While lactating dogs have a high energy demand and require a much larger amount of calories and fat than they would normally.
Best food to give nursing dog.
The best diet for a lactating dog is high quality dog food fed free choice and supplemented with nutritious treats.
Veterinarian kathleen hefner writing for the american kennel club recommends the food be 29 percent protein 17 percent fat and 5 percent or less dietary fiber.
Check out all our dog food reviews here your mama dog needs plenty of protein and calcium while she s nursing to help prevent eclampsia or milk fever a potentially fatal condition in which the mother s body pulls too much.
Let us discuss nutritional needs of a new mother and also the best homemade food for nursing pets.
New nursing mothers need a large quantity of food to keep their puppies fed.
The best diet for nursing and pregnant pets is a nutrient dense high quality dog food that is made for growth and all life stages.
Many dog owners believe that new mothers need lot of proteins and fats after giving birth.
The food of choice for all pregnant or nursing dogs regardless of breed is science diet puppy food in varieties listed above.
On day one of weaning withhold her food allowing the puppies to eat their food while they are away from their mother.
Your vet will give you a week by week diet plan to ensure that your pregnant dog s nutritional needs are met.
To find the best puppy food for your lactating dog look for those that offer the right ratios of nutrients.
Feeding a nursing dog the right food in the right amount is vital to the health of the adult dog and her pups.
What to feed a nursing dog.
Feed the mother dog the food amount suggested on the puppy food packaging but make sure to give multiple meals throughout the day or just let the dog graze on the food constantly.
Some trainers and vets even suggest that a nursing dog should have a bowl full of kibble accessible at all times i e.
They can all be together that night and the pups will suckle a bit.
This will help the mother dog to adjust to the puppy food.
Pregnant and nursing dog s diet should be well balanced with increased amount of food and you may need to change feeding times.
If your dog is pregnant or has just given birth talk to a vet about her nutritional needs.
Feed your pregnant dog the amount suggested on the food package and keep feeding her puppy food until her puppies are finished weaning.
Are there special instructions for feeding my pregnant or nursing dog.
Nursing dogs need twice the quantity of food that they regularly eat.
Sometimes even 2 5 or 3 times more food than usual.
Puppy foods are most recommended in this period and we have created a list that will help you to narrow down your choice and pick the right one.