Cravings. Bloat. Prenatal vitamins. It sounds like somebody’s pregnant. Except, this somebody is your best four-legged friend. Nutritional considerations for pregnant dogs are not that different from a human, except they shouldn’t simply eat their way through their cravings.
At Vitalize®, our team of dog lovers wants to ensure your pup’s pregnancy goes without a hitch. If there is one thing we know, nutrition for pregnant dogs is vitally important – not just for the mama, but also for those developing pups. Care that comes full circle is at the heart of everything we do. Therefore, we wanted to share this information with our fellow canine caretakers.
Remember, Vitalize is a line of supplements for dogs with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing. Our goal is to make an undeniable impact on every animal.
Proper nutrition for pregnant dogs is essential for the health and well-being of the mama and her puppies. Here are 6 key considerations to help better care for the expectant dogs in your life.
1. Overall Diet Needs
A pregnant dog requires a nutrient-dense, high-quality diet to support the growth of her puppies and maintain her health. Caloric intake needs to increase, especially during the last third of gestation.
Some of the areas you will want to focus on the most include:
Protein
Protein is essential for tissue and muscle development in the puppies and for maintaining the mother’s body condition. Ensure the diet has a high-quality protein source.
Fats
Fats provide energy and are crucial for the development of the puppies’ nervous system.
Carbohydrates
Carbs supply energy and help maintain the mother’s stamina.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium and phosphorus are crucial for strong bones and teeth. DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid, supports brain and eye development in puppies.
2. Feeding Schedule
Early Pregnancy
During the first 4 to 5 weeks, no significant increase in food quantity is necessary. Continue feeding your pregnant dog a high-quality, balanced diet.
Mid to Late Pregnancy
Gradually increase the amount of food you feed during the last 3 to 4 weeks of gestation. By the end of pregnancy, the mother may require up to 50% more food than usual. Start feeding smaller, more frequent meals as the growing puppies can reduce stomach capacity.
3. Specialized Diets
Convert to high-quality puppy food or a diet formulated for pregnant and lactating dogs. These diets have higher protein, fat and caloric content suitable for gestation and lactation.
4. Avoid Overfeeding
While increased nutrition is important, avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity, which can lead to complications during labor.
5. Supplements
Do not provide calcium supplements without veterinary advice, as excess calcium can cause eclampsia (milk fever) after birth. However, supplements with DHA/Omega-3 Fatty Acids can be beneficial if not already included in the diet.
Vitalize® Dog is a granular vitamin and mineral supplement for dogs designed to support breeding and performance. It contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, omegas for healthy skin and hair, and a high-quality blend of vitamins and minerals for daily support of any diet.
6. Hydration
Provide plenty of fresh water. Pregnancy increases the need for hydration.
The Final Word
Every dog is unique, and factors like breed, size and health status can impact the nutrition for pregnant dogs. Even before your dog becomes pregnant, the Vitalize team recommends building a strong relationship with a trusted veterinarian. Annual check-ups are good practice, and they help your dog build trust and rapport with the veterinarian, too.
Regular veterinary checkups during pregnancy are necessary to:
- Monitor weight gain and overall health.
- Adjust the pregnant dog’s diet based on her specific requirements.
- Identify any underlying health concerns.
Why Vitalize?
We know your mama dog isn’t going to be pregnant forever. We also know that 70% of the immune response occurs in the gut, so if you keep your dog’s gut healthy, its overall health should be in stellar condition, too. That is why providing products with Amaferm is so important to us. Research shows that Amaferm increases digestibility. Further canine studies show that dogs fed Amaferm experience fewer stillbirths, produce larger litters and wean more puppies!
In addition to Vitalize Dog, the Vitalize line carries other products powered by Amaferm to give your dog a #goodgutfeeling. Vitalize also produces joint products for your dog’s health and performance.
Get your Vitalize Today!
We hope this resource builds your confidence on how to provide nutrition for pregnant dogs. And we hope that diet will include Vitalize! We have made purchasing Vitalize as easy as possible.
You can visit your local dealer to purchase Vitalize products. Discover where to buy near you, today.
Perhaps you prefer the convenience of online shopping. You can shop online and have Vitalize delivered right to your front door.
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