Feeding a Pregnant Dog? Don’t Miss These Nutrients!

A pregnant dog needs very special care. Her body works hard to grow healthy puppies. The right food helps her stay strong and happy and feeding her the correct diet can also help the puppies grow well inside her tummy.
If you do not feed your dog properly during pregnancy then she may get weak and the puppies might be born too small or sick.

Best way to feed a pregnant dog is by giving her high quality puppy food. Puppy food has more protein and calories. This helps her meet the higher energy needs during pregnancy.

At first you can mix small amounts of puppy food into her regular food which helps her body adjust to the new food slowly. After 6 weeks you can then transition to puppy food all the way.
Ensure that the food of the puppy contains real meat, whole grains and natural ingredients and attempt to shun the food containing fillers or artificial flavors.

During the first few weeks a pregnant dog does not need a lot of extra food. Her appetite may stay the same but as the puppies grow inside her she will need more food every week. You can increase the food slowly a little by little.
By the last few weeks, you may feed her about one and a half times more than usual but do not overfeed her. Too much food can make her gain weight that is risky during delivery. Feeding her balanced meals is better than one large meal as it helps her digest food.

Your pregnant dog needs a lot of nutrients to stay strong. Protein is very important for growing puppies. Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth while iron keeps her blood healthy and prevents weakness.
Fats are important as they help the puppies development of brain and eyes. Vitamins support the immune system and skin of mother dog.
Always use food made especially for dogs. Human food can be dangerous for them and do not give chocolate, onions or anything spicy as these can harm your pregnant dog and her babies.
Some foods can make the pregnant dog very ill so never give her raw meat or eggs as they may contain germs and don’t feed her any salty snacks or candy. Cooked bones can break into sharp pieces and hurt her inside.
Stay away from dairy as it can upset their stomach. Give her plain and clean food only and always wash your hands before you serve your dog. If your dog eats something unsafe then call your vet right away.

Water is just as important as food and a pregnant dog needs more water every day so keep fresh water in her bowl all the time. Clean her bowl daily and make sure the water is not too cold.
If your dog refuses to drink then consider wet food as it will provide with a little more hydration. Staying hydrated helps the female dogs body produce milk later when the puppies arrive.

As delivery time comes close, your dog’s tummy may get tight with growing puppies. She might not eat much in one go. So, give her small meals more often during the day. This keeps her full and comfortable.
Her appetite may drop right before she gives birth. That is normal but make sure she still drinks water. After she delivers she will need even more food and water because her body will make milk for her puppies.

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Frequently Questions Asked (FAQs)

1. How many times should you feed a pregnant dog a day?
   5 meals a day may suit your pregnant dog better at this stage.
2. What not to feed a pregnant dog?
   Avoid feeding a pregnant dog raw or undercooked meat and eggs, fish like tuna and dairy food items that can cause upset stomach.
3. Are eggs good for pregnant dogs?
   Yes, cooked eggs are a nutritious and beneficial addition to a pregnant dog's diet.