Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog's in her first heat. What care tips and can I spay her?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 10 months and 25 days old

Hello! Hope you are doing well. I just want to ask some care tips for my female dog currently in her first heat. Also, is it still okay to spay my dog after her heat? Thank you so much and keep safe.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 16th, 2020

Hi! I hope you are well too :-) Do not let Jaya outside unsupervised. I would not take her for walks or in public. Take her outside quickly to potty, then bring her right back in. You want to keep her away from all intact males so she doesn't get pregnant. It is safe to spay her after her first heat! I hope this helps, and you stay safe too.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 8 month old pitbull is spayed and she just started going into heat, so how should I go about handling it and making sure she's okay and comfortable?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Fiona is so cute! I think you meant that she is NOT spayed? Most dogs do fine when they go in to heat. Some have a decreased appetite or have behavioral changes (anxious, clingy, aggressive). I would keep her some where that you don't mind getting messy as they drip blood at varying amounts. Some dogs have minimal bleeding while others have heavy flow. They do not get cramps so medications are not needed. You can purchase doggie diapers and changes them frequently to prevent a mess. The biggest thing is to keep her away from intact male dogs until a week AFTER she stops bleeding. I hope this helps and I wish you and Fiona the very best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How do I take care of my dog while she's in heat? She's bleeding all over our tile (thank goodness) floor. Should we get a cone and doggy diapers? What are our options. We live in a small neighborhood and the house is well-fenced. Sometimes we let h
Doggy diapers are definitely a good way to keep from having to clean-up blood all day. The cone may be necessary if she tries to take off the diaper, but some dogs tolerate the diaper well. Keeping her outside is another option if the weather is OK, but make sure you have a good fence to keep out any possible intact males in the neighborhood...they will smell her from a mile away. Getting her spayed will prevent future cycles. You can have this done about a month after she's out of heat. For more information about the heat cycle and what to expect, I recommend you read the article at the link below. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/estrus-cycles-in-dogs I hope that helps and all is well with Maya.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog just got her period! What do I do? Do I buy her regular newborn diapers?
There are special doggie diapers that you can get for Panda from the pet store, and I would recommend using those. I would not let her outside alone, and when you do take her outside, keep her on a lead at all times, and away from places where male unneutered dogs might be (such as a dog park). This will keep her from having a pregnancy, which is important because it's never recommended to breed a dog on her first heat. She will not be mature enough, both physically and behaviorally.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy is already 5 months and 9 days. A vet told me she would recommend getting her spayed before her first heat which would be around august/September. My concern is when she will get her period and what to do if she gets it before she is spayed.
She is not likely to get her period before September, if she does get her period there is nothing you need to do, just be careful no male dogs come near her and you will need to wait at least a couple months before you can get her spayed as it is not recommended to have a dog spayed during or right after a heat cycle.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
10 days before my dog's spay appointment, and she just started bleeding (her first heat cycle). Obviously we will have to reschedule now, but is she going to be okay? I'm so worried about the increased risks that come with spaying after her first cyc
There isn't an increased surgery risk because Tohru will be out of heat, plus one heat isn't as concerning. I'd be more concerned about an older dog that has had multiple heats as well as puppies. The most important thing is to make sure she doesn't get pregnant.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My female puppy is on her period, is there anything I do to help her?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Snow! Most dogs handle their heat cycles fine. Some dogs have a decreased appetite and are lethargic while others are hyperactive. There are no need for medications as they shouldn't be painful. Just always have her on a leash and do not let her outside a lone or around intact males dogs. I would have her spayed 2 months after the bleeding stops. I hope this helps and I wish you and Snow the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my 8 month old jack Russell terrier has just come into her first season is she ok to still walk as normal?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Yes, it is fine to walk Ruby as normal. But definitely keep her on a leash. When dogs are heat intact male dogs can smell her for miles. If you see a dog approaching you that is not leashed pick her up and go home. I wouldn't let her out in your yard with out supervision and a leash until she is out of heat and there has been no bleeding for 2 weeks. I hope this helps and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
My puppy is in her first heat cycle. Will it be ok to get her spayed after she's done? Her birthday is November 11th 2017
Yes it is no problem at all to have her spayed after her heat cycle. And, it is actually a less complicated surgery if they are no longer in heat due to less blood flow to the uterus when not in heat. I hope this helps and thank you for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is in heat and altough I tried to keep the male dog away from her, he escaped, took off her panty and diaper (yes, all by himself), locked himself in a room with her (true story), and apparently mated with her. She was set to get spayed this w
It's fine to go ahead and have her spayed now. We often spay dogs in the early stages of pregnancy - this is generally a safe, routine procedure, and would be the best option for Maia if you don't want to breed her.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, My dog came into heat today and we are planning to spay her. Is it safe to give her something to stop the heat and will it have a long term negative effect on her health? Also how long after the heat has ended can i have her spayed ?
I would not recommend giving her anything to stop the heat, in dogs it's usually a potentially harmful hormonal treatment that is known of causing cancer. you should wait at least 2 months after her heat cycle before you can have her spayed, .
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Dog First Aid & Recovery Dog Outdoor & Travel Gear Dog Recovery Cones & Surgical Suits Dog Braces & Splints Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Dog Bandages & Wound Care Dog First Aid Kits & Tools Dog Lift Harnesses & Wheelchairs DOG by Dr Lisa Dog First Aid & Recovery Pride+Groom Dog First Aid & Recovery Safe Paw Dog Outdoor & Travel Gear Safe Paw Outdoor Dog Gear Well & Good Dog First Aid & Recovery HEALERS Dog First Aid & Recovery Vet's Best Dog First Aid & Recovery Safe Paw Dog Paw Protection & Ice Melt Vetality Dog First Aid & Recovery PetAlive Dog First Aid & Recovery
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored