Pregnant female nutrition. - Page 1

Hi Guys,
I have a question, I am receiving a pregnant German SHepherd from Germany in a few weeks. She will be in the beginning of pregnancy. They have her on Royal canin, I would like to switch her to a grain free food (KIBBLE).
Which brands?
What is best, some say no puppy food , some say puppy food, I am so confused.Please any advise would be great!
Thank you.

Personally I would leave her on the Royal Canin, as she is used to it and being pregnant AND moving home is traumatic enough without messing the food about too. Time enough to change later, IMO. I realise I also say this writing from the UK where we have less worries about the content of RC in Europe than is apparently the case in America.

With pregnant females the emphasis is less on what they eat than that they are getting enough to build puppies AND maintain their own condition on.

I would feed her a prepared raw diet ( commercial raw ). A dog has 9 weeks of pregnancy compared to 9 months in humans. Like humans not much growth weight and size wise happens before 7 but neurological and other health problems can arise from poor nutrition early. Like humans b vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids are important. Folic acid and feeding some omega 3 rich canned wild caught salmon can prevent neurological problems and pay dividends in mental development. Just look at the recommendations for humans during every month of pregnancy and remember in dogs a human month is a dog week. High quality animal protein and fats are what a dog needs and carbohydrate rich foods for dogs whether grain or other plant source derived are inferior to human grade animal proteins and fats. Don't be fooled by dog kibble animal fats and proteins ... most are garbage before processing and even worse after high heat and mechanical processing. Royal Canin is expensive garbage .. royal corn in a bag.

Go to dogfoodadvisor.com .. buy the best rated dog food you can afford .. Royal Canin is not going to be one of the best based on either quality or price. I recommend raw but if not raw then a 5 star dry. Supplement folic acid and omega 3 fatty acids and canned wild caught Alaska salmon is the best value for omega 3.

RC made for the European market is different than what you will be getting here when you buy it.  I like the advice you have been given for feeding.

Hi guys, thank you for the info.
However I cannot do raw at the moment and research say that Peas and soy causes problems with fertility and fetus development... So the only kibble so far that I could find with no peas and soy is the following, Would this be okay for her?

http://www.instinctpetfood.com/product/instinct-grain-free-ultimate-protein-kibble-dogs-chicken-formula

What Bubbabooboo said is absolutely right about Royal Canin...I would replace her food with a good quality "grain free" food...And like Bubbabooboo said...go to DogFoodAdvisor.com ... take a few minutes to check over all the kibble that are 5 Star and see what you like...It's a bit of a trial & error...but you can choose something that has good ingredients...
There are many good foods out there...but...RAW is still the best...I DON'T use Puppy Food for any of my dogs...whether adult or puppy...NO Puppy Foods...I use a good quality kibble + I give them RAW meats...
After you have your new girl on a good quality kibble...then start adding in some RAW Meats...Like RAW Chicken (bones and all)...
I know a number of people in Europe that say Royal Canin is at best a mediocre dog food...So find something better...Something you can afford and has good ingredients...
I don't like advising people on what dog foods to use because there's too many variables...Price...Availability...etc...
I also give all my dogs along with some kibble (covered with water) veggies...such as Green Beans...Greens (Kale...Turnip Greens...etc...)...Carrots...etc...

~Bob~