What age does a golden retriever go into heat

The Heat Cycle is something that all dogs go through. Heat is a natural sequence that female dogs go through to determine when the optimum time is to have puppies.

While it is instinctual for her, you, as a pet parent, must be aware of the signals, know how to care for your dog while she is in heat, and keep track of the timing.

Continue reading if you want to learn how to cope with your golden retriever when he or she is in heat, how to recognize the indications, and all you need to know about spaying and avoiding pregnancy.

Table of Contents

  • When do golden retrievers go into heat? 
  • Golden Retriever Heat Cycle explained (Timeline and Stages) 
    • Stage 1 – Proestrus
    • Stage 2 – Estrus
    • Stage 3 – Diestrus
    • Stage 4 – Anestrus
  • 11 Signs your golden retriever is going into heat 
    • When do golden retrievers go into heat for the first time?
    • How long does a golden retriever’s heat cycle last?
  • How to take care of your female golden retriever during heat?
    • How to prevent pregnancy during heat cycles? 
    • What are heat diapers? 
    • The best heat diapers for golden retriever
    • Should you spay your female golden retriever? 
    • When should you spay your golden retriever? 
    • The pros and cons of spaying your golden retriever 
    • How to know your golden retriever is out of heat? 
  • Related Questions 
    • How long does a golden retriever bleed while in heat? 
    • At what age do golden retrievers get their period? 
    • How long after heat can you spay a dog? 
    • Can I spay my dog while in heat?
    • How do I comfort my dog when she is in heat? 
    • Is it bad to spay a dog after the first heat? 
    • Can I spay my dog after her second heat? 
    • What happens if you spay a dog too early? 
    • Helpful Resources
    • Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources

When do golden retrievers go into heat? 

Golden Retrievers go into heat starting the age of 10-14 months old for the first time; The interval between heats is usually 9 or 10 months signs of heat include Personality Changes, Vaginal Discharge, Swollen Vulva, Mounting, Nesting Behavior, Periodic Urination, Nervousness, and Clingy Behavior.

“In heat” is the phrase for a female dog that is in the receptive stage of her sexual cycle. In other words, this is the window of time during the year when a woman can get pregnant.

Not understanding what it implies or how to detect when your dog is in heat will certainly lead to an undesirable litter of puppies. Depending on the age of your dog, this might put your female at danger of significant health concerns and unpleasant vet expenditures.

Most female puppies don’t start their heat cycles until they’re about six months old (normal for smaller breed dogs). Golden retrievers are more likely to have their first heat period between the ages of 10 and 14, whereas gigantic breeds have their first heat period between the ages of 18 and 24 months. Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and they could change at any time because each dog is unique. It’s critical to keep track of when your dog goes into heat for the first time. Mostly, their timing is expected to become normal after the first cycle.

Golden Retriever Heat Cycle explained (Timeline and Stages) 

This diaper comes with a lot of advantages including:

  • Elasticity to fit your dog’s waist without risking her comfort
  • Saves you the hassle of cleaning up with its leakage proof protection
  • A large size of 20 in – 35 in. waist that would fit your Golden Retriever’s waist

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Teamoy Washable Wrap Diapers for Female Dogs With Removable Pads

The Teamoy Washable diapers come at a price of $34.99 for the pack of 4, promising:

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  • Removable pads that will make it easier for you to change
  • Superabsorbent material that will not get you worried about changing it throughout the night

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Paw Inspired Disposable Dog Diapers

These Female Dog Diapers with Ultra Protection come at a pack of 20 disposable diapers at a price of $22.99. The brand claims the diapers provide

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  • convenient and repositionable fasteners that make fitting your dog easy, comfortable and painless
  • A Comfortable & Secure Fit that will not make your dog grumpy
  • A Super Absorbent Core that is leak-proof and will help you avoid the tiring process of constantly cleaning up bloody messes

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Should you spay your female golden retriever? 

If you don’t plan on mating your golden retriever, you should spay your dogs, spaying your female golden retriever is the responsible thing to do to avoid an unexpected pregnancy.

If you don’t want your golden retriever to go into heat twice a year, you should definitely get her spayed. It’s a great duty to keep her away from guys during these times, and it can cause a lot of disruption to your routine.

Consult your veterinarian about when you should spay or neuter your dog, as well as other choices such as sterilization, which eliminates the need for complete desexing. Make the greatest decision for your family and your dog.

When should you spay your golden retriever? 

Despite the fact that many pups are spayed before their first heat, it is not advised for golden retrievers. According to research, spaying a golden retriever before their first heat might have significant health consequences.

This study found that Golden retrievers that were spayed had a greater incidence of various joint problems and malignancies than those who were not. Increases in hip dysplasia and ligament ripping have been linked to early neutering.

When a dog is spayed or neutered, it loses the capacity to generate specific hormones that are necessary for development. Your golden retriever isn’t completely developed if you spay them before their first heat, and therefore before adolescence.

