Maintaining the health of your pregnant dog is of utmost importance, knowledge on what to feed a pregnant dog is a great necessity to support her in due time. Here are the top five most asked questions about feeding your pregnant and lactating dog.
1. Should I change my dog's diet when she is pregnant or lactating?
Yes, changes should be made in her diet in order to meet the nutritional requirement. In fact, during pregnancy, her body needs energy-mostly at the end of the third trimester when the puppies are maturing pretty fast. The real problem starts after delivery when she is lactating. Her body would demand the additional supply of nutrients to produce enough milk to feed the puppies.
Maintaining the healthy weight of the dog during pregnancy is crucial. The pregnant dam should instead be put on more weight so that she gains 15 to 20% of body weight by the whelping time. The nutrition following whelping should be channeled to a greater extent for replenishment of lost nutrients and for building the dam's body as it produces milk and colostrum for the new-born puppies.
For a healthy pregnancy, you'd opt for the high-energy dog food formula. A dog food, with a high calorie level and high proportion of protein and fats, works pretty well because these cover the basic needs of your dog at such demanding moments. This will come in pretty handy, especially if your dog is lean or you suspect you have a larger litter.
It is highly recommended to introduce new foods gradually from around week 6 of pregnancy. Start by mixing small proportions of the new food with her regular diet, increasing the proportion over a period of a week.
For the first 4-5 weeks of pregnancy, her diet may well suffice, but as the pregnancy progresses, her nutritional requirements would begin to change and thus it is really important to provide a feeding plan that addresses that change. Here are some good puppy foods to start with:
Royal Canin Mother and Babydog :
The same formula supports the mother as well as her puppies. This contains all sorts of nutrients like protein, animal fats, rice and helps boost immunity.
Hill's Science Plan Healthy Development Puppy :
This diet, supplemented with omega 3 and DHA from fish oil for the advancement of joint and bone developments during growth, makes the feed all the more rewarding for dogs of medium size.
Canine Choice Puppy (Grain Free) :
This dog food is grain-free. Sixty percent meat is supplemented with prebiotics, probiotics, and chamomile for smooth digestion.
Pregnancy and Lactation:
Nutrient-rich, high-quality food switches your dog on to the best nutrient nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.
2. What changes are expected in Her appetite?
Pregnancy can induce anorexia, especially during the early stages of gestation. She will probably appear ill or lose her appetite entirely around weeks three to four, like morning sickness in people. If this persists for more than a week or is accompanied by lethargy or other concerning symptoms, it's best to consult with your veterinarian.
As the pregnancy advances especially in later stages, she would not have much available space in the abdominal area with the puppies developing. This discomfits her, and she would be requiring smaller meals more frequently throughout the day rather than one huge meal. You can, therefore, feed her smaller portions but at more frequent times in a day to help make her comfortable while ensuring she gets all the nutrition.
3. Should her food be increased before whelping?
Well, she should also be fed more approaching the time for whelping. At the time of whelping, her energy intake is increased by 15-25%. Free choice feeding will ensure that she gets all she needs to fuel her body through the rigors of childbirth.
In most cases, the dogs do not want to eat 12 hours prior to whelping, so her biggest concern here would be her hydration. She needs to make sure fresh water is always available to her. She could become dehydrated and then weak, which could lead to complications with labor. Feed immediately after whelping some good, palatable food to help her recover strength, start to make milk for her pups.
4. How does lactation affect her nutritional requirements?
Pregnancy and lactation is quite stressful on the body of a mother dog. Because milk from the mother fed to the pups is drawn from her, nutritional deficiencies can readily arise if changes aren't made to the mother’s diet. The nutrients like higher levels of calcium, protein and fat are required by the pups. So, it is paramount to provide High-quality, high-calorie food.
At peak lactation, the mother should receive roughly 25% more food for every puppy. For instance, in case of the big pups, her energy intake will be very high. In that case, free choice feeding is advised to ensure that she gets enough nutrients supporting both her wellbeing and that of the pups. If your dog does not take in enough calories, then she may suffer malnutrition that affects both her and the pups.
Commercial dog foods are generally too low in calories and nutrients to adequately support a lactating mother dog. Make sure to choose commercial dog food specifically formulated for lactating females, and are high in calories, and nutrient-rich.
5. What is the difference between puppy food and adult food?
The puppy foods are rich in proteins, which is crucial in overall development. It has concentrated levels of important vitamins, minerals, and fats present in puppy food, providing for overall health, bone development, and energy. These contain calories to push the metabolism of the pup and help in growth.
The right puppy food for breeding females is nutritionally balanced and also provides the necessary nutrients for the mother and puppies. Puppy foods are essential parts of the diet for growing puppies. The right amount of nutritious food and ideal feeding program for your lactating dog would ensure a hitch-free pregnancy for your dog and give her puppies the best beginning in life. Consult your veterinarian to guide you about the personalized advice, whether it's the specific dietary needs of your dog or its health necessities.
So, these recommendations, as well as the optimal diet for pregnant dogs, would then take your dog through all the trials of pregnancy and subsequently lactation. Whether it's puppy food or how much she receives of that is calcium, vitamins, and all the other nutrients, her health and your puppies will benefit from your care and attention to her nutritional needs.
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