How Diet Impacts Pregnant Dogs

Siv, with her extensive experience as a breeder, takes immense pride in nurturing healthy and happy dogs. As an ethical breeder, she believes that in addition to choosing healthy breeding dogs, the success of a healthy litter largely rests on providing her dogs with a nutritious diet. A nourishing diet not only influences the mother’s well-being but also plays a significant role in the health of the puppies. It’s during this critical period that the need for diligent care becomes important, requiring a well-balanced diet specifically designed to fulfil the evolving nutritional needs of an expectant dog.

From our conversations with Siv, an experienced breeder, we learn more about nutrition for pregnant dogs, pregnancy and what it means to be an ethical breeder. Whether you already have already have some puppy litters under your belt or are considering your first litter, this blog will offer valuable insights.

About Breeder Siv

Siv Stokke is deeply passionate about German Shepherds, a love that began with her first German Shepherd, Candy, in 2004. More than a pet, Candy was a beloved family member and Siv’s faithful hiking companion. This deep connection inspired Siv to enter her dogs into shows, leading her to breed German Shepherds in 2007. With a commitment to producing robust and healthy dogs, Siv upholds the stringent standards of the Norwegian German Shepherd Dog Club as a breeder and dog owner.

Her breeding expertise is evident in the seven healthy litters she has raised, with each puppy undergoing mental testing, puppy training and socialisation. Beyond breeding, Siv invests in training her dogs in obedience and tracking, feeding into their natural instincts and abilities. She continuously improves her skills through various courses and seminars. At the core of her work lies a steadfast commitment to the holistic well-being of her dogs, ensuring they are well-equipped, both mentally and physically, for the varied challenges of life.

Loss of Appetite and Poor Digestion During Pregnancy

Despite Siv’s efforts to feed a high-quality, complete and nutritious diet to her dogs, they frequently experienced loss of appetite during and after pregnancy. In addition to this, the pregnant females often suffered from diarrhoea following birth. This recurring issue became a significant concern for Siv, leading her to experiment with various diets, yet she struggled to find an effective solution. In early 2023, she had planned a litter with her dog Chilly and Blade. In her quest to find the right nutrition for her dogs, Siv came across Nala Health, which she decided to try.

“I am deeply impressed by Nala Health’s expertise in nutrition and their meticulous attention to the ingredients in their food. I started feeding Chilly Nala Health’s food when she was four weeks into her pregnancy. Remarkably, she maintained a healthy appetite throughout and her stools remained normal throughout. She gave birth to eight healthy puppies, a delightful experience that not only warmed my heart but also reinforced my conviction in the critical role of proper nutrition.” 

3 Generations are Eating Nala Health

“I find it incredibly beneficial that Nala Health has created a range of dog foods catering to each stage of a dog’s life – from puppy, adult and into their senior years. My puppies began eating Nala Health puppy food when they were just over a month old. Now, I have three generations of dogs at home, all thriving on Nala Health’s tailored diets: Fancy, who is 4.5 months old, enjoys the puppy food; Chilly, at 5 years, is on the adult formula; and Unique, nearing 11 years, benefits from the senior variety. All of them have healthy appetites, glossy coats, and excellent digestion. 

3 generations: Fancy, Chilly and Unique

Nala Health has become more than just a food supplier for us; they are a partner in discussing nutrition and supporting my dogs through various life stages. My experience with Nala Health dog food has been outstanding, and I confidently recommend it,” concludes Siv.

How Many Months Is a Dog Pregnant For?

Dogs’ pregnancies last about 58-63 days, or roughly 8-9 weeks, and is categorised into three trimesters. The diet of the female before, during, and after pregnancy plays a crucial role in ensuring both her well-being and the healthy development of her puppies. An optimal diet is key for her to comfortably endure the pregnancy, for the normal growth of the puppies, and to ensure the production of high-quality milk and colostrum once the puppies are born.

If you’re planning for your dog to have puppies, collaboration with a veterinarian is essential. It’s advisable to conduct blood tests before the pregnancy to confirm that she isn’t anaemic or suffering from any nutritional deficiencies. 

Nutrition For Pregnant And Lactating Bitches 

Week 1-6 (the 2 first trimesters)

During the first six weeks of pregnancy, the embryos grow relatively slowly. The nutritional requirements are generally the same as those of a young adult dog, so feed her a high-quality, complete, and balanced diet and stick to the regular feeding guidelines to help maintain her normal weight. 

