Nursing dogs often lose weight while nursing puppies due to the high energy demands of milk production. The lactation period places substantial metabolic demands on mother dogs, as they must produce enough milk to meet the nutritional needs of their growing puppies. It’s common for mother dogs to appear quite thin or skinny while nursing their litters.
Dog milk provides all the nutrients puppies need in their first weeks of life. Producing milk requires energy, protein, and other nutrients. This means nursing dogs need to take in more calories and nutrition. However, the appetite of a mother dog often lags behind her increased energy requirements. As a result, she mobilizes her body’s fat and protein stores to fuel milk production. The mother’s weight loss over 3-4 weeks of nursing can be quite dramatic.
While some weight loss is expected, excessive thinning in a nursing dog can be concerning. Monitoring body condition, appetite, energy levels and milk supply is important during this demanding period. There are steps owners can take to support nursing dogs, through optimal nutrition, diet and veterinary care. Providing attentive care helps ensure both mom and puppies stay happy and healthy.
High Energy Requirements
Nursing takes a major toll on a dog’s body and energy reserves. According to Midwoofery, during nursing a dog’s caloric needs can be up to six times higher than normal, depending on factors like litter size and metabolism.
The high energy requirement is due to the calories burned while producing milk for the puppies. As explained by Today’s Veterinary Nurse, milk production and nursing can burn extra calories and make it hard for the mother to keep up with the demands of the puppies.
According to the Canine Calorie Calculator, a nursing dog may need up to four times more calories than normal in order to meet the energy demands of nursing. Providing enough quality calories is crucial for supporting milk production and helping the mother dog avoid excessive weight loss.
Increased Nutrient Needs
Lactating dogs require increased nutrients to support milk production and puppy growth. According to the Purina Institute, lactating dogs need 2-3 times more energy than normal maintenance levels (1). Their protein requirements also increase by 60-100% to support milk production and muscle maintenance (2).
Additionally, lactating dogs need higher amounts of fat, vitamins and minerals. The calcium and phosphorus requirements double during this time. Other nutrients like zinc, copper, vitamin A, D, E and some B vitamins also increase (3).
While commercial dog foods are formulated for all life stages, the nutrient levels may not be adequate for a lactating dog’s increased requirements. Supplementing their diet with additional protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals can help provide the extra nutrition they need (1).
Some good supplements to consider are puppy formula, omega fatty acids, calcium supplements and multi-vitamins. It’s best to discuss options with your veterinarian to ensure your nursing dog gets the right nutrition (2).
Sources:
(1) https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feeding-the-nursing-dog
(2) https://www.purinainstitute.com/centresquare/life-stage-nutrition/nutrition-for-pregnant-and-lactating-dogs-and-their-nursing-puppies
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7169170/
Reduced Appetite
Nursing dogs often experience a reduced appetite due to hormone changes after giving birth. The prolactin and oxytocin levels rise while nursing, which can suppress appetite. Additionally, puppies nursing frequently throughout the day can prevent the mother from eating as much as she should.
To help increase your nursing dog’s food intake, it’s recommended to offer smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Break her daily food into 3-6 smaller meals rather than 1-2 larger ones. This gives her more opportunities to eat in between nursing sessions. You can also try hand feeding her, adding warm water or broth to her kibble to increase palatability, or mixing in some canned food, scrambled eggs, or cooked meat. Just be patient and keep offering food regularly.
Here are some tips from petMD on increasing appetite in nursing dogs:
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Parasites
Intestinal parasites are a common issue for nursing dogs and can negatively impact their health and appearance. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual (https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/digestive-disorders-of-dogs/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-dogs), the two main types of intestinal parasites are roundworms and tapeworms. These worms can lead to nutrient malabsorption as they feed off partially digested food in the intestines, robbing the nursing dog of vital nutrition.
