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How Often Do Poodles Go Into Heat?

Off white poodle sitting in fallen leaves  outdoors under trees

There is no definite answer to this question because it depends upon the size of the dog. For instance, standard poodles go into heat every 6 months while toy poodles can have 4 heat cycles every year. Some other factors, like the diet of your pooch, can also play an important role. Keep reading to know more about these factors and learn about the duration of each heat cycle.  

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Factors Affecting the Heat Cycle of Poodles

The following features are critical for the heat cycle of your poodle.

Size

Grey, curly poodle lying on a couch

The general rule of thumb is that small dogs reach maturity much faster than larger breeds. Similarly, small canines will go into heat more often than large pooches. For example, toy poodles become mature at the age of 4-6 months and will go into heat 2-4 times a year. On the other hand, standard poodles may need 12-18 months to attain sexual maturity and will only have 1-2 heat cycles per year.

Diet

Bags of dog food on a store shelf

Nutrition is a critical aspect of a poodle’s health and will have a significant impact on everything, including the heat cycle. Lack of essential nutrients can disturb the cycle of your dog. Therefore, it’s very important to feed your canine companion quality food and make sure that the meal is balanced. Consult your vet and prepare a proper dietary plan for your dog to avoid irregularities in the heat cycle.

Stress

Side facial view of a white poodle with an orange color

Anxiety and all other types of stress are detrimental to the overall wellbeing of a poodle. Long spells of loneliness, lack of exercise, and an uncomfortable environment are some of the biggest causes of stress. You should try to eliminate all these triggers for a regular heat cycle. For example, take your pup on regular walks and offer sufficient mental stimulation to keep your dog happy and healthy. 

How Long Do Poodles Stay in Heat?

Desk calendar with a generic month sitting on a wooden table

The usual period of a poodle’s heat cycle is 3 weeks. However, the exact number of days can vary from one dog to another. Hence, you will need to observe your poodle to determine the duration of her cycle.

Although the cycle is longer, the bleeding happens for 9 days (on average). In some cases, your poodle may stop bleeding after 7 days while other pups can bleed for 10 days. It occurs during the proestrus stage and you are quite likely to find blood spots on furniture and carpets. The discharge is heavier during the first 2 to 3 days and becomes less as the cycle progresses.

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