Energy requirements continue to increase following whelping and into lactation, peaking at approximately 3 to 5 weeks. At this point, energy requirements can fall between two and four times the adult maintenance requirement (Ontko and Phillips 1958; Legrand-Defretin and Munday 1993).

Milk production peaks during the third and fourth week of lactation. Caloric requirements are highest during this period. Once weaning is complete, usually by 6-8 weeks, the bitch should be consuming the same amount of calories prior to breeding.

If foods with low energy density are fed, the bitch may not be able to physically consume enough to maintain weight, have decreased milk production and display signs of severe exhaustion. These signs are most pronounced in giant-breed dogs with large litters. Therefore, foods should provide at least 4 kcal metabolizable energy (ME) / g dry matter (DM).

Energy requirements can be subdivided into energy for maintenance and energy used for milk production. The maintenance energy requirement for lactating bitches is slightly higher than that for average adults because of stress and increased activity associated with caring for puppies.

The requirements for lactation can be expressed as follows:

ME (kcal) = maintenance + BW x (24n +12m) x L

Extrapolated maintenance energy requirements during lactation: 145 kcal x BW^0.75

ME (kcal) = 145 kcal x BW^0.75 + BW x (24n + 12m) x L

Where:

BW = body weight of bitch (kg)

n = number of puppies between 1 and 4

m = number of puppies between 5 and 8 (<5 puppies m = 0)

L = correction factor for stage of lactation: week 1, 0.75; week 2, 0.95; week 3, 1.1; and week 4, 1.2)

The good news is that you don't have to do these calculations because PDD handles it all for you! 

Protein

The requirement for protein increases more than the requirement for energy. The protein-energy ratio must be higher than in foods for adult maintenance. Ratios of 4.8 to 6.8 g digestible protein/100  kcal ME have been recommended. Foods should contain between  25 to 35% DM crude protein. 

Fat and Fatty Acids

At least 20% crude fat on a dry matter (DM) basis is recommended throughout lactation.

The ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid should be between 2.6 and 16. PDD contains an LA : ALA ratio gauge that ensures this ratio is met.

DHA is important for retinal and auditory development, brain development and learning. Food for gestation should contain the minimum amount of EPA + DHA, where DHA needs to be at least 40-50% and EPA should be 50-60% of the total. PDD contains an EPA : DHA ratio gauge that ensures this ratio is met.

Carbohydrate

When carbohydrate-free foods are fed during lactation, the lactose level in the milk may decrease to about 2% vs. the normal range of 3 to 3.5% (Romsos et al, 1981; Kienzle et al, 1985). In one study, increasing the digestible carbohydrate level in the food corrected low lactose levels; however, the same effect was not achieved by increasing protein levels (Kienzle et al, 1985).

Therefore, foods for lactation should contain at least 10 to 20% of the energy intake in the form of digestible carbohydrate to support normal lactose production.

The diet should contain approximately greater than or equal to 23% (20% as fed) carbohydrate on a dry matter (DM) basis to prevent the negative side effects of a carbohydrate-free diet.

In practice, a well-designed diet can contain greater than or equal to 10% digestible carbohydrate on an 'as fed' basis, such as the diet used in our tutorial.

Calcium and Phosphorus

Bitches need 2 to 5 times more calcium during peak lactation than for adult maintenance.

The ideal calcium-phophorus ratio is 1.3:1.

Adapted from NRC 2006; Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition.

During lactation, with the exception of when a bitch only has one or two surviving puppies, most dogs should be fed free choice or small, multiple meals throughout the day to allow them to meet their energy needs and produce adequate milk for their offspring.

Adapted from Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition

The bitch should receive a veterinary checkup around the 3rd or 4th week of lactation. A physical examination should be included with special attention given to mammary glands and body condition.

The veterinarian should be consulted if food intake decreases or an abnormal vaginal discharge develops during the lactation stage. Other signs that may require a veterinarian visit include hypersalivation, muscle contractions, seizures and/or weakness.

A simple method to follow when balancing for your lactating bitch:

1. balance amino acids,
2. balance fatty acids,
3. balance minerals and vitamins
4. remaining calorie target is as close to zero as possible (-30 to +30 kcal)

Don't forget to choose ingredients that are palatable to your lactating dog. Remember that meat grinds (ground food) are good for mixing supplement powders, pureed veggies, etc.

Try to weigh your bitch every week. Milk production demands food that is high in energy and nutrients. Add her new weight into the PETS module and then open up her recipe and re-balance. You can also choose to copy a recipe and then re-balance the copy so you have the original recipes throughout the lactation life stage.

Stay away from the following foods.

Alcohol, Apple Seeds, Avocado, Candy, Chewing Gum, Toothpaste & Mouthwash, Cat Food, Chocolate (Cocoa powder, Unsweetened baker’s chocolate, Semisweet chocolate, Dark chocolate, Milk chocolate, White chocolate), Coffee, Tea & Other Caffeine, Cooked Bones, Corn On The Cob, Garlic, Grapes & Raisins, Hops, Macadamia Nuts, Marijuana and other drugs not recommended by your veterinarian, Onions & Chives, Persimmon, Peach & Plum Pits, Rhubarb & Tomato Leaves, Tobacco, Xylitol and foods containing xylitol, Yeast.

Although the database stores copper values for pig liver, it is not bioavailable. So subtract the copper added by this ingredient if you use it in your recipe. Our Pet Diet 365 line of products handles this automatically.