what to feed your dog when it's pregnant

• It is best to feed your pregnant pal puppy food or pet food for all life stages.
• Ensure to give food containing at least 22% protein and 1600 kcal of digestive energy for every pound of the food.
• Feed her all her preferred food unless when she’s vulnerable to obesity already.
• Try switching her pet food to a more nutritional alternative if she seems to lose weight or moistening it.
• Always keep fresh water in her clean bowl.

Full Answer

What dog food brand is best for pregnant dogs?

Best Wet Dog Food for Pregnant Dogs: Hydration is important for all dogs but is particularly important for pregnant dogs to support milk production. Many pregnant dogs lose their appetite during the first few weeks and some experience nausea, both of these things can lead to poor hydration.

What is good homemade dog food for pregnant dog?

• 1-pound ground beef (80-85% lean)
• 12 eggs
• 1 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
• 1 – 8 oz. package of cream cheese
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 tbsp. molasses

Which are the Best Foods for pregnant dogs?

• Nutrient-packed kibble at a very affordable
• Quality is on-par with higher-priced foods
• High in Omega fatty acids and DHA
• Good calorie count for pregnant dogs

Should you change your dog food is she is pregnant?

Weeks 1-2: during the first weeks pregnancy is difficult to detect, and your dog will probably continue to eat food as usual. In fact, you should not change her diet during the first two weeks, even if you know she's pregnant. She will also continue to enjoy walks and games every day.

What is the best diet for a puppy?

It should also include calcium and phosphorous for proper bone formation in the puppies and adequate milk for nursing. DHA is also important for your developing puppies’ nervous system.

Why is my puppy weak during pregnancy?

Underfeeding of dogs during pregnancy, from poor quality food, imbalanced nutrition, or just too few calories can lead to weak puppies and even fading puppy syndrome. Whatever food you choose, try to get your expectant mama to eat small portions throughout the day rather than a large meal. This will go a long way in easing her prenatal discomfort. ...

How long does it take for a dog to develop an embryo?

The First Few Weeks of Pregnancy. The early stages of a dog’s pregnancy are critical to the developing embryo. During the first two and ½ weeks of pregnancy, the embryo remains in the Fallopian tubes. They remain until about 17 days when they descend and produce the placenta.

How many puppies do nursing dogs produce?

Her food, after all, feeds her growing newborns. Most medium-sized dogs produce up to 6-8 puppies in a litter, which is a lot of mouths to feed.

When should puppies be ready for food?

After the puppies are weaned, the mother can return to her normal portion per meal. Puppies should be ready for actual food at about 4 weeks of age.

Do puppies need to change their diet?

That said, a normal, well-balanced adult diet is fine for both your mama dog and the puppies in the first half of gestation. In most cases, your adult dog doesn’t need to change their regular diet at this point if they are eating a high-quality diet.

How to feed a pregnant dog after birth?

Feed your pregnant dog the amount suggested on the food package , and keep feeding her puppy food until her puppies are finished weaning. Ask your veterinarian if you should make food available to her at all times after the puppies are born. This can help wean the puppies to a regular food and you’ll have peace of mind knowing their mother’s energy needs are being met.

Why is it important to feed pregnant dogs?

Food for pregnant or nursing dogs must include sufficient calories to meet increased energy needs for milk production and the growth of puppies. High digestibility is important to help maximize calorie intake from smaller amounts of food.

Why is digestibility important for dogs?

It’s important because it helps a dog maximize the nutrition in every bite she eats. This can be crucial because there’s less space in a pregnant dog’s abdomen,.

How much energy does a nursing dog need?

Pregnant and nursing dogs have very high energy needs. In fact, nursing dogs have 4-8 times the energy requirements of healthy adult dogs. Increased fat in precisely balanced nutrition helps supply more energy.

How long does a dog need to be nursing?

