- 2 ½ lb or 6 legs of chicken.
- 1 cup brown rice
- 4-5 potatoes/sweet potatoes/yams peeled and chopped
- 5-6 baby carrots peeled and chopped
- One 24 oz package of frozen peas
- 1 cup whole grain pasta
- One can of diced tomatoes with juice
- 2-3 quarts of chicken or vegetable broth. You can also use water.
- 2-4 tbsp good fats (ghee, coconut oil, olive oil etc)
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 can I give my Dog to help her whelping?
The single most important thing you can do at this stage is give her calcium. Calcium helps enable the uterine muscle to slide and create strong and effective contractions, which helps make the whelping process as efficient as possible. Slow-whelping puppies can be short on oxygen at birth, resulting in weakness and difficulty nursing.
How do you get a nursing dog to eat her food?
If she’s not keen on eating, mix an egg yolk or some lard into her food to make it more palatable. When the dog starts nursing the puppies, give her puppy food to make sure she passes on enough nutrients. Encourage her to eat it by mixing the puppy food with her normal food for the first 3 or 4 days.
What kind of calcium do you give a dog when whelping?
Oral calcium is ideal for dog whelping since it can be easily absorbed through membranes in the mouth rather than be swallowed. As a general rule, the goal with whelping puppies, especially large litters, is to finish in under 12 hours, and calcium plays an important role. How to Help a Dog During Active Labor
What do you feed a nursing mother dog?
Nursing: Make Sure Your Dog Gets Sufficient NutritionFeed a nutrient-dense diet such as puppy food.Without increasing the amount of food offered at a meal, increase the number of meals throughout the day.Free-choice feed her, offering unlimited access to dry food throughout the day.
What to feed whelping puppies?
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 do dogs eat when they give birth?
Puppy food is rich in calories, proteins and fats. It is recommended that you feed your dog puppy food for a few weeks after giving birth. Puppy food offers her the nutrients she needs. Puppy formula powder can also be added to the dog's normal food.
How much should I feed my dog after she gives birth?
Feed the mother dog more food than normal. 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. This food should be fed in small meals throughout the day, instead of just a few large meals.
Are eggs good for nursing dogs?
Generally, the answer is yes. Eggs are a non-toxic food for dogs (wolves, too).
Is rice good for pregnant dogs?
You can feed your dog tuna and rice as a treat, but it should not comprise any substantial portion of her diet, particularly if she is pregnant. The main part of her diet should be a food that is labeled as a puppy food or as being complete for all life stages.
Should I feed my dog during labor?
A dog that is going into active labor will probably avoid eating. The labor process can be very grueling and can cause stomach upset and vomiting, along with pacing and uneasiness. Thus, trying to force her to eat during this time is not productive. If your dog does eat right before labor it may vomit the food up.
What helps dogs produce more milk?
The 8 Best Ways to Improve Dogs' Milk ProductionFeed Nursing Dog More. ... Give Nursing Dog Plenty of Water. ... Consider Offering Nursing Dog Supplements. ... Lower Her Stress Levels. ... Get Nursing Dog Checked for Parasites. ... Check Her Mammary Glands for Infection. ... Ask Your Vet for Help to Produce More Milk. ... Know When to Throw in the Towel.
How do I take care of my dog after giving birth?
Immediately After She Gives BirthRemove and replace all soiled material from the whelping box with clean, soft bedding. Repeat as needed.Do not bathe your dog after she gives birth. But do gently clean her with a warm damp cloth. Wait a few weeks to give her a full-blown bath.
What do you put in the bottom of a whelping box?
If you have built your own whelping box, you may have used wood or cardboard for the bottom. These materials are not easy to keep clean. As such, it is a good idea to line the bottom of your box with vinyl flooring. This can be purchased at any home improvement store, and is self-adhesive.
How do I know if my dog is producing enough milk for her puppies?
Puppies who are getting enough milk will be generally quiet and will appear content. Hungry puppies will cry and may try to search for nourishment.
How much milk does a German Shepherd puppy need?
A German shepherd with 6 puppies can easily produce up to 2 liters of milk each day . At peak lactation, a bitch can produce as much milk as a cow! This is why vets recommended keeping plenty of fresh water available for nursing bitches. A 35 kilo nursing dog may need up to 6 liters of fresh water per day.
What to do with a picky nursing dog?
What to do with picky nursing dogs. Avoid any drastic dietary changes in picky nursing dogs. These could cause vomiting or diarrhea. Do not force a pregnant or nursing dog to eat. Switch her gradually to a growth or performance variety food as per your vet’s advice.
