My Dog In Heat Won’t Stop Crying

The first thing that needs to be understood is that the arrival of sexual maturity does not mean that a bitch is prepared to experience pregnancy. During a dogs first heat cycle, the female is still a the equivalent of a teenager. This means they are still undergoing physical, cognitive and emotional development. A gestation at this age not only interrupts her development, but can also bring about complications in the dog's labor.

To help understand why a dog won't stop whining during heat, we need to be aware of the different phases of the canine estrus cycle. There are 4 phases of this cycle which each explain the behavior of our animal:

• Proestrus: this first phase can last from 3 to 17 days depending on the breed, size and other aspects of each dog. During the proestrus, the female is not fertile, but is usually very anxious and may try to escape from home. For this reason, you may see your dog crying by the door when in heat. In addition, some bitches will carry out mounting behavior.

• Estrus: during this stage, which also lasts from 3 to 17 days, she is at her most fertile and is receptive to males. During the estrus, behavioral changes are shown more intensely. They will be more affectionate, less calm and more eager to go outside. Again, she may cry by the door to go outside, but in this case it is to attract a mate. She might also urinate or spray her pheromones to attract males in the area.

• Diestrus: the duration of this cycle will depend on whether fertilization has taken place, lasting between 60 to 100 days. In this phase, females reject males and tend to have an increased appetite. In general, her character is normalized and she will appear calm and serene. In this phase, it is also possible psychological or phantom pregnancies can occur.

• Anestrus: if the female has become pregnant during the diestrus phase, she will go on to the next phase of sexual inactivity (anestrus) after childbirth. In general, this period can last up to 130 days allowing her body to prepare for her next heat. If she is not pregnant, the anestrus cycle will usually occur earlier.

The reason your dog is won't stop crying during heat can depend on several factors. A bitch in heat can cry often because she feels sad, anxious, nervous or is seeking attention. Therefore, if your dog experiencing her cycle and doesn’t stop crying, remain aware of her behavior and its changes.

If the dog is crying during the estrus stage of the heat cycle, it is possible she simply wants to find a mate. We recommend you do not allow her to copulate. Animal shelters are already full of dogs looking for homes and breeding our dogs can put even more stress on this system. While mating might stop the whining during heat, it is not likely the best thing for your dog.

You may notice your dog is crying excessively during heat and showing other clinical symptoms. These could be signs of a significant health problem. If you observe excessive bleeding from the vaginal area, purulent vaginal discharge, lethargy, hyperactivity or aggressive behavior, it is important to go to your veterinarian. In these cases, your dog may be suffering from an infection such as pyometra or other illnesses of the reproductive system.

If your dog is crying a lot during heat and showing symptoms of sadness, tiredness, drowsiness or a slight loss of appetite, you can try to improve her mood. Some tips to stop a dog crying during heat include:

• Devote time to play with her and give her love: females require special attention during their heat cycle, so do not stop spending time with them or providing them with affection. Do not neglect their physical and mental stimulation. If she is not spayed, propose activities and intelligence games inside the home.

• Offer your bitch a more nutritious diet during heat: if your dog is suffering from a slight loss of appetite, you will need to offer her a more attractive meal rich in essential nutrients. You can choose to prepare homemade recipes for dogs or make her diet more interesting by adding water or warm chicken broth to improve its aroma. Ensure the chicken both doesn't contain salt, garlic or other improper ingredients.

• Exercise your dog: you should not neglect physical and mental stimulation of your dog during heat. Daily walks should be maintained, but of shorter duration than normal. If your female is not spayed, you should choose a quieter place to walk her or choose to exercise her in the yard of your home. This will be to keep her away from males who will want to mate with her.

In some cases, dogs may be more anxious during their heat. This means they won't stop crying until they are calmed down. In these cases, there are some natural painkillers that can help stabilize their behavior:

• Natural herbs: chamomile, valerian and St. John's wort act as natural tranquilizers for dogs. You can make a concentrated infusion of chamomile and mix it with your dog's water. Valerian and St. John's wort are also marketed as tinctures in many natural produce stores. You can put some droplets directly into the mouth of your dog for faster effect.

• Oats: oats are very effective in reducing the level of anxiety and stress in your dog. It will also provide your animal with a sense of calmness. You can prepare your dog porridge with 1 to 2 tablespoons of oatmeal cooked in water. Do not mix it with her feed, as these different foods require different digestion times, the porridge should be given to your dog at a separate meal time.

None of these home remedies for a dog in heat can replace veterinary treatment if the anxiety is acute. Some dogs may be anxious for pathological reasons and may require medication to manage their symptoms.

Some guardians wonder if their dogs have a period. A period refers to the menstrual cycle, a type of fertility that only humans and a very few other mammals species experience. Dogs do not have a period. The estrus cycle in dogs has similarities to a menstrual cycle, but they are not the same.

Although we can say a dog does not experience periods cramps when in heat, they can experience other types of cramping. The vulva and other reproductive organs swell during different stages of the estrus cycle. For this reason, we often see the dog licking her private area to try to relieve the pain and frustration caused by swelling. We can see the dog is in pain by whimpering, crying, whining, rubbing her privates for relief and other behaviors.

Cramping in dogs experiencing heat is normal and should abate after the estrus cycle is complete. They may experience pregnancy cramps if they copulate, but it is important to distinguish these between signs of complications in the dog's pregnancy such as excessive bleeding or loss of consciousness.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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