I have a two year old bitch who I wish to breed from.I would like some advice on any diet requirements she may need to prepare her for breeding for the first time, also nutrional needs before during and after pregnancy.

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Most important thing is to get her really fit. It can be difficult to get an overweight bitch in whelp in the first place, and flabby muscles don't help when it comes to whelping! It's hard work, and goes on for hours.

So that's the first thing. After the mating I don't adjust the bitch's food for 6 weeks. Then, as long as I know she's definitely in whelp, I very gradually increase the amount of high quality protein. For the last week or two I'll split her food into several small meals, as there's not so much room inside for a large meal!

But do get her absolutely fit now!

Also get some calcium capsules to supplement her with in the last week of pregnancy and after she has had them so that she doesn't get eclampsia. These capsules can be bought in Health shops like Holland and Barrett and disolve and get into the system very quickly, I found them a boon.

vets advise not to give any extra calcium until the pups are born, as the bitch only stores so much and if having a balanced, quality food, wont be short of it,

I wouldn't advise giving calcium supplements before the pups are born. The only time I did this the bitch suffered an eclamptic fit on day 3 after whelping, and needed emergency vet treatment - I was told that this was caused by the supplementation being given too early - before the pups were born.

I agree with the others - calcium should not be given before pups are born as this can increase the risk of a bitch developing eclampsia not prevent it. The only time we ever supplemented a bitch with calcium before she whelped (on the advice of a fellow breeder) she did get eclampsia. We learnt our lesson v quickly & there is now plenty of reference to the dangers of supplementing pregnant bitches with calcium in books on breeding & on veterinary websites.

Same here - I have only ever once supplemented a bitch with extra calcium before whelping and she was the only one I have ever had come down with eclampsia.

Lisa
xx

The bitch should be given a good complete wormer about a month before she is due in season and if you boost make sure her vaccs are up to date. It would be best to have her examined by a vet to check she is suitable for breeding. You do not need to increase the quantity of food given til 5-6 weeks of pregnancy, but the food must be high quality. Never give extra calcium to pregnant bitches but do give as soon as she has whelped and through the lactation. If she is on a high quality complete diet she wont need extra vits/mins during pregnancy. The last week or so I introduce "real" chicken and rice, as this is what I feed my bitches for the first week or so after whelping.

Hello Eileen i found a new food this time Vitalin Bitch-Diet multi protien & wheat gluten free my bulldog bitch has done well on it so far ! we will see if it works well after pups arrive hope this helps you.