What are the common behaviors of a female dog coming into heat?

A female dog's estrus is an important stage in its life cycle. Just like a human female's menstrual period, a series of significant changes will occur in both the physical condition and behavior of a female dog during this period. Understanding these common behaviors can not only help us take better care of the female dog but also deepen the emotional bond between us and them.

The estrus cycle of a female dog is usually divided into the proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. In the proestrus, the female dog's body begins to prepare for reproduction. The most obvious change is that the vulva gradually swells. The originally tight vulva becomes loose, red, and swollen, just like a small inflated balloon. Attentive owners will notice that the female dog's vagina begins to discharge bloody secretions. At first, the color of the secretions is relatively dark, and as time goes by, the color will gradually become lighter. During this stage, the behavior of the female dog also starts to change. They may become cleaner than usual and frequently lick their vulvas, trying to keep this part clean. This is an instinctive reaction of the female dog, as if they are aware that something special is happening to their bodies. At the same time, the female dog may show slight restlessness and pay more attention to the surrounding environment. The originally quiet and docile dogs may occasionally pace around the room, as if they are looking for something.

When entering the estrus, the behavioral changes of the female dog are more obvious. At this time, the female dog begins to send out strong courtship signals. They will take the initiative to approach male dogs and even show a gesture of "active invitation." When encountering a male dog, the female dog will lean forward with its body, raise its hips, and deflect its tail to one side, exposing the vulva. This posture is called the "mating posture," which is the female dog conveying to the male dog that it is ready for mating. When walking outdoors, the female dog will become extremely excited and be more sensitive to the surrounding smells. They will frequently sniff the ground, walls, and other objects, trying to find the scent traces left by male dogs. Once they detect the scent of a male dog, the female dog may immediately follow the scent, and even ignore the owner's call, showing unprecedented persistence.

The barking of the female dog will also change during the estrus. They may bark more frequently and sharply than usual. This kind of barking is like a special "language," announcing their presence and estrus status to the surrounding male dogs. At night, this kind of barking may be more obvious, and sometimes it may trouble the owner. But in fact, this is a natural physiological reaction of the female dog, and they use this way to attract the attention of male dogs.

In terms of diet, female dogs in estrus may experience a loss of appetite. They may lose interest in the dog food they usually love and their food intake will decrease significantly. This is because the hormone levels in the female dog's body change during estrus, affecting their appetite. However, some female dogs may also have an increased appetite. They seem to need more energy to cope with the changes in their bodies.

In addition to paying more attention to the opposite sex, the female dog's attitude towards the owner may also change during estrus. Some female dogs will become more dependent on the owner. They will closely follow the owner and seek more companionship and comfort. The owner's caress and gentle words seem to have a special magic for them, which can relieve their inner unease. While some female dogs may become more willful and disobedient to the owner's commands. For example, a well-trained female dog may turn a deaf ear to commands like "sit" and "come here" during estrus and immerse itself in its own world.

In the diestrus, the female dog's body gradually returns to calm. The swelling of the vulva begins to subside, and the secretions gradually decrease until they stop. At this time, the female dog's interest in the opposite sex also slowly decreases, and they no longer take the initiative to approach male dogs as they did during estrus. Their behavior gradually returns to normal, and their appetite also starts to recover. However, during this stage, the female dog's body is still relatively weak and requires more care and attention from the owner.

The anestrus is a relatively static stage in the female dog's estrus cycle. During this period, the physical condition and behavior of the female dog basically return to normal, and they become the lively, lovely, docile, and obedient pets again.

As owners, when we see the various behavioral changes of the female dog during estrus, our hearts are often filled with worry and care. We are not only worried that the female dog may get injured due to emotional instability during estrus but also hope to give them enough care and understanding. The female dog cannot express its feelings during estrus in words, and every behavior of theirs is conveying the needs of their bodies to us. We should accompany them through this special period with patience and love and provide them with a safe and comfortable environment. For example, during the female dog's estrus, we should pay special attention to using a leash when walking outdoors to prevent them from getting lost or having an accident due to chasing male dogs. At home, we can prepare a warm and quiet corner for the female dog so that they can rest peacefully. At the same time, we should pay close attention to the female dog's physical condition, and if there is any abnormality, consult a veterinarian in a timely manner. The female dog's estrus cycle is a part of their lives. We accompany them through each stage and witness their growth and changes, which is also a manifestation of the deep emotional bond between us and the dogs.