What vitamins should be given to pregnant and lactating dogs?

It is important to properly care for your dog during the period of bearing puppies. It is necessary to monitor the female's nutrition.

If there is a lack of necessary microelements, this will affect both the mother’s body and the puppies. Therefore, during pregnancy, the dog is prescribed vitamins. Their selection is carried out individually, taking into account the characteristics of the breed, age and weight of the animal.

Should I give vitamins?

Breeders are interested in the question of whether supplements are needed if the animal eats special food. The period of pregnancy and lactation requires a special attitude towards the dog, and even with a balanced diet, some necessary components may be missing.

When breastfeeding, vitamin supplementation is especially required. When selecting medications, pay attention to the breed of the dog. In small animals, metabolism is accelerated, and the need for vitamins is higher than in large females.

Why do dogs need supplements during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a number of changes occur in a dog's body.
All accumulated nutrients go towards the growth and development of puppies, so the mother may lack a specific vitamin or group of nutrients.

A properly selected vitamin complex allows you to replenish the loss and provide the necessary supply for the offspring.

Rules for caring for newborn puppies

The mother takes care of the babies; human care is unnecessary. The person is required to weigh the newborns, repeat weighings every 2 weeks to confirm full development, keep the room clean, change the bedding, and make sure there is no draft in the room.

Yorkies get pregnant and give birth like other breeds. But a miniature dog needs careful care. A good breeder approaches the maintenance, choice of food, walking, and disinfection with maximum responsibility, because the life and health of the expected offspring depend on this.

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Required Components

The proportion and compatibility of vitamins is selected by the veterinarian.

Usually prescribed:

1. A complex of vitamins A, B9, E. Helps to better cope with pregnancy. Folic acid helps maintain cellular structure and is responsible for the formation of new tissues, preventing the development of congenital pathologies.

2. 
   Omega-3. Fatty acids take care of the formation of immunity, vision and nervous system of the offspring.

3. C. Ascorbic acid strengthens the mother’s body, preventing the penetration of viruses and infections.
4. Iron. Required to prevent anemia.
5. Calcium. Strengthens bones and teeth.
6. B vitamins. Various components are responsible for the functioning of the cardiac and nervous systems, and tissue regeneration.

Complexes for small breed dogs

Small breed animals are not recommended to take fish oil, as this can lead to obesity. They benefit from calcium complexes.

Vitamins that have worked well:

1. Wolmar Pro Bio Booster ca mini. The Swiss product is quickly absorbed and contains the necessary amino acids, vitamins, and calcium. Probiotics help normalize intestinal microflora and metabolism.
2. 8 In 1 Excel Daily. The German product has a number of lines designed for any age and needs of a dog. Excel Daily includes fish meal, crushed wheat germ, glycerin, milk powder, B vitamins. These components provide dogs with adequate nutrition and a healthy pregnancy.

Vitamins for medium-sized animals

The following remedies are prescribed:

• Gelakan (can be given in the second half of the term, the complex is recommended for small puppies starting from 1.5 months of age and for dogs of medium breeds when bearing offspring; the Czech drug takes care of the health of bones, ligaments and joints; with long-term use, collagen hydrolyzate can completely normalize the condition of cartilage, since it is their integral component).
• Beaphar (a Dutch drug with a wide range of applications, it contains vitamins E, D, A, B, minerals, L-carnitine; the product helps strengthen the heart, skeleton, immunity, muscles, increases tone, improves metabolism, the condition of the skin and coat) .

Complexes for large species

Due to the significant weight during gestation, dogs' bone structure and joints suffer. When choosing medications for large breeds, you should pay special attention to this fact.

Appointed:

1. Biorhythm . The best Russian drug, suitable for bitches weighing more than 30 kg. The composition includes collagen hydrolyzate, which allows you to take care of problem areas at this stage. The line has the formulas “Morning” and “Evening”. The first increases tone, immunity, energizes, supports the nervous system, heart, teeth, bones. Evening form takes care of the health of the liver, kidneys, circulatory system, coat, improves metabolism and absorption of substances.
2. Excel 8 In 1 Brewer's Yeast . Saturates the body of pregnant bitches with all the necessary components. German quality is visible already a few weeks after the introduction of the feed.
3. Unitabs Brevers Complex C Q10 . The German drug helps improve metabolism, coat condition, tissue regeneration, and blood circulation. Selenium and zinc accelerate hair growth and prevent hair loss. After using the complex, the skin becomes smooth and well-groomed. Coenzyme Q10 is responsible for heart function, healthy teeth and gums. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system.

