How to Handle a Pet in Heat
📝 Summary
In this hormone-filled season pets send signals to breed. Owners must be careful and help them through heat calmly.
1 Overview
Escape / unplanned pregnancy
Never underestimate a pet in heat finding a mate!
A male dog on walks must be leashed – prevents loss and fights and breeding.
House cats also sneak out for a mate during heat.
A female dog you do not want pregnant needs close watch; males may violate her, so never let her out alone.
Infection from poor care
Keep the pet clean in heat; poor care causes infection harming health and the future litter.
An unbred unspayed female risks more uterine and mammary disease; a male more prostate and urinary disease, rising with age.
Bad temper and odd behavior
Hormones make them anxious, excited, even aggressive; cats yowl unbearably.
They are sensitive then; handle with care.
If you do not want breeding, strictly guard during the two yearly heats or neuter. If you decide to breed, learn kitten care, ready the supplies, free the time, and arrange reliable adopters.
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