What Is The Best Dog Food For Nursing Dogs

Water Alternatives For Nursing Dogs Milk Production

As an alternative, you can offer your nursing dog a few different things to help convince her to drink more. Like humans, dogs like some variety too, and even without puppies and pregnancy, your dog may spend a lot of time teetering on the edge of dehydration on a fairly regular basis.

This can make it hard for her to change her water drinking habits. Consider some of these alternatives to water that will help your nursing dog increase her fluid intake and therefore increase their milk production:

Broth: Whether you go for homemade, canned, or just bullion in warm water, broth, in all of its forms can help a new nursing dog stay hydrated enough to feed her litter, whether it is one squirming bundle of joy or ten. Just dont get the low sodium kind, the extra salt may help to convince her to drink more as it will make her feel more thirsty .

Puppy formula: This one is a little unconventional and on the more expensive side, but it may help a nursing dog get some extra needed calories and help keep her fluid intake up. It also has the bonus of extra nutrients that new nursing dogs need. To make it go a bit further, you can offer it weaker than the directions, as long as she is taking in liquids.

Weak tea: This is especially useful if the new mom has an upset tummy or vomiting. Using tea with milk thistle in it can help with added milk production as this herb is known for it. If you plan to sweeten it, use it sparingly and limit it to natural sweeteners like honey.

Go For Nutritious Treats

No matter whether your dog is normal, pregnant, or lactating, dog treats are very crucial. Believe it or not, treats are part of the diet of a dog. Due to cheaper costs, popular products use carbohydrate-packed fillers, resulting in non-nutritious treats.

A treat containing a few nutritious dog foods includes cheddar cheese, fresh fruits, and dried beef. You should also consider adding things that are high in calories like salmon and sweet potatoes to your dogs diet. Chicken, meatballs, and eggs are great choices if the two aforementioned foods are unavailable.

Nonetheless, avoid buying treats that are cheap in terms of quality. Check the label of nutritional values as well as the ingredient list for sure.

After all, to improve dog milk production the right way, you should stillaskyour vet about the proper amount of food you ought to feed your lactating dog.

Depending on the breed, the number of pups, and other factors, your vet may recommend a specific healthy diet plan for your mama dog.

Additional Needs: Pregnant Dogs And Exercise

Healthy food is not the only thing your dog needs for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. To be adequately prepared for the job of whelping, your pregnant dog needs to exercise regularly and keep her muscles toned. Put together a light training schedule for your dog, something that she will enjoy during the first seven weeks of pregnancy. Be sure to reduce the amount of exercise as your dog approaches the delivery date. Also, please keep your dog away from areas where she may contract infections from other dogs.

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Hills Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Whole Grain Wheat, 3. Cracked Pearled Barley, 4. Whole Grain Sorghum, 5. Whole Grain Corn

You will find that this Hills Science dog food is suitable for both mothers and puppies. The first evidence of that is its nutritionally balanced formula. Your furry babies and their babies get all the essential nutrients they need from it.

Besides that, it is also much gentler on the newly developed and still-adjusting digestive systems. So, your dogs can get what they need from it. Then theres the fact that its antioxidant composition will lend their immune systems a helping hand. Finally, fish-oil-based omega-3 and DHA are also part of its formula. These promote bone and joint health.

Canned Dog Food Or Dry Dog Food

Both canned dog food and kibble can provide adequate nutrition.

Canned diets contain more moisture and may benefit dogs with urinary problems or dogs that dont tend to drink a lot of water. They are also more flavorful. However, feeding a 70-pound dog an all-canned diet will require lots of storage space.

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Check The Ingredient List Especially The First Five Ingredients

Always check the ingredient list. Items are listed in a weighted orderso a dog food that has corn, beef meal, potatoes, peas, and chicken as the first five ingredients has more corn than chicken by weight.

What else should you know?

• Meal” means that the water and fat have been removed. It does not include hair, horns, or nails but usually organ meat like livers, kidneys, hearts, etc.

• Natural flavor does not mean organic. This flavor can come from any plant or animal source, and the product must contain enough to be detected.

• Chemical-sounding names are usually vitamins, minerals, and other supplements.

• Some dog foods will have probiotics added, such as Bacillus coagulans fermentation product or Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product. Probiotics are live cultures of gut microorganisms. They may be beneficial but would have to be added to dry dog food after baking to be effective.

In the end, the only way to figure out if its the best dog food for your pet is to try it out. If your pet has good muscling, a great haircoat, normal and regular poop, great energy, and a good appetite, youve probably found it.