The primary goal during this period is to maintain an ideal weight. Gaining weight too early can increase the risk of several issues. These include complications during delivery, excessive stress on the mother’s body, and potentially impacting the health of the puppies. It’s important to monitor her diet closely and maintain regular feeding routines to ensure she stays healthy and at optimal weight as her pregnancy progresses.

The food should provide good sources of protein, fat and complex carbohydrates. In addition, the food must ensure that the dog gets all the necessary vitamins and minerals with the following being particularly important:

It’s common for a pregnant dog to experience fluctuations in appetite due to hormonal changes. If these fluctuations persist or if she begins to lose weight, it’s important to take her to the veterinarian for a check-up to ensure her health and the health of the developing embryos.

Week 6-9 (third trimester)

Duringthe last trimester (around day 40) your pregnant dog will need the most calories. This is the time when the puppies are developing and growing the fastest. Depending on how many puppies she’s carrying, she may need to increase her meal size by 30-60% to cover her daily nutritional needs. A vet can use an ultrasound scan to find out the number of puppies, and then give specific advice on the best diet for the mother.

In the last part of the pregnancy, it can be difficult for your dog to eat enough as the growing puppies take up more room in the mother’s belly. To help mom, it’s advisable to give her several small meals throughout the day. These meals should be high-quality, easily digestible puppy food to make sure she gets all the important nutrients and enough calories.

Transitioning Your Pregnant Dog to New Food

When transitioning your dog to a different diet, it’s advisable to allow a period of five to seven days for the change to minimise digestive issues. Throughout this phase, monitor her body condition closely; while weight gain is expected in the final weeks of pregnancy, excessive weight gain can complicate delivery. If opting for wet/raw food, be aware that it typically requires a significantly larger daily volume, especially for larger breeds, resulting in relatively bigger portions as the pregnancy progresses.

Puppy food is specially made to be higher in energy, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals compared to food for adult dogs. These extra nutrients and calories are great for pregnant and lactating dogs as well. The puppy formulation makes sure the growing puppies get the vitamins, minerals and macro nutrients they need to develop properly. Some puppy food brands make special formulas for different breeds, however, it’s not recommended to give pregnant dogs food meant for large-breed puppies. This is because these formulations often have more calcium and phosphorus, which are great for the big bones of large breed puppies but might not be right for the growth of the puppies in the womb or for the mother’s milk production.

Clean Water is Important During Pregnancy

Make sure your dog has easy access to plenty of fresh, clean drinking water, especially if she is on dry food. She also needs to drink enough water after giving birth to help her body produce enough milk.

Should a Pregnant Dog take Supplements?

If your dog is eating a high-quality, complete, and balanced diet, there is generally no need for additional vitamin or mineral supplements during pregnancy. A balanced diet means that you are covering all the nutritional needs of your pregnant dog, something that requires a lot of knowledge and skill if done with a homemade diet. The only exception to this rule is if your veterinarian has specifically recommended supplements based on the unique health needs of your dog.

The vet might recommend folic acid and essential fatty acids, particularly a balanced blend of omega-3 and omega-9, in your dog’s diet during pregnancy as this can be beneficial for supporting foetal development.

Using supplements incorrectly can be harmful, particularly with regard to excess calcium. Too much calcium in a pregnant dog’s diet can lead to various health complications, potentially leading to issues in bone development and metabolism or even eclampsia. It’s always best to consult with a veterinarian before introducing any supplements into your dog’s diet to avoid these potential risks and ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and her puppies.

Characteristics of Ethical Breeding

At Nala Health, we champion ethical breeding practices, focusing on breeders who have deep knowledge of their specific dog breeds. Responsible breeders prioritise breeding for physical health, good temperament while maintaining the unique characteristics of each breed. They ensure the puppies they breed are not only healthy but also fit well into their natural roles, whether that’s as hunters, working dogs, or cherished family pets.

Ethical breeders are proud of their work and strive to be knowledgeable about their chosen breed. They put a lot of thought into planning each litter and work closely with veterinarians to keep both the parent dogs and the puppies in good health. They also have a plan for the litter after birth to socialise and prepare them for life. Making sure the dogs live in a clean, cosy, and safe environment is a must.

Choosing a puppy from a responsible breeder greatly lowers the chance of bringing home a dog with serious health and mental issues. It also means you’ll have a thorough understanding of the health of the puppy’s parents, both physically and mentally so you can prepare for the dog who will join your family.