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pregnant bitches feeding
Average length of pregnancy period for bitches is 62—63 days (may differ from 58 to 65 days). In average bitches belonging to large (working) breeds give birth to 6—7 puppies (sometimes up to 10—12). That defines some special features of pregnant bitches feeding.
Oospore development depends on inflow of different nutritive material. So feeding of the bitch during reproduction without care to her need in energy, proteins, vitamins and minerals leads to decrease of fertility, affects fetation and may lead to embryo death. It's especially important to provide a bitch with enough caloric ration if one is supposed to be used for work during her first pregnancy.
By the start of rut the bitch shall be in «productive» condition. Brood bitches belonging to private owners are usually overfed. Obese bitches are less fertile, bring less number of puppies, have more frequent complications during labor. So during preparative period before the reproduction the bitches shall be fed by vegetable mixes (cabbage, carrot, pumpkin, etc.) adding a bit of meat and meat variety. Twice a week this soup shall be replaced by fatless curd and sea fish with raw egg.
Bitch's ration shall have enough vitamins. A and E vitamins have special influence on reproduction. Ration shall stay the same at the first part of pregnancy after the mating. In this period food shall contain sufficient amount of animal proteins and vitamins, So, need for vitamin C is increased by 25—50% at this period. Many bitches have strongly increased appetite since the first weeks of pregnancy. Then keeping the same amount of food, increase number of feedings up to 3—4 a day.
On 3rd week of pregnancy some bitches have vomit and reject food. Early pregnancy toxicosis usually passes without special treatment after 1—1,5 weeks. Some undesirable symptoms can be eliminated by decoction of raspberry leaves and dry berries prepared from 1 table spoon of raw per 0,5 litres / quarts of water.
5—6 week pregnancy is already visible. Fetal grow is intensive so the bitch needs additional energy and nutrients. Total nutrition value shall 1,5 times exceed normal, while increase of the ration shall go for meat products, fish, curd, and better keep cereals and bread level the same as before. Bitches are fed 3 times a day in this period. On the 5th week bone system of future puppies starts to form so bitch needs wholesome mineral additives. It's recommended to take minerals from well-known producers as their products are usually well-balanced. Ask pet shop manager to help to find optimal variant considering rottweiler breed features and bitch age.
At last 2 weeks of pregnancy feedings shall be increased to 4—5 times a day excluding bulk food and products causing meteorism. Exclude from ration black bread, potato, cereals, beans, reduce amount of variety meat, increase meat, fat curd and milk ratio. In this period bitches often suffer from constipation so better add 1/2—1 teaspoon of linseed meal.
The most intensive prenatal weight increase of fetus goes in the last trimester of pregnancy so energy needs of the bitch won't grow till that time though in this period development of breasts and placenta goes. Overfeeding during the early stages of pregnancy may lead to obesity and delivery complications.
Feeding regime shall satisfy growing needs of the organism. Since 5th week of pregnancy food cap shall be increased by 15% every week so that by the birth date (9th week after mating) a bitch would eat 60% more than in the mating period. Bitches with great litters usually have big belly size. Lack of motion may cause lack of appetite in the last week of pregnancy. In such cases feed her several times a day by small portions. Better avoid weight excess by the delivery and try to keep appetite. Before the labor vitamin K is given to bitches (ask your vet) twice — 10 and 5 days before the labor — 1 mg a day.
Important! Feed pregnant bitch always at the strictly defined time. Never feed defective foods and products to the bitch. They may cause fetus dispersion on the early stage of pregnancy and miscarriage or stillbirth at the later ones.
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