Discover how long Yorkie gestation is and follow our week by week guide to find out what exactly is happening during each week of gestation.
How long is a Yorkie’s gestation? The Yorkie gestation period is similar to other dogs.
The average length is 63 days. This period can range from 58-68.
So how long is a Yorkie pregnancy? About 9 weeks. Discover approximately when your mama will whelp by using this Yorkie Gestation Calendar.
Let’s take a deeper look at what is going on with mama and puppy week by week with our Yorkie Gestation Guide.
Yorkie Gestation: a Week by Week Guide
Yorkie Week 1
Mama Care:
Weigh mama so that you have a starting point to track her weight gain over her pregnancy.
Do not administer any live vaccines.
Do not give mama any preventative with an insecticide.
Do not deworm mama.
Puppy Growth:
Sperm from the sire will fertilize the egg.
Week 2
Mama Care:
Your mama may experience morning sickness.
You also may notice a change in her behavior.
She may be more affectionate – desiring to be close to you and to receive more affection from you (this is my dog!)
She may also be moody. Whatever the case, go with it and be a support for mama!
Do not try to help her gain weight at this point. Gaining weight at this stage would be harmful.
Puppy Growth:
The fertilized egg will be moving to implant in uterus.
Week 3
Mama Care:
A lot is going on inside mama’s body.
She may be moody and have a change in appetite.
Puppy Growth:
Puppy size is about 2 mm.
The little embryo has implanted and is busy developing.
Puppy is developing the systems he needs for life – his head and spine are apparent and his nervous system is developing as he grows.
Week 4
Mama Care:
Don’t allow the mom to do any strenuous exercise. The puppies can be hurt at this time. This includes any activity that would jar the dog (jumping for example).
Mama may start to be more hungry from now on.
Protein is really important for your mama’s diet.
Some people supplement hard boiled eggs and ground beef since they are a good source of protein.
Some people change from feeding their dog adult food to feeding their dog puppy food. See Yorkie Pregnancy Care for more info.
Mama might have a clear vaginal discharge. This is normal.
Puppy Growth:
Puppy size is about 10 mm by the end of the week.
Your puppy’s dear little face, complete with eyes, ears, nose and teeth are developing.
His legs have also developed. He’s getting ready to go!
He’s now weighs about a fifth of how much he will weigh when he is born. He’s making great progress.
Week 5
Mama Care:
Your mama still has a high need for protein and calories.
As mama grows, she will find eating more and more uncomfortable. You can help her out by giving her more small meals (as opposed to fewer large meals).
Puppy Growth
Your puppy is 22 mm by the end of the week.
Your puppy is starting to look like a puppy.
Ultrasound can determine the gender of your puppy at this stage.
Week 6
Mama Care:
Because the puppies and the uterus are now taking up so much space in your Yorkie’s belly, she may find it hard to eat a full meal. Several small meals throughout the day are better than a couple large ones.
She may throw up because of the limited space and pressure in her belly.
You’ll find that the hair on mama’s belly has come off. This will allow her to feed her puppies better.
The mammary glands will have enlarged.
A clear discharge from the vagina is fine and completely normal.
Your mama still has a need for quality food.
Puppy Growth:
Puppy is no longer an embryo. He is a foetus. Growth happens quickly now.
Puppy is about ¼ of his final weight.
Those eyelids that won’t open until a couple weeks after birth have now closed over your puppy’s eyes.
Claws have formed.
Your puppy is getting ready for sustaining his own life outside his cozy space. His organs are now completely developed.
You can listen to the heartbeat of the puppy with just the aid of a stethoscope.
Week 7
Mama Care:
The nipples will be enlarged and darker.
A clear discharge from the vagina is fine and completely normal.
You can feel the puppies move inside of mama’s belly.
Mama is probably tired and will need her rest.
She might start looking for a place she can nest and care for her pups when they are born.
Your mama has a greater need for energy, but may have trouble eating large meals because her belly is so large and uncomfortable. Feed smaller meals.
She still in need of quality food with protein and fat.
Ensure that your whelping box is ready to go.
Talk to your vet about having mama dewormed to protect newborn babies.
Puppy Growth:
Bones are hardening.
Growth and development comes mainly from size.
Your puppy is getting cute and fuzzy – hair is covering his body and legs.
Week 8
Mama Care:
Mama is going to feel the need to nest.
May see colostrum coming out of mama’s teats. That’s perfectly normal.
She is going to need her nutrition. Provide good quality food for her.
Double check to make sure your whelping box and delivery supplies are ready to go.
X-ray to confirm number of pups. This helps you to know when all pups have been delivered.
Puppy Growth:
Puppy’s might be very active in the womb.
Puppy’s lungs have become strong enough to handle life outside the womb.
Good News! If your puppy is born a bit early, your puppy now has a good chance of surviving.
Week 9
Mama Care:
Whelping can happen anytime now.
Check mama’s temperature 2 – 3 times a day. Normal temperature is between 101 and 102. You’re looking for when her temperature drops down to 98 and stays down that low. When this happens, she will give birth within 24 hours.
Puppy Growth:
Puppy’s will probably be quiet in the womb as they wait to make their grand entrance into the world.
Get ready to meet your puppies!
Knowing what to expect during each stage of Yorkie gestation will help you give the best care for your mama and puppies.
Go back to Yorkie Pregnancy