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My female dog is in heat. Can I safely wipe her vaginal area?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 80 lbs

My house mate owns a German Shepard and she's in heat, and he insists on wiping her vaginal area with tissue paper. Is this okay or can this be harmful?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 2nd, 2017

It is fine to gently wipe a few times a day. If the wiping is too hard, or too often, then it can irritate the skin and potentially cause problems. Another option is to get a doggy diaper for her. Some pet stores sell these and they are good for keeping the house clean. I hope that helps.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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