If your puppy hasn't been spayed, she'll come into season for the first time at around 5-8 months. Unless you want to breed, there's no benefit for a puppy to come into season and many owners decide to have their puppy neutered before this happens. This is because the cycle, which lasts for 21 days, can cause a big change in your pet's everyday routine. When she's in season she'll be very attractive to male dogs, and if you're not careful you may end up with a litter of unwanted puppies.
The signs that she is ''in season''
You may first notice that she is discharging small amounts of blood from her genital area, which is sometimes called 'spotting'. You might see her continuously licking that area, a sure sign a puppy is "in season".
Tasty Tips
How to manage the situation
For a start, unless you want your puppy to be a magnet for male dogs, you'll have to keep her confined for the whole time she's in season. If you do take her out in public, you'll need to be very careful to keep her on the leash and under control, and try to keep her away from male dogs. Your dog's hormones may cause her to be very frisky during the cycle so she may not be as well-behaved as usual.
Related products
Hill's Science Diet Adult Healthy Mobility Large Breed Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
Advanced nutrition shown to support joint health and improve mobility
Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Large Breed
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Large Breed dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat. In a delicious large bite size for large breed dogs.
Adult Perfect Weight & Joint Support Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
This weight management and mobility support dog food was created with Hill’s unique understanding of the biology of overweight dogs.
Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken, Barley & Whole Oats Recipe Dog Food
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Related articles
Hill's Puppy Food: Quality Ingredients for Health & Nutrition
Selecting the right food for your puppy is a key to quality nutrition and a long, healthy life., Learn more about how to select the right puppy food.
Precise Nutrition Advice for Every Dog Life Stage
Hill's Pet Nutrition provides information on proper nutrition for dogs. Get precise nutrition for every life stage of your adult dog.
Choosing the Right Dog Food for Your Adult Canine
Learn how to choose the right dog food for your adult dog, to ensure your pet will receive the right balance of nutrition for optimal health.
How Fatty Acids Can be Healthy for Your Dog
Fatty acids help keep your pet's skin and coat healthy and promote a healthy immune system. This article teaches pet owners how to ensure their pets are getting enough omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in their diets.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.