Having a French BullDog is exciting, but it can also be stressful when you realize your pup is in heat. Understanding what goes on during their heat cycle can help you know how to best care for your pet. This will ensure she feels safe and comfortable throughout the entire process.
Female Frenchies go through four stages in their reproductive cycles, each with its own set of behavioral and physical changes. These stages are proestrus, estrus, diestrus and anestrus.
Proestrus: This stage of a dog’s heat cycle lasts between five and 18 days, and it is marked by excess vaginal discharge. She may also urinate more frequently during this period, so you’ll need to be attentive to her.
Estrus: This stage of a dog’s reproductive cycle is when she is ready to mate with a male dog. She will show signs of readiness by becoming more interested in male attention, and her vulva will swell.
The vulva is also likely to bleed during this time, but only for a brief time. If she does bleed, it’s important to note the exact time so you can track her cycle.
She may start licking herself more, which can be a sign of her feeling overwhelmed with the sexual energy she is experiencing. She may also act more irritable and moody during her heat cycle.
You’ll also notice that her urination frequency increases, and she might be more vocal about her need to go outside. During this phase, it is also important to keep her on a healthy click to visit diet and schedule regular veterinary check-ups to avoid any issues with her reproductive system.
Her behavior may change during this phase, and she might be more aggressive toward other dogs or people. She may also become more agitated in her play with you, or she may refuse to let you pet her as often.
There are several ways to ease the discomfort of your French BullDog during her heat cycle, including giving her lots of treats and toys, keeping her hydrated, and taking her out for walks. You can even put nappies on her to prevent her from smelling or being approached by a male, as well as using safe masking scents on her tail.
Anestrus: This is the final stage of a dog’s heat cycle, and it lasts between 10 and 21 days. At this stage, your French BullDog will be fertile and ready to mate with a male dog.
During this period, she will continue to attract male dogs and may be more irritable or feisty than normal. She might even begin to chase other animals.
It’s also possible that she will lose her appetite and stay at a consistent weight during this phase.
Her vulva will eventually return to normal, and her urine will be less frequent and lighter in color. If she’s not pregnant, this phase of her reproductive cycle can be a great time for bonding with her.
A French BullDog’s heat cycle is one of the most important times in her life, so you should make sure to understand what’s going on and be prepared to help your pet through it. With a little bit of preparation, your French BullDog will be able to get through it without much hassle or stress.