Are you a proud Chihuahua owner eagerly anticipating a litter or dreaming of welcoming puppies but unsure about the next steps? Don’t worry—this blog has got you covered! By the end, you’ll have all the essential information you need about your Chihuahua’s pregnancy. Make sure to keep reading, as the blog also includes a special pregnancy calendar designed specifically for Chihuahuas!
How to recognize pregnancy in a Chihuahua
Pregnancy in a dog is difficult to detect. This is no different with Chihuahuas, especially if they are a little fuller. However, there are some physical symptoms you should watch out for if you are expecting or suspect that your little Chihuahua is pregnant:
- Decreased appetite
- Discharge from the vulva
- Swollen nipples
- Discoloration of the nipples
- Change in abdominal circumference
- Milk production from nipples
- Decreased appetite
Warning: If your Chihuahua has a false pregnancy, she may exhibit the same symptoms. Your dog is showing all the signs of pregnancy even if she isn’t pregnant at all. The difference is very difficult to notice, so it is advisable to consult a veterinarian for an examination.
How does a Chihuahua behave during pregnancy?
A pregnant Chihuahua behaves differently than before. This varies for each dog, which is why you as the owner will notice these changes more quickly than a stranger. The most common behavioral changes are:
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- Less energy
- Seek attention
- More clingy behavior
- Less interest in walking and playing
- Seek comfort
How long does a Chihuahua’s pregnancy last? We created a pregnancy calendar!
There is a Chihuahua On average 9 weeks or 65 days of pregnancy. Below is a pregnancy calendar in which you can read how the puppies grow and how your Chihuahua’s body changes:
| Week 1 | First, your dog must be in heat to get pregnant.
The heat lasts on average 18 days. In the second half of the heat (also estrus: days 9-18) your bitch is ready to conceive. You can find more information about heat in dogs here. |
| Week 1 (day 0 – 7) | Development: Your Chihuahua will be fertilized in the first week.
Behave: Morning sickness, decreased appetite. Leer mas Does surgery or health insurance for rabbits make sense?
Routine: Maintain the same activities and the same amount of food as before. |
| Week 2 (Days 7 – 14)
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Development: Your Chihuahua’s fertilized eggs travel to the uterus.
Behave: Morning sickness, decreased appetite. Routine: Maintain the same activities and the same amount of food as before. |
Week 3 (Days 14 – 21)Leer mas Helps with black poop on your dog
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Development: Your Chihuahua’s embryos implant in the uterine wall and grow vigorously.
Behave: Morning sickness, increased appetite. Routine: Maintain the same activities and the same amount of food as before |
| Week 4 (Days 21 – 28)
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Development: An important and intense week for your Chihuahua! The eyes, head, first vertebrae and organs develop. Now you can go to the vet for an ultrasound and checkup.Leer mas Profile of the Basset Hound | Is a Basset Hound right for me? How should it be held?
Routine: Reduce your Chihuahua’s physical activity to reduce the risk of miscarriage. The amount of food can also be changed after consulting your veterinarian. |
| Week 5 (Days 28 – 35)
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The puppies are now developing fingers, claws and whiskers and the organs are now mature.
Physical symptoms: Weight gain in your Chihuahua. Routine: Your Chihuahua should eat more now to get all the nutrients for her pups. Besides, he should get plenty of rest from now on. No more wild games and long walks! |
| Week 6 (Days 35 – 42) | Development: This week, your Chihuahua puppies’ eyes and legs continue to develop. They are growing quickly!
Physical symptoms: Further weight gain. Routine: Puppies take up a lot of space in your Chihuahua’s stomach, leaving less room for food. Therefore, divide your pregnant Chihuahua’s daily portion of food into smaller portions. This way you and especially your puppies will receive all the vital nutrients. Preparation: Think about where you want to place the whelping box for your Chihuahua’s puppies. This way your dog can explore his surroundings and the crate before the time comes. From now on, start with a few short walks a day instead of long ones. |
| Week 7 (Days 42 – 49)
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Development: The last weeks of your Chihuahua’s pregnancy have arrived! Your dog’s puppies are now developing fur and their bones are hardening. They move briskly in your dog’s stomach. From the end of this week you will be able to find out how many puppies your Chihuahua is waiting for at the vet, this is possible through an x-ray, exciting!
Behave: Your Chihuahua now dedicates more time to self-care. Physical symptoms: Her nipples continue to swell. Preparation: Your Chihuahua should now be completely accustomed to his whelping box and feel comfortable in it. |
| Week 8 (Days 49 – 57) | Development: The puppies continue to grow and move vigorously.
Behave: Your Chihuahua has created a cozy nest in his whelping box. Preparation: If you need to make changes to your whelping box, now is the time. |
| Week 9 (Days 57 – 65)
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Development: Your Chihuahua puppies are fully developed and can give birth at any time. The larger the litter box, the sooner it will be.
Preparation: Measure your dog’s temperature regularly. About 24 hours before giving birth, your dog’s temperature will drop by about 1 degree and you can prepare for giving birth. |
How quickly do you know if your Chihuahua is pregnant?
Only after 4 weeks you can be sure that your Chihuahua is indeed pregnant. So pay close attention to the pregnancy symptoms listed above for your Chihuahua. From the 4th week you should go to the vet for an ultrasound. Your veterinarian is the only one who can determine for sure whether a pregnancy is present. You will thus immediately find out if everything is going well and how your Chihuahua and its little embryos are doing.
How many puppies can a Chihuahua have per litter?
When your Chihuahua is pregnant for the first time, there is a chance that you will have 1 to 3 puppies. Has your Chihuahua already had a litter? So she can give birth to up to 6 puppies
Follow these 5 tips if your Chihuahua is pregnant:
1. Install the whelping box for your Chihuahua starting from the 6th week.
So she feels comfortable there when she has to give birth. Make sure it is large enough for your Chihuahua to stretch out. The edges should be high enough so that the puppies cannot fall. Make sure Mama Chihuahua can get in and out of her whelping box easily. Very important: the box should be in a quiet environment where there are few visitors and warm enough.
2. Have your vet’s phone number handy.
This way you can reach him immediately if something goes wrong. Be sure to get a checkup in the fourth week. Chihuahuas are not the easiest dogs to raise. Due to the large head relative to the body, there is always a risk of miscarriage or developmental problems.
3. Monitor your Chihuahua’s behavior and physical symptoms during pregnancy
For example, if your Chihuahua is pregnant for the first time and is still carrying more than 3 puppies, she may give birth up to a week early. So pay close attention to restless behavior, extremely swollen nipples, and dripping nipples.
4. Avoid activities from the 5th week onwards and let your Chihuahua get plenty of rest.
Apart from the short daily walks that keep you fit for childbirth. Obedience classes can also cause stress in your Chihuahua, which can negatively impact her pregnancy.
5. Make sure your pregnant Chihuahua is fed high-quality food.
She needs all the nutrients for her puppies while she can eat less at a time. Ask your vet how much more he should eat and make sure you provide him with nutritious food. TO Only Russell you will receive a unique recipe tailored to your dog’s needs, exactly what you need
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