It might seem like an impossible task at first…
How can you compete with a male dog’s amazing sense of smell?
Don’t be too quick to give up.
This article will reveal effective ways to mask the scent of a female dog in heat.
So stay tuned and…
Read on discover:
- 7 simple ways to mask the scent of a dog in heat.
- 5 reminders when bathing your female pooch who’s in her season.
- 3 things to remember when covering the tracks of your pooch in heat.
- And many more…
Table of contents
How to mask the scent of a dog in heat?
To mask the scent of a dog in heat, you can give her baths. You must also keep her indoors as much as possible. Then, only let her pee in one place. If you need to get her out, there are ways to cover her tracks. An example is making her wear a diaper. You can also use chlorophyll to mask her scent.
7 ways to mask the scent of a dog in heat
#1: Give her frequent baths
As a dog parent of a female pooch, you know that she releases a bloody discharge when she’s in heat.
That discharge is a common indicator for humans that the dog is in her season. Sometimes, it’s detected by humans who wonder why their dog smells like fish.
Despite all that, male dogs know it before you.
Here’s how: The discharge contains a uniquely smelling pheromone.
Only a male pooch can detect that distinct odor…
And he recognizes that immediately.
So, how can you mask her scent against a dog’s powerful sniffing ability? Which, by the way, is 10,000 times better than a human’s ability to smell. Vets say so.
Moreover, this study centers around a dog’s olfactory ability too. It’s said that, in perfect conditions, dogs can sniff objects and people up to 12 miles away (20 km).
See what you’re competing against?
So, what can you do?
One way to pull this off is to give your female pooch frequent baths during her season.
You can bathe your pooch up to twice a day when she’s in heat.
However, don’t overdo the baths. You only have to focus on certain areas. Namely her:
- Tail.
- Rear.
- Hindquarters.
But, before you do this, there are many reminders to note. That’s because this isn’t just like an average bath time.
So, here are some things to note when bathing your fur baby in heat
Reminder #1: Only use mild dog shampoo when bathing your dog.
In this increased bathing frequency, the chances of getting dry skin are also high.
Protect your fur baby’s skin by using a gentle dog shampoo only.
Moreover, you can also alternate between using it and not.
Reminder #2: Never use products for humans on your dog.
That’s because such products aren’t formulated for a dog’s skin.
According to this study, a dog’s vagina has a pH level of up to 8.7. That’s during the start of her heat. Then, that tones down to 6.8 during the ovulation period.
Those levels fall under the ‘basic’ part of the pH scale.
Then, products for humans are usually more acidic.
And that’s why you must use shampoos formulated specifically for dogs.
Their skin might not stand the acidic products made for humans.
Reminder #3: Before bathing her, observe her body language. See if your pooch is up for it.
This one’s highly necessary.
Why?
That’s because your dog in heat isn’t in her best element.
She’s more reactive and can be more aggressive than usual.
With that, you’d have to watch closely how she reacts regarding the activity.
If she’s not up for it, you can always wipe the mentioned areas.
And to practice reminder #2, you must use dog-safe wipes in doing so. Pogi’s Grooming Wipes are one example of this. Besides being hypoallergenic, they’re also plant-based
Reminder #4: Also, remember that your pooch benefits from this. And even more than you think…
How so?
The discharge that I mentioned causes irritation on their genitals.
If you frequently clean her, she’ll appreciate feeling tidy.
Reminder #5: Keep in mind that your fur baby’s vulva is swelling.
With that, stray directly away from that body part when bathing her. Only work around the area, and be careful in doing so.
If you touch that area, you might get an aggressive reaction. If not that, she might still be startled when you do.
Continue reading: 11 Home Remedies For Dogs In Heat (#7 Works Instantly)
#2: Put a diaper on her
To mask the scent of her pheromones, you can cover her up.
You can do this by putting her in a diaper.
This trick can also catch her discharge. With that, there won’t be any droplets, and a male dog can’t track her.
And speaking of tracking, such can happen.
It’s believed that male dogs can detect a female dog from far away. Specifically speaking, it’s about 3 miles (4.8 km).
While we’re at it, male dogs have a strong urge to mate.
When they feel that way, they pursue the smell no matter what.
And sadly, such actions can result in roadkill accidents.
If not, it can be urine marking and getting into fights with other dogs.
So, see how much impact a female dog holds over a male dog?
Even covering her up with a diaper can help in the long run.
You can try a washable diaper (this one comes in a pack of 3).
Reading tip: Do male dogs go in heat?
#3: Keep her indoors
This is one of the best ways to mask the scent of a dog in heat…
It’s to keep your female pooch indoors as much as possible.
As I previously said, male dogs will follow your female canine’s tracks.
So, make sure that there won’t be any odor to follow.
However, I did say ‘as much as possible.’
With that, you can still walk your dog if you prefer.
But limit the time and the distance.
Moreover, while you walk her, practice the diaper tip.
Then, avoid places that are crowded with other dogs.
