what to feed breastfeeding dogs

A few homemade alternatives can be given to the nursing dog which include:

• Meaty bones, oxtail, chicken, rabbit – can be given frequently
• Cow, pork and game bird – not as highly recommended but can still be given, but less frequently
• Small amounts of organ means, leafy vegetables, whole grain, and eggs – can be given within meals to increase bioavailability

Full Answer

What is the best food to feed a nursing dog?

The food of choice for all pregnant or nursing dogs regardless of breed is Science Diet® Puppy food in varieties listed above. Are there special instructions for feeding my pregnant or nursing dog? Feed your pregnant dog the amount suggested on the food package, and keep feeding her puppy food until her puppies are finished weaning.

What should I Feed my Dog after she gives birth?

Feed the mother dog more food than normal. A dog that has given birth and is breastfeeding its puppies will need to eat more food than it normally would. In fact, most dogs should be fed twice as much food as normal after they give birth. If you don't give it enough food, it won't be able to recover from whelping and feed its babies.

What is the best dog food for pregnant dogs?

The best and most healthy source of fat and calories for nursing dogs is homemade puppy food. However, commercial dry food for pregnant dogs contains a decent calorific amount of healthy fats and proteins to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies. Make sure to add a bunch of greens to her food to aid digestion.

What can I Feed my Dog instead of dog food?

If you don’t want to feed commercial dog food, a few homemade alternatives would include meaty bones, oxtail, chicken or even rabbit. Healthy meats of cows, pork and game birds are also recommended, but in lesser quantity. Lastly, feed small amounts of organ meats, leafy vegetables, whole grain, and eggs.

What can I feed my nursing dog to produce more milk?

Milk thistle is one natural supplement known to help nursing mothers with their milk-making. Other dogs benefit from taking zinc while providing for their pups. In small doses, apricot can also increase milk production. Whatever you decide, it's always best to run it by your vet before you begin supplementing.

What should I feed my dog after giving birth?

The lactating dog needs to eat a high quality puppy food that is high in protein and calcium. This will allow her to produce substantial amounts of milk. She should eat puppy food until the puppies are weaned. Let her eat as much as she wants, which can often be four times her non-pregnant intake.

What can I feed a mother dog?

Feeding a high-quality dog food may be sufficient but many veterinarians recommend feeding the new mother puppy food or a specially made nursing (lactation) diet. This can provide extra calories that the dog needs to produce more milk. Make sure to keep your dog's food bowl full at all times.

Are eggs good for nursing dogs?

Generally, the answer is yes. Eggs are a non-toxic food for dogs (wolves, too).

Can I give milk to my dog after giving birth?

Your mother dog will need to increase the amount of milk it produces over several weeks after giving birth. It will be at peak milk production around three weeks after giving birth. At this point it will also need to be eating up to four times as much food as it did before pregnancy.

How do you take care of a mama dog after giving birth?

After the birthing process, clean up the mother as much as possible without upsetting her using a warm water and washcloth. Do not use any soaps or disinfectants unless instructed to by your veterinarian. Remove any soiled newspaper or bedding from her whelping box.

Is rice good for dogs?

Safe: Cooked White Rice and Pasta. Dogs can eat plain white rice or pasta after it's cooked. And, a serving of plain white rice with some boiled chicken can sometimes make your dog feel better when they are having stomach problems.

Is yogurt good for nursing dogs?

The best foods for nursing dogs should have lots of calories, fat, and proteins. Foods with high calcium content are essential to prevent milk fever and pre-eclampsia. Yogurt is one of the human foods approved for nursing dogs.

Can I give my dog a raw egg every day?

Eggs are rich in avidin, which inhibits the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin. However egg yolks are a very good source of biotin, so you can safely feed your dog a raw egg every day. Cooking will also destroy the avidin for extra safety.

Can a nursing dog eat rice?

Your Dog Can Eat Rice, But Go With Quality Despite low levels of arsenic, premium rice has nutrition to offer. But rice is actually most useful for nursing a sick pup back to health. FYI: Lentils are an even better option to consider.

Can I give chicken to mother dog?

