Handling your female dog's sexual maturity and heat cycle
When your dog reaches sexual maturity, both physically and mentally, things change. It's different for females and males, but both go through big changes. A female dog's sexual maturity is shown by her being in heat.
Your dog when she's mature
Depending on the breed and the individual, your female dog will reach sexual maturity between about 7-24 months of age, signalling her first heat cycle. Often, smaller breeds have their first heat earlier than larger breeds. Most female dogs are in heat twice a year, about five to seven months apart. The heat cycle consists of four phases - pre-heat (proestrus), high-heat (estrus), post-heat (diestrus) and rest period (anestrus). What we call "the heat" comprises the pre-heat and high-heat phases and usually lasts about 3 weeks. During this time, your female dog is fertile and can become pregnant.
Her mood and behaviour
It's common for your female dog's mood and behaviour to change before, during and after her heat cycle. She might seem low or depressed and not want to play as usual. Some female dogs lose their appetite and eat less, while others are the opposite, eating more. After a heat cycle, your dog's maternal instincts might resurface, leading to a false pregnancy. This can be shown by her "caring" for small toys as if they were puppies, guarding them, or showing nesting behaviours, such as moving blankets to form a bed. Your female dog might also become irritable during her heat period, which is quite normal.nesting behaviours, such as moving blankets to form a bedetc. Your female dog can also become irritable during the heat period, which is quite normal.
Keeping things clean
To prevent your dog from staining floors and furniture during her heat cycle, you can use heat pants or special dog nappies, available from pet shops. These protective items come in different sizes, so choose one that fits your dog well.
