The purpose of this article is to provide dog owners with information on helping their dogs gain a healthy amount of weight after giving birth. Having puppies places extra nutritional demands on mother dogs, and many dogs will lose weight during the pregnancy and nursing process. This article will cover normal weight changes, ensuring adequate nutrition through diet, supplements and exercise, health concerns related to low weight, weaning puppies, caring for the mother dog, and longer term diet and exercise needs.
Gaining weight in a healthy way after giving birth is important for the continued wellbeing of mother dogs. This article aims to give dog owners the knowledge needed to help their dogs recover and thrive after having puppies.
Normal Weight Changes During and After Pregnancy
It’s normal for dogs to gain a significant amount of weight during pregnancy and then lose weight rapidly after giving birth. According to the Iams article (https://www.iams.com/dog/dog-articles/nutritional-needs-pregnant-and-nursing-dogs), most dogs will gain 15-25% of their body weight during pregnancy. This extra weight comes from the developing puppies as well as from expanded blood volume and fat stores in the mother dog’s body. Immediately after birth, the mother dog will suddenly lose the weight from the puppies themselves, the amniotic fluid, and the increased blood volume. This postpartum weight loss is rapid but normal. According to PetMD (https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/dog-pregnancy-birth-and-puppy-care-complete-guide), mother dogs typically lose 10-15% of their body weight shortly after giving birth. The key is for the mother dog to stabilize and start rebuilding energy reserves after this initial postpartum weight loss.
Ensuring Adequate Nutrition
Proper nutrition is crucial for nursing dogs to support milk production and maintain their own health. According to VC Animal Hospitals, feeding a high-quality puppy formula food designed for growth is recommended during lactation. The puppy formula will be very calorie dense and contain extra fat, protein, vitamins and minerals needed by the nursing mother.
It’s also advised to feed smaller, more frequent meals rather than one or two large meals per day. This helps ensure the dog’s digestive system can handle the increase in food intake. The Dog Food Advisor recommends feeding up to 50% more food divided into 4-6 meals when feeding a nursing dog.
Some high quality puppy formula dry foods that can help support milk production include Royal Canin Puppy, Purina Pro Plan Puppy, and Hill’s Science Diet Puppy. It’s best to transition slowly to the new puppy formula diet if not already feeding it.
Supplements
New mothers need additional nutrients above their normal intake to support milk production and recovery. Some key supplements to consider are fish oil, probiotics, and vitamins.
Fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids like DHA which support brain and eye development in puppies (Nutrition Strength). Fish oil may also help reduce inflammation and support the immune system of the mother dog (Pooch & Mutt). Look for a high quality fish oil supplement designed for dogs.
Probiotics help maintain healthy gut flora which can become unbalanced during pregnancy and nursing. This supports digestion and nutrient absorption (Pooch & Mutt). Choose a canine-specific probiotic.
A vitamin supplement can fill any nutritional gaps in the mother dog’s diet and provide key nutrients like calcium for milk production. Look for a blend designed for pregnant/nursing dogs with vitamins A, B, C, D, E and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and zinc (Revival Animal Health).
Exercise
It’s important not to overexercise a mother dog while she is nursing puppies. Too much strenuous activity can reduce her milk supply or cause health issues like mastitis. However, gentle exercise like short 15-20 minute walks can be beneficial. Walking encourages muscle tone, improves mood, and prevents obesity without taxing the mother dog’s body. Start with short, slow walks around the block and increase distance gradually over the first 2-4 weeks as the mother regains fitness. Avoid jogging, intense play with other dogs, or high impact activities that could strain the mother’s body. Swimming is another excellent low impact exercise once bleeding has fully stopped. Follow the mother dog’s lead and allow her to rest if she seems tired. With slow but regular activity, she can rebuild fitness while continuing to nurse puppies successfully. Canine Conditioning Coach recommends the “Postnatal Mini-Program” for safe post-birth fitness. Gentle walks, not overexertion, will help the mother dog get back in shape after giving birth.
Health Concerns
It’s important to monitor a mother dog’s health and weight carefully after giving birth. Significant or prolonged weight loss can be a sign of health issues that require veterinary attention.
Some common postpartum health concerns that may cause abnormal weight loss include:
- Infection of the uterus (metritis) or mammary glands (mastitis)
- Systemic illness or disease such as kidney failure
- Parasites
- Dental disease making it painful to eat
- Inadequate calorie intake to support nursing
- Depression or lethargy
If your dog is not gaining back weight as expected within the first 1-2 weeks after giving birth, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They can perform an examination and recommend any necessary treatment options.
