What to feed and how much a pregnant Yorkie
 

:confused:I am almost positive that my Tilly is Pregnant by 1 week. Her appetite has increased and she is tired a lot. I read online to free feed a Yorkie and another place not to overfeed them in the earlier stage of pregnancy. I am confused what to do. I have always just feed here as much as she wants because she never ate more than 1/2 cup a day, now she is eating about 2/3 of a cup. Also should I change her diet or give her supplements during her pregnancy?

Did you breed her? You mentioned in your earlier posts you were concerned about her behavior during her heat but you never mentioned breeding her. What do food do you have her on? I always keep my pregnant females on a quality puppy food throughout their pregnancy. I feed Chicken Soup For The Puppy Lover's Soul dry food. I will add just a tiny bit of canned Pedigree Chopped Chicken or Pedigree Healthy Digestion to their dry food. I do not supplement with anything else. I always let mine free feed. It is normal for pregnant females to go off their food at times during their pregnancy.

:)Yes I breed her to a handsom guy. Harley is his name. This is the first time for Tilly. She is 2 yr old and so as a first timer I have a lot of concerns and questions. I have a very good vet which is also Harleys vet. I have always given Tilly Grain free food. She is on Tast of the Wild and or (depending on her mood) Evanger's Super Premium.

how were you able to tell she was pregnant? my little one mated on the 13th of this month and she's been really acting like a weirdo sleeping a lot wanting to be up under me all day if she could and she wont eat her food a lot so I dont no what to do. but she will eat table food someone please advise me on what I should do...

I think my Yorkie is Pregnant
 

how were you able to tell she was pregnant? my little one mated on the 13th of this month and she's been really acting like a weirdo sleeping a lot wanting to be up under me all day if she could and she wont eat her food a lot so I dont no what to do. but she will eat table food someone please advise me on what I should do...

Usually on the 3rd week after breeding they will go off food. Don't let this go on for very long. At her last trimester you should increase her number of feedings and the amount. Make sure her food does not contain soy, it is a calcium depleter. And make sure it has a good protien value.

If this is her first litter, you probably won't be able to tell until the end of her fifth week. Have x-rayed a week before her first due date.

yes this is my first litter I'm so lost I dont know what to do

Oh dear not a way to start off, being lost. Your girl's life is in your hands.

If you haven't started already, begin reading everything you can get your hands on about whelping.

Do you have a mentor? Will your vet be available if there should be an emergency? Are you prepared (financially) for a possible C-section.

Start gathering all the necessary equipment and meds you'll require for the whelp.

If you work have you scheduled time off for her whelp. She won't be able to be left alone from her first date and for a few weeks after the whelp.

Good advice as always Mardelin. OP don't forget to save up $$$ in case of an unexpected emergency.

Great advice. Preparing, researching and working with a mentor BEFORE breeding is definitely recommended. Breeding is NOT something you just 'pick up' as you go. :(

I studied everything I could and got two mentors, found a stud with champion bloodlines, everything! I thought I was ready. She gave one yelp and her stomach tightened three days before her due date, got her cozy, sent hubby to the store for those "last minute" items (including extra puppy pads and lattes all around), got my one mentor to drive to the house, figuring we had some hours to go...ten minutes later the first one arrived, since I was alone I panicked!...the next two arrived within the next two hours without so much as a whimper from her. All I'm saying is when it happens, everything you think you know goes out the window. So be over prepared??? I assume it gets easier down the road, but being my first litter I ended up feeling helpless and I thought I had been so prepared. Maybe because she had them with little warning, early, and so fast it threw off my "planning" --- lol Still think it was the Red Raspberry Leaf syrup that made the whelping go so easy, but who knows for sure.

Looking back she showed signs of pregnancy (mood changes and eating preferences) within days of conception, and threw up a lot. All turned out well, but I can't imagine now anyone having a litter without some significant "schooling" pre birth. Yeah, hubby and the one mentor are still making fun of me. lol
Kendra

Could you imagine had you not prepared, studied. I know with each whelp I worry more. I guess the old saying ignorance is bliss is true. Knowing that each whelp is different and the fear that anything can go wrong at a moment's notice makes me over prepare. The equipment and meds that come into this house prior to a whelp could probably supply a small clinic.