Dachshund in Heat? 3 Things You Need to Do Now!
For many years, my husband and I have raised several male Dachshunds. My puppy Gretta, is my first female Dachshund that I have had the pleasure of raising.
She is a precious little sweetheart who knows how to hold her own, let me tell you.
My vet recommended that I hold off on getting her fixed (desexed) until after her first heat. Well, that time arrived when she turned 9 months old.
I thought it would be helpful to share my experience with all of you so you know what to expect when your Dachshund has their first heat.
Below are 3 things you can do to help your Dachshund in heat.
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Table Of Contents
This post contains a video.
What Age Do Dachshunds Go in Heat?
A female Dachshund puppy can go in heat anywhere between the ages of 6 – 14 months old.
How Long Will My Dachshund Be in Heat?
Your Dachshund’s heat cycle can last anywhere between 2-4 weeks. It will vary depending on the doxie.
My Dachshund, Gretta’s cycle lasted three weeks.
How Often Are Dachshunds in Heat?
Small dog breeds, like Dachshunds, can go in heat 3-4 times per year.
How Do I Know When My Female Dachshund is in Heat?
Days or weeks before your doxie goes in heat, you may notice the following symptoms.
Pre-Heat Symptoms:
Dachshund Heat Symptoms
While your Dachshund is in heat, you may notice the following symptoms.
What Happens When a Dachshund Goes in Heat?
My Dachshund puppy, Gretta, was 9 months old when her first heat began. Here’s what I observed.
Day 1: Swollen vulva and some red spotting on her dog blankets and dog bed.
Day 2: More red drips on the floor and her dog bedding. Gretta also did a lot more self cleaning.
[see spotting pictures below]
Days 3-10: Gretta’s flow started. It wasn’t a lot, but it was constant. I used female doggie diapers to help out with the mess. More details on those below.
Days 11-20: Vulva still swollen, noticeably larger nipples, no spotting or flow.
Day 21: Back to normal.
3 Things to Do When Your Dachshund is in Heat
#1 Guard Them From Other Dogs
While your female Dachshund is in heat, keep her away from public dog parks and other dogs that are intact (not neutered).
Your doxie has literally become a “magnet” to other male dogs, stay away and keep them safe.
#2 Contain The Mess
Keep your Dachshund in an easy-to-clean, gated area. A puppy playpen works perfectly!
Since there is a little more mess during your Dachshund’s heat, throw some puppy pads down to help out too.
Here are some nice puppy pad choices:
#3: Dachshund Heat Diaper
I grabbed some super cute female dog diapers for Gretta’s special occasion.
While using dog diapers, it’s important to keep your doxie clean and allow for self-cleaning (non-doggie diaper time) each day.
Inside the Dachshund heat diaper, I used one half of a women’s ultra-thin pad so I could constantly change it out and keep my puppy clean.
I do work from home, so I’m able to let my dogs outside throughout the day.
Every time Gretta went outside for potty time (every couple of hours) I changed out the ultra thin pad in the doggie diaper.
As I got more used to this daily routine, I prepared all doggie diapers (they come in a pack of three) the night before with the precut pads all ready to go.
Self-Cleaning Time
Always allow for self-cleaning time each day to prevent infection.
Gretta was free to self-clean in the evening, all night long and in the morning. I would only put the diaper on in the afternoon and I change out the diaper’s disposable pad every time she went outside to go potty.
If you work outside the home:
Don’t leave the doggie diaper on your doxie while you are away!
Have your pup just hang out in their gated area with some puppy pads and clean dog blankets.
Only use the diaper if you can change the pad several times throughout the day. If a dog diaper just won’t work for you, that’s ok.
Keeping your Dachshund in an easy-to-clean, gated area and providing plenty of clean dog blankets or towels will work.
Female dogs are prone to TSS if they aren’t kept clean during their heat. Change dog diaper pads often and provide clean blankets.
Providing Care To Your Dachshund In Heat
Lap time: Take some special one-on-one time to just sit with your pup. Put a heating pad (on low heat) between a dog blanket or towel on your lap for some heated rest.
Patience: If your pup is acting more irritable or tired, be extra patient. Your poor pup isn’t feeling well. Give some extra love and treats during this time.
Gretta’s heat lasted for about 3 weeks before everything went back to normal. Overall, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. She did awesome!
Tell us about your Dachshund’s Heat Experience in the comments below.
Hi can anyone tell me how long after the first cycle the second arrived? Also is it normal for them to smell a bit fishy? Thanks
Hi Julie, thanks for writing in. According to Google: “Small dogs typically go into their second heat around 6 to 12 months after their first heat. However, the timing can vary depending on the individual dog and breed.” So, to be sure, consult your doxie’s vet for more information on the 2nd heat.
As far as the smell goes, I did not notice a fishy smell with my Dachshund, Gretta…So I would also follow up with your vet on that as well.
Hey ava i havw question plz if u can help my dachshund is in her first heat cycle its been 7 day from yesterday 4 pm stoped bleeding nd every 30 min she has bad pain on her stomach for like 10 sec after that back to normal again in 30 min the pain comes back nd she dosnt eat or drink or use bathroom any odiass
Hi there, oh no, poor pup! If she is experiencing noticeable pain, I would call your vet just to ensure everything’s okay. Additionally, if she’s not eating, drinking, or using the bathroom, it’s definitely a must to get her checked out as soon as possible to make sure she’s staying healthy throughout this phase. My Gretta was noticeably more tired and yucky feeling but didn’t really show ‘pain’.
My Dachshund start with a brownish discharge is this the date we go from which is now 3 weeks she is still bleeding this is her 4 th week is this normal we thought she had finished but is still bleeding , her nipples are still swollen and so is her lady parts any help would be great
Hi Anne, when I asked my vet, they said that their first heat can last anywhere between 2-4 weeks, it can vary per dog. Check with your vet if you have any concerns. Yes, my Gretta had swollen parts and nipples quite a few days after she stopped spotting.
Hi my Daisy is 2 she’s had 3 cycles already..I haven’t seen the blood or notice her vulva swelling, nor her breast. But my 12 yr old brother schnauzer is going crazy. I think another dog nay be in heat in my apts and he’s picking up their scent. But I clean both pets feet and bottoms and face after going potty. They sleep with me and I want them clean and not drag poop or anything on their feet. How do I make my male leave her alone since it’s not her on the cycle. She’s getting really aggravated with him. Help. I’ve tried baths, lotion and I know they smell scent for 3 miles. Ong
Hi there, Thanks for sharing your story. I would keep them separated with puppy gates or playpens until things subside. This is how I do it with my dachshunds, so they don’t eat each other’s food. If it continues to be a problem, I would consult your vet to see what ideas they may have for you.