If you have a female pet canine, then you will have to be very cautious when she is in heat. In this DogAppy article, we discuss ways you can take to prevent your pet dog from getting pregnant.
| Did You Know?
On an average, puberty, or sexual maturity, in female dogs is attained at 6 months of age. |
Puppies are so adorable and endearing; however, if you already have dogs at home, it’s not possible to keep making place for more. Female dogs mature, and can become pregnant at the young age of 6 months. In some cases, and in some breeds, the female is capable of getting pregnant even at 5 months. Small breeds, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, can become pregnant at the age of 5 months, whereas big breeds, such as the Great Dane, attain sexual maturity only after about 18 months. Once female dogs become sexually mature, they have a heat cycle twice every year.
You will have to learn to recognize the signs that are indicative of your pet going into heat to know when you have to take extra care. The common signs which you may observe are fierce behavior, agitation, anxiety, swelling in the vulva, vaginal discharge, etc. She will urinate more than normal. Also, her urine will contain pheromones and hormones, which will attract male dogs. The most fertile days are from 11th to 15th day of her heat cycle. This is the time when you have to take extra care to prevent her from getting pregnant.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Pregnant
A dog’s heat period is the most crucial period, as at this time they become aggressive and fierce in their behavior. They become very difficult to manage, especially when a female and a male are around each other. Here are some tips which will help you take care of your female pet better when she is in her heat cycle, and prevent her from getting pregnant.
Build a Fence Around Your House
The first thing you can do is build a strong fence around the house. This will help her stay inside your compound and will also avoid male dogs, who can smell females in heat from a great distance, getting close. You can use pet gates and crates to stop them from going anywhere.
Pay More Attention If You Have a Male Dog at Home
If you have a male dog as well as a female, then you will need to be even more careful so they don’t mate. Tie them at different places and take them for walks at different times. Pay equal attention to both of them, and keep them separate.
Give Chlorophyll Tablets to Your Female Dog
Chlorophyll tablets are very helpful in masking the dog’s heat odor. Crush the tablets and mix it in their food. You can also get liquid chlorophyll, which you can directly add in her food. It is non-toxic and available in any pet store.
Supervise Your Dog
Pay attention to your female dog and supervise her everywhere, even when she is out to do her business, to ensure no stray dog catches her to mate.
Consider Spaying and Neutering
The best way to prevent your dog from getting pregnant is spaying. It is a surgical sterilization which involves the removal of ovaries. It is also known as ovariohysterectomy. Contact a known veterinarian to perform the job. It is recommended that an ovariohysterectomy should be done before the dog is 6 – 7 months old.
Mismating Injections Can Be Helpful
You can give mismating injections in case of any accidental mating. Take her to a veterinarian within 1 – 2 days of mating and get her injected. These injections are risky in some cases, so discuss with the vet prior to administering them.
The best option among all is to get them spayed. However, discuss the risks associated with the options available to avoid pregnancy in your female dog. This will help in controlling your pet, and will keep you away from dealing with a lot of things associated with canine pregnancy.
