So, your pooch is preggers:
Pregnancy cravings. We know – or have heard – all about them. But for our four-legged friends, pickles and peanut butter won’t quite cut it.
So as the grandparent-to-be, it’s up to you to provide your pregnant pup with all their necessary nutrients.
And even though it’s exciting to think about the incoming litter of love, feeding pregnant dogs can be nerve-wracking!
So let’s dive into the best food for pregnant dogs – straight from the dog-tor’s mouth!
What are the nutrient requirements for pregnant dogs?
When it comes to a nutritious diet during pregnancy, there isn’t much difference between human and hound.
So for a high-quality meal plan, you should aim to feed your pup a bit of protein (29% of their daily diet), a bit of fat (17%) and mostly soluble carbohydrates (54%) – with a low fibre content.
Your fur baby also needs essential vitamins and minerals to support herself – and her fur baby! You know, like pup-tassium, phos-fur-us, calci-yum… the usuals.
And we’re sorry, but even if your canine is a culinary connoisseur, a homemade diet will not meet their macros. So be sure to purchase dog food with the right balance of nutrients, minerals and vitamins to take your terrier through to term.
But above all, remember: a healthy hound has a healthy diet – whether they’re pregnant or not. So resist those puppy dog eyes at the dinner table. RESIST!
How often should I feed my pregnant pooch?
Just because your dog is eating for two now, it doesn’t mean that she has to eat for two adults.
In fact, during your pup’s first and second trimester, her nutritional requirements are pretty much the same as any other pooch her age.
Don’t get us wrong – we like big mutts, and we cannot lie. But if you start over-feeding your dog, you’ll do more harm than good.
Obesity is one of the most common issues in pregnant dogs. It can increase the risk of complications during birth, decrease milk production and decrease their likelihood of motherhood in the future.
And as the belly of your beast grows, remember there’s less room in their tummy for yummies. So once she reaches the third trimester, start feeding her smaller portions of meals more often throughout the day.
How much food should I feed the future puppy-parent?
Okay, we know we just said how important it is to avoid obesity. But don’t overcorrect! Because if your hound goes hungry, no-one’s happy.
How much food your dog needs is a very individual and natural process, so it’s basic bark-eology to rely on your senses: keep an eye on your pooch, and play it by ear.
If you notice her gaining weight, feed her less.
But if you notice her losing weight, feed her more. Underfeeding during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirths and stunted development for the litter. It’s just as serious an issue as overfeeding.
So your dog’s diet during pregnancy is really a game of Goldilocks – you have to find what’s just right. Remember, for the first two trimesters, her diet shouldn’t change much. And when you move into the third? Smaller meals, more often – and everyone’s a wiener.
Okay, so what do I feed my pregnant dog?
We like what we like, some pooches prefer a bark-becue, others are happy with pup-tato gems.
But no matter the breed, there are some specific dishes that pair brilliantly with a bun in the oven.
Like we said – for the first two trimesters, it’s same old, same old when it comes to feeding your pregnant dog. So some simple adult dry food will do the trick.
As your pooch moves into the third trimester, her puppies are developing rapidly – which puts extra mass on mum. So during this time, try feeding your dog some puppy food.
Puppy food specifically targets growth and development. But avoid large-breed puppy food, its balance of ingredients is not quite right for pregnant pooches.
And make sure you check with the vet if your dog needs any more specific nutrients. Because if it’s prescription food you need, it’s prescription food you’ll get.
What you want to avoid? A dehydrated dog. So get your pregnant pooch a water bowl big enough to doggy paddle in.
What about after pregnancy?
Once your pooch has given birth, it’ll be no secret who let the dogs out. But someone will need to tell those puppies not to bite the hound that feeds them. Breastfeeding is no joke.
Twenty-four hours after the birth of the last puppy, head back to the vet for a check-up. Because for the next 3–5 weeks, your dog will require 2–4 times her usual calorie intake – so it’s best to be sure there aren’t any other issues to take care of.
Just like in the third trimester, feed her small amounts regularly – and leave non-perishable foods out for her throughout the day.
After 8 weeks, your dog’s energy requirements will return to normal. But in the meantime, feed her energy-dense food and keep her hydrated.
And with wet puppy food, you can kill two birds with one bite – not real birds though, your retriever needs to rest.
Getting ready to welcome a litter of love? Read more about Dog Pregnancy and Whelping