Yesterday I created a post about keeping your dog cool while camping.
And you got to meet my dog Catty.
Here’s another picture of her hanging out in the office in case you didn’t get to see her.
Well, Catty isn’t fixed yet, so she goes into heat about every 6 months.
And I was curious about taking her camping while she was in heat.
Is it okay to do so, how to make her feel most comfortable, etc.
So, can you take your dog camping if she is in heat? In certain situations, yes. However, if you are in an area with a lot of other campers and their dogs, it’s best to take her home. If you plan to keep her at the campsite, be sure to supervise her at all times to make sure she is comfortable and to make sure she doesn’t have any unwanted male visitors.
There is actually quite a bit of back and forth about this topic, so I wanted to share what I found and let you decide what’s best for your dog!
Should You Take Your Dog Home If She Goes Into Heat While Camping?
Honestly, it depends.
I hate giving answers like that, but it truly does.
I will say that in most cases, the answer is yes, you should take her home.
Why?
You most likely won’t be the only ones around while you are camping.
If you are at a well-populated campsite, chances are there are a ton of dogs.
Even at smaller sites, all it takes is one male to catch on to your dog’s scent (and they will) for them to start a ruckus.
Even the best trained male dogs will have trouble acting right when there is a female around that’s in heat.
It’s in their nature to want to multiply their genes.
Dogs Roam In Search Of A Mate
Male dogs will be trying their hardest to get to your dog.
Once they catch the scent of your dog in heat, they’ll be wanting to find their way to her.
And it’s not just males either.
Your dog will likely be trying to roam around spreading her scent.
It’s like I said before, it’s in their nature to want to multiply.
This not only creates stress for you, but it also causes stress for other dog owners having to keep their dogs in check.
Not to mention your dog will likely be in high stress having to deal with everything going on.
For everyone’s sake, if there are others around, it’s best to remove your dog from these stressful situations.
When Is It Okay To Keep On Camping?
I would say the ONLY time I would keep my dog out with me is if I was the only camper around.
And, let’s be honest, when does that actually happen?
There are usually always other campers around, and the chances of another dog being around is pretty high.
The other issue with this is even if no other campers are around, there are still wild dogs that could be roaming.
While that’s not very likely to be the case in the U.S., it’s still a possibility that I wouldn’t want to risk.
If you plan to keep your dog out camping while she is in heat, you’ll want to always keep her on a leash and supervise her at all times.
That will keep her from running off and will also allow you to be close by in case any unwanted visitors show up.
Don’t Want To Cancel The Trip? Boarding Options
Sometimes it isn’t very convenient to cancel your camping trip and bring your dog home.
This can happen because you are very far away from home and it would be easier to stay put.
If that’s the case, call nearby vet offices to see if they offer boarding.
They could watch over your pup while you finish out your trip.
Do Male Wolves Mate With Female Dogs?
Not usually.
It’s normally the other way around: male dogs mate with female wolves.
That’s because male dogs are more fertile year round than male wolves are.
Male wolves simply don’t get as many opportunities as dogs do.
However, it’s not impossible.
If a male wolf finds your female dog and it hasn’t already found a partner, there is a chance that the male will become curious and even mate with your dog.
That being said, what is more likely to happen is female dogs will be killed and eaten instead.
So while it is possible, it is best to keep your dog extremely close to you if you plan on camping while she is in heat.
Related Questions
Will a dog in heat attract bears? No. Bears could be attracted to dogs, but not particularly because they are in heat. A dog in heat won’t attract a bear any differently than a dog not in heat. A bear might be attracted to your dog because they have associated dogs with people, and people with food. Since bears have an amazing sense of smell to begin with, it’s unlikely that they would be attracted to your dog rather than food anyways. So no, being in heat has no effect on bears being attracted to your dog.
Are coyotes attracted to female dogs in heat? Yes, coyotes are attracted to dogs in heat. However, coyotes have a very small mating window, so it’s possible that the coyote is attracted to your dog for reasons other than mating. Either way, you’ll want to keep a watchful eye on your dog at all times to make sure no unwanted visitors come around. If you are camping, it is best to take your dog home or bring them to a vet so they can be boarded until you finish your trip. This will help prevent any encounters with coyotes or male dogs alike.
Will a coyote breed with a dog? Yes, if given the opportunity. They are biologically capable and if they attempt to mate they can produce hybrid litters. When a coyote and dog breed, their offspring are called coydogs.
Do female dogs run away when in heat? Female dogs could run away in heat. They do this because they want to spread their scent around the immediate area to attract nearby males. Male dogs will also roam around in search for the female giving off this scent. If you have a female dog in heat, it is best to stay keep her inside as much as possible and walk her in your backyard rather than around your neighborhood to prevent any unwanted encounters.