My bitch is currently 5 weeks pregnant and we have been told we should now have her on puppy food as she will get more goodness from it, has anyone ever heard off or done this?  Also should we be giving her folic acid at the moment as well.

All advice is very much appreciated.

Cheers

You can either feed her puppy food or boost the protein in her diet, by adding extra meat. Ordinary adult maintenance food won't give her all she needs. Don't increase the overall quantity of food yet though - just the quality. The last thing you want is a fat bitch at whelping time.

Thanks Jeangenie. She is just picking at her food at the moment eating a wee bit at a time, but we where thinking of giving her raw mince with her dry food.  What is your advice on this and also any info on the folic acid or any other vitamins?

Cheers.

Raspberry leaf tablets are supposed to be a birthing aid and is recommended from week 3 of pregnancy through to 1 week after giving birth, some people think this is a good idea, others not.

I don't know if you're a bit late for folic acid, generally in women it is suggested to start taking it before you want to concieve, I have my bitch on it in preparation for mating. Not sure if it does any good really but I thought it was worth a go!

I'm sure you should have your pregnant bitch on puppy food from 6 weeks of pregnancy, if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will be along to correct me.

Chocymolly.

We use Folic Acid from when we expect Season to start, or the actual start (whichever comes first)  I don't think it woudl have effect from mid-pregnancy.  Usually keep them on normal diet until week 5, although give some goats milk , eggs and cheese  as well, and then change to puppy complete at week 6, incresing amounts in line with bitches increased appetitie, and splitting into several smaller feeds.  Also keep up the high protein treats.  Often, with my breeds the bitches get very fussy at this stage, so I tend to pander to the whims, and introduce chicken, fish, liver or whatever the bitch likes best.
bye
Gwen

Thanks Gwen, do I give all off the above meats raw or cooked?

I give them cooked - microwaved liver looks awful, but the dogs love it!
bye
Gwen