Min. Schnauzer in heat

Question
My schnauzer is going through her first cycle. I noticed that she is not eating as much as ususl and that her nipples have gotten larger. Is this normal for dogs during a cycle. I have not bred her but am kind of questioning the place I take her to be groomed.

Answer
Yes, the nipples get larger once they come into season. Mine never go off their food when they come in season, but dogs are individuals and maybe that will be normal for yours. They certainly will often ease up on eating when the outside temps get high, so if you live in an area that is experiencing excessive heat, that could be what you are seeing, and the fact that she is in season is just coincidental. Also, depending on her age, it is not unusual for puppies to cut back on their eating once they reach adolescence and their growth slows down.

Karen