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[ShrekDawg]

Hey Blooie, just out of curiosity, what breed did you show?

 

[Welshies]

Ahh okay. Our dog is fed free choice too cause he refuses to eat otherwise

That said, science diet is mostly fillers so that be why she was kind of skinny

That makes sense. Was the first litter purebred?

Yes, she barely eats anything. She's always been a light eater, even with free choice. And at any regular time she is very slim- you can see her ribs (not always, only when running). This is not because she is "wormy" or unhealthy, but because she is very fit. In summer she regularly runs 20 to 40km a day.

Science Diet was what was suggest to us by our vet. Again, I am a college student living with my parents, so I'm voiceless to argue against them. If it were her living with just me, she would be on a 100% raw meat diet. She is having meat supplements now.
She also tends to go off her feet for 7-10 days before giving birth which is part of the reason why she was so gaunt. It's hard to get that weight back.

Her first litter was not purebred They were Heinz 57 mutts. Half lab, quarter shepherd, and two different eights of something else. Still in high demand though at $350 a pup.

 

[Blooie]

I had Flatcoats. This was RJ, pronounced “Arj”.

 

[chickencheeper]

We think stormy is a flat coat mutt

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yes, she barely eats anything. She's always been a light eater, even with free choice. And at any regular time she is very slim- you can see her ribs (not always, only when running). This is not because she is "wormy" or unhealthy, but because she is very fit. In summer she regularly runs 20 to 40km a day.

Science Diet was what was suggest to us by our vet. Again, I am a college student living with my parents, so I'm voiceless to argue against them. If it were her living with just me, she would be on a 100% raw meat diet. She is having meat supplements now.
She also tends to go off her feet for 7-10 days before giving birth which is part of the reason why she was so gaunt. It's hard to get that weight back.

Her first litter was not purebred They were Heinz 57 mutts. Half lab, quarter shepherd, and two different eights of something else. Still in high demand though at $350 a pup.

Wow that's a lot of running! Explains why she's so slim haha

Vets aren't always right and are usually selling that stuff. I can understand having to listen to parents though, I still live at home too, but at the same time, isn't she your dog? You don't have any say at all? With mine, I am the "pet person" in the family, no one else really knows anything or cares so I decide the food for them. Though I do try not to choose too expensive of one and can't do raw here either. And of course every situation is different, seems your parents might be more strict. But you have zero say? Something else might even be cheaper than science diet or at least the same price.

But that makes sense too

And awww that stinks they weren't purebred but they sound adorable!!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

View attachment 1226967 I had Flatcoats. This was RJ, pronounced “Arj”.

Beautiful dog!

I've always thought Flatcoats were beautiful but I've never had one myself. Only a Golden who I don't remember too well and Labs or Lab mixes.

 

[chickencheeper]

This is stormy, he is probably a flat coat mix right?

 

[Welshies]

Vets aren't always right and are usually selling that stuff.
I can understand having to listen to parents though, I still live at home too, but at the same time, isn't she your dog? You don't have any say at all? And of course every situation is different, seems your parents might be more strict. But you have zero say?

Yes, I have no say. I understand that veterinarians aren't always right, but this is the only one in the area and she is whom my parents listen to. Our dog regularly gets table scraps though.
Although I've never done the research on the brand itself, Science Diet has always worked fine for us. We've never had an issue on it and cheaper doesn't always mean better. That's how my parents see it- and as long as we're supplementing her diet I don't want to argue. My parents are very strict. Even though I'm in college, they still are. I only get say in my birds- because they hate birds
Either way, so far we're doing good. If she is healthy and her pups are healthy, then I'm happy.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Speaking as someone who was a vet tech for many years, who showed dogs, and made a living training dogs, when that many puppies are involved there is still very seldom any reason to supplement puppy feedings. So your “wait and watch” plan is a solid one. Being prepared is also smart. But don’t interfere unless you have to ~ nursing them forms a solid bond with Mom and the pups need that early colostrum, which milk supplements don’t provide.

I would suggest giving her some cottage cheese for a few days. She’ll love you for it, and it can sometimes help prevent eclampsia. Now, eclampsia can rear it’s ugly head for some time after she starts producing milk, and if it happens veterinary intervention and treatment is vital and considered an emergency. But in Moms that are borderline, who could go one way or the other, a little extra effort can make a difference.

Well said, good information.

Yes, she barely eats anything. She's always been a light eater, even with free choice. And at any regular time she is very slim- you can see her ribs (not always, only when running). This is not because she is "wormy" or unhealthy, but because she is very fit. In summer she regularly runs 20 to 40km a day.

Science Diet was what was suggest to us by our vet. Again, I am a college student living with my parents, so I'm voiceless to argue against them. If it were her living with just me, she would be on a 100% raw meat diet. She is having meat supplements now.
She also tends to go off her feet for 7-10 days before giving birth which is part of the reason why she was so gaunt. It's hard to get that weight back.

Her first litter was not purebred They were Heinz 57 mutts. Half lab, quarter shepherd, and two different eights of something else. Still in high demand though at $350 a pup.

Unfortunately Science Diet is a poor quality dog food, mostly grains and fillers, despite vets still recommending it, she may need to be supplemented with a higher protein diet to feed those pups.

 

[Welshies]

Well said, good information.

Unfortunately Science Diet is a poor quality dog food, mostly grains and fillers, despite vets still recommending it, she may need to be supplemented with a higher protein diet to feed those pups.

As I've said... still living under parents' roof. We can't switch dog feeds.
As also said, she gets supplemented with about 40% of her diet being RAW MEAT.
Hopefully that gives a clearer perspective.