Pregnancy in Cats and Dogs on a Raw Dog Food or Cat Food Diet

• Cats - 65 days (average)


• Dogs - 63-64 days, although it may vary a day or two either side of expected date 

If they are fed raw dog food or raw cat food then both the bitch (dogs) and queen (cats) should naturally be in good condition, healthy and have good muscle tone due to nutrition and variety in proteins.

At the start of pregnancy it is advised that you stick to their normal feeding cycle. Only look to increase the meal sizes in the last third of pregnancy, around the 6 to 8 week mark. 

This is the time when the foetus does most of its growing. So increase the meals by 25% weekly to allow for the growth.  However, you’ll want to avoid the female from becoming overweight as this could cause complications when giving birth. The same is true if they are underweight, this could lead to reduced milk production for example.

Each animal is different and will react differently and so their needs may vary, but as a guide increase daily meals by 25% after the 6th week. Include protein, vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals, but it is not advised that you increase feeding more bone. Feed more organ and muscle based meats including good sources of Omega 3 for building a strong and healthy nervous system.

As the pregnancy continues and meal portions increase, offering several small meals daily at this stage will aid comfort and digestion.

Nature is amazing and even a new pregnant mum will indicate she's hungry and needing more food, and also will reduce her activity levels instinctively. Be guided by her, if she’s telling you she's hungry after a meal then increase the amount a little, just be aware of her becoming overweight as mentioned above. 

Liver is a good source of vitamin A and folic acid, but don't overdo it. Try to avoid feeding an excess of vitamin A. Chicken and chicken liver is a good source, perhaps once or twice a week.

Folic acid is vital to the health of the foetus and can be found in salmon, beef, trout, eggs, broccoli, spinach and kale. Eggs are also a great source of protein.

Raw fed bitches and queens generally have good supply of milk which is usually of good quality. They also recover their natural shape quicker due to their muscle tone after giving birth.

Just prior to giving birth, meals may be refused but don’t worry too much as this is quite normal.

After the birth, Mum needs to have continued good nutrition. For the first few days after birth, feed as and when she needs. In a few days she can be fed several meals a day. Once the pups start to wean, her meal size can be slightly reduced. If the litter is large in the early weeks the young will put huge demands on her to produce milk, but once weaning starts this will lessen.

Keeping Mum in good health and shape will pay dividends once the young have all gone to new homes.

 

This can start from 4 weeks of age and gives relief from the demands on Mum. Starting can be a messy process as the eager youngsters tend to walk on, or tip into the food bowl! It’s best to use a plate or shallow dish rather than a bowl. 

If the litter is large use a couple of dishes/plates. By forking a little chicken mince on the plate and using the natural juices this will make a sloppy meal which is ideal for the first try. Bone broth can also be added, just a little but this sloppy meal will encourage the young to start lapping. 

The first attempt can be, as mentioned, messy but it’s a good start to introducing more solid food. The youngsters will lick each other and Mum will clean them up afterward. It’s an all-together bonding social event!

As the litter progress the amounts can be increased and offered more often. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the slower or weaker ones, and maybe offer them a meal on their own so they don't get bullied out of the way.

As always with feeding, with a raw dog food or cat food diet you’ll need to start with plain chicken, and once all the pups are comfortable with it slowly start to introduce variety, avoiding the richer varieties to begin with.

Mum will continue to feed her litter for up to 6-7 weeks, by which time the puppies or kittens should be fully weaned. As mum feeds the litter less her milk production will reduce, and as the weeks progress she will be happy to leave her offspring for longer periods of time. 

They will still suckle mum for comfort, but the aim is to be fully weaned at 7 weeks, perhaps earlier, especially if the litter is large, with the prospect of new homes in the next few weeks.

Once fully weaned the amounts of raw dog food to feed is 8% of the puppies’ body weight daily. During these early weeks the young grow amazingly quickly so feeding for growth is essential.

Puppies and kittens weaned onto raw diets lead to a much cleaner environment. The poo isn't sloppy and smelly. It’s as raw fed poo should be, easy to clean up!

Mum will instinctively clean up after the little ones but overall the area is a clean.

As stated above, birth can be one of the most amazing experiences any living being will ever experience, so making the right preparations will put both you and your beloved pets in the right place to have the best experience possible.

If you have any concerns about your pet going through a pregnancy then please do get in touch and one of our specialists will do their utmost to help you and your pet with the right advice.