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Unspayed female dogs will go into heat, and you may notice certain behaviors during her heat cycle. Some female dogs may even cry when they’re in heat. But why?
Being a pet parent to a female dog in heat can be challenging. You want to help her, but what’s causing your fur baby to cry when she’s in heat?
We’ve put together some information about what may cause a female dog to cry when she’s in heat. Let’s get started!
Female Dog Heat Cycles
When a female dog goes into heat, there are several things happening to her body. For one thing, certain hormonal changes start during her cycle. These changes are governed by the pituitary gland in the dog’s brain.
The pituitary gland regulates other glands all through the body. During a dog’s heat cycle, the gland causes huge changes in the dog’s endocrine system. The changes cause hormones to prepare your dog to become pregnant if she mates with a male dog.
All of these hormonal changes can make a female dog feel out of sorts and more emotional. These hormonal changes may cause your fur baby to feel anxious, excited, scared, and even confused. All of this may cause a female dog to cry when she’s in heat.
How to Help Your Dog If She’s Crying in Heat
1. Call the Vet
Does your dog seem to be afraid, in pain, or have other concerning symptoms? If so, then it’s time to call the vet. It’s possible your fur baby could be suffering from a hormonal imbalance, an infection, or another medical condition. These all need to be treated by the vet.
If the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health and she’s still crying, then they may recommend the following ways to help her feel better.
2. Offer Emotional Support
During this time, your dog may need some extra attention and emotional support. You can help her by spending more time with her and giving her lots of attention. If she likes belly rubs, this may help her feel better and calm down. Find what seems to help her calm down and feel less anxious.
In addition, use a calm, soft voice when speaking to your female dog. This may also help to ease her anxiety and other feelings.
3. Keep Her on the Leash
When your dog is in heat, most of the male dogs in the neighborhood will know it and come running. This may make your fur baby feel anxious when she’s outside. She may cry for this reason. So, be sure to go out with your dog and keep her on a leash at all times.
You may want to consider keeping her on the leash even when she’s out in the backyard to go potty. Male dogs will do anything and everything to get to your dog and mate! She may be afraid of these dogs as the males can be more aggressive and excited if your dog is in heat.
When you’re out for a walk, make sure to keep your fur baby on the leash, too. This may be enough to help her feel more confident and less stressed about meeting male dogs. After all, you’re out with her and will protect her!
So, keeping your dog on her leash and staying with her is a way to protect and reassure her you’re there to protect her.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSumming It Up
These are only a few of the ways you may be able to help your female dog stop crying when she’s in heat. Always call the vet if you’re unable to find out what’s causing your dog to cry. She may have an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.
And always offer your fur baby more protection and emotional support as she goes through her cycle. This may be enough to keep her from crying during her heat cycle.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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