Your vet may recommend supplements, change the dog’s diet, provide pain medication if needed, or prescribe antibiotics or other medications if there is an underlying illness causing the weight loss. Getting prompt veterinary care helps ensure the mother dog can properly nurse and wean her puppies while regaining strength and stamina.
Weaning Puppies
Puppies should gradually begin the weaning process around 4-6 weeks of age. This is when their teeth start to erupt, which can make nursing uncomfortable or even painful for the mother dog (PetMD). The weaning process typically continues until the puppies are 6-8 weeks old and fully weaned onto solid food (WebMD).
Weaning involves slowly introducing the puppies to solid food, while slowly reducing their milk intake from the mother. Most experts recommend starting with puppy formula or gruel, mixed with warm water or milk. Offer small amounts in shallow dishes multiple times per day. As the puppies get used to solid food, gradually thicken the consistency and reduce the number of daily feedings (VCA).
Make weaning a gradual process over 2-4 weeks. Rapid weaning can stress both the mother and puppies. It’s important to monitor the puppies’ weight and ensure they continue gaining during this transition. Supplements or extra feedings may help if weight gain slows (PetMD). With patience and care, puppies can be successfully weaned to eat solid foods and no longer rely on the mother’s milk.
Caring for the Mother
After giving birth, new mother dogs require special care and attention to recover properly. It’s important for owners to ensure the mother dog gets plenty of rest, hydration, and healthy food in the initial weeks after delivering a litter.
Rest is critical for a postpartum dog. Mother dogs should be allowed to relax and limit their activity, especially in the first week after giving birth. Provide her with a comfortable, quiet area away from the puppies to give her breaks from nursing. Long naps and sleep are essential during this recovery period.
Keep fresh, clean water available at all times. Mother dogs can become extremely dehydrated from birthing puppies and producing milk. Ensure she has constant access to water bowls she can drink from freely. Hydration supplements can also help restore fluids.
Feed the mother dog high-quality puppy food or active dog food while nursing to fulfill increased calorie and nutrient needs. Gradually transition her back to regular dog food once weaned. Foods like chicken, rice, eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese can provide extra protein and fat. Avoid sudden diet changes that may upset her stomach.
With ample rest, hydration and nutrition, mother dogs can regain health and energy to care for their puppies in those critical early weeks.
Longer Term Diet and Exercise
After weaning the puppies, it’s important for the mother dog to transition back to her normal diet and exercise routine. During pregnancy and nursing, dogs require extra calories and nutrition. But once nursing ends, mother dogs should return to their pre-pregnancy food portions to avoid obesity.
Follow your veterinarian’s advice on transitioning back to a normal diet over 1-2 weeks. Gradually reduce the dog’s food intake until the portions match the pre-pregnancy amounts. Provide healthy dog food that meets nutritional requirements. Avoid overfeeding treats or table scraps.
Similarly, slowly increase exercise back to previous levels. Start with short, gentle walks and work up to more active exercise. Make sure the mother dog fully recovers from birthing before engaging in strenuous activities. Provide puzzles, training, or games for mental stimulation. Returning to normal routines helps mother dogs get back in shape.
Keeping mother dogs fit long-term promotes good health. Follow your veterinarian’s guidance on diet and exercise specific to your dog’s needs. Proper nutrition and activity helps nursing dogs return to their pre-pregnancy condition.
Conclusion
In summary, a mother dog’s health and nutritional needs are especially important after giving birth and while nursing puppies. Providing high quality food, appropriate vitamins and supplements, moderate exercise, and excellent care can help ensure the mother regains a healthy weight and keeps up her strength and energy levels.
Since puppies rely completely on their mother’s milk for the first several weeks, her diet has a direct impact on their growth and development. A healthy, robust mom is best able to produce nutrient-rich milk and pass along important antibodies to puppies. Keeping the mother at a proper weight also helps her safely and comfortably nurse and care for newborns.
By carefully managing nutrition, activity levels, and veterinary care, dog owners can support the mother during pregnancy, nursing, and transition periods. Though challenging, this time is also deeply rewarding, establishing a strong bond between pet parent and dog. With patience and attentive care, families can enjoy the excitement of new puppies while keeping mom happy and healthy.