What to Feed Your Pregnant or Nursing Dog. A dog’s pregnancy averages 63 days in length and nursing continues for a few more weeks. This may be the most important time in your dog’s life when it comes to precise nutrition.

Can a pregnant dog be malnourished?

For a pregnant or nursing dog, malnutrition can lead to serious health issues and jeopardize the health of her puppies.1 Talk to your veterinarian about your specific dog’s unique needs and keep these critical nutritional considerations in mind:

Can you feed Hill's Science Diet puppy food?

We recommend feeding Hill’s® Science Diet® Puppy Foods as soon as possible. These formulas feature essential nutrients in sufficient amounts and help developing puppies get off to a great start in life. Ask your veterinarian to recommend one of these Science Diet® puppy foods:

How should I feed my dog during her pregnancy?

Dogs are typically pregnant for 62 days, plus or minus 2 days. The pregnancy is divided into trimesters, and a healthy , well- fed dog will gain about 15-20% 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 stress on the puppies. Conversely, underfeeding during pregnancy can result in embryo loss, abnormal fetal development, spontaneous abortion or stillbirth, small litter size, and low birth-weight puppies that fail to thrive.

How long is a dog pregnant?

Dogs are typically pregnant for 62 days, plus or minus 2 days. The pregnancy is divided into trimesters, and a healthy, well- fed dog will gain about 15-20% 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 stress on the puppies.

Why is my dog not reproducing?

Obesity is the most common nutrition-related problem in reproducing dogs. Obesity can cause increased intervals between estrus cycles, decreasing lifetime reproductive capacity. Obesity can also decrease the number of eggs released at ovulation, resulting in smaller litter sizes. Obesity increases the risk of dystocia (difficulty delivering puppies). Finally, obesity can decrease milk production during lactation, negatively impacting puppy health and growth. An overweight or obese dog should lose weight before breeding. There are no specific nutritional requirements for a female dog during her heat cycle.

How to wean a puppy from mother?

On day one of weaning, withhold her food, allowing the puppies to eat their food while they are away from their mother. They can all be together that night, and the pups will suckle a bit. On day two of weaning, the pups are separated from their mother and she is fed about 25% of her pre-breeding portion and formulation. Over the next 4 or 5 days, increase to her full pre-breeding portions. The puppies should not be allowed access to nurse during this time as that delays drying up milk production.

How long does it take for a mother to have energy after delivery?

Absolutely. The mother's energy requirements actually increase after delivery and during lactation. At her highest energy need, 3-5 weeks after whelping, she may require 2-4 times the calories of a normal healthy adult. The mother's energy requirement will decrease and return to normal by about 8 weeks post-delivery - when puppies are completely weaned.

When do puppies have the most energy?

The highest energy requirement for the mother occurs between weeks 6 and 8 of gestation.

Can puppies nurse during lactation?

The puppies should not be allowed access to nurse during this time as that delays drying up milk production. With a bit of planning and input from your veterinarian, you can create a nutritionally sound plan for pregnancy and lactation, setting the stage for producing healthy puppies. Pet food, supplements & more.

What to feed a pregnant puppy?

It is best to feed your pregnant pal puppy food or pet food for all life stages.

What is the best diet for a pregnant dog?

Both veterinarians and fur parents believe in the 5:1:1:1 as the best diet for nursing dogs. This ratio represents 5 parts of raw meat , 1 part of a fresh organ (kidney, heart, liver), 1 part of raw bone, and 1 part of the vegetable.

How long should a lactating dog be milked?

Lactating dogs should produce enough milk to feed all the litter of puppies for several weeks.

What is the best food for a puppy?

Good food helps build good puppies so give the mother raw dog foods that are fresh and species-appropriate and those made on the best meats. Choose those with little or even no chemical content at all.

What percentage of food intake should be increased during pregnancy?

This is the stage of the pregnancy that needs an increase in her food consumption. The amount of her intake should be increased to roughly 20 to 30 percent. She also starts to gain weight this time.

