can anyone give me good diet advice for a pregnant dog. i read up etc but would rather hear from real experien

Question

this pregnancy was not planned i dont need a lecture on being an irresponsable owner sometmes things happen due to circumstances. i want to look after my dog and her pups as best as i possibly can so any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Give her a good quality puppy food while she is pregnant, continue with this food while she is nursing, you can slowly put her back to her regular food when she is done with the pups.

Answer 2

Best idea is if she is in good condtition, then feed her her NORMAL regular diet for the first 4 weeks, after that more frequent feedings are needed, and free choice after the pups are born..
You need a real HIGH quality food, no grocery store stuff,
It is far better to buy a good quality food, then try get a cheap food,,to make it up with tons of supplements. a good protien (meat source) level is essential..
Swithing to a Growth or puppy food, is generally recommended, just remeber to do it gradually, and for the first few weeks, do not overfeed..
Puppies do not make any BIG demands on her till, late in pregnancy and her calorie requirements stay about the same untill lactation begins.. People tend to over feed pregnant dogs, causing obesity.. causing whelping problems.. A occasional use of a bit of fresh liver, eggs, Gound meat.. is ok.. IF it does not cause stomach upset,, again a little is good,, too much is BAD.. a lot of dogs loose appetite about 3 weeks into pregnancy.. so sometimes a little tempting is good.. to get them to eat..

Supplements.. NONE unless you are directed by your vet,, then only generally a good quality multi vitiman is recommended and MUST be contiued though the entire pregnancy and untill the pups are weaned.. again a good quality food is needed.. oversupplematation can cause birth defects, and overuse of calcium supplements can trigger milk fever.. a life threating condition..
It really is when the pups are born that the highest food requirements are needed..

Amanda..

FMI on feeding a whelping
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=678&EVetID=3001633

Answer 3

I think people on here might give you advice about different vitamins and supplements etc, but this shouldn't be necessary. A complete puppy food should have everything in it your dog needs - it must be puppy food, through pregnancy and lactation, she needs the extra calories. Find a high quality puppy food. I always try to discourage people from giving supplements because excess vitamins can be as dangerous as not enough vitamins, especially calcium and Vitamin A.

Do be sure to get some proper flea and worm treatment from your vet for the mother. If you worm the mother properly throughout her pregnancy, the puppies will not be born with worms. The puppies need to start being weaned from 4 weeks of age, and should be vaccinated from 8 weeks of age.

I also want you to know that if the puppies do end up with fleas before 8 weeks of age (the age when you can start giving the veterinary spot-ons) then please do get some Frontline spray for them, since this can be used on pups from 2 days of age. Don't listen to the people on here who would tell you to wash them in Dawn dish soap!

Chalice

Answer 4

I am an occasional byb, there is a demand for my pups in my area. Half the answers will abuse me now, hope that helps...
Anyway, my girls diet doesn't change too much, she does get fed more lean pet mince (cooked) with pasta, vegies mixed in. This is her diet anyway, but, when she is in the later stages of pregnancy she gets fed smaller amounts more often. As for the people who give there dogs calcium supplements, waste of time, possibly harmful in fact. Richness of milk depends on protein intake, not calcium. Just feed your dog a GOOD quality dog food often in small amounts and she will be fine. Also, just as important, make sure her shots and worm treatments are all up to date, this will make things alot easier with rearing the pups.

Answer 5

wholemeal bread, cod liver oil, odourless garlic tablets, e.t.c and she is always looking really healthy! and also use mixer with her food ;)