There are many people who are completely unaware of the process through which a female dog encounters heat. This moment is delicate, as carelessness can lead to an unwanted litter of puppies. Although the safest thing is to sterilize the dog, there are many people who they decide to control the heat But for this you must have some knowledge about this process.
A question that many owners may ask themselves is whether it is possible to bathe a bitch in heat. During this process the bitch may be upset, but the truth is that it is possible to bathe the bitch without problems in this period, but we always have to bear in mind that the bitch is more sensitive.
What is the zeal of the bitch
El bitch zeal is a process that begins when hormones estrogens and progesterone their levels change. This affects the bitch, which goes through several phases during the duration of the heat. This process can take between two and four weeks. During the first phase, the bitch will attract males with her hormonal changes, since her body odor will change and this will be noticed by the males. However, in this period the bitch will not yet have that instinct and will reject the male with grunts and turning away. It is a delicate moment because it can lead to somewhat violent reactions on the part of the dog, which will be overwhelmed by the males that may approach.
When it comes to recognizing heat in the bitch, we will have to look at whether there is bleeding, which occurs already in the first phase, when the bitch's body prepares to ovulate. Something very significant is that the vulva of the bitch will be inflamed during heat. This is the easiest way to recognize this process and thus have it under control. The bleeding is full of pheromones, which will attract males. The bitch will also urinate more frequently in an instinct to share the pheromones and spread them in more places. For the bleeding period, nowadays special panties have been created that also help to avoid staining at home, although bleeding is usually scarce.
The next phase is when the bitch can start mating with males, so it will already be receptive. This is undoubtedly the most delicate moment, because it is when you can easily get pregnant. It will attract males and this time it will not reject them, so we must keep it under control. After this phase, which lasts a few weeks, the hormones return to their normal state, so the bitch will no longer attract males and we will not have to worry in this regard, until the next phase of heat. Each bitch has different phases that can have different durations, so it is better to keep track of the time in our bitch to know how long it takes to regain heat.
Can you bathe?
If you wonder if during this period you can bathe the bitch, The answer is yes. There is no reason why we cannot bathe her, so we can continue to maintain her hygiene habits. Anyway, the smell it gives off will still be there, because it is a hormonal issue.
Bathing the dog during heat follows the usual process. You just have to bear in mind that the dog may be a little more sensitive and upset, but if she is used to the bathroom there will be no problem. We will have to have a suitable place to bathe her, taking into account that also during this period she licks her genitals a lot because of the bleeding. Must bathe her with suitable shampoo for dogs and dry it regularly.
How to bathe a bitch in heat
As you know, when a bitch is in heat she licks a lot more, plus it can leave blood droplets on the ground. Therefore, it is recommended that, to maintain good hygiene, the dog is bathed. You already know that nothing will happen to him, nor the zeal for bathing her will not be cut either. Now, when doing so, you should follow some guidelines that help you:
Take the bath with more patience
Because she is in heat, your dog may be more sensitive. Therefore, it is better that, when bathing, try to spend more time than usual to relax. If she's used to bathing, there won't be much of a problem for you to do it; but if not, the best thing you can do is try to calm her down and go little by little.
Be careful with the water temperature
We all know if our dog is hotter or more cold, if he likes cold or hot water more. Well, when it comes to bathing her, when she's in heat, you better use warm water so you don't feel bad. Try not to make it too long.
Bathe her gently
If possible, try not to make the bath too long, and focus on washing it quickly. If you have not bathed in a long time, you will have to do it well, but if it does not take that long, because you spend less time on it, nothing will happen, especially because you are more sensitive and may become stressed.
In fact, we recommend that you do not rub the rear area of your dog too much. First, she will get nervous if you touch her; but it is also more sensitive and the friction can bother you.
Dry it well
Of course, keep in mind that the genital area will continue to stain, so when it comes to drying it, the towel you use can get dirty.
Do not forget to brush their hair well because, in addition to being an aid to eliminate dead fur, it will also be relaxing for them. Yes indeed, do not panic if you notice that your dog loses more hair than usual. When a bitch is in heat she can lose more hair, but she will regain it later without any problem.
Give him a prize
To finish the bath, what many owners do is give their dogs a reward for having behaved well. And, in this case, it can be a good way to reward your dog for having allowed herself to bathe without problem.
What to do if you bleed too much in heat?
There are bitches, as happens with women, who bleed more than usual, or who even spend more of their hygiene, which causes them to leave drops of blood, or not to clean themselves well. That, when the dog is in the garden, it is not so noticeable. But if your dog is indoor, walking around your house and seeing blood is not a pleasant thing.
To avoid this, in addition to bathing it to help maintain proper hygiene so that it does not impair the health of your pet, you should also consider other options, such as the wearing dog panties or diapers. Although it seems silly to you, this can help you not to dirty the house with blood, and also to see how much blood you lose.
If it is a lot, it would be advisable to go to the vet to assess it since it could have a health problem.
Trouble bathing a bitch in heat
Although we have told you that there is no problem with bathing a bitch in heat, you should know that, due to its condition, yes you can have problems with vaginal irritations or infections. This is mainly due to the fact that her vulva is inflamed; that is, it is more sensitive in that area.
Therefore, it is recommended that, when washing it around, you be much gentler with what you use to bathe it, be it a sponge, a glove, or similar. In addition, you must clean it very well and dry it so that bacteria or microorganisms come into contact with it.
If they do, you can face vaginal problems, easy to solve, but annoying after all. For example, infection (which would be aggravated when urinating), itching, burning ... All this will greatly annoy your dog and will require a visit to the vet to solve the problem.
Bathing a bitch in heat on the beach
One of the situations in which you may find yourself is that your dog goes into heat while on vacation at the beach. It can happen, and you may be wondering if you can really bathe her on the beach or not.
First of all, you should know that the beach where you go with your pet is one where they are admitted, since, otherwise, you are going to risk a fine, and of course it is not pleasant at all.
Otherwise, you don't have to worry about your dog taking a bath. Nothing will happen to her, and it will be as if you bathed her. What's more, salt water will do you no harm.
very useful thanks for the info