Whelping Dam Care: Best Nutrition to Give For Whelping Dogs

Best Nutrition to Give For Whelping Dogs 

Such a joyous moment to see your dog deliver their litter of puppies and become part of our world. Unlike humans, we usually have to endure nine months of pregnancy but it is shorter for our furry companions. A dog's pregnancy stage could last for about nine weeks only. Whelping, described as the process of dogs giving birth to their puppies, is possible for some bitches not needing any human intervention. But for some, close monitoring is required. 

Physical demands of dog pregnancy

Pregnancy takes its toll on your dog’s body that is why it is critical that they are supported with a well-balanced and nutrient-dense diet even before pregnancy. If it is your dog’s first time going through the pregnancy and labor process, it is recommended to closely monitor it closely their whelping process as they might encounter complications such as Dystocia. 

It is vital to make sure that your dogs are given the best nutrients during pregnancy up to the whelping stage. According to the American Kennel Club, a bitch makes use of her stored nutrition before and after her pregnancy thus it is important that she has enough supply of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that will support her body through these major changes. Malnutrition can cause physical abnormalities in her puppies. While obese or overweight dogs can run the risk of a difficult pregnancy. 

During Pregnancy

Food intake for your dog needs some adjustment during pregnancy and whelping stage. Basic feeding requires the owner to make sure that apart from food, fresh water, and a clean bowl are always available. During the 6th and 7th weeks of your dog’s pregnancy stage, it is best to increase the food you are giving. Your dog’s food intake will increase by 50% more than their normal consumption. Giving your dog diets where nutrients are highly digestible means that their body can easily absorb and store the nutrient. 

It is recommended by AKC that during pregnancy, the protein intake of your bitch should be around 29% while the fat is kept at 17%. An increase in fat, according to Hillspet, helps with your dog’s demand for calories. In order to avoid low blood sugar, the diet should contain low fiber and soluble carbohydrates. Calcium (1-1.8%) and phosphorus (.8-1.6) intake should also be prioritized to ensure that there is a steady supply of milk as well as bone growth of their puppies. Be careful of giving your bitch too much Vitamin D as excessive amounts of such can cause birth defects. The DHA intake is also important to support the health of your bitch’s nervous systems, as well as her little ones.

In our program, we like to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil throughout pregnancy, whelping, and post-partum. This helps improve skin and coat health due to the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Antioxidants found in olive oil also help reduce inflammation. In addition to these benefits, EVOO can help with weight control, joint health, immune, heart, and digestive health. We believe that adding this to your pet’s or whelping mom’s diet will also improve the overall health and viability of your puppies. Furthermore, there is research that by reducing free radicals you can decrease the risk of your dog developing cancer. 

Supplements for Whelping Moms

In our breeding program, we use Breeder's Edge® Oxy Momma™ which is a premium pre and postnatal supplement providing multiple benefits for use with lactating moms and includes herbal ingredients that stimulate and enhance milk production for feeding babies. It also helps females recover from birthing and aligns reproductive hormones and helps prepare the female for her next gestation

A proprietary blend of vitamins, minerals, and specific herbs is designed to meet the special needs of the expecting and lactating mom. Antioxidants help with reproductive tract recovery. The herbal ingredients stimulate milk production, help a female recover from birthing and align reproductive hormones to help get them ready for the next gestation. 

Home-Made Foods  

There are homemade foods that you can prepare for your pregnant dogs. According to Dailydogstuff, you can prepare a mixture of 1 pound of lean ground beef, 12 eggs, 1 cup of ground flaxseed, 1 cup of raw oatmeal, 1 cup of all-natural peanut butter, 8 ounces of cream cheese, and 1 tablespoon of molasses. To boost the energy of your dog, you will have to prepare 1 cup of goat’s milk, 1 teaspoon of raw honey, 1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil, and 1 piece of egg. Combine all these with your dog's normal food and increase their energy. 

During Whelping 

Increase the frequency of meals during this stage. You will notice that your dog may lose their appetite during the ninth week of pregnancy. Increasing your meal frequency during this stage will help ensure that your bitch has enough nutritional reserves needed during whelping and while lactating. Make sure that your dog is fed at least two times a day with a well-balanced diet.  

Lactating the Pups

Within a month after pregnancy and whelping, the lactating bitch needs at least 2 times the energy calorie requirement of a normal human being. The mother’s food consumption increases in order to support milk production. Provide your dog with foods rich in energy to sustain its body weight. If the mother is not eating well, you can try and moisten her food. Encourage your dog to eat as much as she can to make sure that milk production for the pups is steady. 

The puppies may start eating solid food within a month after being born. The choice of food to give them should be appropriate for their breed and body size. If you are unsure of the kind of food to provide your newborn pups and the amount of food to give them, you can always consult your vet. At Stokehire, we want to be a resource to other Reputable Doodle Breeders. If you have further questions, please message us or schedule a  consultation.