- Offer a more nutritious diet to your bitch during heat: If your bitch experiences a slight loss of appetite, you will need to offer her a meal more attractive and rich in essential nutrients for its development. You can choose to prepare home-made recipes for it or temper its feed with warm water or chicken broth to improve its aroma and arouse your furry's interest.
- Exercise your dog: as mentioned, you shouldn't neglect physical and mental stimulationof your furry during heat. Therefore, daily walks should be maintained, although with a shorter duration. If your female is not spayed, you should choose a quieter place to walk her or choose to exercise her in your backyard or garden.
Is your female in heat and very anxious?
On some occasions, bitches may be more anxious during their heat. In these cases, we can use some natural painkillers to stabilize their behavior:
- Natural Herbs: Chamomile, Valerian, and St. John's Wort act as natural tranquilizers for dogs. You can make a concentrated infusion of chamomile and mix it with your dog's water. Valerian and St. John's wort are also sold as tinctures in many he alth food stores. You can give a few drops of dye directly in the mouth of your furry to guarantee a faster effect.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal is very effective in reducing anxiety and stress levels in dogs and giving them a sense of calm. You can prepare a porridge with 1 to 2 tablespoons of oatmeal cooked in water and offer it to your dog. But remember not to mix it with their feed, as they require different digestion times.
- Alternative Therapies: Aromatherapy, Bach flowers and Reiki can be very efficient in helping your dog maintain her temperament balanced during her heat periods. However, it is important to consult your trusted veterinarian before starting your furry on a new therapy.
Is sterilization effective in improving the behavior of a bitch in heat?
Neutering is a good practice and offers many benefits for both you and your dog. First, it is the safest and most effective reproductive control that you can adopt to prevent unwanted pregnancies and collaborate to avoid street overpopulation. It also lowers the risk of numerous diseases, such as pyometra, uterine and ovarian infections, and breast, womb, and ovarian cancers.
However, sterilization is not effective in improving behavior during heat, as the process does not interfere with hormone production. If your dog is very upset or tries to run away during her heat, you should consider opting for her castration, rather than spaying her. Both processes are effective in preventing pregnancy, but castration, by including the removal of the sexual organs, also prevents heat from occurring and its corresponding hormonal and behavioral changes.
However, you should consult your trusted veterinarian to find out if castration is really the best option for your dog, taking into account her age, her size and her state of he alth. In addition, you can seek the guidance of a professional expert in canine ethology to better understand your dog's behavior during heat and establish an effective treatment according to her specific symptoms.
