Yorkie Pregnancy Tips

Pregnancy is a natural role of the female body that can be very hard on a dog. With some planning and consistent care, the process can become much easier on her. Make sure to consult your vet throughout the process to avoid potential problems.

  1. Before

    • The best way to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy for your Yorkie is to have a healthy dog beforehand. Do not breed a dog until she's 2 years old--when she's still physically and mentally immature, the stress of pregnancy is harder on her. She ideally should be in overall perfect health, because pregnancy only exacerbates pre-existing conditions like lameness, poor weight or digestive issues. Make sure she is up to date on vaccines so she can pass her immunity to her puppies. A pre-breeding exam should be done to ensure your Yorkie is ready for the stress of pregnancy.

      Do your best to match a potential mate size-wise. Yorkies are small dogs, varying from 1 to 10 pounds. There is 50 percent size difference between 2- and 4-pound dogs. Breeding a female Yorkie weighing 2 pounds with a 4-pound male will produce puppies larger than she can comfortably give birth to. It might seem like just a pound or two, but giving birth is where most deaths to puppies and mothers occur, so don't add to her risk by breeding her to a dog twice her size.

    During

    • During pregnancy, keep your Yorkie happy--if she wants to play, let her play; if she wants to rest, let her rest. Do not force activity on her--that can add unneeded stress to an already stressed dog. As with people, pregnancy can cause an upset stomach, which can make feeding tricky. Do your best to keep her on a nutritious diet, but feed her what she will eat to keep her weight up. Consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about that factor.

    After

    • Immediately following birth is a fragile and exhausting time. Ensure your Yorkie has ample rest in a quiet environment. She should have access to sufficient food and water, because whelping is very taxing on her body. If you own a long-haired Yorkie, it's a good idea to trim her belly hair quite short so it is easier for the pups to find the teat. As the days pass following birth, her energy level and appetite should increase. If they don't, consult your vet because it could be a sign of a problem.