Is It Bad To Bathe A Dog In Heat?

First of all, before bathing a bitch in heat, you have to make sure the female is at that stage. She goes through this a few times a year. In addition, the first heat occurs around 9 to 12 months of age.

We always hear that when a woman is menstruating, it is unhealthy for her to take a shower with cold water, because it would increase cramps. This is true, because the cold temperature constricts blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to release and causing pain. The baths, therefore, should be with warm water during this period.

Given these particularities, many wonder if it is bad  to bathe a dog who is in heat. Therefore, we will tell you all about this subject in this article.

All about bitch heat

For starters, bitches’ first heat usually comes when they are between 9 and 12 months old. In addition, this phase is usually repeated twice a year. Generally speaking, the cycle has four stages: proestrus, estrus, diestrus and anestrus.

The first phase lasts between nine and fifteen days. It is noted by the presence of a reddish brown flow. The second, which also lasts for about nine days, leaves the vulva red and inflamed. The diestrus phase can reach 80 days and the bitch appears to be pregnant. In fact, it is at this stage of the heat that the dog is susceptible to suffering from a psychological pregnancy.

Finally,  the anestrus phase is the longest and can be said to be like ovulation in women.  However, this step can be extended for up to 250 days. Therefore, in some breeds where this happens, menstruation only occurs once a year.

How to know if my bitch is in heat

There are many noticeable factors that can make us realize if a female dog is in heat. These are some:

• Mood swings. Obviously, heat in dogs is a hormonal process in which various mood swings can happen to the animal.
• Inflamed nipples. When the dog is in heat, her breasts will become swollen and it is possible that she will feel pain when touched.

• Obsessive interest of males. If you start to see a lot of dogs around your bitch it’s best that you isolate her, in case you’re not interested in her giving birth. This is an unmistakable sign that your dog is in heat.
• Bleeding. Sometimes you can ignore some of the signs already mentioned, but vaginal bleeding is the most obvious indicator that your dog is in heat.

Well, once you know the process and know how to identify it, it’s time to answer your question: Can you bathe a bitch in heat?

Bathing a bitch in heat, yes or no?

The answer is yes. There’s no objection to giving your dog a bath if it’s hot, as long as you take some precautions. First, a bath will be necessary if the flow is abundant and makes the animal feel better. After all, the bitch will be more comfortable if it is dry and clean.

However,  as the animal’s mood changes, you have to try to avoid stress. So don’t bathe a bitch in heat hastily or force her. Instead, use positive reinforcement, which always works. Finally, you can use the usual shampoo, but be especially careful when washing the pet’s most intimate parts.

Otherwise, adjust the water temperature so that it stays warm and constant. After all, if the water is too cold or too hot it can cause a  wave of  heat or cold in the animal’s body and make it feel worse.

Use a clean towel to dry it, as the intimate area will be sensitive and you can easily catch an infection. Also, try to use a material that is very soft so that it feels good to the touch.

On the other hand, also remember that bitches lose more hair when they are in heat. Therefore, brush your pet before and after bathing. After all, this will be very important for your pet’s well-being.

Follow these tips and you will have no problem bathing a dog in heat. No doubt there are myths that surround many situations. However, being informed is always the best option to make good decisions regarding your pet.