Do female dogs have periods? Well, yes, but they are a part of what is properly called an estrus cycle. You may have also heard of a dog as being "in heat" or "in season" during this time, and the estrus cycle is sometimes called a "heat cycle." The first estrus cycle for dogs happens when the animal reaches puberty at around six months of age, though that number may vary between breeds and individual dogs. Smaller breeds tend to reach maturity earlier, while larger dogs might take more than a year to have their first heat. The cycle often happens twice per year. The American Kennel Club (AKC) writes that some smaller breeds can go into heat up to four times per year, and extra-large dogs, such as St. Bernards or Great Danes, may only experience it every eighteen months. When a dog enters the cycle, it lasts for two to three weeks, though the actual amount of time differs for each individual dog. During this time, the vulva becomes red and swollen, a pink or clear discharge leaks out, and your dog will likely seem jittery and alert, notes the AKC.
Are you ever planning on breeding your pet? If not, there's no reason why your dog needs to experience her estrus cycle. Pets that don't need to become pregnant should get surgically sterilized. The sterilization is called ovariohysterectomy, though it is most commonly referred to as spaying for female animals. The AKC points out the numerous benefits of spaying and neutering, including reduced health risks for your pup, gentler behavior for many dogs, and fewer homeless animals. A litter of roly-poly puppies may be cute, but the time and veterinary costs necessary to care for one is more than most pet parents realize if you're not used to breeding dogs. And there are many puppies in shelters that are already born and waiting to come home with you. Also, be sure to talk to your vet about proper nutrition, pre- and post-surgery. After a dog gets spayed, her metabolism tends to slow down, so you might look for a food specially formulated for spayed and neutered pets. The right nutrition can play a pivotal role in recovery and overall health for your pup.