Best diet for pregnant dogs

Question
My 4 year old 62 lb Ridgeback is 6 weeks pregnant.  She normally ate 2 cups per day.  When she was bred I put her on Innova Large Breed puppy food.  She did well until week 5.  She then got very loose stools.  I put her back on Fromms Adult Gold.  At 6 weeks I'm feeding her 1 cup, 4 times per day plus some raw turkey necks and hamburger.  Is there a specific diet for pregnant dogs?

Answer
Hi ELaine,

Congratulations on your girl's pregnancy - in general, what you need to do is feed more food overall, especially around the 4- 5 week period, and  yet do not overfeed to the point where she gains too much weight. Four cups of Fromm Adult Gold provides 1620 calories, which is a good amount for a 62 pound bitch of moderate activity; I would probably hold off on raw foods but might add a balanced cooked meal where possible (my yahoogroup ThePossibleCanine-Nutrition can help you learn to develop recipes). I might be adding a variety of foods now, consider a premium canned food (Merrick's, Innova, Evanger's) or mixing cooked brown rice with sardines, beef, poultry, or eggs and adding a little cooked squash for potassium and beta carotene... what I do NOT recommend is adding supplements, the food should provide everything your bitch needs as long as she is getting enough of it.

So in a nutshell, I feel you are on the right track, but you can increase somewhat; 1600 calories is about right for maintenance of a 62 pound bitch, with pregnancy you can and should increase, although monitor weight carefully and if she gains too rapidly,  cut back a little. She will need specific nutritional  care during lactation as well. See my website www.thepossiblecanine.com for a link to the yahoogroup, we can help a great deal more over there.
Good luck, I have two RRs myself and adore the breed.

Catherine