Made with high-quality ingredients like chicken, rice and milk, it contains all the essential nutrients needed by both the lactating mother and the pup. It is ideal for mums as it is more energy-dense than regular dog food. This gives them the energy they require to feed their pups.

Can I give a nursing dog rice?

Include healthy grains in your dog's diet because they are a great source of folate, fiber and iron, which are important for pregnant and nursing dogs. Oats, flaxseeds and brown rice are particularly good grains to feed a pregnant dog.

What are some good foods for a mama dog?

Approved nutrient-dense human foods include cottage cheese and yogurt, cooked chicken, oatmeal, green beans, pumpkin and carrots, peanut butter, salmon and eggs — all of which tend to be canine favorites. References:

Why do dogs need to be fed while nursing?

Your mama dog needs plenty of protein and calcium while she’s nursing to help prevent eclampsia or milk fever — a potentially fatal condition in which the mother’s body pulls too much calcium away from the nervous system in order to supply it to her pups. She also needs a constant supply of clean water.

How much protein should a nursing dog eat?

According to the National Academies of Science, a 33-pound mother with 6 pups has a daily nutrient requirement of 158 grams of crude protein and 67 grams of fat. Specific amounts will vary by size, breed and number of puppies in the litter. The basis of your nursing dog’s diet should be high quality dry dog food.

How long does it take for a dog to eat after giving birth?

Mama should be eagerly eating dog food again within 24 hours after giving birth. Lactating dogs need 2 to 3 times the calories of non-lactating dogs. Most mother dogs will increase their food intake on their own until it peaks around the puppies’ third week of life.

Can a lactating dog eat homemade food?

Homemade diets are not recommended for lactating dogs by the ASPCA or most veterinarians because nursing mamas have very specific, high nutrient requirements, which AAFCO-tested growth-and-reproduction commercial foods are guaranteed to meet.

Can canned dog food cause diarrhea?

Canned food may be fed in addition to high quality dry dog food. Too much, however, is implicated in diarrhea and dental problems. Most canned dog foods state the amount to feed per pound of body weight on the label.

Does Mama Dog need a lot of calories?

Mama Dog’s calorie and nutrient requirements are greater while she’s nursing her pups than at any other time of her life, including pregnancy. Luckily, veterinary nutritionists have studied lactating animals’ needs extensively.

How long does it take for a puppy to wean from its mother?

Over 4 or 5 days, increase to the full pre-breeding portion.

How long is a dog pregnant?

Dogs are pregnant for 62 days, plus or minus 2 days. The pregnancy is divided into trimesters, and a healthy, well-fed dog will gain about 15 to 20% beyond her weight at breeding. Overfeeding can result in obesity at the end of pregnancy, increasing the risk for difficult or prolonged labor and extra stresses on the puppies.

How much energy does a mother need after giving birth?

At her highest energy need, 3-5 weeks after whelping (giving birth), she may require 2-4 times the energy calories of a normal healthy adult.

Can a puppy's mother increase her food intake?

Once the puppies are born, the mother can increase her food intake, but the energy density of the food must be high enough or she will not be physically able to consume enough to sustain milk production, weight , and body condition . Periodic assessments of her body condition provide opportunities to fine-tune feedings.

How much should a dog eat after giving birth?

In fact, most dogs should be fed twice as much food as normal after they give birth.

What to do after a dog gives birth?

After a mother dog gives birth, you will need to give her some extra care. Specifically, she will need to be fed and hydrated properly in order to assure that she and her puppies stay healthy.

What to bring to a whelping box after a dog gives birth?

After a dog gives birth, you’ll need to bring food to her whelping box and find ways to encourage her to eat. Bring her water immediately after she gives birth, since the dog will have lost a lot of fluids. You should also bring dog food to the whelping box, because the dog won’t want to leave her puppies to eat.

What does the AKC do for dogs?

The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events , such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source. This food should be fed in small meals throughout the day, instead of just a few large meals.

Why is puppy food so digestible?

Puppy food is high in calories and it is highly digestible. This means that the mother can absorb the nutrients in the food quickly. Feeding the mother dog puppy food also assures that the puppies she is feeding get the proper nutrition.

How long does it take for a dog to produce milk?

