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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
Border Collie
About a year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
She Isn'T Going Into Heat
Why isn't she going into Heat
July 13, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
0 Recommendations
Dogs can have their first heat cycle anytime between about six and 12 months of age. Sometimes it’s really difficult to know that they’re going into heat as they may not have much discharge from the vulva. I would monitor for another 2 to 3 months and if she doesn’t have a heat cycle I would recommend having her evaluated by your veterinarian.
July 13, 2020
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Rottweiler
Roxy
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No Symptom
Hi I adopted a female rottweiler and she is now 3 and half year old. She is not come on heat from last 2 years and I'm consult a veterinarian and he was injected hormones to her but still she is not come on heat. And now I'm loosing hope that she'll ever come on heat. Please help me if anything possible. She is fit and healthy not having any problem..
Sept. 16, 2018
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Boykin Spaniel
Sage
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
We have a 12 month old female Boykin Spaniel. She is a very active dog and gets a tremendous amount of exercise. He is a hunting and retriever. But is above all the love of our life. She’s the kind of dog that can go from work mode then into a loving family dog. I am worried because she has not come into heat or has not showed any kind of symptoms. Should we be concerned?
Sept. 9, 2018
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Dachshund
Pipa
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Coming Into Heat
My miniature dachshund turned one on August 29 2018, she still has not come into heat and it’s very concerning to me. I do not plan on breeding her I have been saving up to get her spayed. Not sure if this is relevant but she is on grain free food because she seems to always have dry patches and small patches of air loss when she has something that isn’t grain free.
Sept. 9, 2018
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American German Shepherd
Grace
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Vulva
My German Shepherd has never been bred before and her cycles have always been every six months. Her last heat cycle was the second week of February, 2018. I was expecting her next heat the second week of August, 2018. However, come that time, she showed signs of a swollen vulva and excessive licking of that area. No other symptoms occurred and after checking her daily, there was never any sign of discharge. It was like she never fully went into heat. All symptoms ceased and on August 17th and 18th I introduced her to the male dog she would breed with. Their behavior was comfortable and non aggressive within five minutes of first introduction and flirtatious behavior consisted of sniffing the rear ends which my female did not allow the male do to her. A week after their last meeting my dog began to show signs of a swollen vulva and more excessive licking yet still no discharge. It is now nearly September and no signs of bleeding or other discharge. She is a healthy dog fed high quality food and receives plenty of love and exercise. Should I wait until the eight month mark to see if her heat cycle is just late or should I have an examination done by the vet sooner?
Aug. 31, 2018
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