Vitamins for Pregnant Dogs

A dog’s pregnancy is a sensitive period, providing for both her own changing needs and those of her gestating puppies. Diet and nutrition is of particular importance. Without the correct nutrients, a pregnant dog can lose her puppies and even put her own life in danger. A balanced and nutrient-rich diet is essential, ensuring they have all the vitamins and minerals necessary for health during this time. Determining the correct diet for the dog is usually straightforward, but it needs to be arranging with a veterinarian in case the dog has any deficiencies or health problems which require a specific pregnancy diet or even supplements.

Folic Acid

Vitamin B9, also known as folate or folic acid, is an essential vitamin that needs to be provided during your dog’s pregnancy. It plays an important role in cell formation, DNA synthesis, anemia prevention and fetal central nervous system development. For this reason, folic acid is crucial to prevent birth defects in puppies. Adding this nutrient to your dog’s diet is essential to contribute to the correct development of the fetuses, especially in the first stage of pregnancy.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for dogs are not vitamins, but they are essential nutrients which promote the development of the nervous, cerebral and ocular systems of puppies. They can also be very beneficial for relaxing and reducing agitation in the mother as they contribute to improving her emotional state. They are types of antioxidants and have a slight anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory effect. For all these reasons, they are one of the best nutrients for pregnant dogs, but also for other stages of their life, such as during old age.

The main sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are fish such as salmon and tuna. Safflower, corn, olive and turkey meat are also good sources. There are also commercial fish oils that you can add to your dog’s food to ensure an adequate supply of omega-3 fatty acids.

As with vitamins for pregnant dogs, choosing to give your dog any supplements needs to be discussed with your veterinarian. However, there are ways you can ensure your dog has better overall health with the use of treats enriched with nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids.

Calcium and Phosphorus

Again, calcium and phosphorous are not vitamins, but they are important minerals for any healthy dog. They can be very useful for pregnant dogs, but we need to be very careful. The veterinarian will need to assess the dog as their use and be contraindicated in certain dogs, especially if they are pregnant. This could be due to the fact the dog may get a sufficient amount from their diet.

Calcium and phosphorus help in the formation of the skeleton, as well as in the development of the nervous, muscular and hormonal systems of the puppies. They help to maintain these systems in the mother, doing so by contributing to the maintenance and repair of cells and tissues.

Vitamins A, C, D, E and B

If you are looking for the best vitamins for pregnant dog, there are certain essential vitamins which are vital for a dog at any point in life. However, a deficiency during pregnancy might not only harm the mother, but also her gestating puppies. These help lead to a healthy pregnancy and strong puppy development. The most important vitamins for pregnant dogs include:

• Vitamin A: helps fetal organs develop properly, especially the eyes, nervous and immune systems.
• Vitamin C: vitamin C can be synthesized by the dog naturally, but additional vitamin C in their diet can be beneficial thanks to its antioxidant function. It helps neutralize free radicals in the body, protects cells from damage and can reduce oxidative stress. It plays an important role in immune support, helping your dog fight infections during pregnancy. In addition, it helps in the formation of collagen, essential for the formation and maintenance of connective tissues, as well as skin and cartilage of both the mother and the puppies. It also contributes to proper iron absorption.
• Vitamin D: it is essential for bone formation and development, as it helps in the absorption of phosphorus and calcium and prevents hypocalcemia, something which can help prevent eclampsia in pregnant dogs. In addition, it contributes to correct neuromuscular development.
• Vitamin E: prevents neurological diseases, contributes to good formation of the nervous system of puppies, maintains the health of the skin and coat and can prevent complications during pregnancy.
• B complex vitamins: we have already mention B vitamins such as folate. They are key to providing energy, improving metabolism, promoting brain development in puppies and participating in the formation of DNA and RNA, as well as the neural tube. They strengthen the immune system, participate in the formation of red blood cells and perform a digestive function, helping to absorb nutrients in doing so.

Various minerals are also essential for an optimal pregnancy. They ensure bone and dental development, as well as aid in hemoglobin production. They are necessary for the correct formation of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. They regulate metabolism in the mother, something very important during pregnancy.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential for proper blood clotting, itself being crucial for preventing hemorrhage during childbirth. It is also beneficial for bone health by supporting bone metabolism. This affects both the mother and her puppies during gestation. It is not usually supplemented during pregnancy, but it should be provided in sufficient amounts in her diet. Any deficiencies will need to be addressed by a professional.