Your mother dog will need to increase the amount of milk it produces over several weeks after giving birth . It will be at peak milk production around three weeks after giving birth. At this point it will also need to be eating up to four times as much food as it did before pregnancy.

Can a dog drink water while breastfeeding?

A dog that is breastfeeding needs to drink a lot of liquid in order to produce enough milk. Make sure that the mother dog has constant access to water while she is nursing her young. You should be particularly vigilant about monitoring how much water your dog is drinking if she is being fed a dry diet.

How much food should a pregnant dog eat?

Ideally, a pregnant dog will eat 1/5 th of her body weight every week.

What is bioavailable dog food?

Bioavailable Food. Most importantly, the food you feed a nursing dog bioavailable dog food. This means that the nutrients in the food should be easily absorbed by the dog’s system; otherwise, there is no point!

How long does it take for a dog to eat dry food?

At the end of 2-3 weeks, you will have switched her over to her regular diet.

How long does it take for a pregnant dog to lose weight?

A pregnant dog will start putting on weight after the sixth week and start losing it fast within days of the birth.

Can nursing mothers feed their puppies?

New nursing mothers need a large quantity of food to keep their puppies fed. Some trainers and vets even suggest that a nursing dog should have a bowl full of kibble accessible at all times (i.e. free feeding). So ideally, you should let your dog eat as much as she wants.

Can you limit how much food a nursing dog eats?

This is one time that you simply cannot put a limit to how much she eats – and don’t worry about overfeeding her. However, what you must worry about is that while nursing dogs require large quantities of food, they have very little appetite. So getting them to eat more is a problem.

Can pregnant dogs eat dry food?

However, commercial dry food for pregnant dogs contains a decent calorific amount of healthy fats and proteins to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies. Make sure to add a bunch of greens to her food to aid digestion.

What is the best food for dogs?

Chickpeas. This dog food is chock full of vitamins and minerals and will provide your furry friend with energy all-day-long. That’s because it contains chickpeas , lamb, and sweet potatoes. What’s more, its high protein content is perfect for the development of lean muscles.

How much kcal should I feed my nursing dog?

When looking for quality dog food for nursing dogs, reach for the Merrick Puppy Recipe. Your puppy gets a caloric intake of 400 kcal in every cup. Here are some reasons that make it such a good choice. Firstly, it is produced based on a nutrient-dense formula.

How to change a dog's diet?

Here are the general guidelines that will make the switch smoother. They will work regardless of the breed of your expectant dog: 1 Seek out your vet’s opinion on what you plan to do. They will know how you can arrange to increase the key nutrient uptake without risking the dam’s health. This goes doubly if your pooch has been facing weight-related problems. 2 Begin the transition gradually as opposed to in a single go. In short, keep substituting her dog with the new meal over a period of one week. Continue until the dam’s only consuming the new brand. 3 Switch to a new dog food approximately during the sixth week of pregnancy. 4 An expectant mother would need to nourish both herself and her developing litter. Ensure that you keep increasing the dog food dosage gradually after the switch. Thus, give them the same-sized portion for the first 4-5 weeks of pregnancy.

What are the ingredients in dog food?

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken (Source of Glucosamine), 2. Rice Flour, 3. Corn Gluten Meal, 4. Whole Grain Corn, 5. Chicken By-Product Meal (Source of Glucosamine) Real chicken is one of the principal ingredients in this dog food. That and a few others, like grains, are all essential for expecting and nursing mothers.

Why is it important that you switch to a dam-specific dog food when yours expects a litter?

Why is it important that you switch to a dam-specific dog food when yours expects a litter? It is vital because these dog meals will ensure she receives – and passes on – sufficient nutrition during all stages of gestation. After all, it isn’t just her health that you must worry about. The mother is also the nutrient source for the puppies. What’s more, her nutritional requirements usually increase further when she is in the last trimester of pregnancy.

When should I switch my dog's food?

Switch to a new dog food approximately during the sixth week of pregnancy. An expectant mother would need to nourish both herself and her developing litter. Ensure that you keep increasing the dog food dosage gradually after the switch. Thus, give them the same-sized portion for the first 4-5 weeks of pregnancy.

