The 5 Best Dog Period Pants Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Owning a female dog that hasn’t been spayed comes with its own set of challenges. One of those is dealing with blood stains during periods.

What can be done to prevent this? Very little, since it’s a natural process. But getting dog period pants can help a ton. But to work, the period pants for dogs have to fit.

Today, we’ll guide you through the process of getting period pants for your dog that work. We teamed up with veterinarians, canine nutritionists and dog parents to form a panel of independent experts. We then spent several weeks researching the most popular dog period pants available in Australia, testing them out with the help of our own dogs. After much research and plenty of debate, we were able to agree on the contents of this guide.

Let’s dive straight in.

Australia's Best Dog Period Pants Reviewed

Now that we’ve covered sizing, let’s talk about actual models worth your consideration. These are the best dog period pants Australia offers. They stood up to the testing done by our team of independent experts (and our dogs, of course!), were durable, and available at a fair price.

A well-deserved first spot on our list goes to these period pants by Avont. In short, they check all the boxes: quality materials, wide size range, fair price tag and extra buttons for achieving the right fit.

These dog heat pants come in five sizes, ranging from S to XXL. And unlike most dog products these days, our expert panel was happy to see that the sizing is rather accurate and covers pretty much all dog breeds, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. So no matter how big or small your pooch might be, you can find a suitable size. Of course, each period pants can be adjusted to fit, thanks to multiple waist buttons and a hook-and-loop strap.

The outer layer of these period pants is made of polyester, which is comfortable, durable and breathable. I also appreciated how the material is waterproof, but with four layers of absorbent fleece, you don’t have to worry about leaks. The inner part of the pants is lined with jersey fabric, which wicks moisture away and keeps your canine companion dry and comfy while wearing them.

Finally, it’s worth noting that these pants for dogs in heat come in all sorts of colours and patterns, similar to the Avont product in our number five spot below. From neutrals and vivids to animal and plant patterns, there’s surely a model that suits your good girl’s style.

Wearing period pants during hot summer days can be rather uncomfortable, especially for long-haired and double-coated pooches. And that’s what Simpeak had in mind when designing these mesh pants that you can combine with disposable pads.

The idea behind this product is pretty simple. The pants are completely made of mesh material, which makes them breathable and super comfortable to wear. On the inside, there’s a small pocket where you can insert disposable pads. You get a pack of nine pads with the purchase, after which you’ll have to buy them separately.

The part where the pads go is completely waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about potential leaking accidents. The period pants themselves are safe for machine washing and they dry down pretty fast, so your canine companion can wear them soon after you get them clean.

These period pants come in two sizes, M and L, which makes them suitable for dogs that range in size between a Miniature Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. This is much more limited than the sizes offered by our number one choice above. The weight of your pooch is not that important factor, as the elastic band with a buckle allows you to adjust the pants to make them fit your dog better.

Just like any other dog product, period pants come with different price tags. And given that your dog only wears it a few times a year, it’s understandable you might not want to splurge on such a product. But you don’t have to, as there are models, like this one by Nacoco, that will hardly break your bank.

Added bonus, you get two pairs of period pants in the packaging, so you can always have a clean pair ready when it’s time for washing the other one. Speaking of which, I appreciated how these period pants are safe for machine washing. Given they’re made of cotton, I was able to wash them on a hot cycle without worrying about destroying them.

Now, these period pants don’t have any additional padding in the “problematic area,” but you can always add a pad if necessary. Except for a couple of days mid-cycle, that would hardly be necessary.

There are four sizes available, S, M, L and XL, which makes these period pants suitable for most dogs, like our number one choice. Our panel of pros noted that the sizes do run a bit big, so make sure to measure your dog before choosing. Thanks to the Velcro tape on each side of the pants, you can adjust them to better fit your pooch.

Whether you like disposable period pants or not, one area that’s clear is they’re pretty convenient. If you’re travelling, for instance, these disposable period pants by Vet’s Best will make your trip so much easier.

At the first glance, you might think that these disposable pants look pretty much like the ones babies use. And you definitely wouldn’t be wrong. This product is designed not just for pooches in heat, but also those with incontinence. For that reason, they provide very good coverage and prevent any leakage.

But what makes them great for dogs in heat is their light fabric and breathability. You can rest assured your canine companion will feel comfortable wearing these throughout the day, even in summer. They're similar to our number two pick in that sense, except that these are of course disposable. I also liked how the fasteners are fur-safe, meaning they’re designed in such a way as not to snag on your dog’s hair.

