🐾 What happens during a dog's heat cycle
An unspayed female dog typically goes through a heat cycle about twice a year, although smaller dogs may cycle somewhat more frequently and individual dogs vary.
The cycle generally lasts 2–4 weeks, with the most noticeable bleeding occurring during the first part.
1. Early heat (Proestrus) — about 7–10 days
- The vulva becomes swollen.
- You may notice red or bloody discharge.
- She attracts male dogs but generally isn't receptive to mating yet.
- The bleeding can initially be fairly noticeable.
2. Estrus — about 5–10 days
- The discharge usually becomes lighter in color and thinner, changing from red to pink, watery pink, or even a straw-colored discharge.
- This is the period when she is most fertile.
- Importantly, less bleeding does not mean the heat is over. In fact, the lighter discharge often occurs when she is entering her most fertile stage.
3. Diestrus
- The discharge gradually stops.
- Swelling subsides.
- Her behavior and hormones gradually return to normal.
Why the bleeding gets lighter
What you're noticing is normal. The discharge usually starts red and becomes progressively lighter as the cycle moves along.
You might see something like:
Red → dark red → pink → watery pink → pale/straw-colored → stops
The amount can also decrease considerably. Some dogs bleed very little, while others leave obvious spots around the house.
And there's another interesting thing: later heat cycles can sometimes appear different from earlier ones. As a dog matures, the amount of discharge and how noticeable her heat is can change. Some females become very light bleeders, making it easy to miss the beginning of a cycle.
For our three girls
Lily and Coco's smaller size means their cycles may be somewhat different from Bindi's.
One thing to keep in mind
A female can have very little visible discharge while still being fertile.