Nursing dogs need twice the quantity of food that they regularly eat.
Best food to feed nursing dog.
What to feed a nursing dog.
Feed your pregnant dog the amount suggested on the food package and keep feeding her puppy food until her puppies are finished weaning.
In order to avoid stomach upset mix the puppy food with the dog s normal food for the first 3 4 days.
The food of choice for all pregnant or nursing dogs regardless of breed is science diet puppy food in varieties listed above.
On day one of weaning withhold her food allowing the puppies to eat their food while they are away from their mother.
Raw diets contain bacteria that might not bother a dog with a healthy immune.
Here s a brief guide on the diet for pregnant dogs.
Puppy foods are most recommended in this period and we have created a list that will help you to narrow down your choice and pick the right one.
Are there special instructions for feeding my pregnant or nursing dog.
Sometimes even 2 5 or 3 times more food than usual.
Feed the mother dog the food amount suggested on the puppy food packaging but make sure to give multiple meals throughout the day or just let the dog graze on the food constantly.
On day two of weaning separate the pups from the mother and feed her about 25 of her pre breeding portion of her regular food instead of the puppy.
Be diligent with the weekly checkups and work with your vet closely to feed the best food to your dog after she gives birth.
This will help the mother dog to adjust to the puppy food.
The best diet for nursing and pregnant pets is a nutrient dense high quality dog food that is made for growth and all life stages.
If your dog is pregnant or has just given birth talk to a vet about her nutritional needs.
The best diet for a lactating dog is high quality dog food fed free choice and supplemented with nutritious treats.
It s crucial that pet owners understand and know what to feed a pregnant dog or what to feed a nursing dog to produce more milk for puppies.
They can all be together that night and the pups will suckle a bit.
While lactating dogs have a high energy demand and require a much larger amount of calories and fat than they would normally.
According to the aspca a nursing mother has special nutritional needs including vitamins and minerals that a homemade diet might not meet.
Even if you normally feed a homemade or raw diet when your dog is nursing it s best to go with a commercially prepared food.
How much to feed a nursing dog.
Check out all our dog food reviews here your mama dog needs plenty of protein and calcium while she s nursing to help prevent eclampsia or milk fever a potentially fatal condition in which the mother s body pulls too much.
Feeding a nursing dog the right food in the right amount is vital to the health of the adult dog and her pups.
Some trainers and vets even suggest that a nursing dog should have a bowl full of kibble accessible at all times.