Use of medicinal complexes

When purchasing a product, it is worth remembering that the diet must contain calcium for the formation of bone structure and vitamin D for its proper absorption, vitamin A will help improve vision and the condition of the mucous membranes, and E is responsible for reproductive capacity and regenerative abilities.

B vitamins are responsible for the proper functioning of the nervous and circulatory systems and heart function.

When choosing, you should pay attention to:

1. Compound. In addition to vitamins, the supplement must be supplied with necessary minerals and amino acids.
2. Age criteria. The needs of dogs of different breeds are different, so the medications must be appropriate.
3. Brand. You need to purchase products from well-known and high-quality manufacturers.
4. Price. Usually cheap drugs do not differ in quality and are ineffective; it is better to choose the middle price segment.
5. Naturalness. They must be made from high-tech raw materials.
6. Presence of preservatives and dyes. Such products should not be in the diet of a pregnant dog. A good preparation does not contain such components, or their content is minimal.

Vitamins with calcium

During pregnancy, ligaments relax and bones and teeth become fragile. To help the animal, veterinarians advise giving calcium supplements.

If this component is not introduced into the expectant mother’s diet in a timely manner, the risk of developing hypocalcemia increases, which is fraught with serious complications and, in a serious condition, the death of the dog.

When feeding naturally, it is worth giving cottage cheese. But sometimes the dog refuses even healthy foods. In this case, vitamin complexes called Canina are administered .

Canina Caniletten contains active calcium, which strengthens bone tissue and teeth.

For better absorption of calcium, vitamin D is necessary. It is replenished while walking the dog on a sunny day or in the form of a special supplement to feeding.

Naturally fed animals should be given fish from the salmon family, eggs, mackerel, and fermented milk products. Since an excess of vitamins is no less harmful than their deficiency, you should consult a veterinarian before using complexes.

What fruits and vegetables can you give your pet?

It is advisable to introduce fresh foods into the puppy’s diet, which are sources of essential vitamins and minerals. As such you can use:

• zucchini;
• broccoli;
• apples;
• pumpkin;
• carrot.

When introducing certain vegetables into your animal’s diet, be sure to consult a veterinarian. He must determine when a pregnant dog should start taking vitamins, give recommendations on feeding the pet, and subsequently monitor its health.

Video: what to feed a pregnant dog and how to choose vitamins for it?

Vitamins in natural nutrition

For bitches on food, even before or in the early stages of pregnancy, you can change the brand to a specialized one for gestation. Such products contain all the necessary additives, but they must be introduced gradually, assessing the condition of the pet.

Constant food must be of high quality and free of harmful impurities.

Bitches on natural food need to review their diet and introduce:

• beef, lamb;
• raw eggs;
• cottage cheese, fermented milk and dairy products;
• vegetables fruits;
• fish;
• cereals;
• greenery;
• bone meal, fish oil;
• Beef heart and sometimes chicken liver are good offal products.

It is important to control portions as obesity will cause problems during childbirth. From the fourth week, the amount of food should be gradually increased, since a pregnant dog requires more food than before.

Portions should not be very large; it is better to increase the number of feedings. This will help relieve the digestive system.

How can you tell if your dog is pregnant?

Many Yorkie owners talk about changes in their pet’s behavior: the dog is apathetic, sleeps a lot, and refuses to eat. The dog walks in this state for 7-8 days, after which activity and appetite return. The first signs of pregnancy appear at the beginning of the 3rd week of pregnancy. This period is associated with:

1. The appearance of toxicosis, nausea and vomiting.
2. Possible loss of appetite.
3. The discharge of viscous, transparent, odorless mucus from the loop.

At the 3rd week of pregnancy, embryos begin to be felt - small lumps on both sides of the pet’s abdomen.

Puppies should only be examined by a veterinarian or an experienced breeder, otherwise you may inadvertently harm the unborn babies.

How to give vitamins

The dose volume and composition of the complex are selected individually. Animals raised on feed receive the necessary components along with the feed, where it is easy to calculate the required proportion of additives from the label.

For pets on natural food, you should create a table with the daily intake of nutrients. Based on the data obtained, you need to calculate the required elements .

If it is difficult to do this on your own, you can contact a veterinarian and have your blood tested to determine vitamin deficiency.

Typically, complexes are produced in tablets that have a pleasant taste and aroma. If the animal refuses to take them, the drug is crushed and mixed with food or liquid.