When dogs are in Heat, they undergo various transformations such as alterations in their behavior, temperament, and appetite, as well as a distinct olfactory difference.
Do dogs smell while in heat?
Yes, dogs emit a smell when they are in heat, which can vary from dog to dog and may be barely detectable for some owners while quite pungent and unpleasant for others.
Hormones
During a dog’s heat cycle, there are notable hormonal shifts that resemble the ones women undergo during pregnancy.
Estrogen levels increase during proestrus, the initial stage of heat, causing male dogs to be drawn to the Female, who is not yet receptive or fertile but usually experiences bleeding.
The following stage is estrus, during which the female becomes receptive to males and can conceive. Estrogen levels decrease while progesterone levels increase.
During the diestrus stage, estrogen levels are low while progesterone levels reach their peak after 3-4 weeks and then gradually decrease.
Hormonal changes during a female dog’s heat cycle can cause unusual behaviors and alter their scent.
Species Survival
Although domestic dogs have a long and secure lifespan, they retain the biology and instincts of their wild predecessors who had to confront predators and other obstacles to survive in the wild.
For the survival of their species, reproduction is necessary, and to sustain population levels, they must reproduce at a rate that compensates for each animal’s death.
Female dogs typically experience two heat cycles per year, which provides a limited opportunity for reproduction. It is crucial for the survival of the species that they mate during this period.
When a female dog is in heat, her scent becomes noticeable to male dogs from a considerable distance, and they will go to great lengths to locate and mate with her.
The urge to reproduce is a natural instinct that ensures the continuation of a species.
Why does my female dog smell fishy?
There are various explanations for why your female dog might emit a fishy odor, including natural consequences of the heat cycle and potential health issues.
Heat
When a female dog is in heat, owners may detect a potent odor that resembles fish, which serves as an aphrodisiac for the dog and signals to male dogs nearby that she is capable of breeding due to the associated pheromones.
Anal Glands
Both male and female canines possess a pair of anal sacs located on either side of their anus, which are expressed during defecation to secrete a small quantity of fluid that covers the feces.
The liquid excrement of dogs carries crucial details about their sexual status, health, and age, which is why they sniff each other’s feces as a form of social networking.
On the other hand, dogs may encounter issues with their anal glands, which can result in a scent similar to fish.
Anal glands often accumulate fluid due to improper expression caused by hard or soft stool, which can eventually solidify and cause pain and gland infection.
Although less frequent, anal gland abscesses and tumors are also plausible.
Pyometra
Pyometra can develop in female dogs after their heat cycle, which causes the cervix to open and allow sperm to enter, but it also creates an opportunity for bacteria to enter the uterus.
Although the uterus is typically not a favorable environment for bacteria, it undergoes thickening of its lining during heat to prepare for pregnancy, which can eventually lead to bacterial growth after multiple heat cycles.
When a dog develops an infection while in heat, the presence of a foul-smelling discharge is likely to be noticed if the cervix is open; however, if it is closed, the discharge cannot exit the body and can cause rapid illness in your dog.
During this time, the dog experiences a swollen stomach, reduced appetite, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhea, and increased water intake to eliminate toxins from their body.
Bad Breath
Doggy breath could be the reason for the fishy smell you are detecting, which can be caused by various factors such as diet, upset stomach, oral infection, periodontal disease, and food stuck in your dog’s teeth; symptoms may include bleeding or swollen gums, difficulty eating, or mouth pain.
Kidney disease, diabetes, and tumors can also result in unpleasant breath. If your dog exhibits symptoms such as pale gums, nausea, vomiting, or weight loss, it is essential to seek veterinary care.
Vaginitis
Vaginitis refers to the inflammation of the vagina, which results in a discharge that has a fishy odor. This condition can affect all female dogs, regardless of whether they have been spayed or not. Male dogs are often drawn to females with vaginitis because it is believed that the smell resembles that of a female in heat.
Usually, the inflammation of the vagina is due to a bacterial or viral infection, which leads to symptoms such as frequent urination, discharge, and rubbing of the vaginal area against an object or floor, while also causing redness and swelling.
Why does my female dog smell so bad?
If your female dog jumps onto your lap and emits an unpleasant odor, there could be several reasons for this in addition to the causes mentioned earlier.
