Can Chihuahuas Give Birth Naturally? – Things You Should Know!

One of the best things about owning a Chihuahua is that they are small and usually weigh under six pounds. It’s just like having a toy dog running around your house!

But, being such a small breed, can it have puppies naturally?

Larger Chihuahuas may be able to give birth naturally and can do so without any medical intervention. However, these dogs are susceptible to issues during labor and have a higher rate of emergency Cesarean sections compared with other breeds.

In this article, we will break down the answer to this question for you and what you need to know about giving birth with a Chihuahua.

Breeding a Chihuahua

Because the Chihuahua is such a small breed, getting pregnant may pose serious risks for their health and that of their offspring.

However, if you plan to breed your Chihuahua, be it with a stud that is also a Chihuahua or one of another breed, make sure the dog is healthy and has no other conditions that would lead to complications during pregnancy.

The first thing you should do if you want to breed a Chihuahua is make an appointment with your veterinarian.

This will help ensure that your dog is in good health for breeding and give them time to properly prepare her body for pregnancy and childbirth.

When Should I Breed My Chihuahua?

There are a few conditions to take into account when breeding your dog.

Mate

First, you should make sure you use the services of an experienced Chihuahua stud or a male who belongs to another toy breed. Large dogs can be too aggressive and pose serious threats to Chihuahuas.

When looking for a stud, it’s best to take your dog to another Chihuahua or breed that is similar in size. Breeding may cause the mother and father to experience a severe case of sniffles, but that is usually nothing more than an inconvenience.

Age

You should also make sure that your Chihuahua is old enough to be bred.

A Chihuahua needs to be at least two years old before pregnancy. If she is under this age, her pelvic bones are still developing, which means breeding could cause serious complications.

Breeding them earlier may lead to health issues in the mother and offspring.

Health

Before the dog begins her heat cycle, you should take her to your veterinarian for a checkup.

The vet will make sure there are no health conditions that would cause complications during labor and delivery and will talk you through the entire process.

Risks of Pregnancy and Birth

Even when you take all these factors into account, there are still a few risks to be aware of.

Small-sized dogs are more susceptible to birthing complications compared to larger ones. These include:

Cesarean Sections

Chihuahuas require a C-section when giving birth, as their pelvic bones aren’t prepared for natural birth. Most emergency surgeries also require C-sections when being performed on this breed.

This is why breeders choose not to mate Chihuahuas. If the mother does give birth naturally, it’s likely that she will need a Cesarean section.

The vast majority of Chihuahua births are done via C-section because these dogs are usually smaller than toy breeds and their pelvic canals may be too small for a natural birth.

Birth Complications

The Chihuahua is known for having puppies that are born large. In some cases, the puppies may be too big to pass through the birth canal.

This may lead to a prolonged pregnancy that ends in stillbirth, or the puppies can be born alive but with health complications.

The mother’s uterine contractions can also cause the puppy’s bones to break. Again, this makes C-sections a better choice for Chihuahuas and their offspring.

Can Chihuahuas Give Birth Naturally?

While it’s possible for a Chihuahua to give birth on her own, it’s very unlikely.

Remember that puppies are born fully developed.

In order to give birth naturally, a Chihuahua would have to go through all the development stages inside the womb and be born in a healthy state.

This is something that’s hard for them to do due to their small size and delicate bodies.

In most cases, they require a Cesarean section for safe delivery when the puppies are too big or if their pelvic bones aren’t developed enough for natural birth.

How Can I Help My Chihuahua Give Birth?

If you want to help your Chihuahua give birth, there are a few things you can do:

Rest & Relaxation

The mother will need to rest and not be over-excited in the weeks leading up to delivery.

Breeders also let their dogs go into heat so they can mate with a male before breeding. This helps them prepare for pregnancy and gives them time to recover after giving birth.

Nutrition & Exercise

Include extra protein, fats, and calcium in your dog’s diet leading up to breeding.

This will help her muscles prepare for labor and give her energy after birth.

Give your Chihuahua the recommended daily amount of exercise she needs for a healthy lifestyle.

However, avoid over-exercising as this can cause complications during pregnancy and birth.

Safe Environment

The mother should also be kept away from any chemicals or toxins in the home.

This includes cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides.

She should also be removed from anywhere where she could potentially ingest dangerous items such as needles and thread.

Take Precautions In Case of Emergency

The mother should be monitored during breeding, pregnancy, and labor.

Her temperature should be taken several times a day, especially when she’s due to give birth.

These thermometers are usually put into the dog’s vagina to get an accurate reading that can’t be affected by the environment around her.

If you notice any changes in temperature, it could indicate that the dog is suffering from an infection, dehydration, hyperthermia (high temperature), or hypothermia (low temperature).

Also, monitor your Chihuahua’s water intake. She should be drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout her labor.

Conclusion

Chihuahua females should not attempt to give birth naturally as the mother and puppies are at high risk of suffering from birthing complications.

In most cases, a Cesarean section must be performed due to the small size of the breed.

It is important that you take precautions in case an emergency occurs with your dog’s pregnancy.

Monitor the mother and puppies closely for any signs of birthing complications such as changes in temperature or water intake.