How to help a dog who just gave birth?
Energy needs increase drastically during gestation and nursing. Your dog needs plenty of calcium and phosphorus to increase milk production. Give her a supplement after consulting your vet. Canine dietary supplements with calcium and Vitamin D are readily available . These are especially necessary for small breed dogs nursing large litters and for dogs with history of eclampsia.
What is the primary factor in taking care of a pregnant or lactating dog?
The young litter is also counting on you for many things. Primary factor in taking care of a pregnant or lactating bitch is feeding her a healthy diet. Each dog pregnancy is unique and hence the nutritional needs are also different.
How much energy do pregnant bitches need?
Depending on the litter size, the energy needs can go up to 30% – 60% above maintenance. Bitches should have at least 20% of their energy needs met by carbohydrates. Avoid raw food diet at this time since it has very low carbohydrates.
Is it okay to feed a dog protein all day?
While this is true to some extent, you should not go overboard with it. It is especially important that the food not contain too much protein that takes all day to digest. Your dog will be nursing all day and she won’t get too much exercise. So her diet should contain moderate, easy to digest protein.
Is Victor Purpose good for dogs?
It is excellent for growing puppies as well as for nursing bitches. You can also feed Victor Purpose to sporting dogs or dogs with high physical demands. The food is fortified with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids that are necessary for nursing or lactating dogs.
What to use to keep puppy whelping area clean?
Receiving Cloths – Use to grip and dry each puppy. Pee Pads – We used the large pee pads to put under mom to catch afterbirth to try and keep our whelping area as clean as possible during the whelping. Paper Towels – To keep your whelping box area as clean as possible.
Can Raven chew through umbilical cord?
For the record Raven ate 3 last time without issue. Don’t let mama chew through the umbilical cord. She can sometimes chew it down too far which can cause issues. Instead crimp the umbilical with the hemostat and make the cut with your scissors then tie off the cords with your unwaxed dental floss.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
What to use to keep puppies warm?
Materials such as rags, blankets, or carpeting that allow puppies to crawl underneath and potentially be smothered by the dam also should be avoided. Waterproof bedding on the bottom can be layered with a flannel-top whelping pad that repels moisture to help keep puppies warm.
What to do if my puppy is not gaining weight?
If puppies are not gaining at that rate, they should be supplemented with a formula that contains maltodextrin to promote weight gain. ”. “A first-time dam may be overwhelmed, and you may need to lay her on her side and put the puppies on the nipples for a few days until she takes over.
How long can a puppy labor without a puppy?
Other signs of potential problems include strong persistent labor for 30 minutes without delivery of a puppy, weak or intermittent labor for six hours without delivery of a puppy, or three or more hours having had passed since the last puppy was born, with more puppies expected to be delivered.
How hot should a whelping box be?
Be sure the whelping box has adequate heat around 85 degrees, as puppies are not able to make their own body heat until they are 2 ½ weeks old. The whelping area should be clean and quiet and provide a comfortable, stress-free environment.
What temperature should a whelping box be?
The whelping box should have a consistent temperature around 85 degrees, as puppies are not able to generate their own body heat until they are 2 ½ weeks of age. “Excessively high temperatures and high humidity can cause respiratory difficulties and dehydration in puppies.
How to keep a newborn puppy warm?
If neonates are small in size when they are born, you can help stimulate their respiration and keep them warm by rubbing their bodies and drying them . Newborn puppies with a low birth weight may have immature lungs, which could cause them to become hypothermic with a dangerously low body temperature.
What is the best bedding for a whelping box?
The best bedding materials for a whelping box are soft, warm, have good traction, and are easily cleaned and disinfected. They should be insect-free, moisture resistant, and not easily ingested by puppies.
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.
What is the best way to control body condition and weight gain during pregnancy?
Meal feeding is the best way to control body condition and weight gain during pregnancy. A high quality puppy formulation designed for high-digestibility is generally recommended during the 3 rd trimester, and multiple small meals may be the best way to make sure the mother can eat enough calories and nutrients.
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.
What is the best calcium for whelping?
Calcium Citrate. Unlike calcium carbonate, calcium citrate can be absorbed orally without the need for food. Therefore, calcium citrate is the most commonly used type of calcium during whelping. It can be applied as a gel right to the gums.
Why do dogs need calcium?
