Gestation/pregnancy for dogs averages 63 days (9 weeks) and can be divided into 3 week (21 day) trimesters.
Good nutrition should start prior to breeding with both the sire and dam in good physical condition, well exercised, and have an ideal body condition score (4 or 5 on a 9-point scale).
Malnourished bitches have puppies with reduced birth weights, are prone to hypoglycemia, and have poor survival rates (Schroeder et al. 1994). Bitches that are obese prior to breeding have lower ovulation rates and smaller litter sizes (Bebiak et al. 1987; Debraekeleer et al. 2010).
- A vaginal discharge will occur approximately 1 month after mating.
- After 25 to 30 days after mating, your dog’s nipples will begin to swell.
- Her appetite may decrease. A temporary decrease in food intake around the 4th week after conception can indicate pregnancy.
- She may become a little depressed.
- She may show signs of agitation shortly before giving birth.
- She may display nesting behaviour by scraping the ground or her sleeping area, shortly before giving birth.
- Small litter size
- Low birth weight
- Increased neonatal mortality
- Decreased immunity
- Decreased milk yield
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
Adapted from Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition
- Decreased ovulation
- Decreased fertility
- Silent heat
- Prolonged interestrous interval
- Anestrus
- Smaller litters
Adapted from Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition
Protein deficiency
- Low birth weight
- Increased neonatal mortality
- Decreased neonatal immunity
Carbohydrate-free food
- Low birth weight
- Increased neonatal mortality
- Increased numbers of stillbirths
Zinc deficiency
- Fetal resorption
- Smaller litters
Iron deficiency
- Decreased immunity and response to vaccination
Pyridoxine and biotin deficiency
- Decreased immunity and response to vaccination
Hypervitaminosis A
- Congenital abnormalities
- Smaller litters
Hypervitaminosis D
- Soft-tissue calcification
Adapted from Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition
During the first 2/3 of pregnancy, energy requirements are not different from those of young adult dogs (Gesellshaft, 1989a; Ontko and Phillips, 1958). At 35 days, only 2% of fetal mass has been developed compared to 5.5% of fetal mass at 40 days. After 40 days, fetal tissue grows exponentially (Gesellshaft, 1989a; Leibetseder, 1989). Thus, energy needs increase during Week 5 and peak between Weeks 6 and 9 of gestation.
Energy needs can peak at 30% to 60% above mating weight, depending on litter size. Even though energy requirements are highest during Weeks 6 to 8 of pregnancy, food intake is limited by abdominal fullness as a result of the gravid uterus. Giant breeds may not be able to eat enough food to maintain body weight before the last week of pregnancy. Food intake may drop dramatically just before whelping, with some bitches completely lacking appetite. Enough energy should be provided during the early weeks of pregnancy to help maintain body condition and milk production after whelping.
Food should be high in energy density throughout gestation.
Adapted from Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition
Protein
During the last trimester of gestation, protein requirements increase from 40 to 70% above maintenance. For optimal reproduction performance, foods for gestation should contain between 25 to 35% crude protein on a dry matter (DM) basis.
Fat and Fatty Acids
At least 20% crude fat on a dry matter (DM) basis is recommended throughout gestation.
The ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid should be between 2.6 and 16. PDD contains an LA : ALA ratio gauge that ensures this ratio is met.
DHA is important for retinal and auditory development, brain development and learning. Food for gestation should contain the minimum amount of EPA + DHA, where DHA needs to be at least 40-50% and EPA should be 50-60% of the total. PDD contains an EPA : DHA ratio gauge that ensures this ratio is met.
Carbohydrate
Although dogs have no minimum requirement for carbohydrate, feeding carbohydrate-free foods during gestation may result in weight loss, decreased food intake, reduced birth weight, and may increase the risk of stillbirth.
Bitches have a high metabolic requirement for glucose during the last weeks of gestation. Feeding a carbohydrate-free diet during the last weeks of gestation increases the risk of hypoglycemia and ketosis.
The diet should contain approximately greater than or equal to 23% (20% as fed) carbohydrate on a dry matter (DM) basis to prevent the negative side effects of a carbohydrate-free diet.
There are some data to support that the lactose content of the milk is higher when a diet containing some carbohydrate is fed (Kienzle, Meyer et al. 1985). The recommendations from that study are that diets for lactation provide at least 10–20% of the energy from digestible carbohydrates (Kienzle, Meyer et al. 1985).
In practice, a well-designed diet can contain greater than or equal to 10% digestible carbohydrate on an ‘as fed’ basis, such as the diet used in our tutorial.
Calcium and Phosphorus
During the last trimester of pregnancy, calcium and phosphorus requirements increase by 60% because of rapid skeletal growth of the fetuses.
Excessive calcium intake during gestation may decrease activity of the parathyroid glands and predispose the dam to eclampsia.
Adapted from NRC 2006; Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition.
Bitches commonly experience a decrease in appetite during the third or fourth week of pregnancy. This decrease may result in a 30% reduction in food intake. This is usually a result of embryo implantation, which starts around the end of the third week of pregnancy.
Small- and medium-sized breeds should be fed one or two meals per day. Large- and giant-sized breeds should be fed three or four meals per day. Giant breeds and bitches pregnant with a large litter may need to be free fed. Restriction of food during pregnancy may lead to smaller litters, lower birth weights, and may compromise the subsequent lactation.
- Breeders should present reproducing bitches for a checkup at least one month prior to the upcoming estrus.
- Pregnancy should be confirmed with ultrasonography between 17 to 20 days after breeding, or by palpation between 25 to 36 days after breeding. A thorough exam should be conducted.
- One week before parturition, or earlier if an abnormality is found during the first checkup. In addition to a physical examination, the following parameters should be assessed: complete blood count and serum glucose, calcium and total protein concentrations.