Can you give a dog prenatal vitamins? What are the best vitamins for a pregnant dog? At Revival Animal Health, we are often asked about giving supplements to pregnant and nursing dogs and cats. Most use meat, oils or liver and want to know if that is okay. Why not vitamins?
Managing Mom for Her Genetic Potential
Giving vitamins to a female dog between litters helps her have consistently fertile heats. Healthy moms should have a reliable cycle with an interval no longer than six to seven months. Quality food and vitamins will help mom to have healthy, predictable and fertile heat cycles. Doc Roy’s® Daily Care or Breeder’s Edge In Between for Her will ensure mom has all the building blocks in place to re-breed effectively. We used to say to skip a heat between each breeding. This is no longer recommended. Breeding on every heat cycle, back to back, with one heat off after two pregnancies, is preferred. A pregnant uterus is a happy uterus!
What Supplements Should a Pregnant Dog Take?
Puppies need vitamins and minerals for red blood cell, muscle and bone growth. All must come from mom’s body! During pregnancy, mom’s metabolism and RBCs increase 25 percent to help babies grow. If mom doesn’t have enough to give, the puppies are born anemic and weak. I recommend Breeder’s Edge® Oxy Mate™ Prenatal vitamins for dogs to ensure healthier moms and babies born fighting to live.
Do Nursing Cats and Dogs Need Supplements?
What vitamins should a nursing dog or cat take? Nursing can require up to a 100 percent increase in calories and nutrition, including vitamins. Feeding puppy or kitten food will keep calories up and giving Breeder’s Edge® Oxy Momma™ vitamin when moms are nursing will support milk production and recovery.
When it comes to cats, queens are very texture sensitive. Remove the casing when starting queens on Oxy Mate™ Prenatal or Oxy Momma™ to improve acceptance. Once queens know what the vitamins are, the casing can be left on.
Are Prenatal Vitamins Necessary for Dogs?
The answer is Yes! Give prenatal vitamins such as Breeder’s Edge Oxy Mate to your pregnant dog. Just like human moms, dog and cat moms deserve the same help.
If you need help with choosing the best supplements for your pregnant or nursing dog, call our Animal Care Specialists at 800.786.4751.
LEARN MORE:
The Importance of Prenatal Vitamins for Pregnant Dogs
Can you give a dog prenatal vitamins? Dog prenatals help mom and their developing babies get that extra boost. Dr. Marty Greer discusses the importance of prenatal vitamins for dogs and cats.
Prenatal Care for Dogs
How to care for a pregnant dog. Pregnant dog care includes feeding the correct food, giving dog prenatal vitamins, and setting them up for a successful labor. Learn about prenatal care for dogs.
Multivitamins or Prenatals for Pregnant Dogs: What Vitamins Should I Give My Pregnant Dog?
Does my dog need prenatal vitamins? Learn from a Pet Care Pro how to best use vitamins for pregnant dogs.
Managing the Valuable Brood Dog
How do you breed a dog for the first time? What tests should be done before breeding dogs? Dr. Marty Greer, learn what to know before breeding dogs and how to improve reproductive capabilities of breeding female dogs.
Written by: Marty Greer, DVM
Director of Veterinary Services
Marty Greer, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, has 40+ years’ experience in veterinary medicine, with special interests in canine reproduction and pediatrics. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1981. She’s served as Revival’s Director of Veterinary Services since 2019. In 2023, Dr. Greer was named the Westminster Kennel Club Veterinarian of the Year.