Is DHA good for dogs?

And then there’s DHA, another antioxidant, which will aid in brain development. What’s more, you won’t find any fillers as part of this dog food formula. Instead, its glucosamine content makes it good for joint health. It also features phosphorous and calcium, which are necessary for bone growth and strength.

What to do if my dog is not producing enough milk?

If you notice that your nursing dog is not producing enough milk, if the puppies seem constantly hungry, crying a lot and nursing but not seeming to get full, don’t wait for it to resolve itself. You may need to have your mom checked out by your vet.

Why do nursing dogs need water?

Nursing Dogs Need Water for Milk Production and Lots of It! Water is needed by all mammalian bodies to produce milk, and without it, they can quickly become dehydrated. This is why making sure your nursing dog has enough water should be your first step and priority to help them produce more milk.

Why do dogs get picky when they start nursing?

Some dogs may get picky when they start nursing, but this happens with some humans as well as the hormones for humans and canines can affect them similarly after pregnancy. So they may decide that they need a special temperature for their water. They may prefer cooler water or a bit above room temperature.

Can nursing dogs produce more milk?

While this post covered a few possibilities that are serious for nursing dogs, the vast majority of nursing dogs can end up producing more milk by just making sure they have enough water and calories .

Can a nursing dog stop milk production?

Dehydration in dogs can very quickly slow down or even stop milk production. Always make sure a nursing dog has a close-by water source [authority link]. If your nursing dog has her litter in a cage, then make sure she has a source of water in the cage with her at all times. Never let it get more than half empty as she may take in a lot ...

Can nursing dogs drink?

As an alternative, you can offer your nursing dog a few different things to help convince her to drink more. Like humans, dogs like some variety too, and even without puppies and pregnancy, your dog may spend a lot of time teetering on the edge of dehydration on a fairly regular basis.

Is wet food good for nursing dogs?

Wet food, in general, tends to have more calories, so this is especially important for smaller nursing dogs. You can check out our post as well, Wet Food vs. Dry Food for a breakdown comparison. Breeds like Chihuahuas may not have large litters, but their small bodies can be depleted quite quickly.

What is the best food for a pregnant dog?

They are also good for the eyesight. The best sources of omega-3 acids are fish like salmon, but you can also include fish oil supplements in your dog's diet.

What vitamins should I give my dog while pregnant?

Vitamins. Important vitamins for a pregnant dog include vitamin C, vitamin D and folate, which is also known as the B9 vitamin. Vitamin C can help aid the uptake of iron into your dog’s system, but it also helps with tissue building and can support the immune system. Most fruits, vegetables and organ meats are high in vitamin C.

How to get pregnant with a dog?

Ensure your pregnant dog gets plenty of high quality meat. You can give your dog raw meat on the bone during pregnancy, or minced meat with bone in it. This will get her necessary protein, fats and calcium. Beef is probably the best choice. Also, add more organ meats to her diet since they are the most nutrient dense foods. Remember to include even more bones and organ meats after your dog's pregnancy.

How to prepare a dog for pregnancy?

Preparing for your dog's pregnancy involves more than simply knowing what to feed a pregnant dog. Here's a full dog pregnancy guide I would recommend you read. In the end, if you want to breed your female dog, assessing her body condition in advance is important. Physical demands that come with pregnancy and nursing can be hard for dogs who are not ...

What minerals are needed for a dog to be pregnant?

Minerals. Even though all minerals are important, calcium, iron and phosphorous are the most required minerals for dogs during pregnancy and nursing. Iron can help a lot in the formation of red blood cells and the prevention of anemia, which is common during dog's pregnancy.

How long does it take for a dog to be pregnant?

The gestation period for dogs is 9 weeks and during that time, you will have to modify your dog’s diet depending on the week she’s in. For the first 4 weeks, you can feed your dog the way you normally would with regular meals, without increasing the amount of food. After that, by week 5, you should increase the amount of food in your pregnant dog's ...

When should I feed my dog after labor?

Premium quality dog foods are particularly good for dogs in the last three weeks of pregnancy and after labor. Know what to feed a nursing dog to produce more milk, since your pooch will lose weight after birth, but her nutritional needs will increase.