Why Dogs Need Calcium For Whelping. In the late stages of your dog’s pregnancy, the demand for calcium increases immensely. This is because the parathyroid gland requires more calcium to supplement fetal development and transition into the birthing process. Calcium levels are taxed severely when a dog is giving birth.
What happens if a dog has eclampsia?
Eclampsia typically arises suddenly, but there are a few warning signs to look out for, including: If your dog develops eclampsia, it must receive help right away.
Is calcium good for whelping?
As you can see, calcium is an important part of whelping. But doing it correctly is key. Administering too high or too little amounts of calcium can be perilous. This blog will teach you how much calcium to give a dog for whelping. More important, it will also discuss the importance of calcium and why it’s essential for whelping.
Do dogs need calcium while nursing?
Remember that your dog will also need to have calcium while they are nursing too. The amount does not change per dose, but the frequency does. While your dog will have several quantities throughout the whelping process, most dogs will only need a single amount while nursing.
Can a dog have eclampsia before whelping?
For one, staying away from calcium before whelping will allow your dog to gear up her specific needs. Her body will be ready and willing to accept the calcium when the time is right, on her schedule – not yours. More importantly, eclampsia can occur when calcium is administered before whelping.
How long does it take for a puppy to whelp?
This takes around 63 days usually, depending on the size of the litter. Large puppy litters may whelp three or four days early, while small litter can be several days late. Table of Contents [ show]
How to help a pregnant dog?
3. Provide Appropriate and Well-Balanced Nutrition.
How to prepare for a dog pregnancy?
Proper preparations for before, during and after dog pregnancy and whelping will make the process easier for everybody. Get the whelping area ready early, and let the mom dog move in about halfway through her pregnancy to get comfortable in the new space.
How to keep a puppy warm during labor?
Prepare an enclosed space where the pups can get used to light and sound gradually. Be ready with a hot water bottle to keep your newborn puppy warm during labor, paper towels, old towels you can throw away, clean cloths or rags, and some garbage bags. 5. Think Inside the Whelping Box.
How many puppies can a dog have?
Nature Knows Best When. Essential Supplies for Dog Pregnancy and Whelping. Expect to have as many as 15 pup pies if the dog mom is a large breed, while small dogs might give birth to only one puppy. The age of the dog makes a difference, too. Knowing how long the dog will be pregnant, what you’ll need during this stage and what’s going ...
Why is it important to bond after a puppy is born?
Bonding after puppy birth between a mother and her babies is important, so give them space to let them get to know each other – do not interfere because you might get some of that maternal aggression , and simply let the nature take its course.
Can you give a puppy a whelping kit?
If your dog is giving birth at home with you at her side, it may be easier to simply get a dog whelping kit for puppies with all the items you'll need. The best one we like to use is from Little Heartbeats Whelping:
How much should I feed my puppy during lactation?
As a rule of thumb, at peak lactation you should increase a bitch’s food intake by 25 percent per puppy above what is usually required to maintain her body weight. For example, if a bitch normally requires two cups of dog food to maintain her body weight and has a litter of six pups, feed her a total of five cups a day ...
Why do smaller dogs eat cat food?
Some breeders feed smaller dogs a good-quality, growth-and-lactation commercial cat food because of the greater caloric and nutrient content of these products.
What happens when a puppy is lactating?
Lactation. Nutritional deficiencies are particularly likely to occur when the bitch is lactating. Her physiology will prioritize the utilization of nutrients. The top priority is lactation and puppy growth, and she will actually deplete her body reserves at the expense of her own health for that purpose.
How much fat should a lactating bitch have?
Simply ensuring sufficient intake of calories is extremely difficult, and therefore her diet should have a fat content of at least 17 percent. Many factors affect the caloric requirements of the lactating bitch, including the number of pups, the size of the breed and the temperament of the dam.
How long after giving birth can a dog be anorexic?
The inexperienced or overattentive mother may be reluctant to leave the pups. Bring food and water to her if necessary. Some females are anorexic for a few days after whelping.
How much protein should I eat for growth and lactation?
It should contain at least 29 percent protein , at least 17 percent dietary fat and less than 5 percent dietary fiber. This is measured based on dry-matter weight, not calories.
Is a bitch a good breeder?
If you and your veterinarian decide a bitch is a good breeding candidate, based upon a thorough physical exam in which she is found to be in good health and free of any physical abnormalities that may jeopardize pregna ncy or whelping, as well as any potentially dangerous inheritable conditions, then the real work begins.
