What to feed, stage by stage
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 | Normal adult diet and portions. No supplements. |
| Week 5 onward | Change gradually to a high-quality puppy or growth diet and raise portions in small steps. |
| Weeks 6–9 | Split meals into three or four smaller portions as the uterus presses on her stomach. |
| Last 24 hours | She may refuse food. Keep fresh water available. |
The calcium mistake
Owners often add calcium to help the puppies’ bones. In pregnancy it can backfire: it can switch off the dog’s own mechanism for mobilizing calcium, leaving her short when milk production starts. That can cause eclampsia, with tremors, stiffness and seizures, which is an emergency. Only give calcium if your vet instructs you.
Practical tips
- Weigh her every week or two to check she is gaining steadily, not too fast.
- Keep fresh water available all the time.
- Avoid sudden diet changes. Mix the new food in over several days.
- Large and giant breeds need a diet suited to growth. Ask your vet which.