These disposable period pants come in four sizes, so they’re suitable for practically any breed, be it a Maltese or a Bullmastiff. Repositionable fasteners allow you to further adjust them to fit your dog like a glove. They also come in packaging of 12 or 30, and buying in bulk gives you a better price.

If your good girl is the chicest dog in the town, then regular period pants won’t cut it. What your pooch needs is a fashion statement, and that’s exactly what these heat pants by Avont are.

Depending on your dog’s style, you can choose between a patterned or clear colour pack of three period pants. And they’re not just any type of pants, but skorts, which is a combo of skirt and shorts. So while the inner part sits snugly around your dog’s body, the top part with ruffles is in charge of grabbing attention during your daily walks.

Like Avont's other option in our number one spot, aside from looking good, these period pants are very functional. They feature four layers of sewn-in absorbing pads, which prevent any spotting. The inner layer is covered with mesh fabric, which provides breathability and wicks moisture away. The outer layer is waterproof and durable, so you can rest assured these period pants will last your dog a good while.

What everyone on our panel of independent experts loved about Avont products is that they come in a variety of sizes. In this case, I had five sizes to choose from, so I could find the model that suited my pooch the best. Of course, you can always further adjust the pants with the sewn-in hook-and-loop system.

How To Tell Your Dog Is In Heat

Period pants do a great job of keeping your home clean while keeping your pooch comfortable. But, how do you know when it’s time for your dog to wear period pants?

The term “that time of the month” isn’t applicable to dogs, as they go in heat only a few times a year. While small dogs might experience heat cycles up to three times per year, large breeds may only do it once (1).

Aside from keeping track of your dog’s heat cycle, you can also tell whether your canine companion is in heat by keeping an eye out for changes in her body and behaviour (2).

According to our team of independent experts, some of the first physical signs you may notice are a red, swollen vulva and a red, brown or yellow discharge. As for the changes in behaviour, your pooch might be more aggressive towards other dogs, especially males. Furthermore, you’ll notice an increased licking of the genital area during this period. So, when you see some of these signs, you can expect your dog to start needing to wear period pants soon.

Typically, the heat lasts between three to four weeks, but the bleeding doesn’t last as long. It usually starts when your good girl is just going into heat and lasts up to ten days (3).

How To Choose Period Pants For Dogs That Fit

Like with any other wearable dog product, the right fit is important when it comes to period pants. There’s no one-size-fits-all, and unless the pants sit snugly around your pooch’s bottom parts, they won’t do much in terms of preventing your dog from leaving a spotty trail behind her.

So, you’ll need to measure your canine companion to find the perfect fit. And to do that, you’ll need a measuring tape. Here's how our team of independent experts describe what you need to do to get the perfect measurements:

First, measure your dog at the narrowest part of the waist, which is a couple of centimetres in front of her rear legs. Make sure your pooch is standing up while you’re taking measurements, for a more accurate evaluation.

Related: The Best Dog Nappies Australia.

Next, measure the distance between the waistline and the top base of the dog’s tail. And finally, measure from the bottom part of the tail, over your pooch’s private parts all the way to the waistline.

These three measurements are all you need to find a perfect-fitting product. In some cases, the brands will combine the last two measurements into a single one, going from the top to the bottom part of the waist. In any case, the principle is the same when measuring your dog.

If your canine companion is between sizes, it’s always recommended to go one size up. Most products offer enough adjustments, so you can make them fit your pooch properly.

My Final Thoughts

Many great products can keep your dog comfortable while preventing her from spotting all over the house.

Our team of independent experts could all agree that the one that’s universally great is Avont 3 Pack Washable Female Dog Diapers. These period pants are affordable, adjustable and reusable. They’re also quite durable and come in different sizes, so you can find a perfect fit for your pooch.

References

1. Llera, R; Yuill, C. “Estrous Cycles in Dogs” VCA Animal Hospitals. Retrieved January 28, 2022. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/estrus-cycles-in-dogs
2. Kearley, M. June 30, 2020. “Do Dogs Have Periods and Go Through Menopause?” PetMD. Retrieved January 28, 2022. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/do-dogs-go-through-menopause
3. Ambler, J. “How long is a dog in season? In-depth guide to your dog's first season” My Family Vets. Retrieved January 28, 2022. https://www.myfamilyvets.co.uk/a-guide-to-your-dogs-first-season