Do dogs get menstrual cramps?

Female dogs do not menstruate in the way that women do. Instead, dogs have an estrous cycle, more commonly called a heat cycle. Sexually mature female dogs go through heat twice, or less commonly once, every year. This usually starts between 9 and 12 months of age, although this varies. read more

Many dogs in heat exhibit behavioral changes and cry but the crying is due to the urge to mate and not being able to. To eliminate these symptoms, it is best to spay your female if you have no intentions on mating her in the future. read more

Three hormones are essential to a dog’s heat cycle: 1) estrogen, responsible for starting the heat cycle; 2) luteinizing hormone (LH), responsible for causing ovulation; and 3) progesterone, responsible for maintaining pregnancy. read more

I can't find anything in my research that explains why the dog is bleeding during estrus. I am still assuming it's the uterine lining. Doesn't this mean potentially the same cramping as a human female. read more