Pregnancy Nutrition in Bitches: Feeding for Healthy Fetal Development

Nutritional management during pregnancy requires more than simply increasing the amount of food offered. The bitch’s requirements change as pregnancy progresses, while excessive feeding, inappropriate diets and unnecessary supplementation can create their own risks. Careful attention to energy intake, maternal body condition, diet quality and selected nutrients can help support the bitch and her developing litter through pregnancy and into lactation. 

Increase Energy Intake Gradually 

Energy requirements begin to rise from around day 40 of gestation. On average, requirements increase by nearly 10% with each additional week, reaching approximately 1.25–1.5 times normal maintenance requirements^1,2.

This does not mean that a bitch should be substantially overfed from the beginning of pregnancy. Excessive energy intake can increase fat deposition, and maternal obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk of dystocia. Excessive fat deposition in muscle tissue may also reduce uterine contractions during labor¹.

As pregnancy advances, the growing uterus occupies a greater proportion of the abdominal cavity. Dividing the daily ration into several smaller meals can help prevent stomach overloading, particularly during late pregnancy².

Check Whether the Diet Is Appropriate 

The nutritional quality of the diet is just as important as the quantity provided. Commercial food should be appropriate for the gestation-lactation period rather than being selected solely on the basis of availability or general suitability for adult dogs. 

Among breeders surveyed, nearly 16.9% of those using commercial diets reported feeding pregnant and lactating bitches diets that were not specifically intended for the gestation-lactation period¹.

This makes dietary history an important part of pregnancy management. The veterinarian should establish what food is being offered, how much is being fed and whether the diet is intended to meet the nutritional demands of pregnancy and lactation. 

Be Cautious With Raw Diets 

Bones and raw food diets (BARF) may be prepared at home and may include additional supplements. Their nutritional value for pregnant and lactating bitches and growing puppies can be difficult to assess, and they may not meet the requirements of breeding animals¹.

There is also an infectious concern. Such diets may increase exposure to pathogens and parasites associated with reproductive disorders, including Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Neorickettsia spp., Shiga toxin and hemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Toxoplasma spp., and Neospora spp¹.

Avoid Unnecessary Calcium Supplementation 

Calcium supplementation deserves particular caution. Calcium homeostasis is regulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin. During pregnancy, physiological mechanisms increase calcium release from bone and gastrointestinal absorption^3,4.

When additional calcium maintains a high serum calcium concentration, these regulatory mechanisms may be downregulated. Once lactation begins and calcium demand increases substantially, the bitch may have difficulty responding adequately, increasing the risk of eclampsia². Eclampsia occurs most often in small and miniature breeds, usually after birth, although it may also occur during pregnancy⁵. Clinical signs can progress from nonspecific changes to muscle tremors, ataxia, elevated rectal temperature above 39.7 °C and tetany; severe cases may be fatal³.

Consider Folic Acid According to Risk 

Folic acid has also been considered in relation to fetal development. Its use has been associated with the prevention of cleft lip and/or palate in brachycephalic puppies¹. However, a similar relationship was not demonstrated in Labrador, Golden Retriever, and Labrador/Golden crosses, which are not considered predisposed breeds for cleft palate¹.

Key Takeaways 

• Increase energy intake progressively from around day 40 rather than overfeeding early in pregnancy.

• Monitor maternal body condition because obesity increases the risk of dystocia.

• Offer smaller, more frequent meals during late pregnancy.

• Confirm that the diet is formulated for gestation and lactation.

• Assess home-prepared BARF diets carefully for nutritional adequacy and infectious risks.

• Avoid indiscriminate calcium supplementation during pregnancy.

• Consider breed predisposition when discussing folic acid supplementation and cleft palate risk.

Good nutritional management during pregnancy depends on appropriate quantities, appropriate food and appropriate supplementation. Regular assessment of diet and maternal condition allows nutritional problems to be addressed before they contribute to complications during late pregnancy, whelping or lactation. 

References 

1. Uchańska O, Ochota M, Eberhardt M, Niżański W. Dead or alive? A review of perinatal factors that determine canine neonatal viability. Animals. 2022 May 30;12(11):1402. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/11/1402 

2. Fontaine E. Food intake and nutrition during pregnancy, lactation and weaning in the dam and offspring. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 2012 Dec;47:326-30. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7169170/pdf/RDA-47-326.pdf 

3. Schmitt S, Dobenecker B. Calcium and phosphorus metabolism in peripartal dogs. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition. 2020 Mar;104(2):707-14. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jpn.13310 

4. Hollinshead FK, Hanlon DW, Gilbert RO, Verstegen JP, Krekeler N, Volkmann DH. Calcium, parathyroid hormone, oxytocin and pH profiles in the whelping bitch. Theriogenology. 2010 Jun 1;73(9):1276-83. https://www.academia.edu/download/41665988/Calcium_parathyroid_hormone_oxytocin_and20160128-2847-dvc336.pdf 

5. Frehner BL, Reichler IM, Keller S, Goericke‐Pesch S, Balogh O. Blood calcium, glucose and haematology profiles of parturient bitches diagnosed with uterine inertia or obstructive dystocia. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 2018 Jun;53(3):680-7. https://www.academia.edu/download/116388773/rda.1315720240626-1-oscepj.pdf