Hormonal changes

Pseudopregnancy in bitches

Throughout their lives, female dogs go through recurring hormonal phases that can affect not only their bodies but also their behavior and emotional balance. Especially during and after heat—the so-called post-heat period—many dog ​​owners are confronted with visible and noticeable changes. One of these typical phenomena is pseudopregnancy. Although this is a natural biological process, it can be challenging for the affected dog.

Contents:

• Female dog’s heat: The cycle explained
• Pseudopregnancy in bitches
• Natural support with hormone balance
• Conclusion: Support with mindfulness and hormone balance

Female dog’s heat: The cycle explained

A female dog's heat cycle is part of the reproductive cycle and usually occurs twice a year in healthy bitches. The first heat cycle usually begins between the sixth and twelfth month of life, depending on breed, size, and individual development. Unlike humans, dogs do not experience menopause—their fertile cycles last a lifetime. Heat can be divided into four phases: proestrus (pre-heat), estrus (heat or standing heat), metestrus (post-heat), and anestrus (resting phase). Each of these phases is characterized by specific hormonal processes that bring about both physical and psychological changes.

During proestrus, which can last between three and seventeen days, the cycle begins with a swollen vulva and bloody discharge. During this time, bitches are not yet ready to mate, but they begin to show behavioral changes. They are often more restless, more alert, and more sensitive to their surroundings. Behavior toward males can also change: some actively seek their proximity, others forcefully reject them.

The fertile phase – estrus – lasts approximately five to nine days. During this time, the bitch is ready to mate; her vaginal discharge becomes lighter, and her posture signals her readiness to mate. Hormone levels peak during this time; the rise in estrogen and the presence of progesterone, in particular, play a central role in reproductive function.

After the mating period, the dog enters metestrus, a phase that lasts approximately two to three months. Even if pregnancy has not occurred, the body continues to produce the pregnancy hormone progesterone. This hormonal condition can trigger a so-called pseudopregnancy in some bitches. During this phase, the bitch often displays behaviors as if she were actually pregnant: she builds nests, defends toys as if they were supposed to be offspring, exhibits a loss of appetite, or develops swollen mammary glands that may even secrete milk.

The final part of the cycle, anestrus, represents a resting phase. This is when the body regenerates hormonally and physically. This phase can last several months before the next cycle begins.