How long is a dog's heat? - briefly
A dog's heat cycle typically lasts about 18-21 days. However, this can vary slightly depending on the individual dog and its breed.
How long is a dog's heat? - in detail
The duration of a dog's heat cycle, also known as estrus, varies depending on several factors, including breed, age, and overall health. On average, a dog's heat cycle lasts about 18-21 days, although this can range from 2 to 4 weeks.
The heat cycle consists of four stages: proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. Proestrus is the first stage, which typically lasts for 9 days. During this time, a dog may exhibit signs such as swelling of the vulva, increased urination, and attraction to male dogs. However, she will not allow mating.
The second stage, estrus, is the most fertile period and usually lasts for 9 days. This is when the dog is most receptive to mating and ovulation occurs. It's important to note that while a dog may appear to be in heat for several weeks, she is only actually fertile during this stage.
Following estrus, the dog enters the diestrus stage, which can last for about 60-90 days. During this period, the dog's body prepares for potential pregnancy and lactation. If the dog has not become pregnant, she will experience a false pregnancy, exhibiting behaviors such as nesting and increased appetite.
The final stage is anestrus, which lasts for about 4-5 months. During this time, the dog's reproductive system is at rest and she does not exhibit any signs of heat. This cycle then repeats, with the exact duration varying from one dog to another.