my bitch is 54 days in pup now,she has been fussy all the way through her pregnancy,last two days she has refused dog food altogether,we put her on puppy food for the nutrients to her and pups,she will only take scrambled egg and chicken boiled,im worried that this wont be enough for her and her pups,she is happy in herself,we have been hand feeding her lots of times to get her to eat,she has had fish a few times but then went off that all together,is there anything else I can give her to help her and the pups get their nutrients?? thanks in advance xx

sardines
raw chicken wings
raw steak mince

Rest assured, her puppies will take ALL they need from mum.   More important is that mum takes in good quality nourishment but to be honest, I'd not be worried until you know how many puppies she has to provide for, and into the end of the first week, going into the second.   Newborn puppies don't take a huge amount of milk.   As the puppies start to take up the room inside, most bitches will only be able to manage small, high protein meals - little and often.

Again provided she's otherwise happy, don't worry about the puppies!!

ps   I have never understood all this feeding pregnant and post-whelping bitches 'puppy food'.   Puppy food is for Puppies!!   Provided mum is eating a good quality complete food which should be the case from before she's mated even.

hi thankyou for the encouragement with my bitch,a quick update,she has now eaten the steamed chicken and large amount over the last four or so hours which is encouraging,she hasn't had a poo though since yesterday,again not over concerned with her not eating large amounts of food,however will nip her into my vets if I don't feel happy with her progress for the once over,i didn't really want to be taking her to avoid anything being picked up from the surgery plus she doesn't like the vets at all and gets upset when we do take her,ive never given her raw food but well worth considering,thanks again for the advice I will of course update on my bitch thanks again xx

Just to add IF you do need your vet to take a look - you could always keep her in the back of your car (re infection) and get him to check her out there?   Re not poohing, again I'd suggest that if she's eating mainly protein, not 'bulk' she'd be less likely to produce much stool?   Be careful re raw food - it could make her loose if she's not used to eating raw.

hi thanks again for all the usefull advice,lola has eaten lots today but again only chicken ,her due date is tomorrow if she whelps early 63 days to next Saturday if not,she wont entertain any other food apart from fish but in batter,ive seen some give their whelping bitches condensed milk?? would this be ok to give my bitch although she drinks plenty of water,i took her for a very short walk today she had a bowel movement two days without previously,was looser than normaly but not the runs,she isn't walking far though as she is starting to struggle now with getting to back end,i walked her as was adviced this could help with bowel movements as she has been spending lots of time just in her whelping box,thanks again hopefully next bit of news will be a lovely healthy litter and a healthy mum after,thanks again xxx

Condensed milk?   Not necessary, so no.

I'd be a bit concerned re the greasy batter on some fish - breaded would be better, or better still, just fish!!   Have you tried her on tinned Chappie?

Anyhow, good luck - hope she doesn't keep you waiting much longer!!   If you don't know, don't leave her struggling with a puppy (strong contractions, pushing hard) for much over one hour without seeing the puppy delivered.  Each delivery.  There's no point letting her become exhausted if a C.Section is going to be needed.

Mine have goats milk, I water it down to around half milk and half water, they love it.

I haven't ever given condensed milk ......but somewhere in the back of my mind it rings a bell??

>I haven't ever given condensed milk ......but somewhere in the back of my mind it rings a bell??

It was popular in the late 60's before commercial dog food was about.  I bought all my dog food from the local slaughter house in those days.  Diluted condensed milk was given to a newly whelped bitch.

thanks again everyone for all the usefull advice given,i will try the goats milk diluted with water see if she will take it,the battered fish is cooked in my oven,wouldnt give her fried fish,but will also follow advice and try breaded fish too,she is taking very small amounts of food,havnt tried chappie but again will give this a try,she wouldn't try the tuna fish suggested,my two poms devoured that lol,will keep update regarding her labour and delivery thanks again guys xx

Providing she is drinking a reasonable amount of liquid, just water is fine, it will not matter if she rejects food for a couple of days or will only eat one type of food. Save your energy, you will need that after she has whelped, and she will need to eat and drink then. Good luck and try to enjoy.

thankyou so much nova,eaten a small amount of steamed chicken and had a good drink of water,now resting in her bed,thanks again xx

I don't think it was condensed milk (that is the sweetened thick type) - Evaporated milk is the one you are thinking about......It was also used (diluted) on new born babies in the 40's and 50's.

I thought it was evaporated milk too. Remember being told to use it for my Siamese kitten

thanks ive read that many posts over the last 48 hours my brain is frazzled,will just continue with water as she is drinking that,dont want to upset her tummy xx

just a quick update,my bitch has eaten some puppy food this morning,not much but still eaten some,we are just steaming her some chicken to have xx

Well, just a little reassurance.  Years ago I had a bitch that ate so little I believed her pups couldn't survive.  I had never known a bitch eating so little during pregnancy.

Once she had whelped she ate for England, and was only doing it to keep me on my toes.  She didn't suffer any problems, so your girl isn't the first, and certainly won't be the last.  :-)

thanks jeansw I feel so reassured now with hearing your experience with your bitch xx

Totally agree with Jeansw. She will eat when she is hungry and she will be hungry after the puppies are born!! and for the next few weeks. So don't worry :) Her tummy will be all squashed up and not much room for food right now. By the way has she had them by now??

hi no puppys as yet,dont think it is going to be too much longer,very restless night with my bitch,refusing all food of any kind today,not wanting to leave her whelping box either,she is today 59/60 days,her breed is known for having early litters,but again she could go her full gestation too,im in the room with her at all times now to monitor her incase she gets into difficulties with her labour,will update as soon as ive any further news xx

we have two baby a boy first and a girl second,one and half hours apart,we think there is a third puppy there,waiting to see,mummy and babys doing very well,thanks guys for all your advice and support xx