All you need to know about giving the best nutrition for pregnant dogs
Whether you’re a licenced breeder or you’re looking after a pregnant dog for the first time, getting enough nutrition for pregnant dogs is essential.
So we’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide filled with tips on how to make sure you’re giving the best nutrition possible to your pregnant pooch.
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Essential tips for feeding your pregnant dog
Naturally, a pregnant dog will need more nutrients and calories than they usually do. Being pregnant can put huge pressure on their systems.
In terms of what you should be feeding, you should always aim to provide a healthy, good-quality and balanced diet. Wherever possible, stick to commercial diets as they are consistent in terms of nutrient contents.
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Feeding your pregnant dog based on where they are in the pregnancy.
Initially, in the earlier stage of pregnancy, you might notice that your dog becomes hungrier in week 4 onwards. However, they don’t need a huge amount more food. You should pay attention to their weight as overweight dogs can face complications during birth.
You might be surprised to hear that the easiest way to make sure your pregnant dog gets adequate nutrition is by feeding them puppy food! So from week 6 onwards, you should transition her over to this. However, you can also find specifically created foods that are made for pregnant and lactating dogs.
Adding smaller additions to meals each week will help you keep a good balance between giving the additional food your pregnant dog needs and not overfeeding her. This extra food should be continued until the puppies are weaned because producing milk is very taxing on Mum’s body.
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Do I need to provide supplements in my pregnant dog’s diet?
If you’re confident that your dog is getting balanced, nutritionally full foods then you don’t need to consider supplements. But you do need to be careful about giving too much of some nutrients such as calcium. Excessive amounts can lead to difficulties or complications during the pregnancy.
If you’re nervous about your dog getting enough nutrients then you should speak to a vet about it. They’ll be able to recommend nutritionally complete foods or suggest additional supplements if they feel it’s needed.
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What you need to know about feeding puppies
Puppies will get most of their nutrients and feed from Mum, however, some puppies might need a small amount of help. If you’re concerned you can supplement their feeds with bottles using specially made puppy milk. Always use reputable suppliers though!
Around 3-4 weeks you might notice that the puppies start to get interested in Mum’s food. If Mum is eating puppy food, then this interest should be encouraged. Initially, focus on introducing wet foods until they’ve gone through teething, using smaller amounts more often.
Always consult with a professional if you’re worried about your puppies or their mother eating properly.