Nutrition

[bossy01]

Hi All

I have a female staffy who is 5 weeks gestation early next week and was wondering how many calories i should be feeding her a day and the change each week in the lead up to her whelping and how much whilst lactating. All my dogs are on Advance I have bought a bag of Growth and the assitant at the store wasnt much help and the feeding guide on the bag isnt that helpful either. This is my first litter.

Thanks Angie

[persephone]

I would suggest, as a first step, you take advice from your bitch's breeder They will have done it before- and will be able to give you hints.

[Christina]

for the last 3 weeks I let them eat as much as they want.

Morning feed of fresh meat, chicken, veg, cheese, egg etc & then free access to dry puppy biscuits.

Mine are not dogs that over eat or pig out so may or may not work for yours.

I think it is better to over feed rather than underfeed if you are not sure.

Excess fat can be dealt with after the pups are weaned but lack of vital nutrients before the birth is a bit more of a problem.

[Stitch]

After the 6 week mark, let the bitch eat as much as she likes (within reason).

I usually have the opposite problem of the bitch going off her food - which always worrys me!!

However, it is not a good idea to feed premium puppy food as overnutrition can increase the size of the pups and cause whelping problems if the pups themselves get too big.

[oakway]

I don't increase the food.

I never increased my food intake when I was having children why would increase the food in take of a bitch.

I often have have to half the meal into two portions in the last ten days or so.

If you increase the food intake you run the risk of the bitch being over weight and having difficulty in whelping.

[persephone]

I also never increase food - I prefer the bitches to be a bit lean and fit . After whelping, then it's free feeding

[Crisovar]

I never increase the quantity of food in the first 6 weeks.

You want a bitch fit never fat to whelp, and they are that way before mating.

In the later stages it is more the quality rather than the quantity.

Some bitches may get a bit pickier as they get larger and less comfortable, but I stick to good healthy foods, edible bones, sardines etc and smaller more frequent meals if needed.

After whelping they need increased amounts again of quality foods.