# Feeding a Bitch in Whelp Not that I have a bitch that is in whelp, or a bitch period, or plan to have one for a good long time, but I was just wondering about the feeding of them. I have been gathering data here and there about canine reproduction for my own re-education and some of the texts give specific ratios of protei… ## Thread In Health · started by lindsayt · 3 replies - **Category:** [Health](https://nihonken.org/community/c/health) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## lindsayt · 2009-04-02T10:16:21.000Z Not that I have a bitch that is in whelp, or a bitch period, or plan to have one for a good long time, but I was just wondering about the feeding of them. I have been gathering data here and there about canine reproduction for my own re-education and some of the texts give specific ratios of protein(~25-30%)/fat (15-20%)/carbs(~55%), others suggest home made, while yet others suggest feeding puppy food to the bitch (what I have always heard). Now, many of us seem to be feeding grain free, I personally am feeding Orijen fish. I know there are carbs in those diets, and carbs are very important for the bitch and whelps to receive before birth to avoid hypoglycemia. However, looking at Orijen's analysis, the food is 44% protein, 18% fat and 18% carbs. The puppy version anaylsis is very similar.Acana's adult premium comes a lot closer to the recomended values (29.16.30), but isn't quite there. The puppy food is similar in analysis % wise to Orijen. I guess I was just suprised to learn that the simple solution I had always been taught of "feed the bitch puppy food so she can feed her pups" isn't always a good idea. What should people feeding grain free do? I think switching to a higher carb diet, probably with grains, that fits the proper ratios, would be the safest solution in the end. I know that if I had a bitch in whelp, I don't believe Orijen or Acana, maybe most grain free's, would be suitable, which is diappointing because I believe it's a great food (but which one is?-the search goes on!) What has everyone else heard? What do you think would be a good thing to feed a Nihonken bitch in whelp? ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-04-02T12:11:00.000Z I have a lot of info on feeding raw to bitches in whelp and weening pups onto raw, but nothing about kibble. Sorry! You might want to pick up Dr. Pitcairns book (if you dont have it already), he has really good nutrition info/stats/levels in there for all life stages ## lindsayt · 2009-04-02T12:25:00.000Z Jen-is there anything different you would do with raw in regards to pregnant/lactating bitches? I didn't consider doing raw with them (hypothetically). Thanks for the book referral. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-04-02T12:52:35.000Z The info I have (from Dr. P's book mostly) talks about the moderate increase in calcium levels (slight elevated, while phosphorus levels remain normal) to prevent a lactating bitch entering deficiency. Chronic calcium deficiency can lead to problems with muscle contraction (heart problems) and bone fractures later in life. However, EXCESSIVE calcium can also be toxic and lead to hypercalcemia and bone deformity. So you have to be careful about supplementing calcium but also ensure that enough is provided in the diet every day, preferably through food sources. Personally I find being able to control calcium levels with raw is much easier, more natural, through raw egg shell, raw meaty bone consumption, etc. Its easily measured, calculated vs. a tablet form supplement that comes in standard amounts (and other ingredients, binders, etc). For instance, an adult dog requires 1.0 grams per 1000 calories while a growing puppy and lactating bitch need closer to 3.0 grams per 1000 calories. So, for raw feeders, we would examine how much calcium per day our individual dog requires and balance that against the food we feed. Examples of calcium in food are: 1 chicken leg (including bone) = 5.8 grams ca 1 oz of Sardines (cooked/bone in) = 107 millgrams ca 1 0z of beef heart = 2 milligrams ca 1 chicken breast (boneless) = 8 milligrams ca (taken from nutritiondata.com) BUT... the body cannot store calcium. Based on my dogs' needs, they get an RMB (edible bone) about one day a week. Mathematically, this meets their calcium requirement for the entire week. However, since the body may not "store" all the calcium and they need some every day. I supplement their diet with eggshell powder on MM and organ days at 1/4 their daily requirement (a little less than 1/8 tsp about 4 days a week - 2 days she gets whole eggs/sardines or whole egg/tripe). Then there are studies by home prepared dieters (like in the holistic guide by volhard/brown) that believe lactating bitches need an increase of carbohydrates in their diet. There is a lot to know I guess, from wherever your diet spectrum is, for a pregnant/lactating bitch and her pups. Some general raw fed pregnant dog info here: http://www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html http://www.rawlearning.com/breeders.html the BARF approach: http://www.barfworld.com/html/barf\_diet/barfdiet\_specific.shtml --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)