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Post by pastel on Apr 2, 2008 18:30:22 GMT 1
Hi , can you suggest a diet for bitch once she has whelped? is it better to stay on a high protein working feed or move onto a puppy feed which is also high protein? suggestions please, and what you reccommend for the pups on weaning?
Nicky
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Post by weima on Apr 2, 2008 20:24:35 GMT 1
I feed my bitches Arden Grange Prestige thoughout their whole lives. If they are on a good food to start with there is no need to change. I have never heard of swapping an adult onto puppy food though  I wean my pups onto Arden Grange Weaning/Puppy from about 3 weeks old obviously soaked into a mush for them then gradually drying out over the weeks. I find that the pups as they get older tend to eat the dry food over the soaked. |
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Post by narelle on Apr 2, 2008 22:43:58 GMT 1
All our bitches once in whelp are changed to a different diet, either a puppy formula or a performance/maintenance one.
Narelle
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tasha
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Posts: 1,109
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Post by tasha on Apr 3, 2008 18:39:13 GMT 1
a couple of the books that I have recommend changing to a puppy food after 6 weeks into the pregnancy and then a couple of weeks after the pups have been weaned. Not sure if this is good or bad advice though.
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Post by weima on Apr 3, 2008 19:09:07 GMT 1
Have to say I've never heard of it & that is in 30 years of been around breeding dogs  I would have thought that if the bitch was already on a good diet there would be no need to swap? I feed 30% protein every day and am very happy with the food & my dogs look very good on it. Each to their own |
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Post by pastel on Apr 3, 2008 22:15:23 GMT 1
sounds like I did the right thing , i put her on a performance diet 30% protein from week 6 , i think I'll keep her on that once pups are born as well.... due on 13th April
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Post by weima on Apr 4, 2008 9:11:06 GMT 1
Bitches need a good diet whilst they have pups as you will see how much the pups take out of the bitch.
Good luck with the pups & don't forget to let us know when she has them!
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Post by marjolein on Apr 4, 2008 9:57:40 GMT 1
I don't change food neither. Mine are also on a good food. The only thing I do is increase their portions from the moment the pups are about 3 weeks old. Everything depending on how the bitch looks like of course.
Again in this case it's looking at the bitch before you start making changes.
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tasha
Proper addict
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Post by tasha on Apr 4, 2008 13:38:24 GMT 1
I spoke to my vet today when I went for Bonnies scan and he said not to change the food just increase her ration slightly, said no point having a fat dog!
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Post by Weims on Apr 4, 2008 16:29:16 GMT 1
I have my bitch on her normal food until the puppies are born and then I change to a high protein and high oil./fat content food because it does take loads out of them.
Lynn
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Post by weima on Apr 4, 2008 17:24:41 GMT 1
I have my bitch on her normal food until the puppies are born and then I change to a high protein and high oil./fat content food because it does take loads out of them. Lynn Surely this is adding to the stress of the moment? I have known a few bitches blow after giving birth so to change the food as well is only adding to the stressful time. |
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greyghost
Veteran
YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD DOG DOWN!
Posts: 887
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Post by greyghost on Apr 4, 2008 22:53:55 GMT 1
I've been using Orijen mixed with Forthglade for a while now. I just had to re-order the Orijen and noticed their recommendation for pregnant bitches etc. (I still feed the odd bit of barf, she loves sheep hearts, yummy...) www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dry_dog_food/orijen/49353Pregnancy: increase food by 10% in week 7, and 20% during weeks 8 and 9. Lactation: increase food by 50% and feed 3 or 4 times daily. It is 70% meat and 30% fruit and veg. They have been out of the meat one for a while now so I have had to order the salmon. Take a look at the ingredients. There is a white paper here about the product: www.championpetfoods.com/orijen/orijen/ |
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