What Can Dogs Not Tolerate

There are a lot of foods that dogs cant tolerate. Several of them are actually poisonous for dogs. These include, for example, onions, raw cabbage and raw pork. Onions can be fatal, with respect to the size of the onion and the dog. For a medium-sized dog, even a medium-sized onion can be extremely dangerous. If a dog feeds on raw cabbage, it can get belly cramps or unwanted gas. Raw pork could contain the Aujeszky disease, which causes fatal condition. Other foods and drinks that dogs should not eat include:

• Caffeinated drinks, such as espresso

Furthermore, nicotine is dangerous for dogs. Consequently, caution is recommended in rain messes, for example: Cigarette residues are located in them. Ashtrays should always be put in such a way that the dog cannot reach them.

If a dog has eaten food that is dangerous for it, you should contact the vet and also the veterinary crisis service directly. At the same time, keep the dog in a safe environment. On the other hand, despite all the concern for the dogs life, the following applies: Stay calm and watch to signs of poisoning. It could be necessary to take the dog to a veterinary clinic or drive it to the vet. Symptoms that may occur with poisoning include:

• Abnormal salivation

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Wet Puppy Food And Nursing Dogs Milk Production

I recommend treating wet puppy food like you would normally treat her meals. Give her wet puppy food three times a day. This will ensure she is getting a high enough-calorie diet and able to provide the calories her puppies need to grow.

Wet food, in general, tends to have more calories, so this is especially important for smaller nursing dogs. You can check out our post as well, Wet Food vs. Dry Food for a breakdown comparison.

Breeds like Chihuahuas may not have large litters, but their small bodies can be depleted quite quickly. Even a three-pup litter can deplete stored pregnancy resources if not given enough to replace them.

Puppy food not only has extra calories, but it also has extra nutrients to replace those she is giving away in her milk, so she doesnt get sick trying to feed her brood.

How To Read A Pet Food Label

Just like human food brands, dog food brands use marketing to make their products more appealing. That means they’ve got nice-looking images and aesthetically pleasing color schemes on the packaging that are meant to signify the healthfulness and quality of the food. But in order to know the truth about the appropriateness of a dog food, it’s essential to learn what to look for on the nutrition label.

One place to get started is this handy reference from the WSAVA about interpreting food labels. The top things to look for are the AAFCO complete and balanced statement, the guaranteed analysis , and the calorie content.

Next, read the ingredients list. It’s tricky for the average dog owner to make a decision about a dog food based on the ingredients alone though. “Although many pet owners make their decision based largely on the ingredient panel, it is only one of many considerations,” Swanson says. “Without knowing the exact formula and percentage of each ingredient, it is not too useful. What is more important is that the dietary formula is complete and balanced.” So basically, as long as the food is complete and balanced, don’t stress about the individual ingredients too much.

If reading pet food labels proves to be more confusing than helpful, check in with your veterinarian. They can help you determine your dog’s specific needs, guide you toward the right food for your pet, and give you advice on how much to feed them.

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Purina One Smartblend Chicken & Rice Adult Formula Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken , 2. Rice Flour, 3. Corn Gluten Meal, 4. Whole Grain Corn, 5. Chicken By-Product Meal

Real chicken is one of the principal ingredients in this dog food. That and a few others, like grains, are all essential for expecting and nursing mothers. In addition to them, the Purine ONE SmartBlend also provides the dual blend of two antioxidants, vitamins A and E. These substances promote healthy immune systems. And then theres DHA, another antioxidant, which will aid in brain development.

Whats more, you wont find any fillers as part of this dog food formula. Instead, its glucosamine content makes it good for joint health. It also features phosphorous and calcium, which are necessary for bone growth and strength.

Buyers Guide: How To Pick The Best Dog Food For Nursing Dogs

Dogs have a number of specific nutritional needs while nursing. One is that they need a diet that is high in protein to help them produce milk. They also need plenty of water, as nursing dogs can consume up to three times more than usual. Nursing dogs should be fed a high-quality diet to support their health and the health of their puppies.

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Effects Of Improperly Feeding The Nursing Dog

If the nursing dog is not well fed, she will probably be thin with poor muscle tone when the time comes for whelping. These issues can get worse, especially during lactation as well. The dog may also try to instinctually overeat available food sources if she is not getting the right balanced diet. It is counterproductive as it can develop into diarrhea.

The puppies that are unlucky to be born when the mom is ailing like this get fading puppy syndrome . They become weak and grow poorly. There is also a lack of coordination, and they tend to cry a lot of the time. Unfortunately, a lot of puppies die from this syndrome. The pregnant dog should get her nutritional requirements before the birth, or she will not be able to produce milk as well.

