The Do's and Don'ts of Feeding Your Female Dog During Her Season

Is your female dog in heat? If so, she’s likely showing classic signs of being in her season, including an increase in physical activity, interest in males, and even aggression. To ensure that she doesn’t do anything she might regret while also keeping her healthy and energized, here are the do’s and don’ts of feeding your female dog during her season.

The best foods during this time

High-protein foods like chicken, turkey, eggs, and soybeans help dogs build muscle mass. High-fat foods like bacon are also a good choice. Protein not only helps build muscle but also aids in keeping your dog feeling full for longer periods of time. Fat is another nutrient that can help dogs feel more satisfied. 

You'll want to opt for quality fats—like cold-pressed avocado oil or coconut oil—over butter or high-fat cheeses. It's also important to make sure your dog is getting enough vitamins and minerals during her season. Add supplements, such as vitamin C, Echinacea, zinc, and iron, to her food. Avoid fatty treats with added sugars during her season because they could cause weight gain. 

You may need to adjust portions based on how much she eats throughout the day; if she isn't eating as much as usual, you may need to cut back on portion sizes so she doesn't become malnourished. If she seems to be consuming less than normal, consult your veterinarian about whether it's safe for her to lose weight.

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When giving your dog treats, follow these rules

1. Smaller treats are better. Dogs (particularly small dogs) tend to scarf down their food quickly because they're working on a set schedule. Make sure you cut treats into tiny pieces so they can still be small enough to chew but big enough that your dog doesn't inhale them whole. The same goes for feeding in general -- try feeding smaller portions more frequently rather than giving your dog one large meal every day, and avoid free-feeding altogether. 

2. Stay away from cheap dog treats. Cheap dog treats might seem like a good deal at first, but remember: You get what you pay for! Cheap dog treats often contain artificial ingredients or preservatives that aren't good for dogs' digestive systems. 

3. Avoid chocolate and xylitol-containing products when possible. Chocolate is toxic to dogs even in small amounts, while xylitol has been linked to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), liver failure, and even death in dogs who ingest it regularly or consume large amounts at once [source: ASPCA]. 

4. Keep an eye out for allergies. If your dog has a known allergy to certain foods, don't give her those foods as treats. 

5. Limit salt intake as much as possible. Dogs have naturally high sodium levels, which means they have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure if they eat too much salt [source: American Heart Association]. 

6. Don't feed dogs grapes or raisins unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian. While these fruits are safe for humans to eat, they can cause kidney failure in dogs [source: ASPCA]. 

7. Watch out for people's food that isn't meant for dogs at all! Some common items that should never be given to dogs include onions, garlic, avocado, chives, and macadamia nuts [source: VCA Animal Hospitals]. 

8. Give dogs rawhide bones only occasionally. Rawhide bones are actually considered dog chews rather than actual threats -- they help clean teeth and keep dogs occupied for hours. But rawhide shouldn't make up more than 10 percent of your dog's daily caloric intake [source: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine]. 

9. Never give dogs bones from cooked meat or fish. Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause intestinal blockages in dogs if swallowed [source: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine].

10. Use caution with human medications. Some human medications can be dangerous for dogs, especially if they're used improperly. For example, aspirin can damage red blood cells and lead to internal bleeding in dogs [source: PetMD]. Always check with your vet before giving any type of medication to your dog -- even over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). 

11. Be wary of human snacks. Foods such as apples, bananas, and carrots are great treats for dogs because they provide vitamins C and A; however, some dogs have adverse reactions to these fruits, including diarrhea or vomiting [source: PetMD]. 

12. Check labels carefully before buying dog snacks.

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When you should limit treats

There’s a reason you never see dog treats advertised as low-calorie. Dogs need their treats to keep them happy, but there are ways to get some tasty calories into your dog in a calorie-controlled way. In general, dogs should not be given human food unless it is okayed by their veterinarian. 

Treats with more than 100 calories per ounce should only be given once or twice a week, and they shouldn’t make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake. If you want to give your dog something special during her season, try giving her small pieces of fruits or vegetables instead. These will add extra vitamins and minerals to her diet without adding too many extra calories.

What you shouldn’t give your dog during this time

Chocolate is toxic to dogs, so avoid feeding her any chocolate or foods that contain it. Fruits with high sugar content can cause problems too; stick to non-starchy fruits like berries. Fatty food should be avoided as well because it can cause pancreatitis. 

Instead, feed your dog lean meats and healthy fats like fish oil instead. You don’t want to overfeed her though, as she could become overweight or develop heart issues or arthritis later in life due to excessive weight gain during these months. 

Finally, stay away from bones – they can fracture teeth while also becoming lodged inside of them causing infections that are difficult to treat in dogs who have no natural ability to brush their teeth on their own!

Tips on what to use as treat alternatives

If you want to reward your dog in a way that isn’t harmful to her health, consider using appropriate alternatives as treats. For example, try using low-calorie dog treats or pieces of fruits or vegetables. You can also give her a little bit of peanut butter instead of a full spoonful, which can help curb your pet’s sweet tooth and satisfy her cravings. 

But be sure not to overdo it; feeding too many unhealthy foods could affect your pet’s overall weight gain and well-being. Before serving any treat, check with your veterinarian first so he or she can provide you with some additional tips on what food is best for your pet during these special times.

How often should I feed my female dog when she’s in season?

The short answer is as often as she wants. It’s normal for a female dog to eat a bit more during her season than she does at other times, says Anita Kelsey, DVM. She may be eating for two after all! While there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule about how much food your dog should consume in a given day or week, it can be helpful to take cues from your pet—dogs can let us know when they are hungry. 

If you have an especially active dog who needs plenty of fuel to keep up with her lifestyle, plan on feeding her more frequently. If you have a pooch who lounges around most days, aim for fewer meals per day. Just remember that dogs aren’t humans: They don’t need three square meals every day; one large meal will do just fine.

Is it ok to switch her food brand for this period?

Absolutely not. It’s essential to stick with your normal dog food brand when your female dog is in the season because all brands offer different nutrients, so you want to make sure that she gets everything she needs during her cycle. If you change her diet or meal plan, it can throw off her body clock, making future seasons even more difficult for her. 

To be safe, check with your vet before introducing any new foods into your dog’s diet if she has an existing medical condition. As a general rule of thumb, don’t feed too much salty or fatty food as it could cause bloating or loose stools. Serve small portions that are easy for dogs to digest. Have plenty of fresh water available at all times.

When can I switch back to regular food after the season is over?

Dogs need a regular feeding schedule. It’s best to feed at least once a day, rather than free-feeding or leaving food out all day. Leaving food out all day can cause your dog to feel more ravenous by dinnertime and result in overeating. 

Overeating puts extra strain on her kidneys, increases her chances of developing urinary tract infections, creates extra work for her digestive system, makes it harder for her to lose weight, and is likely to make her gassy! We usually recommend that you continue feeding your dog high-quality kibble during the season as well as throughout pregnancy (in order to meet calcium requirements) until she’s weaned from puppies.