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Suet for lactating bitch

Discussion in 'Health & Nutrition' started by dutchy954, Jun 14, 2011.

  1. dutchy954

    dutchy954 Big Dog

    So my bitch has been taking quite a beating from a litter of 9. It has only been 9 days and she looks a mess even though she has been eating between 3-6 cups of TOTW a day. So I did some research and this is the recipe I give her twice daily plus free fed TOTW.

    Twice a day for the past two days I have been giving her:

    3/4 cup of chopped raw beef suet
    1.5 cups of TOTW
    One Natures Variety freeze dried raw chicken patty

    I also have still been giving her a teaspoon of cod liver oil daily.

    Any input would be appreciated. Anyone have some tips please let me know, Thanks!
     
    dutchy954, Jun 14, 2011
    #1
  2. Dream Pits

    Dream Pits CH Dog

    I'm no expert but personally my natures variety stuff seemed to hurt more than it helped my dogs. I would use real meat instead of that and I would find a source for vitamins and minerals like nupro or something similar. Beef suet should be a plus but I can't see how she could get all the nutrition that will be needed to whelp a litter just on that alone. Maybe try some goats milk as well
     
    Dream Pits, Jun 14, 2011
    #2
  3. dutchy954

    dutchy954 Big Dog

    The only thing about nupro I was worried about was the calcium. I do not want to give her too much when she is already producing it so fast. And I was thinking the same thing about switching to raw chicken oppose to the patty. Thank you Dream Pits!
     
    dutchy954, Jun 15, 2011
    #3
  4. benthere

    benthere CH Dog Staff Member

    Beef Suet(fat) is excellent for lactating bitches. Dog milk is mostly fat & feeding the bitch a high fat diet is the correct thing to do. I would toss the TOTW and feed her a good high energy or puppy feed that is at least 30/20 and some good vitamins along with the suet. I would also try feeding her 3-4 times a day rather than 1-2 large meals. I would go easy on the Cod Liver oil as it is very high in vitamin A. I prefer to use Salmon oil. I also do not think 3 cups of dog food is enough especially not of TOTW. I have seen bitches eat 6+ cups a day of high energy feed when lactating. Hope this helps. Good Luck.
     
    benthere, Jun 15, 2011
    #4
  5. dutchy954

    dutchy954 Big Dog

    Very helpful benthere. Thank you. My concern was that she is now free fed the TOTW which is 32/18... And she still will not put it down, she is just not an overeater. I began adding these foods to get her some more nutrients and weight. Puppies are putting on weight no problem. The salmon oil makes sense! That will be next. Thanks again!
     
    dutchy954, Jun 15, 2011
    #5
  6. Dream Pits

    Dream Pits CH Dog

    Good post Benthere, totw is a good dog food but puppy food has more calories and fat.
     
    Dream Pits, Jun 15, 2011
    #6

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