How long after bleeding is a dog fertile

A dog's typical heat period with bleeding will last two to four weeks. The complete heat cycle happens in about five to seven months. There are four phases to the heat cycle, each with its own symptoms and behaviors. Bleeding or bloody discharge occurs in two of the four phases. Though dogs know what to do during each other heat cycles, they could need extra care from a human to keep their discharge from getting on the furniture or to handle an issue like a uterine infection.

Índice Show

What happens when a dog is in heat?
How long does a female dog stay in heat after bleeding stops?
How do you know when dog heat is over?
Increase bathroom trips
Spend time with your dog
Be smart about cleaning

A dog's heat cycle refers to the time when a dog is fertile and ready to mate.

Look for These 7 Signs That Your Dog Is in Heat

During your dog’s complete heat cycle, she will experience four phases. A typical heat period lasts roughly two to four weeks, with a pregnancy or resting phase following the estrus period. Knowing what to expect will help prepare you and your dog for any abnormal behaviors or problems during her heat cycle. As your pooch progresses through her cycle, you will notice these four stages:

Proestrus: Proestrus is the start of the heat period where your dog’s body is preparing to mate and averages about nine days, but can last from three to 17 days. Her vulva will swell and you may notice a blood-tinged discharge, but many dogs are fastidious about messes and will clean themselves before you notice. Your dog may also hold her tail close to her body and stick just as close to your side, displaying clingy behavior. At this stage of the heat cycle, your dog will attract males, but she will not be receptive to them and may become aggressive if they try to mount her.
Estrus: The estrus phase is the mating phase and usually lasts around nine days, but can be as short as three or as long as 21 days. During this time, blood flow will lessen and then stop, but the discharge may change to a straw color. Female dogs will attract and accept males, with ovulation occurring two to three days after mating. You may notice your dog urinating more frequently and marking spots within and outside your home to spread pheromone messages indicating her readiness to breed. If an intact male is present, your female dog is likely to present herself to him, hindquarters first, and with her tail held to the side.

Diestrus: This phase occurs directly after the “in heat” stage and lasts for about two months. Her body will proceed with the pregnancy or return to rest, as her vulva returns to normal size and the vaginal discharge disappears.
Anestrus: Anestrus is the uterine repair phase, in which no sexual or hormonal behavior is present, and can last for anywhere from 90 to 150 days before the next proestrus stage begins.

The Spruce / Melissa Ling

The only option to prevent your dog from going into heat is to have her spayed. Spaying is highly recommended for all female dogs unless you plan on strengthening the breed. Once your dog is spayed, she will have a reduced risk for mammary cancer and will be unable to contract uterine infections or go through a heat cycle.

You can have your dog spayed while she is going through her heat, but the surgery is more complex. Speak with your veterinarian about the best time to spay your pet.

The age at which a dog experiences her first estrus varies greatly between breeds. Toy and small breeds mature much earlier than giant breeds and can come into heat as early as four months of age. Giant breeds may be two years old before they experience their first heat.
On average, a female dog will come into her first heat between six and 15 months of age.
Most dogs have two estrous cycles per year.
Male dogs will be attracted to a female dog entering her heat cycle before she is receptive. Watch for defensive aggression that warns males to back off.
Remember—just because your dog is no longer bleeding, does not mean she can no longer get pregnant. She’s much more likely to let a male mate immediately after the bloody discharge stops.
Dogs can get pregnant during their first heat cycle, but this is not advisable as a six-month-old dog is not yet fully grown/mature, and complications for the mother and the puppies are more likely.
Ideally, a female dog should have two normal heat cycles before being bred.

To prevent a possible pregnancy while your dog is in heat, keep her separated from male dogs for at least three to four weeks after the first sign of bleeding.

What to Expect When Your Dog is Pregnant

If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.

Noticing when a dog enters heat can be rather easy: Even just a spot of bloody discharge will tell you what you need to know. When is the end of her cycle, though? Learning how to tell when your pup is at the end of her cycle isn’t as obvious as other changes — like the transition from puppyhood to adulthood, for example — but we’re here to help.

We’ll address questions such as:

How long does a dog stay in heat?
How can I tell when my dog is no longer in heat?
What does each phase of the cycle look like?

So, read on to learn everything you need to know to keep you and your pup as relaxed as possible during her heat cycle. With just a little TLC, and maybe an extra homemade treat or two, it’ll be a piece of cake!

What happens when a dog is in heat?

At around 9 months of age, female dogs will experience their first heat cycle. It begins with the proestrus phase, when you may notice visible changes like a swollen vulva and bloody discharge. East Central Veterinary Hospital (ECVV) explains that this is when the female will become attractive to males, but she will not be receptive to mating. This stage lasts an average of nine days, though it can extend up to 27 days or even be skipped entirely.

During estrus, the next phase, the female is releasing pheromones and is ready to mate. The American Kennel Club notes that she may even approach male dogs and initiate contact by offering her behind to be mounted. Her vulva will remain swollen but soften slightly, while her discharge will contain less blood. It can be more of a watery, tan, or salmon-colored liquid at this stage in the cycle.

This phase also lasts for an average of nine days, with a much wider range of possible durations (four to 24 days, according to ECVV). Remember, what’s normal for one dog may be totally different from the healthy cycle of another.

How long does a female dog stay in heat after bleeding stops?

By the time she reaches diestrus, your dog will stop bleeding. This is the final active phase of the heat cycle, but it marks the end of the female’s willingness to mate. She will not be receptive to males during this time, though many hormonal and physical changes are still happening in her body. ECVV states that this stage lasts around two months and is a time when the body prepares itself to either carry a fertilized egg or get ready for the next cycle.

Here’s the catch: Although a female dog may still be experiencing symptoms of being in heat, her only fertile period is during the estrus phase. These nine days (on average) will be when she wants to mate as well. So, while your dog may not be fertile when bleeding begins, she will no longer be able to conceive by the time the discharge ends.

How do you know when dog heat is over?

The very same changes that mark the beginning of canine heat are also signs of the end of the cycle. You will know your dog is no longer in heat when her vulva returns to its normal size and there is no more blood-tinged discharge.

In total, a dog will be in heat for two to three weeks per cycle. The length between cycles depends on her breed, size, and age, though on average a pooch will go through two cycles per calendar year. Some larger breeds, especially sled dogs, tend to go into heat once a year, while miniature breeds can experience as many as four cycles a year.

The comfort and safety of your dog should always come first, so be sure to keep an eye on her at all times while she’s socializing with other dogs. In fact, many canine health pros recommend not leaving your pup outside while she’s in heat, as she can attract some unwanted attention.

Increase bathroom trips

Your dog may need to urinate more often, so she will thank you for adding an extra bathroom trip to your daily routine.

Spend time with your dog

You may also want to schedule some additional snuggle time, as pups can be extra affectionate and clingy while in heat.

Be smart about cleaning

If you invest in doggie diapers for your pet’s estrus cycle, you may not need to worry about cleaning, but be sure not to punish your dog for any bloody stains — she can’t help it. It may help to use a dog or baby gate to confine her to an easy-to-clean portion of the house if she doesn’t like diapers.

All in all, the heat cycle can be a stressful time for a pup (uterus owners unite!), so a little love from her favorite person can go a long way. Whether she’s feeling grumpy, frisky, or lazy, it’s all just part of the process. Don’t worry! A few weeks from now, everything will be back to normal.