I have a full guide on the perfect time to spay or neuter your golden retriever here that you should definitely check out.

The pros and cons of spaying your golden retriever 

If you are confused about spaying your female golden retriever, here are the pros and cons:

Pros of Spaying your Golden Retriever:

  • Reduces the risk of any health problems
  • Prevents the incidence of mating and unwanted pregnancy 
  • Reduces Heat Period 
  • Lowers the risk of uterus cancer, ovaries cancer, or reproductive tract cancer
  • Decreases the urge of mating

Cons of Spaying your Golden Retriever:

  • Hypothyroidism (lowering thyroid level) and Weight Gain
  • Increases the risk of cancers, including lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma
  • complications after surgery under general anesthesia

How to know your golden retriever is out of heat? 

The simplest method to tell whether your golden retriever’s cycle is over is if there’s no more discharge or bleeding. When her heat is through, her vulva will likewise return to normal size.

It’s a good idea to keep track of your Golden Retriever’s heat cycle once you’ve figured out how long it lasts. Make a note of the date as soon as you see the first indications of heat so you’ll know when it’ll be over.

Dogs are in heat for the rest of their lives. The duration between your Golden Retriever’s heat cycles will tend to lengthen as she gets older, but they will not go away. If your older dogs haven’t been spayed, keep an eye on them because they might still be viable later in life.

How long does a golden retriever bleed while in heat? 

A Golden Retriever bleeds for Seven to Ten days while in heat; during this time, her vulva is large, red, or swollen with some bleeding or blood-tinted discharge. Golden Retrievers go into heat around the age of 10-14 months. They go into heat every 6 to 9 months, lasting around two to three weeks

At what age do golden retrievers get their period? 

Golden Retrievers get their period at the age of 10-14 months old for the first time; The interval between heats is usually 9 or 10 months signs of heat include Personality Changes, Vaginal Discharge, Swollen Vulva, Mounting, Nesting Behavior, Periodic Urination, Nervousness, and Clingy Behavior.

How long after heat can you spay a dog? 

You should wait two to three months after heat to spay your dog; although you can spay them during, vets recommend the contrary as more blood flows to the affected area during this time, and that can complicate the surgery. 

Can I spay my dog while in heat?

you can spay your dog while in heat; although most people are under the impression that once a dog is in heat, you have to wait until she is done the cycle before spaying, many vets will spay a dog while she is in heat, though many will recommend against it due to the risk of serious complications. 

How do I comfort my dog when she is in heat? 

You can comfort your dog while she is in heat through providing emotional attention, setting aside some extra slots for lots of cuddles, offering chew-resistant toys, Never scolding your pup if she makes a bloody mess, Make Your Home a Calm Place to Rest, Keep Her Distracted With Toys and Treats.

You can check out the best chew toys for golden retrievers here.

Is it bad to spay a dog after the first heat? 

It is bad to spay your dog after the first heat, it is recommended to either spay them before their first heat; Early spaying (before 5 months) has several advantages, including a very low (0.05 percent) risk of mammary cancer, no risk of pregnancy, and no heat cycle bleeding.

Can I spay my dog after her second heat? 

Don’t spay your dog after her second heat; After the second heat to spay, the lifetime risk of mammary cancer is estimated to be around 26%. Mammary cancer is around 7-8 percent more likely if you spay her after the first heat but before the second heat (between 5-15 months depending on breed size).

What happens if you spay a dog too early? 

If you spay your dog too early it might lead to health issues later on because her hormones need time to adjust. Hip dysplasia, damaged ligaments, bone cancer, and urine incontinence are among the risks of early spaying.

Helpful Resources

Neutering health effects more severe for golden retrievers than Labradors

Spay/neuter and the association with cancer in dogs: part three

Spay/Neuter Your Pet

Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources

  • Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
  • Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
  • Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
  • Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
  • Find my list of recommendations here.

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How do you know when a golden retriever is in heat?

4 Signs Your Dog Is Going into Heat.
Swollen Vulva. Located just below the anus, your dog's vulva will turn redder in color and increase in size — often 2 to 3 times its normal size..
Behavior Quirks. ... .
Increased Licking of the Vaginal Area. ... .
Vaginal Bleeding..

How long does a golden retriever bleed while in heat?

Keep a leash handy, because your dog may have to urinate more when she's in heat. You may also observe that her vulva is large, red, or swollen with some bleeding or blood-tinted discharge. Your dog will only bleed for around half of the total cycle, usually 7 to 10 days.

How long will my golden retrievers first heat last?

Heat usually lasts between 2-4 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer and you'll know the cycle is over when all her vulva returns to its normal size and there's no more bleeding or discharge.

How many times a year does a golden retriever go into heat?

Most dogs come into heat twice per year, or about every six months, although the interval can vary between breeds and from dog to dog.