| As an owner of a female dog one of the most | | | | Fillers - Fillers are basically what you might think they |
| exciting/scariest things to hear is that your beloved | | | | are, worthless ingredients that are mixed in to add |
| family pet has become pregnant. The questions start | | | | bulk to the food and in some cases make your dog |
| to come up. What am I going to do with all the | | | | want to eat more (meaning more trips to the |
| puppies? And what should I be doing to make sure | | | | grocery store for you. These fillers are usually corn |
| that she stays healthy? | | | | and soy products or wheat (not the whole grain |
| Besides making sure that she gets plenty of rest and | | | | either). |
| lots of water the best thing you can do is to feed | | | | By-products - This is such a loose term and can |
| her a high quality dog food. It is true that not all dog | | | | literally mean any part or parts of an animal. Including, |
| food is created equally and some can do more harm | | | | beaks, claws etc. Also allowed under the "by-product" |
| than good. A pregnant dog, like a human will go | | | | label is the fact that these animals don't have to be |
| through changes during pregnancy that tax the body | | | | healthy. They can be cancerous or previously dead |
| and require more nutrients to feed and nourish the | | | | (of natural causes) and sick/dying animals. Most of |
| growing baby (or 4 to 8 puppies). | | | | these by products consist of "meat: that isn't fit for |
| Ideally your dog's diet should already consist of high | | | | human consumption, so why would you want to |
| quality protein and essential fats but that doesn't | | | | feed them to your "best friend"? |
| always happen. The fact is that dog food can be | | | | Tragically some if not all of the major brands of dog |
| expensive, especially if your dog is a large breed or | | | | food contain these garbage ingredients. Try some of |
| you have 2 or more of them. Sometimes costs wins | | | | the healthier brands including Buffalo Blue, Wellness, |
| out over quality, pregnancy is no time to be buying | | | | Iams, and Taste of the Wild to name a few. |
| cheap garbage quality dog food. | | | | Also as the time for your dog to give birth get closer |
| Here are a few things to look for on the label of | | | | try supplementing her diet with yogurt and other |
| most dry and wet dog food. If you see them listed | | | | calcium rich foods. They will not only keep her |
| high up on the list on ingredients you should avoid | | | | healthy but also make the quality of her milk better |
| them or at least use them sparingly. | | | | for the puppies as well. |