How To Tell If A Yorkie Is Pregnant (Signs Of Pregnancy)

Has your female Yorkshire Terrier made a new male friend?

And now you’re wondering if you’ll soon be blessed with several tiny Yorkie puppies?

First off: congratulations!

Few things on earth are more adorable than a baby Yorkshire Terrier.

But maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

First you need to know for sure if your Yorkie has been impregnated. And that is not always easy, at least not early in the pregnancy.

Unless you know what to look for.

Keep reading to learn how you can tell if your Yorkie is pregnant, along with some tips on ensuring she stays comfortable and healthy throughout the pregnancy.

 

How Do I Know If My Yorkie Is Pregnant?

If you do not want your Yorkie to become pregnant, you should get her spayed. Otherwise the chances are high she will meet a lovely young male dog and get down to business. If you suspect that it’s already too late, let’s find out how you can tell if your pup is pregnant.

 

Early Yorkie Pregnancy Signs

Unless you keep a close eye on your Yorkie 24/7, you probably won’t realize that she has mated and been impregnated.

If you have your suspicions, you’ll need to observing your Yorkie carefully for signs of possible pregnancy.

Of course, you can always go the scientific route But this has its limitations.

You can ask your vet for to run a blood test to determine whether your Yorkie is pregnant with pups or not. But blood tests aren’t accurate until the fourth week of pregnancy.

Your vet can also perform either an x-ray or an ultrasound. While these laboratory tests give definitive results, they cannot be performed until late in your Yorkie’s pregnancy.

The bottom line: you have to observe your Yorkie’s body for physical changes as well as changes in her behavior. The common signs of pregnancy in Yorkies are:

 

Physical Changes

A pregnant Yorkie’s stomach will become slightly firmer, larger, and rounder than usual. Her nipples also increase in size.

The nipples grow so quickly that it will take you by surprise. As the weeks pass, the nipples seem to pop out, whereas they were previously hidden by her fur.

 

Change In Energy Levels

When a Yorkie is pregnant, she becomes sleepy and sluggish. This is a big contrast to this breed’s usual active, playful, and energetic personality. She may also change her sleeping positions.

 

Change In Grooming Habits

A pregnant Yorkshire terrier will groom herself more frequently and extensively than usual. This change is most noticeable if you generally groom your Yorkie a lot yourself (as you should).

 

Nesting Behavior

Pregnant Yorkies start to exhibit nesting behaviors, such as gathering soft items and placing them in a quiet place. You may even find that she’s making a new bed for herself, apart from her usual one.

 

Signs Later In The Pregnancy

You will also see other changes as the weeks pass by. By week three or four, your dog’s abdomen becomes significantly larger. Its appetite will also increase, because it is now eating for its puppies, too. This results in weight gain.

 

Weight Gain

Your Yorkie will likely gain roughly 30% her pre-pregnancy weight over the various stages of Yorkshire terrier pregnancy. If you continue to feed her the right diet, a normal weight gain is generally 1.2 and 2.1 pounds, depending on the size of your dog and the size of her litter.

If she gains weight beyond what is considered normal, you should discuss the best course of action with your vet.

It is vital to your pet’s health, and perhaps even her survival, to keep her weight gain in check. Obesity can have adverse effects on her pregnancy.

 

Blood Test And Ultrasound

After the third week, blood tests can be performed to provide a definitive diagnosis of pregnancy. And by week six, or day 42, the vet can perform an ultrasound to detect the puppies, determine how many there are and their positions, and check for abnormalities.

After day 45, he can take an an x-ray to decide if the puppies are growing well. The ultrasound will also determine the approximate age of the puppies.

This information is crucial in determining whether the puppies are still safe inside their mother’s womb or if they should be removed. This can either be through natural birth or a cesarean operation. Yorkies actually have a higher chance of needing to undergo a cesarean operation, due to their small size.

 

Yorkshire Terrier Gestation Period

In general, dogs are pregnant for about 63 days on average. But the number of days definitely depends on the breed and the individual dog.

How long do Yorkies stay pregnant? Your Yorkie can be pregnant between 58 and 68 days, which is a normal time for most toy breeds. This time also corresponds to the third stage of the Yorkie heat cycle.

If your Yorkie has not delivered her puppies by the 67^th day, usually based on the ultrasound findings, then you should call your vet. There may be a need to induce labor or to perform a cesarean operation.

If the puppies do not come out by then, your Yorkie and her puppies may be at risk of complications, and even death. Sadly, toy breeds like Yorkies have a higher maternal death rate, partly because of their size.

How long is a Yorkie in labor once it has started. It depends on a number of factors, primarily the number of puppies the mother is carrying. You can expect labor to take from 3 to 12 hours.

 

Average Size Litter Of A Yorkie

The number of puppies a Yorkie has varies from one dog to the next. On average, they have 3.3 puppies, with the common range being from 3 to 5.

With a larger litter, especially one over five puppies, there’s a higher risk that a few of them will either be stillborn or die a short time after delivery.

The risk of death for their mother is also higher. Proper and prompt vet care before, during, and after the delivery is vital.

You want the mother around, so she can take care of her newborns for the first few weeks. Once the Yorkie puppies’ eyes open and they begin to walk around, you can start to ween them off her care.

 

Tips For Proper Care Of A Pregnant Yorkie

As soon as you know that your Yorkie is pregnant, you should adopt specific measures to keep her healthy, safe, and happy.

Ideally, your Yorkie should have undergone a full health examination before she mates with a male dog. The exam will rule out possible genetic issues that may preclude breeding with a fellow Yorkie, or another breed.

In case of an accidental mating, your Yorkie should undergo a complete check-up as soon as possible. It will ensure that all potential health issues can be addressed early on.

A few tips when caring for your pregnant Yorkie.

• Be exceptionally gentle when handling your pet.
• Decrease her physical activity, particularly vigorous exercise, as her pregnancy progresses.15 to 20 minutes of leisurely walking twice a day should keep her in shape for the delivery.
• Provide her with a warm, soft, clean and comfortable resting area.
• Give her sufficient food and water, but don’t overfeed her. Scheduled meals are recommended. Ask your vet about the type and amount of food and water your Yorkie should have as her pregnancy progresses.
• Ask your vet about supplements. Don’t give your Yorkie supplements unless recommended by your vet!

 

Signs Of Yorkie Pregnancy: Conclusion

If you suspect your Yorkie might be pregnant, look for the signs mentioned above. If she is far enough along, take her to the vet for confirmation and to ensure that she and her puppies are healthy.

Your Yorkie’s pregnancy is a reason to rejoice! Yorkies bring so much joy to our daily life because of their playful and affectionate nature and having more of them in the world is always a great thing.