A Dog's Pregnancy Diet

Pregnancy in dogs lasts about nine weeks, or an average of about 63 days, though puppies can come as early as 58 days or as late as 65 without incident. Over- or underfeeding a pregnant dog can be detrimental to her health and the health of the puppies. Regardless of what stage of pregnancy the dog is in, above all, she requires fresh water at all times.

  1. Weeks 1 to 5

    • During this time, there is little growth in the puppies. As such, the dog does not require extra food during this period. She can continue to eat high-quality dog food on a regular basis. Excess feeding early in the pregnancy can cause her to gain weight and add unnecessary fat, which will actually make delivery more difficult with a higher chance of complications. Around the third week, she may lose her appetite; this is very common. However, if she refuses to eat for more than a day or two, call the veterinarian.

    Weeks 6 to 8

    • Puppies grow very rapidly in this period, which means that the mother needs more energy and nutrients. During this period, her weight should gradually increase by around 25 percent, and the number of food given should increase exponentially. If she normally eats 1 cup of food, slowly increase that amount to 1 1/4 cups. Switching to a higher-calorie dog food is also highly recommended. Veterinarians also recommend including a puppy dog food so that the puppies can receive the necessary nutrients and adding a nursing/lactation diet to the mother's food.

    Week 9

    • Continue the diet she has been following for weeks 6 to 8. However, she may suddenly refuse to eat. This is a sign that within the next 24 to 48 hours, she will give birth. Provide her with fresh food in case she does feel like eating, but do not expect her to have the same appetite as previously. The decrease in appetite is normal.

    Supplements

    • Avoid introducing additional vitamins or supplements to the dog's diet unless specifically recommended to do so by a veterinarian. If she is being fed correctly, the dog will not require anything else. Especially avoid calcium supplements, which have been linked to health risks in pregnant and nursing dogs and their puppies. Excess Vitamin A or D can cause genetic defects in the puppies.

    Exercise

    • During the pregnancy, the dog should receive exercise in order to keep her muscle tone and general health. After she gives birth, encourage her to exercise but do not restrict her diet, as she will still be nursing. Obesity is a problem amongst pregnant dogs and can increase complications and difficulties in giving birth.