Special Diet for a Pregnant Dog

The nutritional needs of a pregnant dog change as the dog's body changes in preparation for giving birth to puppies. During a pregnant dog's nine-week gestation period, weight gains are nominal until the sixth week, when weight gain occurs quickly. Knowing how to meet the dietary demands of your pregnant dog is crucial to a healthy mother and her litter.

  1. Early Pregnancy

    • During early pregnancy, your dog's food needs will gradually increase to keep pace with the development of the litter she is carrying. During the 63-day gestation period increasing the intake of nutrients is vital for fetal growth and ensuring the mother can produce milk for her litter. Choose a brand of dog food that has no preservatives or additives and that lists meat as a first ingredient for optimum protein and caloric intake. Avoid products that use meat by-products as they provide poor protein quality and insufficient nutrients.

    Pregnancy

    • Pregnant dogs will need to eat 25 to 50 percent more than their normal food consumption. The gradual and subtle increase of early dog pregnancy will be quickly overtaken by the pregnant dog's increasing energy requirements. Look for dog food brands that are recommended for pregnant dogs. Optimal nutrients and extra calories are essential to a healthy pregnant dog and her pups. Boost your dog's protein intake by adding a hard-boiled egg to her diet. Water consumption is likely to increase as well so be sure to have plenty of fresh water in the bowl.

    Nursing

    • After your dog has given birth, her dietary need will increase drastically. Energy needs will double or triple, depending on the litter size. Healthy lactation is dependent on having plenty of water and unlimited access to food throughout the day. According to "The Pet Health Library" by veterinarian Wendy C. Brooks, a food approved for growth, like puppy food, is necessary during the nursing period. Increase the number of meals throughout the day rather than the quantity of food per serving.The high levels of fat found in puppy food support the mother's energy levels and the puppies' growth. Continue feeding puppy food to the mother during nursing until the pups are weaned, usually at eight weeks; this will support milk production until the puppies are ready for solid food.

    Weaning

    • Puppies are weaned completely around eight weeks after birth. At five weeks most puppies will develop a keen interest in their mother's food. The transition from milk to solid food will hasten as the puppies will lose interest in milk in favor of chewing. Conversely, the mother will eat less initially during nursing until the eight-week mark, when the pups wean and her appetite returns to pre-pregnancy consumption.

    Warning

    • Read labels carefully prior to breeding your dog or when you first discover your dog is pregnant. Preservatives, additives and hyped ingredients and claims should always be checked against your veterinarian's recommendations. Do not use calcium supplements or any supplements not recommended by your veterinarian. Dogs produce calcium naturally and excessive amounts can cause eclampsia (high blood pressure) and pose health risks for developing puppies. Remember, the health of your pregnant dog and her puppies depend on the nutrients she consumes from early pregnancy to the final stages of weaning.