Significantly higher Energy requirements
During this time, the puppies undergo an enormous developmental leap in the womb: they then grow extremely quickly, and the mother becomes correspondingly round: in the last three weeks before the birth, she takes approximately 10,000 pounds 20 to 30 percent of their normal weight – the pregnancy will then be visible to everyone.
Accordingly, both parties – mother and puppies – also need it significantly more energy: A food with a protein content that is over 50 percent higher than a conventional diet is often recommended; fats and carbohydrates must also be increased. The latter are recommended because the fetuses get a lot of energy from glucose.
All of this can hardly be managed with normal food: if the bitch received as much energy as before pregnancy, there would be a risk to the life of the unborn puppies. The mother animal itself would also develop deficiency symptoms that could affect its health.
Several throughout the day small portions
The fatter the mother gets, the smaller they should be portions during feeding: With the puppies in the stomach, the stomach has hardly any room to expand, so a meal that is too large would not be tolerated.
For this reason alone, it is not a good idea to simply give the animal more food than usual. Instead, the high-energy special food should be in several small meals throughout the day be given. This ensures the supply of nutrients without affecting the bitch's absorption capacity or tolerance.
Higher Calcium-phosphorus quotient than with standard food
Compared to when they are not pregnant, pregnant dogs also need significantly more calcium and phosphorus. These important minerals then take on the following functions in particular:
- Formation of the puppies' skeleton
- Milk production
- Blood count of mother and fetuses
- Dilation of the cervix at birth.
It is generally assumed that pregnant bitches about 50 to 60 percent more calcium need. The Calcium-phosphorus quotient should be slightly higher than usual, values of 1.4 to 1.5 to 1 are often mentioned. This means that food during pregnancy must contain significantly more calcium and a little more phosphorus – the latter is very important because if there is too little or too much phosphorus, the calcium level also becomes unbalanced.
Increased need for Vitamins A & D
Also important: A pregnant dog needs an increased amount vitamins, Vitamins A and D are particularly important.
They enable the puppies to develop optimally and prevent complications or damage such as eclampsia (seizures) or growth disorders.
There is also a risk for the puppies if there is an oversupply
But the mother shouldn't get too much: one Oversupply Vitamin A and D, for example through well-intentioned, high-dose nutritional supplements, can also cause malformations and damage in puppies.
Changed mineralcomposition
In addition to calcium and phosphorus, a pregnant dog also needs increased amounts of others minerals. These include, above all,
- iodine
- Selenium and
- immediately before birth also iron.
Loss of appetite before birth
A few days before the birth, it is quite possible that the mother dog suddenly lack of appetite acts and rejects food. Under other circumstances this would be a red flag, but at this point it is no reason to worry and completely normal. You should take this signal as an opportunity to complete the final birth preparations, because it will begin soon.