Whelping

Question
Hi
I was just wondering if there were some good supplements to give my dog during her pregnancy, and after when she is nursing.  
Thanks

Answer
Hi Theo

I like fish oils for brain development, Nature's Logic All Food Fortifer and BioVites by Biologic.

You want to maintain her weight during her pregnancy and after she has whelped the pups you can give her a higher protein diet.  

Protein is so essential for basic body function, cellular regeneration, tissue maintenance, hormone and enzyme production and the provision of energy.  But although protein is essential, not all proteins function equally.

Animal proteins are considered "complete" and Plant Proteins are considered "incomplete"

Animal proteins contain all of the amino acids essential to dogs in quantities that match the requirements needed for over all health, maintenance and growth.

Plant proteins (corn gluten, soybean meal) do not contain amino acids in the right portions. They are missing arginine, taurine, methionine, and trypophan.

Fat is needed for energy. So dogs need a high amount of animal fat in their diets. While it's true that both fats and carbs provide energy, they function very differently in dogs. Fats are essential, carbs are not.

Carbs provide more energy quickly than fats. In humans, a high intake of carbs increase muscle glycogen, which boosts stamina. In dogs, the same loading creates and excess accumulation of lactic acid in the muscle leading to hypoglycemia, which in turns causes weakness and fatigue.

Essential fatty acids are required by the body but they are not produced by the body. So that means that has to come from the food (or in supplements). The most important are Linoleic and arachidonic (Omega 6) and DHA and EPA (Omega 3). These two fats work together to balance the body. Most foods will have Omega 6 but not enough Omega 3. The balance should be 2:1 or 5:1.

I recommend feeding a raw diet.

Good luck