How long do females dog periods last

Unless your female dog is spayed, she will go through a heat cycle. But what, exactly, does that mean?

There’s no short answer to explain the reproductive cycle of a female dog.

Here’s a guide to help you better understand dog heat cycles and all the changes that come with them.

When Do Dogs Go Into Heat?

While a human’s reproductive cycle lasts an average of 28 days, dogs are much different.

How to comfort a dog in heat

Female dogs do not cycle every month, but usually only once or twice a year. On average, dogs go into heat every seven months.

Just as the duration of a human menstrual cycle varies from person to person, every dog is different.

There can also be variations among breeds, and even variations from one cycle to another in the same animal.

Phases of a Dog’s Heat Cycle

A female dog’s reproductive cycle is called an estrous cycle and is broken down into three different phases:

1. Proestrus is the beginning of the heat cycle. It’s characterized by swelling of the vulva and a blood-tinged vaginal discharge.

   Female dogs will not allow mating to occur in this phase. This phase can last

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