Feeding pregnant and lactating female dogs correctly

If you are thinking of breeding puppies, you will also need to consider the correct diet for female dog. What is the best way to feed pregnant female dogs? And what should a mother eat when she is nursing the puppies?

For a good start - the right feed before pregnancy

The optimal nutrition of pregnant and lactating female dogs is a responsible task. But it actually begins before mating! This is because the female dog should be in good general condition and have an ideal weight . This means it must not be too thin, or too fat.

Overweight female dogs are more likely to have problems with their fertility and often suffer from weak labour or a lack of milk. female dogs that are too lean cannot provide the foetuses or their puppies with the best possible care or may themselves suffer from deficiency symptoms and secondary diseases as a result.

What is the difference between normal food and that of pregnant or nursing female dogs?

The most striking differences between normal feed and that of lactating or pregnant female dogs are:

Higher protein content

Higher energy content

Increased need for vitamins, minerals and trace elements

Ensures optimum digestibility

Support for cardiovascular function thanks to essential fatty acids

Support for the musculoskeletal system and joints

Feeding the pregnant female dog correctly

Once the female dog has started eating, the type and quantity of food should remain the same for another 3 - 5 weeks. Why only then? The embryos only nest in the uterus after just under 3 weeks and are then supplied with nutrients via the mother's blood vessels.

at this point, rapid growth begins and only then do the energy and nutrient requirements of female dog actually change. From the 5th week, the increased storage of fat begins, which is particularly important for milk production.

Changing the feed of pregnant female dog

The Changeover date also depends on the Size of the dog together:

Smaller breeds often have a higher energy requirement during the gestation period - especially if a large litter is expected. In this case, a changeover from the 3rd week of pregnancy makes sense.

All other female dogs breeds can be switched to a special feed rich in energy and protein from the 5th week onwards .

The following applies to the change of feed

Always follow the manufacturer's feeding recommendations and ask if in doubt. PERRO offers free veterinary nutritional advice .

It is better to feed smaller portions several times a day (2 - 3 times).

It is not unusual for female dog to eat less in the last week of pregnancy. Some animals do not eat at all on the day of birth and the following days. However, this is not a cause for concern.

The most important nutrients for the female dog

Certain Vitamins, minerals and trace elements are particularly important for the development of healthy puppies. The prerequisite for this is of course always the correct dosage!

Nutrients	Effect
Vitamin A, D, E	Puppies must be supplied with these via their first milk, as vitamins from the womb cannot be stored.
Calcium and phosphorus	The need for these two trace elements is particularly high in the second half of pregnancy and when milk is coming in. However, the correct ratio of both nutrients is essential.
Iodine and selenium	Prevent goitre formation and muscle weakness in puppies.
Iron	Towards the end of pregnancy, iron is important to prevent anaemia in female dog.

"A lot helps a lot"? Clearly NO! Extreme caution is required when it comes to nutrients, because too much can have just as negative an effect as too little.

Too much vitamin A, for example, can lead to malformations. An incorrect calcium:phosphorus ratio can interfere with the absorption of the other nutrient, etc.

Optimal feeding of the lactating female dog

As soon as the puppies arrive, the following must be observed:

A lactating female dog must be fed its special high-energy food several times a day . As a guide: the energy requirement of female dog increases by just under ¼ per puppy (the comparative value is the maintenance requirement).
Large litters: For litters of 4 puppies or more and large female dogs litters, food can be given "ad libitum". In other words: the female dog can eat as much as it wants. This is because she needs just under 3 times her maintenance requirement. If there are more than 6 puppies, it can be 4 times as much. However, it is essential to monitor the weight when feeding ad libitum .
Small litters: In litters with fewer than four puppies, the food should be rationed. Here too, however, monitoring the weight of the female dog is an advantage.
Ensure calm: female dogs should be able to eat their food without stress. Depending on the type, it may make sense to separate them from the puppies for feeding.
Sufficient water: Sufficient fresh water should be available to female dog around the clock, as water is essential for milk production.
When the time comes for the puppies to start eating on their own, the amount of food female dog can be reduced again.

Feeding table for pregnant and nursing dogs female dogs

Phase of pregnancy	Type of food	Amount	Recommendation
1. - 4th week	normal dog food	as before	small breeds up to the 3rd week
5. Week	Switch to PERRO Prenatal	according to the feeding recommendation on the label	depending on the sensitivity of female dog, slowly switch from normal dog food to PERRO Prenatal
6. Week until whelping date	PERRO Prenatal	according to the feeding recommendation on the label - increase continuously if necessary	Never feed female dog a fatty diet. However, a light layer of fat over the ribs is desirable.
Litter day	if required PERRO Prenatal	very little to none	If evident - feed little on the day of whelping. Many female dogs refuse to eat of their own accord. This is normal.
1.-5th week of the suckling phase	PERRO Prenatal	ad libitum or portioned, depending on the number of puppies	Rule of thumb: the energy requirement per puppy increases by just under ¼ compared to the maintenance requirement
From approx. 6th week delivery of the puppies	PERRO Prenatal	slowly reduce again	When the puppies cover approx. 50% of their energy requirements with supplementary food, the female dog can be reduced to a normal level.
After delivery of the puppies	normal dog food	as before pregnancy	After the puppies are delivered, you can switch back to the regular dog food. If the physical constitution has not yet been restored, PERRO Prenatal can still be administered.