Raw feeding your pregnant bitch (Great Dane)

As spring fast approaches ones mind naturally turns to growth, renewal and birth. This process naturally involves pregnancy. In my case I am thinking of my dog not me.

Since diet plays a big part in the well being of all species it is good place to start when building a foundation for the health of your bitch and her future pups.

Most importantly, the diet needs to contain high quality protein, adequate levels of energy and essential nutrients such as calcium, folic acid and omega 3 fatty acids. If you are already feeding a well-balanced raw diet including a variety of muscle meat, bones and organs you are adequately supplying your dogs needs of protein, fat and calcium.

The amounts will need to be increased as the pregnancy progresses to meet her growing energy demands.

However, if you were already feeding a good raw diet please ensure that she has an adequate milk supply for the pups and can maintain her own weight/body condition. Hence variety being key here for your dam.

Good quality protein is important for the growth and development of the foetus as well as maintaining the muscle tone of the mother.

The protein is also providing her with a good supply of iron, which is important for the production of red blood cells. Examples of good sources include chicken, beef, turkey, rabbit, venison, and lamb  basically any affordable meat you can find available locally and there are loads of suppliers out there now for all to use. 

Another option is to add raw eggs to her meals a couple times a week. Eggs are a great source of protein that also supplies a healthy dose of vitamin D to her diet – important for the proper absorption of calcium. Other sources include tinned mackerel and salmon or dairy products like plain yoghurt or cheese. We can now buy in goat’s yoghurt and cheese all good in small amounts for your dam.

Liver is a great natural food source of folic acid, which is important in the proper development of the brain and spinal cord of the pups. As with everything, it is important not to over do it. While liver is very nutritious and a great food to feed it is high in vitamin A – a vitamin that you do not want to feed in excess during pregnancy, but great for afterwards. 

A popular misconception is that calcium should be supplemented during this time. However, if your dog has access to plenty of raw bones as a part of her diet extra supplementation is not necessary and could actually cause harm. Some breeders find that after the puppies are born increasing the amount of bones fed helps support the mother’s calcium needs for milk production.

Essential fatty acids, especially omega 3, also play an important role in the growth of the fetus. They are involved in the development of both the brain and nerves, along with having an effect upon eyesight and the immune system. Since a diet that provides meat will adequately supply the omega 6 fatty acids, it is important to balance this with a source of omega 3’s. I find oily fish such as salmon helps here.

So now, to deal with the amount fed – how and when to increase meal size. This of course will vary for each dog and is meant only as a rough guide.

Every dog will have her own preferences during a pregnancy and may even avoid some of her “favourites” during this time. 

This is one of the reasons why variety is key. During the first 2/3 of the pregnancy, your dog’s energy requirement will not differ from that of her normal needs.

However around the 6th week you can slowly start adding to the amount fed (about a third more daily), increasing this slightly each week as the pregnancy develops.

She should be on 6% roughly extra by the puppies are born. Do not worry if she hasn't eaten this as after all, all dams are different. 

As she grows it is a good idea to feed smaller, more frequent meals. I usually opt for at least 6 meals some may want more. I sometimes hand feed also. 

Do not worry if she doesn't conform there is no right or wrong way here as all dams are different after all. 

This will allow you to give enough food to meet her nutrient needs yet still accommodate for the space being occupied by the pups.

As a rough guide, most dogs will gain about 15-20% of her pre- pregnancy weight during this time and will retain about 5-10% after giving birth. 

This will of course fluctuate greatly depending upon the size of the litter and the demands upon dam afterwards so don't panic if she doesn't conform. 

Now she has given birth yours and hers hard work begins. 

Well, this is my ramblings of feeding raw to a dam whilst pregnant hope it made sense now.