Motherhood and Milk: A Guide to Dog Lactation Care

Lactation phase is a demanding phase for dogs, as their energy requirements increases significantly during this time. Feeding a balanced diet that is highly digestible, energy and nutrient rich diets that meets these increased needs is essential for the health of both the mother and her puppies. Milk production peaks at first three to four weeks of lactation so that the dam’s energy requirements are higher so to meet these increased energy demands, it is recommended to feed the lactating dog several times a day or provide free choice feeding. This ensures she has constant access to food and can replenish the energy she expends in producing milk. Dehydration can negatively affect milk production and the overall health of the mother so Proper hydration is important during this stage. By providing proper nutrition and monitoring the lactating dog’s weight, body condition, and food consumption dog owners can help ensure a healthy and successful lactation period for both the mother and her puppies.