Metritis
Metritis is a condition where the uterus gets infected, while pyometra happens in non-pregnant dogs. Metritis, on the other hand, can occur during or after pregnancy and is often caused by retained placenta, fluid in the uterus, or a pup that didn’t pass during birth.
Metritis is characterized by a combination of symptoms such as fever, reduced appetite, fatigue, and foul-smelling discharge from the vagina.
Skin infection
One reason for a foul odor in dogs could be due to a skin infection, which is often caused by yeast or bacterial infections and can be exacerbated by allergies or skin irritation.
Typically, these infections emit a scent that resembles a musty odor, while some pet owners may detect an aroma similar to that of corn chips.
Do dogs in heat have smelly urine?
Indeed, the hormones in a female dog’s body are detectable in her urine, which serves as a signal to males that she is in heat. This usually begins at the start of her heat cycle and may become stronger as she approaches her fertile phase, although there could be other reasons for strong-smelling urine.
UTI
Dogs, like humans, can get urinary tract infections that have similar symptoms such as painful urination, frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and incontinence.
Concentration of urine during heat can intensify its odor, while the infection-causing bacteria can also contribute to a foul smell.
Kidney Problems
If your dog has kidney problems, their urine may emit an unpleasant odor due to the same reasons as a UTI, as the urine can become excessively concentrated.
Yeast Infection
Female dogs may have a smelly urine due to a yeast infection, which can produce a fishy or yeasty odor that resembles bread or fermentation.
What to do about my dog’s sudden smell?
The great news is, you don’t have to hold your breath around your pup due to a nasty odor. There are methods to reduce or get rid of the smell. Of course, the initial step is figuring out what’s causing the smell.
Should You Visit the Vet?
A veterinarian must treat several conditions that cause smelly dogs, such as yeast infection, UTI, kidney problems, vaginitis, metritis, pyometra, and skin infections.
In addition to home remedies for bad breath caused by diet or oral hygiene, professional care may be necessary if your dog’s gums are bleeding, swollen, or abscessed, or if they have a cavity, broken tooth, or lost tooth; if the problem persists despite regular hygiene and dietary changes, consult a veterinarian to rule out other causes.
If your dog has anal gland issues, you can manually express them, but if they are too difficult to handle or cause pain, it’s best to seek veterinary assistance. However, expressing the glands is a matter of personal choice for many owners who may avoid it due to the strong and unpleasant odor.
Heat
Unless your female dog is showing signs of illness, there is no need for veterinary care if the odor is due to her being in heat.
Hormonal changes that occur during a dog’s heat cycle may result in loss of appetite, mild nausea, and diarrhea. It is advisable to take her for a checkup if these symptoms are severe or persist for more than a few days. Additionally, if she experiences pain or difficulty urinating, it is necessary to visit the vet.
Masking Heat Smell
When a female dog is in heat, it emits an unpleasant odor that can attract male dogs in the vicinity, which can be bothersome. To alleviate this issue, it may be beneficial to conceal the heat smell for both you and other male dogs nearby.
According to some experienced dog owners, giving chlorophyll to female dogs during their heat cycle can help conceal their scent and reduce their attractiveness to male dogs. For optimal results, it is recommended to start administering the chlorophyll at the onset of the heat cycle.
When administering chlorophyll to your dog, you may observe the occurrence of green stools, which is accompanied by an improvement in their breath; this supplement is believed to aid in detoxification by eliminating harmful substances from the body.
Diapers can be used to prevent your dog from bleeding on furniture and control the mess. They can also help in masking the smell, and you can enhance their effectiveness by adding a drop of essential oil to the outside of the diaper.
Bathing your dog can be beneficial in reducing odors emitted from the oils on their skin, as well as any smelly urine or vaginal discharge that may accumulate on their fur during heat.
During a dog’s heat, giving them a bath can aid in maintaining cleanliness and minimizing bacteria, but it is crucial to ensure that your dog is willing to take a bath since the heat period can be stressful, and hormonal changes may impact their mood and behavior.
It is important to refrain from excessive bathing of dogs as it can lead to skin dryness, and instead use pet wipes to maintain cleanliness of their fur in case of urine dripping or vaginal discharge.