So, sorry, Lass, no more meeting with your canine girlfriends for a while…
That’s because there might be male dogs in the park.
What’s bound to happen?
A dog parent of a male pooch might have to deal with a humping Fido once they get home. If it isn’t directed at them, their dog could hump the cat.
Okay, so far, so good. But the big question here is…
How long does an estrous cycle last?
To understand this, you must familiarize yourself with a dog’s heat cycle periods.
As stated in the Merck Vet Manual, there are 4. Namely:
| The period in the estrous cycle | Duration |
| ProestrusShe doesn’t allow mating yet, and her vulva is swelling. | Lasts 7 to 10 days. |
| EstrusThe mating period. The bloody discharge will stop being released. | Takes up to 5 to 10 days. |
| DiestrusThe dog is either pregnant or resting. | Lasts for 10 to 140 days. |
| AnestrusThe long resting period. | About 5 to 6 months. |
#4: Cover her tracks
Of course, it’s inevitable…
You’re still urged to take your female pooch out every once and a while.
Moreover, a dog’s heat cycle takes up a long time.
And since dogs don’t do well when they’re bored…
You know you gotta take her out once in a while.
If you can stand this for your pooch, there still might be necessary runs to pursue…
An example is a visit to the vet.
With that, I’d give another set of reminders. This time it’s…
Covering the tracks of your female dog in heat
Reminder #1: Don’t forget to make her wear a diaper as much as possible.
Also, bring a spare one.
As I mentioned, the discharge can irritate her genitals.
So, an extra diaper will help. Also, put some dog wipes in your bags.
Reminder #2: It’ll be best if you travel with her by car. Avoid walking long distances. Otherwise, she’ll create a track of inviting female-heat aroma.
Reminder #3: To even make sure that her tracks are covered, you can carry her when walking from point to point.
Only put her down once you’re in the place you intend to be, in the car, or at home.
#5: Watch where you keep her toys
This is part of covering your female dog’s tracks…
However, I put it in an independent section as this is often overlooked.
You must be mindful of where you bring and leave her toys.
Why is this important?
That’s because her toys carry her smell, too.
So, you might be doing your best to mask her in-heat scent…
However, if you forget this…
Then, your efforts might be in vain.
Think of her toys as a GPS tracker for a male dog…
Then, he can use that to try and locate your female pooch. Such things you’re avoiding might happen, despite your initial efforts.
What if you need to bring a toy for your pooch?
Then before leaving the house, you must clean the toy first.
Soaking it in a watered-down apple cider vinegar can do the trick.
#6: Set one toilet place for her
According to VCA Hospitals, a dog in heat will urinate more than usual.
That’s because she’ll develop a ‘marking’ behavior.
What’s that?
It’s when your pooch will urinate in small amounts. She’ll do so on almost every object she sees.
You can observe this behavior at home and outside.
The purpose of this habit is to signal a male dog that might smell it. As I said before, her urine contains her in-heat pheromones.
So, she tries to spread her smell to send an invitation to mate.
And that’s why it’s essential to set one toilet place for your female pooch in heat.
You must only let her pee in one place.
Doing this will prevent her odor from spreading. Thus, it’ll also ward off potential suitors.
Note: You should still take your pooch for potty breaks. You just have to be mindful of where.
Moreover, the purpose of this is containment.
The more you practice that, the more you’re in control of the situation…
Thus, the more you’re ahead of a male canine.
#7: Chlorophyll
This is a widely used hack in masking the scent of a female dog in heat.
Using chlorophyll has been reported to do the trick.
It comes in either tablet or liquid form.
The recommended amount is one tablespoon in the morning, then another in the evening.
You can add it to her food or her water.
Moreover, for this to really work, start using this on the first day of her cycle.
Note: It’s highly necessary to ask a vet’s advice regarding this. If they approve, the vet will suggest the proper dosage for your pooch.
#BONUS: The long-term solution
Female dogs go into heat twice a year…
And when they do, the process takes weeks.
So, you have to endure that if you keep her intact.
Yes, it’s bearable…
However, if you don’t plan on breeding your pooch, it might be time to look at a long-term solution.
I’m talking about spaying your pooch.
According to PetMD, it’s the process of removing your female dog’s reproductive organs. That includes her ovaries and her uterus.
By undergoing this process, she can no longer reproduce. Moreover, she won’t experience any more heat cycles.
There are many benefits of spaying for your female pooch. Namely:
- Longer lifespan.
- Improved life quality.
- Reducing behavioral issues.
- Preventing mammary cancer and pyometra (uterine infection).
That’s not all…
Spaying can also prevent unwanted litter.
With that, you’re contributing to a large cause.
What am I talking about?
You’re helping to prevent unwanted and abandoned litter of puppies.
There are many cases like this in animal shelters.
A statistic says that 3.3 million dogs enter the shelter worldwide. Then, 20% of those dogs get euthanized.
So, that’s something you can help put a stop to.
With that, you and your pooch won’t be the only beings to reap the benefits of this procedure.