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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Bitch on heat!

18 replies

Venusflytwat · 02/05/2017 21:24

So we have a female dog coming to stay with us from this weekend.
She's just come into heat. I've never dealt with that before, my dogs have all been neutered and/or boys!

What do I need to know? Will it be a bloodbath in my house??? Is she fertile when bleeding or is it like our period and too late then? We've got large grounds so I won't walk her out and about till it's safe...

OP posts:
RTKM007 · 02/05/2017 21:33

She might keep herself clean that is what ours labs have done, but she might not, you will have to hope

So if you have white or cream carpets try to cover them, hopefully you have washable floors thru the house

if you have grounds do you mean fields how secure are they?

Males can smell them for miles around iirc

When she has finished you could gently wash her rear and underneath etc to make sure all the smell has gone iyswim

RTKM007 · 02/05/2017 21:34

Yes she is fertile

Is her owner coming with her?

How old is she?

Is this her first season?

Original poster
Venusflytwat · 02/05/2017 22:04

Her owner isn't coming, no. We're looking after her for a friend who is quite ill. She's 2 so it can't be her first season. It didn't even occur to me to ask as all my animals have always been neutered rescues.

Grounds- large gardens, but securely boundaried. I am slightly scared at the thought of male dogs coming from miles around and lining up outside my front door!

Oh I suppose we'll cope. I do have some light carpets but mostly upstairs and theyre not pristine anyway. And I have carpet cleaner!!

I suppose doggy diapers are out of the question???

OP posts:
RTKM007 · 02/05/2017 22:18

Block off the upstairs with upturned chairs or stairgate

Make sure she comes with her bed and her blanky (as we call our labs fleece that she sleeps with and carries round) and her toys cos they can be emotional, so as much stuff as she can bring from her home iyswim

What breed is she?

She might be a bit quieter than usual

At the end of the season she might like puzzle games that you can make to tire her out mentally as she can't go for a run in park

The blood sort of drips rather than flows, I think but like I said our labs kept themselves clean

A 2 year old will have had at least one maybe 2 depends if she is nearly 3 or just 2 iyswim

RTKM007 · 02/05/2017 22:22

Sure you will be Fine and it is a lovely thing you are doing to help her owner SmileSmileSmile

No don't think doggy nappy will be fair on her

RTKM007 · 02/05/2017 23:15

Put a washable sheet or something in her bed cos during the night it might mark the sheet or blanky so if you can wash and dry to then go back on again

Cos the drips will obviously continue during the night

Sure she will be fine and just remember that you are doing a lovely favour for your friend SmileSmileSmile

Original poster
Venusflytwat · 03/05/2017 08:09

That's all good advice, thank you :)

I don't know quite why I'm freaking out. My (older, male, bestirred) dog cut his paw today so was traipsing blood around my kitchen floor and I just cleared that up no problem. Can't believe I'm feeling squeamish! Just the unknown I guess.

OP posts:
Bubble2bubble · 03/05/2017 10:21

Even if your own dog is neutered he will absolutely know your guest is in heat - you may have to be ready to keep them separate.

Also, it's not a myth about random dogs breaking into your garden. I had this exact experience last year - secure garden, rural, no close neighbours- two dogs I had never seen before turned up. After that I didn't allow the pup in heat in the garden by herself at all.

It's a big responsibility - hope your friend appreciates that!

RTKM007 · 03/05/2017 11:17

Take her into the garden on a long lead to spend

Although males will travel and arrive at your door I asked my husband and he says in over 40 years of his family having them in season he only had one of them that attracted dogs to arrive by front door. They lived in a town so lots of dogs around iyswim so they each must smell slightly different or something or have stronger pheromones than others

At least if she has already started then you are 1/3 way thru.

SparklingRaspberry · 03/05/2017 13:48

It isn't a blood bath. It's drops of blood.

The dog usually licks herself clean or licks up any mess she leaves behind.

As for the males - they may still show interest they may not. If they do, let her tell them no. They'll probably stop. If not keep the male on a lead

SheRasBra · 03/05/2017 17:32

You usually get spotting, then when this stops they are ovulating for 5-7 days, then some spot for a further week to 10 days. We have never had any bother with dogs appearing in our garden or at our house! It will be fine.

Just remember that a neutered male can mate and tie with a bitch, he just can't get her pregnant!!

sparechange · 04/05/2017 15:08

You can buy something (delightfully!) called 'Bitch Spray', which is just strong scented spray to mask the smell of her pheranomes. I used it on my bitch before I could get her spayed and it worked pretty well - we haven't had any straying males and unneutered residents seem disinterested. Totally harmless and easy to get hold of from a pet shop
www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/bitch-spray-150ml

You can also get dog pants, although it might take a bit of wrestling to get them on her for the first time, and they obviously have to be taken off and put back on every time she goes out for a wee - and bitches in heat wee a lot more than usual.

If you've got space for her to be exercised in your garden, it shouldn't be much of a problem, as parks are the biggest danger spot.

In my experience, they are a bit more subdued when they are in heat and will take a cuddle over a long walk

Original poster
Venusflytwat · 04/05/2017 20:51

I just laughed out loud at "Bitch Spray"! 😱😱😱

She's coming tomorrow. I've got the stairgate, crate etc ready to be able to segregate them if needs be. And some antibacterial wipes for quick and easy wiping up.

Fingers crossed.

OP posts:
1happyhippie · 04/05/2017 21:01

My terrier keeps herself clean when in heat. I have only noticed the odd spot on her bedding etc.
She definitely goes a bit quieter for a couple of days and needs her space. Bit like me when I'm on lol.
I take her out on a lead and won't let her off, we avoid busy dog walking areas and the dc aren't allowed to walk her when she's on heat.
I haven't had a problem with male dogs arriving at the door, and we live in a pretty build up area.
Lovely thing you are doing to help a friend.

Original poster
Venusflytwat · 04/05/2017 21:06

Thanks happyhippy, that made me feel better. Found out today she's been "on" for about ten days, so I'm hoping she's further through than first thought, too.

OP posts:
RTKM007 · 05/05/2017 10:08

Good luck today SmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

If she is half way thru then not as bad as originally thought SmileSmileSmileSmile

Original poster
Venusflytwat · 05/05/2017 16:18

She's here and very sweet. A few drops but she's largely keeping herself clean. Old Rover-No-Bollocks gave her a good sniff but hasn't shown any further interest; I don't think he's ever known what to do with his boy bits 😆

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 05/05/2017 17:29

GrinGrinGrinGrin

Sounds a good start SmileSmileSmileSmile

Hopefully the stay will continue to go well SmileSmileSmileSmile

What breed is she?

How long is she staying, or does that depend on your friend?

SmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

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