Last Updated on June 24, 2021 by Marco
How long is a chihuahua in heat – if you’ve been struggling to find an in-depth answer to this question, our guide is perfect for your needs! Chihuahua owners are often left scratching their heads about their pet’s heat cycle because the breed is so very conscious about its cleanliness.
Fortunately, our chihuahua heat cycle guide will not only explain how a female chihuahua’s cycle progresses, how to spot it, and what you can do to make your pet more comfortable. All you have to do is grab a comfy seat and read on!
The Different Stages Of A Chihuahua Heat Cycle
Believe it or not, with toy dog breeds like the Chihuahua, the first heat cycle can begin when your pet is still in its puppyhood. It’s pretty common for females to go into heat anywhere between 4 to 7 months of age. That’s why most pet parents will tend to miss their furbaby’s first cycle. But, if you’re aware of the signs of an approaching heat cycle – you can stay ahead of the game. Here are the different stages of a Chihuahua’s cycle and their distinct features.
Read more about: How Many Babies Can A Chihuahua Have? All About Chihuahua Litter Size
1. Proestrus
The first stage of a Chihuahua’s heat cycle is referred to as Proestrus. First-time owners may find this stage difficult to identify. Nonetheless, during the Proestrus stage, your pet will display signs, such as vaginal bleeding, mood changes, swollen nipples, and sometimes, excessive licking. However, keep in mind that not all Chihuahuas will exhibit all signs associated with this stage.
You can also tell if your pup is going through the first stage of the heat cycle by observing its behavior. Generally, female Chihuahuas in this stage will chase after males in a playful or aggressive manner. It’s also just as common to have male Chihuahuas running after your pet.
2. Estrus
Estrus (a.k.a the second stage of the heat cycle) will typically begin one week after Proestrus. Luckily for pet parents, it’s much easier to identify the estrus stage of the cycle. Some of the most common indicators of this stage are swollen reproductive tissues and bleeding. This stage of the heat cycle lasts for about four to thirteen days. During this time, your pet is officially ‘in heat.’
If your pet hasn’t been spayed and if you have no plans to look after a litter of puppies, you’ll want to keep your pet away from unneutered males. That’s because not only will your Chihuahua be willing to mate during this stage, but it will also allow a male to mount her by standing still and pulling her tail to the side.
3. Diestrus
Diestrus is the third (and second-last) stage of the heat cycle and can last from thirty to ninety days. Think of the estrus stage as a resting period for your canine. During this time, your Chihuahua’s body has time to recuperate, and the swelling on her body parts will subside. You’ll also notice that your pet won’t actively seek out the attention of males.
On the other hand, if your pet did get the chance to mate and is pregnant, the diestrus stage will continue until the birth of the puppies (around sixty-three days or more). Signs of pregnancy will include traits such as puffy nipples (as your pet’s body prepares to feed the pups) and swollen genitals.
4. Anestrus
As the last stage of the Chihuahua heat cycle, anestrus lasts for about 60 to 180 days. This stage is where your pet’s outward appearance remains normal, but internally, its reproductive organs are already gearing up for proestrus. During this time, your Chihuahua won’t be displaying any signs related to the heat cycle and will experience no mood changes.
How Often Do Chihuahuas Go Into Heat
By now, it should be clear that the answer to – how long is a Chihuahua in heat – is approximately 4 to 13 days because that’s how long the estrus period lasts. But, that still leaves the question of how often do Chihuahuas go in heat. Now that we have the heat cycle broken down let’s rewind back to the anestrus stage.
The last stage of the heat cycle can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months to complete. That means, according to simple maths, your Chihuahua has enough time to go into heat twice a year. If you’re trying to keep track of your pet’s cycle, we recommend marking its estrus period on your calendar and keeping count from there. That’s because the second stage of the heat cycle is the easiest to identify due to the changes your pet undergoes.
How To Look After A Chihuahua In Heat
Despite all the misconceptions surrounding the heat cycles in canines (Chihuahuas included), it’s just a natural process living things go through. What’s more, it’s important to understand how long your Chihuahua’s heat cycle is so that you can help your pet stay comfortable during this time. That’s why we’ve compiled a few helpful tips and tricks to help you and your pet adjust.
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Stock Up On Britches
Female Chihuahuas are known to urinate outdoors and inside the house, because it seems to help attract male suitors. To ensure your rugs, furniture, or bedsheets don’t have to suffer needlessly during your Chihuahua heat cycle, stock up on britches. If you’re not aware, britches are a type of doggie diaper that’s perfect for females in heat as it keeps from urinating all over your house. Additionally, britches are available in disposable and non-disposable (washable) variations – so you can pick the ones you like best.
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Keep Your Pet Away From Male Canines
If you don’t plan to breed your Chihuahua, it’s best to do all you can to keep it away from male dogs. Estrus is a perilous time for a pet parent of an unspayed female Chihuahua, and you may have to tweak your timetable a bit to help keep the ardent admirers away. For instance, try taking your pet on its walk when your sure the canine company will be down to zero. Also, don’t plan too many outdoor trips during the 13-day estrus stage of the heat cycle.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks. You’re all aware of how a female Chihuahua’s heat cycle works and how you can spot the different stages to keep your pet safe. While spaying may seem like a controversial subject to some, you should know that vets the world over recommend the practice because it promotes your pet’s well-being and ensures the canine population remains at a manageable level. In the meantime, keep a weather eye out for the related signs of a Chihuahua’s heat cycle, and don’t forget to mark down the date – so you’re better prepared the next time around.
