First Heat

[Rottnlove]

Xena is having her first heat. I've been putting underwear and a maxi pad on, but wanted to get some opinions or advice on what might work better. She likes to sneak the underwear and pad off, and it's driving me crazy!

I was wondering if Pull Ups would work better. If my little boys underwear will fit her, I figured the pull ups will probably stay on better. Have any of you tried this? Or do you have any other suggestions?

I don't have any areas in my house where I could just gate off. Everything is carpeted and the kitchen is all open. I am sure if I kept her crated up she would go crazy!!!

I sure hope I can get through this as I plan to try and show her!

[Mojave's Mom]

Well at least she's not EATING THE PADS as Kaiya did

Try the pull-ups, hell, ANYTHING that will work! If you still crate her (at night or during the day) leave her with nothing on. Even if it gets messy it's better than having her suddenly decide to chew up and swallow a part of the pad/panties/pullups that MAY cause her to choke or get sick. It's what I did with Kai and she kept herself very clean in her crate so cleaning up wasn't a big deal at all.

The only thing that worked with Kai was a pair of Glenn's old Hanes. She wouldn't rip, scratch at, take off, or chew on those.

And NOTHING was cuter than to see her run around the house, happy as a clam, sportin' "daddy's drawers" :p

[Judi W]

You should also leave her uncovered as much as possible for health reasons. Wrap the whole area up and seal it with plastic for long periods of time and it becomes a nice garden to grow bacteria.

[LynnS]

Bella just went through her first heat and we gave up on trying to put panties on her - She kept herself very clean. Although I would not deem the whole experience fun, it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be...

[Rott-Wiley]

You may want to try and find a product called "Bitches Britches." They are a vinyl and shaped like the letter "I". The top and bottom are adjustable elastic straps and there's a cut out place for their tail. You can fit a regular maxi pad in it and it's very absorbant. I'm not saying that some bitches won't still pull the pad out and chew it but they are the best idea I've seen yet.

[mercedes]

When do they have their first heat? (approx. age)

[LynnS]

Anytime after 6 mnths but usually closer to 8-10 mnths I think- Bella was 8 mnths old

[Rott-Wiley]

First one is usually 6 to 9 months of age. Often times when you keep more then one female, one will bring the other in.

[frontierrots]

Our last intact house girl was Darla. When she was in heat we gated her in the kitchen (naked LOL !) on the tile- easy to clean.

When she was visiting us anywhere else in the house she had to wear her darn near escape proof Piddle Pants. They are made by Joybies http://www.joybies.com and have suspenders.

Darla's were blue denim :)

[mercedes]

OMG! Those are the cutest things ever. I'll have to order some of those when the times comes. I suppose that they don't really like wearing those that much!:)

[LynnS]

The only reason I am asking is that there is a lot of reasons why you should spay your puppy before she goes into heat and only a few debatable reasons why you shouldnt.

[mercedes]

Well, I was thinking about it, but I am not quite sure. I have thought alot about the pros and cons of spaying, but my husband and I are still discussing it.

[LynnS]

Well the good news is that you have time to decide:)

[Burnsway]

You know I am starting to feel awful because I have cared for many dogs in heat and I just don't throw my money away on these things. I just let them bleed and clean up after them. Well hell most of the time with Just one or two points and clean that Command they clean up after themselves.

Am I bad by doing this and not draping their ass end with stuff..........

[LynnS]

Burnsway I don't think so - Like I said Bella went thrugh her heat au natural - spending money on stuff does not = taking good care of them.