What Diet Should A Female Dog Follow During Pregnancy?
Feeding a female dog during pregnancy is very important for the animal’s health and for the development of her puppies. For every age, size and situation, there are specific foods to provide all the nutrients they need.
Changes in pregnancy
During pregnancy, bitches should increase their weight between 15 and 25% , and after giving birth, during lactation, they should weigh between 5 and 10% less than before pregnancy.
If the female is too thin, there can be a high mortality rate for small fetuses and offspring with poor defenses, malformations, etc. If she is obese, in addition to these problems, dystocia may arise, that is, birth problems.
Why change my dog’s diet during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, bitches need an adapted diet because their energy needs, the nutrients they need and their quantities increase.
Pregnancy in bitches lasts about 63 days. Energy requirements in the first two-thirds of pregnancy are similar to those of a non-pregnant adult female dog, as the puppies begin to grow after 40 days.
At this time, the female will need between 30 and 60% more energy, so it will be necessary to provide a feed rich in energy and very digestible. For large breeds, where stomach capacity is greatly reduced due to the volume occupied by the uterus, this is especially important. In addition, it is convenient to offer free access to food throughout the day.
Protein needs also increase during this period, which should be 22 to 32%, while fat should vary between 10 and 25%.
Also, 20% of the energy must come from carbohydrates. As glucose provides 50% of the energy needed for fetal development and prevents peripartum hypoglycemia, it is recommended to increase carbohydrates to 23%.
Trace element levels must also increase, such as calcium and phosphorus, to promote calcification of fetal bones. Iron and zinc requirements also increase.
As you can see, a change in diet and pregnancy is totally justified and it’s difficult to adjust all the nutrients on your own. For this reason, there are special foods for female dogs during pregnancy that are more energetic than those intended for a normal adult animal. Pregnant bitches are often fed puppy food, which is very nutritious.
amount of food
The daily ration should be increased during pregnancy. You must follow the feed instructions to adjust the doses. By measuring and controlling the quantities, it will be possible to avoid problems such as obesity, which, as we have already mentioned, can cause problems in childbirth.
Increase the amount of feed each week progressively so that one hour will surpass the normal feed portion as the bitch gains weight.
Do not introduce the new feed abruptly, as the digestive system needs time to get used to it. Therefore, mix small amounts of the new feed into the normal feed. In about a week, you should have easily substituted one meal for another.
Water is also very important, not just during pregnancy, but at any time of the dog’s age. The bitch must always stay hydrated, so she must have clean, fresh water available. You can also combine dry foods with moist foods.
In lactation, we must also take into account the feeding aspect to provide the additional energy needed to feed the litter well and for the puppies to grow strong and healthy.
