How to Tell If Your Female Dog Is in Heat

Heat is a stage in a female dog's reproductive cycle when she is receptive to mating. In an unspayed dog, this typically happens about twice a year. Owners may want to know when their dog is in heat to facilitate breeding or avoid a pregnancy. The signs are relatively easy to spot.

Things You'll Need

  • female dog
  • observation
  • this article
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check for swelling of the dog's vulva. It may look larger than normal and puffy, although some dogs experience more swelling than others. She may also urinate more and appear jittery.

    • 2

      Observe behavioral changes, which are affected by hormones. A dog in heat may signal her interest in copulating to other dogs. She may move her tail to the side and make herself available to a male dog. You may notice that simply stroking your dog's back will elicit this behavior.

    • 3

      Look for a bloody discharge, which will change from bright red to a light pink, and eventually to clear.