What To Do When Your Dog Is In Heat? - Figo Pet Insurance

A litter of puppies sounds super cute—but let’s be real for a sec

Sit down for a minute, we need to have “the talk”—how you can help prevent pregnancy until your girl can get spayed.

Male dog alert

Male dogs on the prowl? Keep a close eye during outside breaks. And if you have your own four-legged Casanova, separate them to prevent any unexpected puppy surprises.

Aggressive anticipation

Male dogs can get a bit intense when a lady's in heat. Be extra vigilant during walks and doggy park visits.

What next?

The bleeding might stop, but the cycle isn't over. Stay on the lookout for changes in your dog's health. If anything seems off, vet up!

There are so many benefits to spaying your dog

Besides preventing litters of puppies, spaying your dog has several health benefits. 

1. In many cases, it can help your pup live a longer, happier, healthier life. Dogs in heat can become escape artists who roam, get into fights, and are at risk of accidents with cars or other animals.

2. Spaying helps reduce the risk of uterine infections and decreases the chances of mammary tumors.

3. Often, it ensures your dog is less stressed. A heat cycle lasts four to five days—every three weeks—during breeding season.

4. Preventing pregnancy means you avoid contributing to the homeless population of dogs and helps keep shelters from being overcrowded.

If you’re curious about when the best time to spay your dog is, it’s generally before their first heat cycle. Sometimes this isn’t possible, so be sure to chat with your vet about when would be best for your dog. It really all depends on their breed, age, and overall health.

Pet insurance can help

There’s a whole slew of financial perks when it comes to spaying or neutering your pet. Complications from pregnancy, caring for new puppies—all of this can add up, especially when you account for vet bills. The upfront cost of a spay/neuter procedure could potentially save you thousands down the road. It’s an investment worth making.

Figo can help when it comes to your dog’s health and getting money back for a spay or neuter procedure, too. You can level up your policy and pet parent game by adding on our Wellness Powerup. Besides reimbursing a set amount towards eligible spay and neuter procedures, this upgrade may also help with wellness exams, vaccines, and so many things your dog needs to stay healthy and prevent disease.

We’re always here to help. If you want more info, reach out to our team of experts by email at [email protected] or by phone at (844) 738-3446.

Editor’s Note: Is spaying and neutering pets helpful or harmful to their health? Here’s what you need to know about spaying or neutering your dog—from benefits to myths and post-surgical expectations.

Aimee Ellis is a New Jersey native living in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and crew of four cats. When she isn't writing for Figo, you can find her drinking seltzer, crocheting, and watching reality TV.