Hi

My bitch has been very fussy with her food throughout her pregnancy but since Friday night she has eaten next to nothing.

I am offering her everything and have wasted soooo much food! She normally loves cheese, nope!  Normally loves beef chunks, nope! I have only managed her get some lambs liver in her yesterday but only half of what she would normally eat :rolleyes: Tried again this morning, she didnt eat it!!

I don't know what to suggest but I am getting worried, probably unnecessary because I know she wont stave herself but I cant help thinking it cant be good for her not to be eating as it isnt for humans???

Has anyone else out there experienced this??? I am going to take her to the vets tomorrow anyway but am worried today

Thanks

Unfortunately yes!  My mum's bitch hardly ate throughout her pregnancy but she did have fairly healthy looking pups born 8 days early and most of them survived until 7 weeks though of course nothing to do with their mother not eating properly throughout.

Hope all goes well it is very worrying when this happens.

It is perfectly normal, due to her expanding tummy, she's feeling full.   My girls do the same, my vet tells me not to worry - but of course we do!

Good luck.

Oh good! I am worrying that she isnt getting enough goodness from her food...I know I am probably worrying for nothing but it doesnt help!

She seems really restless.....but 51 days is too early isnt it?

As the others have said, it is very common in bitches. I started taking my bitches food (kibble) out on walks and gave her a handful every time she came back. She didn't always eat it, but she did eat something. I also gave her chicken wings, which she devoured. She went on to give birth to 9 pups so she was getting enough food. Oh, she also ate the cat food, thought the cat wasn't too happy about it ;) :D

Edited to add: she will be getting restless as the pups start to move into a better position. They will be growing rapidly now and space will be getting smaller for them ;) I remember being very restless myself during the last few weeks of my pregnancies.

oh good, thanks for all your help.

This is my first time and I am just worrying

Suppose! The last 2 weeks are the growing ones and thats why I was getting worried about her food intake.

LOL! I know that feeling and then the baby ends up coming late

Are you feeding her four small meals a day?  Many bitches not only can't cope with large meals but can't face a bowl full.

Also they may refuse food now and be happy to eat an hour later when things shift around and they are more comfortable.

Offer her the food four times a day and pick it up if she doesn't want it and offer again later.  they will eat what they can and the pups will take what they need out of the bitch regardless.

Also how much are you expecting her to eat.

At the end of pregnancy mien are getting about 50% more than normal, but of a higher quality food than their normal rations, so you may be expecting her to eat a lot more than normal which she won't need to be, especially if you were over generous earlier in pregnancy.

I don't' increase the amount (though I switch to puppy food at 4 weeks in whelp) until they are 6 weeks in whelp.

Yes I am feeding smaller quantities.  She has not over indulged yet, she is eating the same just smaller amounts at a time.  She is not and has never been greedy!

I leave it down for 15 minutes and if she hasnt touched it, i wrap it in cling film and put in the fridge, the offer it about an hour later, and i repeat the process, friday I done this all day! She didnt eat anything until late that night and it was only a small amount.

I tried switching to puppy complete but she wouldnt eat it! I try to mix some in with her tripe but she wont eat it if I do that! She knows but she wants if only she could talk this would be easier!  I dont want her to be hungry and feel awful at that thought. 

She has just eaten some liver! She is eating alot of this lately (costing me a fortune) but I suppose it is good for her!