Nutrition for the pregnant pet
In our society, the number of old wives’ tales about the nutrition of pets abounds. One of the classics is “Don’t feed ochro and shark’s skin as the hair will drop out”. “A dog that has sucked eggs can’t stop”, is another. These myths can be quite amusing! The main tale in relation to a pregnant woman is that she has to eat for two. This argument spills over to animals; so my anxious clients tell me that they increase the feeding schedule and quantities for the pregnant bitch so as to cater for her six to ten puppies. Well, as in humans, it is not the quantity of the food intake that is important. Rather it is the nutritional value of the food that the pregnant bitch/cat is served, which is important.
Feeding the dog/cat a lot of carbohydrates (starchy foods) might lead to an enormous weight gain during pregnancy. A lot of that weight will be stored as fat. Worse, the puppies in the womb may also have higher than normal birth weights, which may pose a problem at delivery.
The main point to remember is that the puppies/kittens in the womb are made up of mostly muscles, bone, and blood in the early stages of pregnancy and then grow to full term in the last part of the pregnancy. A well-balanced adult diet will support both the mother and puppies/kittens during the first month of pregnancy. In the second month, because eating can become difficult with the pressure of the womb on the stomach, the diet should be more concentrated with protein, fat, and very digestible carbohydrates. In other words, less volume but higher quality. The fibre content should be reduced.
Essential minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus must be provided. Note that bone is not made up of calcium alone. Consequently, if you offer her high quantities of calcium tablets (as many owners and breeders do) during pregnancy, you may be creating more harm than good. Mineral metabolism is complicated. For example, calcium and phosphorous (both elements found in bones) are in a special ratio to each other. So, if we increase the calcium too much, we will be disrupting the mineral balance, and the phosphorous will have to be metabolized from the mother’s own body to compensate, and to re-establish the correct ratio.
What about feed supplements like high potency vitamin and mineral tablets? If you are feeding your dog/cat well, (as I have described earlier), you don’t need anything extra. If your dog is run-down or emaciated (e.g., by a previous large litter that embattled her body and, she then became pregnant on her next heat), then you may need to introduce vitamins and minerals in addition to her high protein diet.
I advise therefore that fish should be a great part of the diet of the pregnant dog/cat. Fish has easily digestible proteins and it has both calcium and phosphorous (and other minerals ) in pretty balanced proportions relative to a dog’s/cat’s needs. Milk (fresh cow’s milk, preferably) also has protein, calcium and phosphorous. Let me emphasise that the pregnant animal (although it needs protein in large quantities) also needs it fair share of carbohydrates. So don’t go overboard with the feeding of protein. Rice (carbohydrates) and vegetables must accompany the fish, beef, chicken, milk, and eggs in the animal’s diet.
N.B. Recently the research scientists are advising that milk and dairy products should not be fed to dogs. After 52 years of giving dogs milk and dairy products without any harmful consequences, I am hesitant to advise against offering milk to pregnant bitches. If your dog is lactose intolerant, you will observe the symptoms very easily (e.g., digestive disturbances such as diarrhoea or vomiting). Please bring any abnormal reaction/beahvoir to the attention of your veterinarian. As for every new food introduced, always commence with a small quantity and observe the animal’s response.
Guyana now has a multitude of pet foods on the market. This is no doubt due to the increased awareness of caregivers for their pets’ wellbeing and the commensurate market demand for the commercial brands that are available in North America, and which are advertised persistently on cable television. Never in the history of this country have there been so many brands of pet foods for dogs and cats by breeds and age categories. If you choose to purchase a complete feed, and you cannot find a commercial formula specially made for pregnant bitches, I suggest the feeding of a Puppy Feed offered on the market (puppy kibble has a higher concentration of protein).
Having said all of the above, I still maintain that your pregnant dog/cat must be kept trim. I have serious issues with obese animals, and pregnancy is no excuse for your animal to become abnormally overweight. Take her for moderate walks. The key word is “moderate”. No extra-long walks and no excessive or boisterous play must be allowed. “Fifi” must not be made to run up and down stairs with great frequency.
Cats are sensible animals. They know how and when to exercise. Caregivers, please be advised to leave your cat alone during pregnancy.
Lastly, in the latter stages of pregnancy, when eating may be compromised, and when distension of her stomach is affected by the enlargement of her womb full of puppies/kittens, do not panic if she refuses to eat occasionally. Call your vet, if you are overly worried. This loss of appetite may begin to occur within two weeks before delivery. My advice is to offer small quantities of the suggested (more concentrated) diet during the day.
