Pregnant dogs must produce ample milk for their puppies. She will need to consume four or more times more food than usual and high-calorie, protein-rich diets can assist.
As she nears birth, her stomach capacity will decrease, so you should reduce bone content slightly to help ensure a successful labor.
Contents
Protein
In the final trimester, pregnant bitches’ food intake should be increased by 25-35% to prevent them from losing weight during gestation and ensure she has enough reserves for feeding her puppies. A highly digestible and very palatable commercial growth-and-lactation diet with ample proteins, moderate-high fat levels and limited fiber is the optimal diet choice.
Pregnant dogs must also consume foods high in iron and calcium to promote fetal development and avoid inertia in their uterus. Organ meats like beef heart, liver and kidney are excellent sources of iron; while foods high in calcium (cruciferous vegetables and raw meaty bones) will promote bone health while encouraging milk production.
Pregnant dogs may experience decreased appetite nearing labor, coinciding with lower body temperatures and the start of labor. If this occurs, ensure your pregnant pup has access to water and ice in order to avoid dehydration and weakness.
Fat
Pregnant dogs require more fat in their diet to meet the increased energy demands associated with gestation. If their needs aren’t met, however, the dog could experience weight loss too quickly and develop complications during gestation.
Pregnant dogs generally do not need their food intake to increase significantly until week 6 or 7. Once pregnant dogs reach this point, their weight should begin to increase steadily, eventually reaching 25% more than usual by week 9. Once this point has been reached, appetite may fluctuate throughout her gestation – this may even signal imminent labor!
Protein and essential fatty acids such as omega-3s and -6s (from fish oil or lard) are vitally important in breastfeeding puppies, along with carbohydrates from potatoes and brown rice. Holistic veterinarians may suggest feeding expectant mothers a high-fiber cereal to control weight gain while supporting digestion health. Furthermore, pregnant dogs need iron for healthy uterus function as well as calcium for strong bones and milk production.
Calcium
Pregnant and nursing dogs need a nutritious performance diet with at least 1600 kcal per serving to provide them with enough energy to keep up with the pace of labor, grow puppies, and make it through to nursing them successfully. Their food should contain adequate amounts of calcium (1-1.8%) and phosphorous (0.8-1.6%) to support optimal lactation.
By week six of gestation, you should begin gradually increasing the size of your dog’s meal each week as her requirements for more calories and nutrition to support gestation increase. Make sure this food includes plenty of protein – such as poultry, fish or meat products as well as organs such as liver and kidneys – in order to meet her increased needs for energy.
At this stage, it is crucial that pregnant dogs and their puppies avoid table scraps and treats that could pose risks to both themselves and their offspring. You could leave out a bowl of fresh water to ensure she remains hydrated throughout her gestation period.
Iron
As your pregnant dog progresses through her nine-week gestation period, it’s crucial that she adheres to her nutritional needs during gestation in order to give her puppies every chance for a healthy life. Adequate feeding during gestation prevents malnourishment or an immune system compromise, both of which could contribute to premature birth and should therefore be prioritized over regular meals during this timeframe.
An optimal raw diet provides pregnant bitches with all of the proteins, fats and calcium they require during gestation. Depending on her litter size, she may need to increase her consumption slightly.
Vitamins C and D are also vitally important during gestation. They assist the body with absorption of iron, tissue building and immune support – so many fruits, vegetables, organ meats and eggs are excellent sources. Finally, make sure your dog has access to enough phosphorous in her diet in order to fuel her milk production; nursing can sap significant quantities of fluid from their bodies so replacing those lost fluids quickly can speed up milk letdown.
