Best nutrition for pregnant dogs.
It is not a secret that pregnant dogs need special nutrition,
especially as their whelping date comes closer. Though, there are
general rules concerning this issue known all over the world, still
it would be perfect if you consult a vet and receive medical advice
from a professional. The vet will make specialized diet plan for
your dog taking into account the peculiarities of the breed and age.
Dog Food
At the early stages of pregnancy, the dog should consume the same
dog food she has eaten before and in the same amounts. The
food should be of an excellent quality, well-balanced and should be
rich in vitamins and minerals. Starting from the fourth week of
pregnancy give your pet more high-calorie premium puppy food or
performance food. The switch shouldn't be abrupt we recommend you to
do it gradually. Remember that by dog's final week of pregnancy, she
should eat only the high-calorie food.
Water
A few words must be said about dog's water consumption during
pregnancy. It is noticed that pregnant dogs can be really thirsty,
and dehydration is very dangerous for pregnant dogs. That is why it
is of high importance to provide your dog with free access to water.
Supplements
We recommend to add supplements to your dog's food to be sure your
pet gets all she needs to whelp healthy puppies. Sometimes
supplements are not needed simply because a dog is healthy and eats
premium dog food. If your vet insists on giving supplements to your
dog then you should listen to his recommendations. Please, don't be
overzealous when it concerns feeding your dog. Unusual foods or big
amounts of it can cause many health problems from obesity to
difficult and long delivery.
Amounts
Pregnancy period of a dog is about 62 days. For about 30 days your
dog should eat her normal serving each day. Starting from 30th day
increase slightly the amount of food. 20-30 days before due date
give your dog a tablespoon more food each week until she is
consuming about 25 percent more food than usual. During final weeks
of pregnancy puppies' growth is the most rapid that is why it is so
essential to increase the meal size.
Final days before due date
Sometimes the dog doesn't want to eat the amount of food she has
usually eaten. It can be simply explained by the fact that puppies
have grown up to normal sizes and a dog that carry puppies doesn't
feel like eating. This shouldn't be a concern unless the dog refuses
to eat for several days.