How to help a dog that is losing weight?

Try switching her pet food to a more nutritional alternative if she seems to lose weight or moistening it.

What is the best time to take care of a female dog?

In all stages of your female dog’s life, pregnancy can be a wonderful time to care for her. She experiences a lot of changes in weight, behavior, appetite, and hormones. This is the time when she needs attention and affection from you.

What to do when your dog is pregnant?

Along with preparing your home and making sure she's comfortable, you should give her appropriate nutritional care that supports her health and the health of her puppies.

How much weight should a dog gain during pregnancy?

Depending on the size and breed of your dog, she should only put on up to 25-30% of her original weight during pregnancy. The best way to control this is to weigh her each week while she's pregnant and adjust the portion size of her food to reflect her changing weight.

How much energy does a puppy need after 5 weeks?

After the fifth week of her pregnancy, your dog's energy needs will increase by 10% every week as the puppies develop. At the same time, her ability to eat can be constrained due to her physical transformation, so she's not able to take in or digest the nutrition she needs. The solution is to transition to an energy-dense food which is high in energy.

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

The solution is to transition to an energy-dense food which is high in energy. In the final third of your dog's pregnancy, after 42 days , you can switch entirely to a high-energy food to support her in the final stages of the gestation.

What to do if you are unsure of your dog's weight?

If you are ever unsure on the best weight for your dog, or want further information on how to alter their food portions, it's important to contact your vet who will be able to give you the best advice for your dog and her puppies.

Can a pregnant dog lose appetite?

At the very start of her pregnancy, your dog may suffer a temporary loss of appetite. This is very normal, and her appetite will return as her body cares for her growing litter. With this in mind, it might be tempting to change her feeding schedule to fit in with her altered appetite. However, it's not a good idea to alter your pregnant dog's ...

Is it safe to give a puppy while pregnant?

Your dog's pregnancy can be a challenging, but exciting time for everyone. By closely monitoring your dog's progress and providing her with nutritionally balanced, tailored food, you'll be safe in the knowledge you're giving both mother and puppies the best start possible. 1 Practical Guide to Dog Breeding, Royal Canin, page 249.

What should I feed my pregnant dog?

Just like the third trimester of pregnancy, feeding during lactation is best accomplished using a highly digestible, high quality puppy food. Free-choice feeding during the first 3-4 weeks of lactation , unless she only has one or two puppies, provides many advantages.

What should a pregnant dog not eat?

Raw diets are not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs. A high quality maintenance dog food is usually sufficient for most dogs and you should avoid feeding your dog additional vitamins or supplements unless your veterinarian advises otherwise.

What Are Some Nutritional Issues That Can Affect a Dog’s Pregnancy?

Obesity is one of the leading health issues of dogs in the reproductive age. On the surface, it may seem like a trivial problem since it is very much common to many dogs.

Is it normal for pregnant dogs to not eat?

Pregnant dogs lose their appetite for three to 10 days during their third week of pregnancy. It is normal for pregnant dogs to stop eating or eat significantly less, in the 24 to 48 hours before their puppies are born.

How much energy does a lactating dog need?

Lactating dogs need more energy than pregnant and whelping dogs, with their highest energy requirement reaching up to 2-4 times more calories than that of a normal adult dog. And they usually reach this peak at around 3 to 5 weeks after giving birth.

When do dogs return to their usual energy after birth?

Lactating dogs will return to their usual energy requirement before they were pregnant by about 8 weeks after delivery. This is also the time when their puppies are completely weaned from them already.

How long does a dog's pregnancy last?

A dog’s pregnancy usually lasts for 60 to 64 days, and it is divided into trimesters. A healthy, well-nourished pregnant dog will gain about 15 to 20% from her pre-pregnant weight.

What is the best diet for a puppy?

