How to Tell If Your Chihuahua Is Pregnant – What to Expect!

A Chihuahua is a small and minuscule breed of dog, but it’s possible for these dogs to mate naturally. But will you know if your pup has been successful? Fortunately, there are some early pregnancy signs that can help us understand!

Early signs of chihuahua pregnancy include:

1. Decreased activity
2. Swollen mammary glands
3. Change in appetite
4. Tenderness to the abdomen area
5. Frequent urination
6. Unusual behavior

This post discusses what we should look out for when our furry friends start showing pregnant behaviors or indications towards parenthood in order to prepare them for a comfortable pregnancy and birthing.

Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs

1. Decreased activity

The first thing you should look out for during your chihuahua’s pregnancy is the decrease in her activity.

You must understand that all dogs are different and experience this stage differently, so if your adorable dog shows any signs of decreased energy she might be pregnant.

Additionally, if your Chihuahua is more willing to lie down or rest during this time, you can be an indication that she’s pregnant.

2. Swollen mammary glands

As the dog starts carrying pups in her uterus, she will also begin to produce milk for them. During this process, modern vets suggest that the mammary glands

The second sign of pregnancy worth mentioning is swollen mammary glands. The chihuahua’s mammary glands will swell as the pregnancy advances and this will be a great indication of her carrying pups.

3. Change in appetite

One of the first changes you should look out for is your dog’s appetite, especially if it coincides with other signs. An increase or decrease in your Chihuahua’s appetite is one of the first signs of pregnancy and is associated with morning sickness.

Another change in your dog’s appetite is a tendency to be selective and picky about what they eat. During this period, many dogs may show signs of disinterest when presented with their favorite food or treatment options.

4. Tenderness to the abdomen area

Your dog’s abdomen area will become more sensitive to the touch as she progresses through her pregnancy. Your dog might even show signs of aggression or irritability when you try to touch her stomach, especially during the later stages of pregnancy. Moreover, her abdomen area will also start to enlarge at the later stages of her pregnancy.

5. Frequent urination

Another early indication that your dog is pregnant will be changes in her behavior, especially when it comes to urinating more frequently than usual. While you might not notice this right away if it coincides with some other signs, female dogs tend to increase their trips to the bathroom during certain stages of their pregnancy.

During the final weeks of your Chihuahua’s pregnancy, she might even begin to urinate more frequently or in unusual places. This is a completely natural behavior and not something to worry about too much.

6. Change in Behavior

Of course, changes in behavior are also common among pregnant Chihuahuas. Some of these behaviors may include:

• Decreased interest in food and play
• Increased affection and attention-seeking tendencies
• Increase in grumpiness and mood swings (especially towards family members)

These changes will be most noticeable during the later stages of the pregnancy and are completely normal.

Confirming Your Dog’s Pregnancy

While the early signs of pregnancy are extremely important, you should also confirm with your veterinarian that your dog is actually pregnant before making any preparations or lifestyle changes.

Away to confirm a Chihuahua’s pregnancy is through ultrasound scan and it’s best if you realize this as early as possible since the later stages of the dog’s pregnancy will be more difficult for her.

The veterinarian can also opt for a blood test to determine whether or not your Chihuahua is pregnant. A blood test might be preferable to some owners because it doesn’t require special equipment and can therefore be done quickly and at home. The blood test detects pregnancy hormones that might be present in the bloodstream.

Preparing Your Chihuahua for Pregnancy

Helpful tips on how you can help your dog get through the pregnancy with the most comfort possible include:

1. Keeping her food and water dishes filled at all times; we do not want them getting hungry or thirsty as that will lead to an increase in the dog’s activity.
2. Applying warm compresses on her stomach can help soothe some of the discomfort associated with abdominal cramps.
3. Letting your Chihuahua get plenty of rest is another great way to keep stress levels down and facilitate a smoother delivery during pregnancy.
4. Lastly, it is extremely important to keep your dog away from any toxins, chemicals, and other items that might be harmful to them during their pregnancy.

Stages of Chihuahua’s Pregnancy

The First Month

It is during the first month of chihuahua’s gestation period that the fertilized egg will begin to develop into a fetus. Most female dogs have their first heat cycle around six months old, which means they can start mating and become pregnant at this age as well.

When the fertilized eggs make their way to the uterus, they will settle and become attached to special cells called “fimbriae.” This stage of pregnancy is referred to as “implantation.”

By the end of the second month of pregnancy, your dog will begin showing signs that she might be carrying pups. During this stage, the rudimentary placentas are formed. It is these embryonic structures that will provide your dog with nutrients and oxygen by using their mother’s blood supply.

The Second Month

The second month of pregnancy is when the embryo’s bones, tissues, and organs begin to form inside your Chihuahua’s uterus. Although the unborn Chihuahuas have little control of their bodies at this point, the signals being transmitted from the nervous system are what start the process of limb formation.

By the end of the end month, your dog will begin showing a lot of physical changes due to her enlarged belly and bulging abdomen. These changes include:

A thickening of the uterus to prepare for birth

Enlarged mammary glands due to lactation and increased fluid retention

Your Chihuahua might even be showing signs of nesting behavior, such as starting to collect old towels and other materials before “delivery day.”

The Third Month

During this month, your dog will start experiencing spasms and cramps as her body prepares for labor. She might even refuse to eat or drink anything at this point due to the discomfort she is feeling.

The last weeks of pregnancy as your dog will finally give birth to her pups. After 24 hours, the placentas are delivered, but this may take up to 48 hours depending on how many puppies she has.

It is also this time that you might start seeing milk in your Chihuahua’s mammary glands. This milk will serve as the primary source of food for her pups until they are weaned and old enough to start eating solid food.

Final Words

To summarize, there are several things you can look out for if you suspect your Chihuahua is pregnant including a decrease in energy level; swollen mammary glands; increased appetite; tenderness to the abdomen area; frequent bowel movements; excessive thirst and urination; nesting behavior, and thickening of the uterus.

In order for our canine friends to have a healthy and successful pregnancy, it is important to take note of their behavior and physical appearance every once in a while.