What Foods Help a Bitch Produce Milk?
How to Adjust the Diet of a Postpartum Female Dog
After giving birth, a female dog expends a significant amount of blood and energy, which requires her owner to provide ample nutrition and calcium to aid in her recovery and boost her milk production. To achieve this, owners can feed their dogs highprotein foods such as goat milk, crucian carp soup, dog canned food, and bone broth. These foods not only replenish the dog's nutrients but also help stimulate milk production. Here's how to adjust the postpartum diet for a female dog:
1. Prioritize Calcium Intake
During the lactation period, it's crucial to ensure the female dog receives an adequate amount of calcium. This is because she loses a considerable amount of calcium during childbirth, and a deficiency can lead to insufficient milk production. Foods rich in calcium, such as bone broth, shrimp shells, seaweed, goat milk, crucian carp soup, and dog canned food, can be fed to the dog. Additionally, pet calcium supplements or liquid calcium can be given to maintain her calcium levels.
2. Diversify the Diet
Feed the postpartum female dog in small, frequent portions, using easily digestible foods. Especially in the immediate aftermath of giving birth, it's best to offer her liquid foods like goat milk, meat broth, crucian carp soup, and bone broth. As her body recovers, introduce a diet rich in proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Alternatively, specialized puppy milk replacer kibble can be used. Ensure a balanced diet that meets her nutritional needs. Avoid feeding her pork liver during lactation, as it can reduce milk supply. If the litter is large and the mother's milk isn't enough, supplement with goat milk.
3. Add Probiotics
Postpartum, female dogs may experience digestive issues like constipation due to their sedentary lifestyle. To prevent this, provide her with a dose of pet probiotics to promote gut motility and facilitate easy bowel movements. If she has a case of constipation, stop feeding her for half a day and then give her digestive enzymes to alleviate the issue. Gentle abdominal massages can also aid in digestion.
Furthermore, to ensure a good milk supply, owners can perform breast massage on the female dog to stimulate milk production. Once the milk supply is sufficient, it's essential to clean and disinfect her breasts and nipples regularly to prevent infections and contamination of the milk, which can harm the puppies.
In summary, during the lactation period, aside from providing the female dog with ample nutrition, owners should also pay attention to the cleanliness and care of her breasts to prevent infections.
