Feeding a Pregnant or Nursing Dog Week by Week

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

A pregnant dog is feeding herself and her growing puppies, and a nursing dog makes more milk than you might imagine. Getting nutrition right supports healthy puppies and keeps the mother in good condition. Always work with your vet, who can tailor the plan.

Before breeding

A dog should be at a healthy body weight before mating, since both obesity and underweight can cause problems. Have a vet check her health, vaccinations and parasite control. Feed a complete diet for her life stage.

Weeks 1 to 4

For the first few weeks, there is little change in nutritional needs. Continue feeding her normal diet in normal amounts. Keep her active but avoid strenuous exercise.

Weeks 5 to 9

Puppies grow rapidly in the last third of pregnancy, so she needs more energy and nutrients. Many vets recommend switching gradually to a high-quality food suited to growth and reproduction, such as a puppy food, at around the fifth or sixth week. Increase portions in stages, and offer smaller, more frequent meals, since a swollen abdomen leaves less room. By the end of pregnancy, she may need around fifty percent more calories than usual. See how many calories a dog needs.

Calcium: do not supplement

Calcium supplementation during pregnancy can disrupt the dog's own calcium regulation and increase the risk of eclampsia after whelping. A diet formulated for reproduction already provides enough. Only give calcium if your vet prescribes it.

Close to whelping

Appetite may fall in the last days. Offer small, tempting meals. Many dogs refuse food shortly before labor. Contact your vet if she shows signs of illness. See our guide to newborn puppy care for what comes next.

Nursing

Lactation is the most demanding period of a dog's life. Milk production can require two to three times her normal calorie intake, and more with large litters.

• Feed a high-quality, calorie-dense food for growth and reproduction.
• Offer food multiple times a day, or allow free access to food.
• Provide plenty of clean water.
• Increase intake as puppies grow and demand more milk.
• Keep her at a healthy weight. She may lose some weight, but extreme loss needs attention.

Signs of trouble

• Eclampsia (milk fever), a low-calcium emergency with restlessness, panting, stiffness, tremors or collapse, usually in nursing mothers with large litters. Call a vet immediately.
• Mastitis, with hot, swollen or painful teats and fever.
• Loss of appetite or lethargy.
• Foul discharge.

During weaning

As puppies start eating solid food, gradually reduce the mother's food back to normal over a couple of weeks. See our guide to weaning puppies.

Food safety and hygiene

Keep her bowl clean, do not feed raw diets to nursing mothers without veterinary guidance and keep water fresh.

After weaning

Return to her regular adult diet and get her back to a healthy weight with a gradual change. See how to switch dog food safely.

Choosing the whelping-time diet

A diet labeled for growth and reproduction, or all life stages, supplies the extra energy, protein and balanced minerals a pregnant or nursing dog needs. Avoid switching abruptly, and avoid raw or homemade diets unless a veterinary nutritionist has formulated them for reproduction, since mistakes are costly for both mother and puppies. Keep fresh water close to the whelping area, and weigh her weekly to follow body condition.

Planning ahead with your vet

Schedule a pregnancy checkup around the midpoint, and discuss feeding, parasite control and what to do if labor goes wrong. Keep your vet's emergency number handy for the night when puppies arrive.

The takeaway

Feed for pregnancy and lactation with the right diet, gradual increases and veterinary support.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different. If your dog is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.