How to care for a pregnant german shepherd?
I just got a german shepherd from a person I know. They were going to give her up because she shed too much hair and they didn't like her. I adopted her and I love her so much. She is such a good dog. I can't believe how people can treat animals so awful. Her litter should arrive in the first week of May. My question is what can I do to make sure she has the best delivery possible. Should I feed her a certain diet or include certain things? I have an appointment with the vet but not until two weeks, just wanting to get advice on how to give her the best care possible. Thanks!
I am currently feeding her pedigree puppy food. Is that ok or should I buy something else? We also built a huge pen for her so she can have her puppies there. She is already use to it, we leave her in there for a few hours a day, and I do walk her daily. I bought a pool and have some hay ready to fill it with when she delivers, is that ok?
Well you are a very special person to care and take her in.
Get her on some really good puppy food. Yes, puppy food. It has all the right things for her and the pups to grow and be healthy. Feed her 2 times a day and make sure its enough. Lots of good clean water. Grooming now is important too. Try to get her coat in good shape now because after the pups she will look kind of ragged. Al new moms do.
She can go for walks and do all the things you would normally do with a dog. She may get a bit tired so just dont over do it.
Read all you can about whelping and how to care for new born pups too. Ask your vet alot of questions.
Good luck!!
Great question and thank you for taking on such a huge responsibility. She should be on a high protein diet at this point such as puppy food. Change her diet slowly over the next 2 weeks so she doesn’t get an upset stomach! two great brands are: Wellness or California Natural. Start by giving her a small amount of new food into her regular food. one part new food to 3 parts of old food. Decrease the amount of old food slowly over the next two weeks until she is 100% onto her new food. Sometimes adding boiled white rice into the mix until she is use to it helps in aiding the process.
Plenty of exercise is also important and be sure to get a book on whelping so that you are truly prepared for her delivery.
Best wishes
Pam
http://www.protectthepets.com
you need to wean her onto puppy food from now until a few weeks after the birth its high in nutrients & protiens, walk her little and often , she wont have much room for food with the growing pups inside & she will be hungry again soon so feed her three reasonable size meals per day, she may also wee in the house if she cant get out for the toilet because of the presure of the babies. a fantastic book you just have to get is called BOOK OF THE B**** by J.M.EAVANS & KAY WHITE it has every bit of info youll need your gona have to be prepared, when she is in labour dont panic or you will stress her out, theres so much info its to much for me to write but please invest in the book alot of people call it the breeders bible & let me know how everything goes bestwishes & best of luck with your little babys & the mum xx me
She should be on a good puppy food. I give all my females that are PG puppy food when they are breed. Lots of fresh water, and plentey of excercise. Other then that its just setting back why nature does its thing. She will need a good size welping box for the big avent. Start getting used to where you want her to welp the pups. Not good to wait till last minute for this. You do not want her upset during delivery.