rajacadoo Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 I just wanted to ask if in my muddled mind, I have this right Is it ok to be feeding my nearly 3 week in whelp, (fingers crossed), young lady natural calcium, found in bones etc, on a daily basis ??? Not talking about calcium supps, just natural forms of calcium :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamSnag Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 I was giving my bitch goats milk.. I have since stoped it cos my vet told me the pups will be big cos of it...(extra calcium) She dont really need any extra stuff.. But i do give her yogurt and have since the day i got her.. I also put her on puppy food.. I still feed chicken necks/dino bones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-time Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 All natural calcium is just fine. :D Just no commercial supplements until there is a puppy on the ground! Crossing my fingers for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 YES!!! Naturally sourced calcium is the only calcium that should be given to a bitch in whelp. And "technically" this shouldn't change after the puppies arrive either if she is being fed correctly beforehand (which I know she is! ) The only supplementation that is necessary is occasionally during whelping if things slow down and I believe in a shot of calcium afterwards INSTEAD of oxytocin to help clear things out and encourage milk "let down". Calcium and oxytocin at this time work in the same way but the calcium is a lot more gentle on the body than the contractions that are caused by artificial hormones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stolzseinrotts Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 (edited) I was giving my bitch goats milk.. I have since stoped it cos my vet told me the pups will be big cos of it...(extra calcium)She dont really need any extra stuff.. But i do give her yogurt and have since the day i got her.. I also put her on puppy food.. I still feed chicken necks/dino bones... I feed goats milk and have friends who have done the same thing. Can't say I agree with your Vet on the theory of getting big pups due to it. Hasn't hurt my girls nor others that I know that feed it to bitches in whelp and beyond. Pups have been normal sizes for litter size. Edited May 16, 2010 by Stolzseinrotts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajacadoo Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Thanks guys for the responses... I thought it was ok, then a little doubt crept into my mind, so then you start to second guess yourself Just so much easier to actually ask ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stolzseinrotts Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 (edited) Forgot to add, we feed raw meaty bones just about everyday here and we have had no problems. We feed a BARF style diet so extras like yoghurt, goats milk, cottage cheese, ricota etc are all included in our feeding regime. If it is natural calcium source then IMO it is OK to feed. Edited May 16, 2010 by Stolzseinrotts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajacadoo Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Thanks Stolzeinrotts, I guess that is exactly what I was wanting to hear . This bitch is not getting bones, yoghurt etc, etc, eveyday, but, I have upped these things from what she normally gets, and it just occured to me that I may need to cut back on them, so its good to know I can keep going :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Forgot to add, we feed raw meaty bones just about everyday here and we have had no problems. We feed a BARF style diet so extras like yoghurt, goats milk, cottage cheese, ricota etc are all included in our feeding regime.If it is natural calcium source then IMO it is OK to feed. Yep that's the types of food I was feeding my bitch during pregnancy (she refused to eat dry food) & now that she is feeding 8 puppies, I have really upped the quantities & am feeding her around the clock, as much as she will eat, aswell as good protein like eggs, I'm also managing to get her to eat some puppy dry food mixed into her mince, with cottage cheese. Her overall favourite is goats milk, raw egg & yoghurt milk shake, especially just after feeding the pups. She also gets a couple of chicken wings & necks during the day She seems to be coping alright & her condition has surprisingly stayed reasonably good (she certainly doesn't look like a bitch that is feeding 8 pups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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