It’s crucial to deworm nursing dogs, especially before and after giving birth. The Veterinary Nurse (https://www.theveterinarynurse.com/content/clinical/parasites-in-cats-and-dogs/) notes that puppies can be infected with worms from their mother in utero or while nursing. Deworming the mother reduces transmission to vulnerable puppies.
Symptoms of intestinal parasite infection include diarrhea, vomiting, dull coat, potbelly appearance, and weight loss. If a nursing dog shows these signs, a fecal test and veterinary treatment are recommended.
Diet Recommendations
Nursing dogs require more calories and nutrients than typical adult dogs. According to dogfoodadvisor.com, it’s best to feed a high-quality puppy or performance formula dog food that is specifically formulated for nursing or lactating dogs. These recipes provide higher calorie counts along with increased protein, fat, and nutrient levels to meet the needs of milk production.
You can also supplement your nursing dog’s meals by adding cooked egg, lean meat like chicken or fish, or other high-protein ingredients. A nutritional supplement designed for pregnant and nursing dogs can help fill any gaps in nutrients. Brands like Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and others offer lactation support options.
Free-feeding allows nursing mothers to eat whenever they want, which is important since appetite can fluctuate. Weigh your nursing dog weekly to monitor weight and adjust portions as needed to maintain ideal body condition.
Exercise Needs
Nursing dogs require daily exercise to maintain muscle strength and prevent atrophy. However, it’s important to start slow and gradually increase duration and intensity over the first few weeks after giving birth.
Low-impact activities like walks, swimming, or playing fetch are ideal for nursing mothers. According to WikiHow, walking is the best exercise for mother dogs both before and after birth, as it’s gentle but still encourages muscle tone.[1]
Quora experts recommend giving a mother dog a few days of rest after birth before slowly resuming exercise.[2] Start with short 5-10 minute walks, then gradually increase duration and distance over the next 2-4 weeks.
Swimming and fetch are other good low-impact activities for nursing dogs, according to WagWalking.[3] Just be sure not to overexert the dog too soon after delivery.
Weaning Tips
Weaning puppies off their mother’s milk and onto solid food is an important process that should begin when puppies are 3-4 weeks old. According to Purina, this is the age when puppies begin naturally attempting to eat solid foods. Start by slowly introducing small amounts of puppy food mashed with milk. Gradually decrease the ratio of milk to food over a 7-10 day period until they are eating just the solid food. Allow the mother dog more breaks from nursing her puppies during this process, such as removing her from the puppies for 1-2 hours a few times a day. As the puppies are weaned off milk, the mother dog’s appetite should improve since she will need less nutrients for producing milk.
When to See the Vet
Nursing dogs require close monitoring, and it’s important to contact your veterinarian if you notice any concerning signs. In particular, seek veterinary care if your nursing dog’s weight loss exceeds 15-20% of her pre-pregnancy weight.
Additional signs that warrant a vet visit include lethargy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble producing milk or nursing, and signs of mastitis or infected mammary glands like swelling, pain, and pus. Mastitis requires urgent veterinary treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
Your vet can examine your dog, run tests, provide IV fluids, calcium supplements, or other treatments as needed. They can also advise on proper nutrition, hydration, and weaning techniques specific to your dog’s needs. Don’t hesitate to call your vet if you have any concerns about your nursing dog’s health.
Conclusion
In recap, it is very common for nursing dogs to lose some weight after giving birth, as their energy requirements sharply increase. However, excessive weight loss can be dangerous and unhealthy. It is critically important that nursing mothers receive proper nutrition, hydration, and rest. During this demanding time, they need extra care and regular monitoring from their owners.
With a nutritious diet, proper weaning of the puppies, and adequate recovery time between litters, most dogs can bounce back quickly. Their body condition and energy levels should return to normal within a few weeks after weaning finishes. If significant weight loss persists, veterinary oversight is advisable. Overall, some temporary weight loss is normal, but nursing dogs do require additional support to stay happy and healthy.
