Guides

Dogs in Season: What To Expect and How To Manage It

If you've got an unspayed female dog, a season is something you'll need to plan around, and it can catch first-time owners by surprise. It isn't an illness, but it changes how you need to walk, house and look after your dog for a few weeks, and there's one warning sign afterwards that you should never ignore. Here's what to expect and what the vets recommend.

• First season around 6 months
• Roughly every 6–7 months
• Keep on a lead

TL;DR — key points

• A season (or heat) is the fertile part of a female dog’s cycle, and usually starts around six months old, then roughly twice a year
• Signs include a swollen vulva, bleeding, licking, weeing more and changes in behaviour, though some dogs show very little
• A season lasts roughly two to four weeks, and she can get pregnant at any point during it
• Keep her on a lead, away from other dogs, and completely separate from any unneutered males, even related ones
• Pus or other signs of illness in the weeks after a season could be a pyometra, which is an emergency
• Spaying stops seasons completely, and your vet can advise on timing

Quick reference only — this is a shortened summary, not medical advice. For anything urgent, read the full guide below and contact your vet.

What is a season?

A season, also called being in heat, is the fertile part of a female dog's cycle, when she can become pregnant. The bleeding isn't a period. PDSA explains it's actually a sign she's at her most fertile. Most dogs have their first season at around six months old, although it varies a lot. Small dogs tend to start earlier, and some larger dogs may not start until 18 months, or even later. After that, most have a season every six or seven months, and they carry on throughout life unless spayed, with gaps often getting longer as they get older.

What are the signs?

Look out for a swollen vulva, bleeding or a coloured discharge, licking the back end more than usual, and weeing more often. Her behaviour can change too. She might be clingier or more distant, over friendly with other dogs, keen to wander off and find males, restless or nesting, or mount furniture, people and other dogs. Some dogs hardly show any signs at all, and bleeding can be so light you barely notice, so don't rely on seeing blood to know. Being in season isn't painful, but it can leave a dog feeling unsettled and out of sorts.

How long does it last?

Roughly two to four weeks in total, according to PDSA, though she won't bleed the whole time. Bleeding usually lasts about a week to ten days, and some dogs bleed heavily while others hardly at all. Blue Cross points out that she can become pregnant at any point during the season, and for a few days afterwards.

Walking and looking after her

• Keep her on a lead in public, and avoid places where dogs are off lead and could approach her. Quiet times of day help.
• Supervise her in the garden, and don't leave her out there alone.
• Keep her completely separate from any unneutered male in the house, even if they're related.
• Keep things consistent and predictable, with plenty of games and treat toys, as she may feel confused and hormonal.
• For bleeding indoors, towels, limited access to carpets and sofas, or dog pants can help. Take the pants off for walks and garden trips.

Male dogs can pick up that she's in season from her wee, which is why even a quiet walk can attract attention. Blue Cross also suggests avoiding other potentially stressful events while she's in season, such as a stay in kennels, visits to busy places, or non-emergency neutering. If you've got a stay or regular walks booked around a season, tell your walker or boarder as early as you can, as everyone handles it differently. If it's me, message me and we'll talk through what will work.

If she mates by accident

Speak to your vet as soon as possible, as there are things they can do to prevent a pregnancy. Blue Cross says not to try to separate dogs who are mating, as that can cause injuries.

After the season: pyometra

A pyometra is a serious womb infection that can develop in unspayed females, and the most common time is four to eight weeks after a season. Look out for pus coming from the vulva, drinking more than usual, vomiting, a bloated tummy, tiredness, not eating properly, or collapse. A white discharge is never normal and should always be checked by a vet. PDSA is clear that a pyometra is an emergency, and the sooner it's treated the better, so ring your vet straight away rather than waiting to see if it settles.

Spaying

Spaying, which removes the ovaries and usually the womb, stops seasons for good, means she can't become pregnant, and prevents pyometra. PDSA says most dogs don't need to have a season first, and Blue Cross advises against spaying while she's in season unless it's an emergency. The best timing depends on your dog, so it's a conversation to have with your vet. There are also tablets and injections that can prevent seasons, but these can have side effects, so talk to your vet before considering them.

One last thing worth remembering is that worming is advised 30 days after a season, so it's worth a look at my worming guide too. And if you've got a question about walks or a stay, message me.

Where this advice comes from

If you'd like to read the original advice in full:

• PDSA on dogs in heat and coming into season
• PDSA on pyometra
• Blue Cross on dogs in season