A high-quality diet should consist of 29% protein, 17% fat, a high amount of soluble carbohydrates, and low fiber content. You should also be sure that your dog is receiving calcium and phosphorus for the formation of the puppies’ bones and also for milk production.

How many puppies can a dog have in the first trimester?

The first trimester starts when a dog ovulates and releases her eggs. Once her eggs are fertilized, she could have anywhere from two to ten puppies growing in her! Fetal growth is speedy at the early ages of pregnancy. This is why it is important to have your dog on a healthy balanced diet from the very beginning.

Why is my mom's dog not eating?

Mammary development may also be impaired which can lead to decreased milk production or even no production at all. Due to the discomfort of having almost full-term pups in her belly, momma dog may not have much of an appetite.

How much should a baby eat at the end of the first month?

By the end of the first month, she should be eating 2-4 times the amount of food she was eating before pregnancy. Encourage mom to eat as much as she wants. It requires a lot of energy to produce milk for the pups and the pups are also rapidly growing at this stage.

Why is my puppy weak during pregnancy?

Final Thoughts. Weak puppies and even fading puppy syndrome can result from inadequate nutrition during a dog’s pregnancy. It is vital that your dog is fed a consistent high-quality diet throughout their pregnancy and given access to fresh and clean water.

Why is it important to give your dog a balanced diet?

A healthy and balanced diet is essential to help momma dog not only through her pregnancy but to also have a healthy delivery and lactation.

When does a dog's weight increase?

In weeks six and seven, your pregnant dog’s weight will increase. This is the time to increase their food consumption by about 25%. This is the most important developmental time in a dog’s pregnancy. The puppies’ organs are fully developed and they will develop to full term at this time.

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.

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 ...

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.

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 ...

What is the best food for a dog?

Try to feed your dog high-quality protein during pregnancy and nursing. Best source of protein for dogs is meat, so focus on chicken, turkey, beef, lamb and fish (as long as she's not allergic to any of these ingredients). Eggs and dairy products are also good secondary sources of quality protein.

How to get my dog to eat more fat?

This should particularly be done by week 6 of gestation. By that time, you should increase the intake of red meats with higher fat content, and decrease the intake of lean meat or white meat. That means sticking to beef, lamb or pork would be the optimal choice.

How to keep a dog in good condition during pregnancy?

Keep your dog in good condition with plenty of walks. But let her decide when she’s had enough. At this point in the pregnancy, she should be feeling pretty good and be able to pretty much function as normal. She’ll be thirstier than usual and will need to pee more often.

How much weight does a pregnant dog gain?

Pregnant female dogs gain approximately 15 to 20% more weight depending on the size of the litter. Continue the 1st trimester feeding routine. Increase green leafy veggies and break the fast every morning. I don’t advise giving extra calcium during the pregnancy as it can lead to overcalcification in the fetus.

What to do after a baby is born?

After the birth, I’d suggest offering a lightly cooked nutritious stew. I find something light but fairly bland works well. I recommend adding to a pan some chopped turkey rich in tryptophan to keep your new mum relaxed and calm.

Why is fiber important for dogs?

Fiber helps deliver good levels of hydration through the food. If you’ve ever switched your dog from kibble to raw, you’ll have noticed the dramatic drop in the amount of water she drinks. If You Feed Kibble: Dogs need a good 70% moisture in their diets. That’s impossible to calculate when feeding kibble alone.

When can puppies join their mum?

When the puppies are ready to be weaned at around 4 weeks old , they can join in meals with their mum.. I suggest feeding a previously frozen raw ground beef or turkey to the puppies. (Freezing helps eliminate parasites.) I don’t feel it’s necessary to wean pups onto a special paste.

How long are dogs pregnant?

Dogs are pregnant on average for 63 days (9 weeks).

What is the stage of a female dog's reproductive cycle?

Estrus or heat is the stage in a female dog’s reproductive cycle when she’s receptive to mating with males. Estrogen levels increase and then sharply drop once heat is over.