A LoveToKnow visitor deals with the excitement and concern of a possible dog pregnancy. Share his story.
Is My Chihuahua Pregnant?
Hello,
My Chihuahua is about eight-months-old and in season. She has tied with another dog twice, and I'm wondering if she is pregnant. She has become very affectionate with me, and her nipples are protruding a little, but it's only been eight days since I locked her up with this dog.
~~ Nery
Expert Reply
Hello Nery,
I cannot tell you for sure if your dog is pregnant, but it would be better for her if she weren't. Eight months old is simply too young for any dog to be bred, but Chihuahuas have a difficult time delivering under the best of circumstances since the puppies' heads are so large. She isn't finished maturing yet, and she could have a harder time supporting and delivering a litter.
I think it would be a good idea to take her to your vet to get his/her professional opinion whether she should be allowed to deliver a litter at this time. Your vet can give her a hormone shot to abort the embryos if it's truly necessary.
I hope everything works out for the best.
~~ Kelly
Visitor Follow Up
Can you tell me when a Chihuahua is considered an adult?
I also want to know what her chances are of being pregnant since the two dogs tied. I understand that a tie doesn't guarantee a pregnancy. I'm really against abortion of any kind, including with my baby Chi, so can you please help me?
Expert Follow Up
Toy dogs can usually be considered mature around twelve to fifteen months. Since many bitches have their first season between six and eight months old, this typically puts the second season around the time the dogs are considered adults. As a rule, most breeders will wait until the second season before breeding a bitch for the first time.
An exception to this scenario would be a case where a bitch didn't have her first heat until she was a year old.
Although it's not guaranteed, I'd say there's at least a fifty percent chance your Chihuahua could be pregnant. I understand your feelings about aborting a litter. Your alternative would be to let her go ahead with a pregnancy, watch her closely during the delivery and rush her to your vet for a C-section if she isn't able to push the pups out.
It would be a good idea to discuss this scenario with your vet ahead of time, since Chihuahua's are quite sensitive to anesthetic. I speak from experience having been through five C-sections with my Chi bitches over the years.
Good luck and keep us posted.
~~ Kelly
I Think She Might Be Pregnant
My Chihuahua's nipples have not gone down after her heat. They actually feel like there are lumps beneath them.
Is this normal, or is it something to be concerned about? I'm not sure if she's pregnant, but she has shown other signs like a change in her appetite and acting more affectionately. She seems sleepier than usual, but I thought that didn't happen until later in pregnancy. Is it possible she could show all these signs just two weeks after having been bred?
I'm going to take her to the vet to have her checked 30 days after the breeding to see if she is pregnant.
Expert Reply
Yes, those are all signs that your Chihuahua might be pregnant, but your vet will be able to tell you for sure.
You should actually take her in to your vet 28 days after breeding. Your vet will palpate her to feel the embryos in the uterine horns. After 28 days, the horns swell up and it's not possible to feel the pups again until they are much larger.
For now, treat her as though she is pregnant, and offer her extra food if she will eat it. Be careful about letting her jump down from the furniture, but do take her for daily walks around the block to keep her well toned.
Best wishes~~ Kelly
More Pregnancy-Related Questions
- I think my Chihuahua is almost three weeks pregnant, and she's refusing to eat her dog food and throwing up in the mornings. Is that normal at this point in her pregnancy?
- A friend told me to supplement her with Nutri-Cal. Is it okay to give her that?
- She seems to want pasta when I cook it. I need advice on what I can feed her.
- Is it okay to use a flea collar on her while she's pregnant?
- My Chi also wants a lot of attention and she jumps up and down to get it. Will this hurt her and the pups?
I also want to say thank you for always answering my questions because I know I have a lot of them. I just don't want to make any mistakes with my little one, and I'm already nervous about her pregnancy. Thank you for your help~~ Nery
Expert Reply
I'm glad to help. Let me address your questions one by one.
- Some bitches have a stronger reaction to the pregnancy hormones than others, and this will affect the amount of nausea and loss of appetite they experience. It's normal to a certain extent, but if she isn't eating anything at all and you notice significant weight loss, you should have your vet take a look at her.
- Nutri-Cal is an excellent supplement and I've used it on my own dogs. Go ahead and give it to her according to the directions on the label.
- If she wants pasta let her eat it, but don't give her tomato sauce. A natural food diet is quite often far more healthy than commercial kibble. You can boil some lamb or ground beef and combine it with the pasta for her. This will provide protein, fat and carbohydrates. I suggest you read our articles on How to Cook for Your Dog, Natural Dog Food Premix and Making your Own Dog Food. I think you'll find them useful.
- Read the label on any flea collar you consider using. It should say whether it's safe to use on a pregnant dog.
- Bouncing up and down won't necessarily cause your Chi to lose the pups, but it would be better if she didn't do it too much. Give her the affection she wants as much as you're able.
I also have one more suggestion I think you would find beneficial. Do you have a relationship with the breeder you got your bitch from? It would good to have someone nearby who has breeding experience and can take a look at your Chi if things don't seem quite right. I had a breeder/mentor when I was just starting out, and I learned so much from her. I think this would help you to feel less apprehensive about the pregnancy.Thanks for your questions, and I'm here if you need me.
~~ Kelly
Visitor Follow Up
Do you happen to have a picture of what a pregnant Chihuahua's teats and vulva should look like during the first few weeks of pregnancy? My Chi's last two teats look more developed than the others.
Thanks~~ Nery
Expert Follow Up
Hi Nery,
Sorry, I couldn't find a good picture for you, but it sounds like your Chihuahua is progressing normally. The rear teats typically develop more quickly and usually wind up carrying more milk than the others. I wouldn't worry about this issue any further since it virtually takes care of itself. Take your Chi in to the vet's on her 28th day and let the vet palpate her to see if she is truly pregnant. Until then provide her with good nutrition and let nature take care of the rest.
Best wishes~~ Kelly
