A bitch in good condition should continue into pregnancy with the same caloric intake that she had during adult maintenance. Her food intake should be increased only as her body weight increases, beginning about the last five weeks before whelping. Daily food intake should be increased gradually, so that at the time of whelping she may be eating 35 to 50 percent more than usual. As her weight and food intake increase, begin offering small, frequent meals to spare her the discomfort that larger meals can cause, especially in a small dog.
If you have been feeding your bitch a well-balanced, high-quality diet, you should not need to add anything during her pregnancy. However, some breeders advocate supplementation with a protein source such as evaporated milk, eggs, meat or liver. These supplements should never represent more than 10 percent of the bitch's daily food intake.
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Always feel free to give us a call at 207-941-8840, or email us at veazievet@ veazievet.com for more information on any cat and dog topic. We are located between Bangor and Orono, Maine.
