Mama and puppies, QUESTION

[chickenlittle32]

When we bred my dad's female boxer...the vet suggested giving her puppy food and to also give her calcium supplements until the pups were about 4 weeks old. We did this and she did just fine.

 

[McCord6]

The science Diet is puppy food. I was told to just give her that 2x a day and I had always had theother bowl full of her regular adult food for extra. . Im going to start giving her scrapt food from whatever we have left from dinner to boosten up until next friday (when my SSI arrives) to get her some other puppy food. My other dog is fine, skinny yeah cuz that's how she is, but she is fine. Pearl on the other hand is way too skinny for a bassett hound, let alone a bull terrier.

Thanks for the info, guys. I got a lot of changes that going to happen for her.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

The brand Science Diet is poor, regardless of being puppy chow or not.

She'll be much better off once you can make the switch.

 

[journey's end]

First of all, it's normal to be skin and bones when nursing 8 babies. Heck, I lost weight nursing one at a time!

Here's what I did for my dog. From about halfway through gestation until the pups are weaned, I fed her a good quality puppy food. Also, I supplemented with eggs and liver. Liver is high in iron and protein. I would cook up some liver for her every 2-3 days. Eggs on days between for the protein. Food was always within her reach. Now is not a time to limit her rations.

As for the sucking. It's normal. Puppies, like babies, have a sucking reflex, and will suck on anything. Just let them be, or gently move the offending pup to another area of the bed.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I agree - she needs puppy food. I gave my female puppy food for the last month before she gave birth and kept her on it until the puppies were weaned at 9 weeks. I also gave her at least a cup of cottage cheese on top of the puppy food twice a day - everyday. The puppies were fat with a beautiful hair coat and the mom, a standard poodle maintained her weight.

I do like Nutro but, have since changed to the Costco brand of lamb and rice...for my adult dogs. They also have a great puppy food and that is what I had Sadie and the puppies on - without any trouble. A lot of dog breeders are using the Costco brand with good results.

Good Luck to you...

 

[sred98]

Something I did for my Boston Terrier when she was nursing was to give her puppy food, with powdered puppy milk replacer on top, mixed with a raw egg, and a little heavy cream. It sounds too rich, but she tolerated it well and actually gained weight while nursing the pups.

I am thinking that the nursing they are doing on each other is either from not getting enough calories or comfort sucking. Either way, you just have to redirect and see if they need some extra formula. Maybe boosting mom's caloric intake will make her milk more nutrient-rich.

Good luck!

Shelly

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I had a cat that would be like this when she had kittens. Had to give her kitten chow. Breeders actually recommend you give the puppy food to nursing mothers. The heavy cream would put weight on her but used just a little like sred98 did. Too much milk can cause diarehea in dogs. So give her just a little.


Your vet may prefer Science Diet because they may be getting a kick back from them. Mine does from Iams. I only use Iams biskets. My 11 yr old girl eats Nutro Ultra Senior. It's Holistic and the best I can afford my best friend. My cats get Nutro also

 

[SOchick]

Sometimes it is normal for mama to lose weight, speak to your vet. I agree with the Nutro puppy food switch, but also speak with your vet about worming her too. If she has any they will contribute to the weight loss.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

changed her feed to SCIENCE DIET based on Vet's order

There's the problem.
The dog needs a good food, and lots of it

There's no need to ask a Vet about what to feed, since they will suggest the same food they just happen to sell

Give her milk, raw eggs, and raw meat with lots of fat and she will be fine​

 

[gaited horse]

costco has dog and puppy food that is very high in protin and fairly cheap but it's good food.