What Should I Feed A Nursing Dog

The best and most healthy source of fat and calories for nursing dogs is homemade puppy food. However, commercial dry food for pregnant dogs contains a decent calorific amount of healthy fats and proteins to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies. Make sure to add a bunch of greens to her food to aid digestion.

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What Food Can Increase Milk Production

Providing enough liquid for your dog is essential. You can give her chicken soup or fresh water. That is the first step for a better lactation. You can also add some supplements in the liquid. But, before you give your pup any supplements for increasing milk production, you should consult your vet first.

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Barley, 5. Oatmeal

When looking for quality dog food for nursing dogs, reach for the Merrick Puppy Recipe. Your puppy gets a caloric intake of 400 kcal in every cup. Here are some reasons that make it such a good choice. Firstly, it is produced based on a nutrient-dense formula.

Secondly, it is available in both chicken and beef flavors. So, if your dogs sensitive to either, youd have an alternative. The glucosamine content in this dog food ensures healthy joints. The kibble size suits consumption by little mouths. Finally, its composition includes DHA an antioxidant that promotes healthy cognitive development.

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The Best Foods For A Lactating Dog

Puppies get all their nutrition from their moms, which means your lactating dog needs to eat for sometimes six or more. Her nutritional requirements are highest while she’s nursing her pups, and her food intake must reflect that. This doesn’t mean you must calculate each calorie exactly a basic puppy food might do the trick.

How Old Is Old

To call a dog “old,” one mustn’t consider chronological age, but rather physiological condition. Aging begins when the body’s systems start to slow down when cells deteriorate faster than the body can repair them. Though the process is different for every animal , dogs are generally considered seniors beginning at around 7 years . If you feed your dog a diet designed to address the nutritional needs of his age, you can best maintain your dog’s overall health and well-being. As your dog ages, detecting and addressing signs of wear and tear or disease early might help your dog adjust more readily to his condition.

How your dog ages has much to do with genetics and environment, but nutrition plays an equally important role. The quality of the food and its ability to maintain and nourish your dog’s cells can slow or delay the effects of aging and help promote a long, healthy life. As your dog ages and his systems become less efficient, he relies increasingly on the food you provide to make up for his body’s shortfalls. According to Michael Hayek, PhD, a research nutritionist at The IAMS Company who specializes in geriatric nutrition, “Aging dogs need the same nutrients as younger dogs however, the quantity or the way the nutrients are provided may change.”

Fructooligosaccharides are a unique fiber source. FOS is a moderately fermentable fiber which can help maintain a healthy intestinal environment.

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Best Wet Food For Puppies

Dry food isn’t the only option for puppies. Wet food is another tasty option and offers several advantages for puppies. “Wet food can help puppies transition from a liquid diet to solid food,” says Shepherd. She adds that this transition, which should begin before a puppy is fully weaned, helps puppies accept solid food and learn how to drink water.

Wet food is also easy for puppies to eat. Without sturdy adult teeth, young puppies can struggle to munch on dry kibble, making wet food’s soft and moist texture ideal. In addition, wet food is packed with flavor, providing tasty enticement for a picky or hesitant eater. However, Shepherd recommends consulting your veterinarian if your puppy’s appetite is poor as there may be an underlying condition.

When reading a label for wet puppy food, look for the AAFCO statement that says the food provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth or all life stages. Also, remember that wet food tends to cost more than kibble and needs to be refrigerated and used within a few days to prevent spoiling.

Wet food certainly has its benefits for puppies, but it’s not a necessity. “The decision to feed dry versus wet food is very individual, depending on the individual puppy’s needs and owner’s desires and resources,” says Shepherd.

Our picks for wet puppy food:

Best Dog Food For Senior Dogs

Senior dogs, usually considered 7+, vary in their individual nutritional needs. Younger senior dogs may struggle with being overweight and older senior dogs may struggle with being underweight, which is why there is such a variety.

Choosing the best senior dog food may come down to what your dog finds palatable. Many older dogs prefer wet food while others may need their food warmed up to enhance the aromas. Ultimately, your vet can help choose the best dog food for an older pet.

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Nutritious Dog Foods To Consider

While there are differing opinions on the best dog foods, and you should always check with your veterinarian before switching, Caplan recommends using the Whole Dog Journals guide for canned and dry dog foods as a starting point.

Crnec and Dr. Angie Krause, a holistic veterinarian from Boulder Holistic Vet, recommends the following dog foods, which all meet the AAFCO Standards, include quality ingredients, and meet the average dogs nutritional needs.

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