Feeding a Pregnant GSD - Page 2

You don't want to feed a pregnant dog too much calcium during pregnancy or she won't be able to make enough of it when she starts to whelp, which will cause eclampsia. Feeding puppy food after she whelps is not a problem, just not during pregnancy.

I too feed a good quality Grain Free dry dog food along with Veggies...and RAW Chicken...I DON'T change a female's diet while she's pregnant...I will slowly increase her food amount at about her 6th to 7th week...Don't increase too soon and let her put on too much extra weight...Then after she's whelped is the ONLY time I will "Free Feed" any of my dogs...But at this time I will basically give the female all she wants to eat...I feed her about 5 to 6 times a day...With a lot of RAW Meats...I feed mostly RAW Chicken...(bones and all)...

If you feed a good quality of food a pregnant female doesn't need a bunch of supplements...Don't over do it with anything new or extra...

~Bob~

I'm pretty much a voyuer on this site, but I gotta chime in on this topic.  Feeding a pregnent bitch extra calcium must be approached with EXTREME caution.  There are many published articles reference the negative effects of doing so.  It can create unusually large pup size and create inertia complications.  I learned that the hard way before any articles were out on the subject.  Of the dozens of litters I raised I never had a c-section or whelping issues.  I started adding calcium during pregnency and Bam!!, two C-sections and other complications.  Other breeders had the same experience with added calcium.  If you want to add it after whelping, I think that is okay, but even then, don't over do it.  Best advice, IMO, feed her a high quality feed and don't make any drastic changes in her diet.  Bob's advice above is spot on.  Good Luck!