Hi,

I just wondered what advice anyone can give on the best food for a pregnant bitch.  I don't know if my dog is pregnant yet, as she only went to stud this week, but I obviously want to treat her and feed her as if she is.  She is currently on Pal Dry Complete food, but I am not keen on it, as although she likes it, she seems to be always hungry - I don't think it fills her up that well, even though the amounts I give her are right, and her weight is right.

What do you recommend?

I feed my pregnant bitches on purina one for puppies, and have found that they have done really well on it. If you read the packet it will say on it suitable for lactating bitches. I think most good quality puppy foods are suitable for them. Speak to your vet if you are not sure.
Basi

I fed my girl on Vitalin bitch diet and very pleased with her condition, weight throughout her pregnancy. Whilst lactating she remained in very good condition. I would recommend it .

I usually keep the bitch on a normal maintenence ration until she is confirmed in whelp. 

I then switch to a food that I will be weaning the pups onto, but do not fed any extra until the 6th week, gradually increasing the amount so that by whelping the bitch is on half as much again as normal but of a higher quality food.

It is important to not let a bitch get fat during pregnancy as this can really cause problems .

I agree with Brainless. A common mistake is to start feeding the bitch extra straight away, then when she gets fat everyone thinks she is pregnant even though she might not be.:)

Thanks very much for all the help.

Brainless, you say that later you feed her the same food you will be weaning the pups onto - which food do you find is the best for that?

My vet advised me this morning, to put her onto puppy food now.  Why is advice always conflicting?!?!

If she is in good body and on a good diet then don't start the puppy food until she is confirmed in whelp at about 4 weeks, otherwise all you will do is get her fat (unless you give her less than the maintenence dite as the puppy food will be much more rich and higher in calories) , and if she has missed you will be having to diet her before she will be fit to be mated again.

agree with brainless.i change to puppy around 4-5 weeks

>My vet advised me this morning, to put her onto puppy food now.  Why is advice always conflicting?!?!

Very few vets know anything at all about breeding . :)

My own favourites ate either Arden Grange Prestige or Arden Grange Classic Puppy, but feed the puppy version of whichever food you use, if she is doing well on it, and it has quality ingredints with an emphasis on animaql sources of protein.

Herbiedax, I feed bitch diet also and will be breeding a litter next year. Can I just ask if you just increase the quantities and stick on it all the time as when I bred a litter last I fed puppy food til pups were born then her normal food in larger quantities for lactating. Wondered if your bitch and pups did well on it.
Thanks, Aimi

It is during lactation that the bitch needs the superior quality in her food, and just the latter part of pregnancy, as the first stages pf pregnancy take3 very little out of the bitches reserves. 

It is rearing pups that does the damage to a bitch, and when she needs top notch nutrition.

Sorry, I've just come in on this one.   My bitch is (hopefully) 6 weeks pregnant today, so would I be right in changing her food to puppy food - and if so, how long for?    I was going to switch back to Arden grange as I think this would be better for her in her condition than the Autarky that she's currently on.

Until she has weaned the pups, and if not overweight until her coat has come back after the pups.

thanks, I didn't realise that.

The bitch needs to repair her bosy from the strain rearing a litter is, and in coated breeds takes a lot of nuturion to replace the coat she will loose when then pups leave.  they often look horendous like something badly plucked!!! :D  Makes them look like they have no bone, are as long as a freight train (in a square compact breed) and liek their heads are huge on skinny long neck :(  Well that is what my Champion bitch looks like 14 weeks after her litter were born.

oh dear, so in other words, are very attractive then.

Well I love her regardless, but she will nto be going to the Championship show she is entered for on Sunday, as I don't think the judge and others will agree that her present look is a good one :D

Her daughter is late coming in season so keeping fingers crossed now that she will hang on another week, bet she won't though :D

Thank you very much for all the advice.  I will go along with what you say, as I agree with the part about vets not knowing much about breeding!  It isn't really their forte as it is yours as you are breeders and they are not!!  Besides, my dog is in beautiful condition with a lovely coat at the moment, and just the right 'fatness' so I certainly don't want to overfeed her.  Thanks again.  You have all been very helpful.