Feeding during last 2 weeks of Gestation? - Page 2

Debby, absolutely!  Under normal circumstances...DURING and AFTER whelping calcium supplementation may be good or even needed, but not before IF the female is eating a good diet.   The point is, the amount of calcium in a proper balanced diet is enough during pregnancy (that means it may not be enough if the food is low quality or the female isn't eating).  Increasing the amount of food given as the pregnancy progresses also increases (in a balanced way) the amount of calcium she gets WITHOUT supplementation.  Once labor/whelping begins, huge amounts of calcium are required and the bitch will mobilize what's needed from her own stores UNLESS she's been given supplements that might interfere with that process.  Increase food during pregnancy, don't supplement (unless told otherwise by a good vet).  Once labor/whelping starts, calcium can be given IF NEEDED (again always consult with a vet first), same during lactation.  We agree, Debby, 100%, and it's good for people to read the articles posted so they understand the whole process better. 

For a bitch that won't eat, there may indeed be problems with getting enough nutrition in general, including calcium.  I've never had a bitch that wouldn't eat when pregnant (sometimes giving small meals multiple times a day helps, but I realize there are some who simply don't want to eat no matter what) so I've never run into that issue.  "ALWAYS consult with a vet" is the best advice, but the articles Debby and I have posted are good ones and can help people understand what to ASK the vet, if nothing else.   There IS conflicting info on the web, but much of that is because the circumstances may be different between one female and the next.  TO the OP, understand the process so you can understand which info applies to your female and know what to ask your vet.  There's no "one size fits all" answer and individual females needs will vary if they don't eat, overeat, eat diets too high in calcium or too low, etc. 

Excellent Excellent information all.  I knew if I asked here I would get good logical advise on this.  Thanks a million.

I will try the calcium tabs during the whelping.  If she will not take them, I know I can get her to eat ice cream (that I can always get her to eat, but it is a once in a blue moon treat).

Thank you again everyone.

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Side note:  Yes, the stud is not large;  about 85 lbs.   This is what I considered when researching for a stud.  My research on this breeding started about 3 months after I got Rose.  She will be 3 years in July.

I hate to be the blooper pooper here but most of the calcuim we give does NOT digest well (this goes for humans too ) Calcium is very hard to digest in most forms we buy and if we have to suppliment then liquid is best. If your gal is getting a good diet, I say let her be.

I would say however that I wouldnt feed puppy chow to anything. Terrible nutrition... even if she only eats some of a great food, its certainly better than Puppy Chow. She will eat when she gets hungry and if you yourself have ever been pregnant then you know that the last thing one wants to do when at the end of term is eat. If she doesnt want to eat the food, then let her snack throughout the day with raw meat or a quality kibble.

I got some of the FROMM.  She seems to like it.  Maybe this is the magic food  lol.  Time will tell.

thanks again everyone

my girly was super picky just before she went into labor she still ate but i had to use raw and bait any kibble very good for her to eat. but then once her puppys where born she had 3 x the hunger than even in pregnancy