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Not Coming Into Heat in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 05/01/2017Updated: 04/28/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Not Coming Into Heat?
Female dogs have heat cycles, or estrus. During this time, the female is receptive to a male and has the ability to reproduce. There are some times when your female dog, or bitch, has an abnormal heat such as a silent or split heat or does not come into heat at all. If your female does not come into heat for over 10 months, there is a possibiliy that her reproductive cycle is being suppressed.
Sometimes you may not realize that your female has actually cycled on time because she has had a silent heat. This is when your dog goes into heat but does not exhibit any of the normal signs of a regular heat cycle. Your female can still become pregnant during a silent heat. It is important to watch any intact male dogs closely; they will be able to detect a silent heat.
Possible causes of why your dog is not coming into heat include:
- Silent heat cycle
- Hypothyroidism
- Ovarian hypoplasia
- Malnutrition
- Tumor on the ovaries
Why Not Coming Into Heat Occurs in Dogs
Many times a female dog will not have a proper heat cycle until they are about two years of age. This is especially true in many large or giant breeds; they do not reach sexual maturity until they are two years old. You should be concerned if your female does not have a heat cycle by the time they are 24 to 30 months of age, and it would be a good idea to have your veterinarian examine her.
Silent Heat Cycle
This occurs when your female will have a heat cycle without the normal symptoms such as bleeding and swelling of the vulva. Females will still be receptive to males and can become pregnant. Your veterinarian can check for a silent heat cycle by performing vaginal cytology and progesterone assays.
Hypothyroidism
Your dog may be suffering from a thyroid problem that can cause irregular heat cycles and in more severe cases can cause your female to not cycle at all. Hypothyroidism is thought to be genetic and dogs diagnosed with it should not be bred.
Ovarian Hypoplasia
There are instances when the ovaries do not fully develop and are incapable of producing enough estrogen for your female to come into heat or have a normal heat cycle. The mammary glands and the vulva will stay small and look underdeveloped.
Malnutrition
Female dogs that are malnourished from poor diet or recent illness will many times not have a heat cycle. Feeding a low quality dog food that is low in protein and fat content can cause your female to not have a heat cycle. If you are planning on breeding your female, be sure to feed her a high quality food to ensure that her body is able produce enough estrogen for a proper heat cycle.
Tumor on the Ovaries
Tumors can develop for many different reasons, some being cancerous and some being benign. When a tumor develops on your female’s ovaries, this can inhibit heat cycles. Your veterinarian will need perform diagnostic testing to determine if a tumor is present and whether or not it is cancerous.
What to do if your Dog is Not Coming Into Heat
Your veterinarian will need to conduct a full examination of your dog, and also run routine tests such as a biochemistry panel, complete blood count and urinalysis. If you suspect your dog is experiencing silent heat cycles, you will need your veterinarian to do weekly vaginal cytology and progesterone measurements to determine the exact days that your dog is in heat.
Female dogs with ovarian hypoplasia will have elevated LH and an ultrasound will show if the reproductive organs are immature. Spaying a female dog that is diagnosed with ovarian hypoplasia is usually recommended. Blood testing will show if your dog is experiencing a thyroid problem.
It is recommended if your female dog is experiencing significant reproductive problems such as abnormal heat cycles or lack of heat cycles, she be spayed. Reproductive difficulties can be genetic and also can be indicative of a female dog who will be unable to properly carry or care for a litter.
Prevention of Not Coming Into Heat
While genetics can play a major role in your dog’s reproductive health, there are certain preventative measures that can be taken to give your dog a better chance of having a normal heat cycle. Feeding a quality dog food is one way to ensure that your female dog is not suffering from malnutrition. Do not feed a low quality food and avoid giving extra treats or table scraps.
Speak with your veterinarian about supplements that target the reproductive system of your dog. They may recommend a supplement that will keep your female cycling regularly. Regular checks by your veterinarian will hopefully catch any underlying problems such as hypothyroidism or tumors on the ovaries. If you are worried about your dog’s lack of heat cycle, be sure to have your veterinarian do a full assessment to figure out the cause.
Cost of Not Coming Into Heat
The treatments for this problem can range from very little cost, such as an office call to your veterinarian, to $7,000 depending on the exact cause. For example, hypothyroidism often averages at a cost of $600, while ovarian cancer is much more expensive, with treatments ranging to $6500. On average, treating a female dog that is not coming into heat can cost around $1300.
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Not Coming Into Heat Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Boerboel
Five Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Full Breast
Shes milking without pregnancy
Aug. 2, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. There are a lot of hormonal changes that might be going on if she is coming into or going out of a heat cycle, or she may be having a false pregnancy. If the producing of milk continues for more than a few weeks, or if she is lethargic or you think that there is an odor or infection going on, and it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian. Otherwise, you should be fine to monitor her. I hope that she is okay.
Aug. 2, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
German Shepherd
Five Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My dog isnt coming into heat and she's not fixed
July 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
She may have a problem with her uterus or ovaries that is causing her not to come into heat. If it is a concern for you, it would be a good idea to have your veterinarian examine her, and possibly run some lab tests to see what might be happening.
I hope that all goes well for her!
July 24, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pit
One Year
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Na
She’s one years and two month no period
July 17, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
The typical age for a dog to come into heat for the first time is between 6 and 18 months. Your dog may have been very clean and you may not have noticed. She may not have had her first heat yet. If you are concerned, it would be best to have your veterinarian take take a look at her and see what might be going on. There are progesterone tests that can be done to see if a heat cycle is coming, if you are worried. I hope it all goes well for her.
July 17, 2020
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Blue Heeler
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not In Heat
my dog has not come into heat yet 1 year and 6 month old when do female come in to heat
July 15, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Female dogs typically come into heat sometime between 6 and 18 months. If your dog is not coming into heat, it would be best to follow up with a veterinarian, as they can do progesterone testing and see what might be going on. I hope that all goes well for your dog.
July 15, 2020
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American Bully
Eleven Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Nil
I have not seen her come into heat as of yet
July 14, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
2 Recommendations
Hello,
Sometimes the first heat cycle can be a silent heat meaning that you will not see it. Her second heat cycle should be around 1 year to 18 months.
July 14, 2020
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Miniture schnauzer
Sophia
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Going Into Heat
Shophia is a miniature Schnauzer and she have 1 year, her birthday was in March 27, 2019. I was reading she suppose to have the first heat after the 6 months and she never had any symptoms of silent heat. Her weight is 11 pounds and her height is 10 1/2 " she is very active and eat Taste of the Wild salmon. I dont know if I need to be worried or no.
Toy poodles
Zoie
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Never Has Came In Heat
I have a toy poodle she is 3 years old. I have had her sents she was a puppy. She has never came into heat.I don't want to breed her. I was just wondering if I should be worried about it. She eats a good quality diet.
