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FEEDING BITCHES DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
 

 We recommend feeding Arden Grange PRESTIGE during pregnancy and lactation. It will provide your bitch with the concentrated calories, vitamins and minerals she needs during this time when so many extra demands are placed on her body. PRESTIGE is a calorie dense diet that is easily digested, and is an ideal food to accommodate the pregnant bitch's nutritional requirements.

 All Arden Grange foods are hypoallergenic, and are free from wheat, beef, soya and dairy products, and do not contain any artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

 PRESTIGE contains chicken fat as its primary energy provider.  Chicken fat is one of  the highest quality fat sources that a dog can consume, with better digestibility and higher, more consistent levels of essential fatty acids compared to other animal fats and vegetable oils. The main protein source in Arden Grange PRESTIGE is human grade Fresh Chicken, which, together with egg, are the top two protein sources available in terms of the dogs ability to digest, absorb and utilise them.

 Whilst feeding Arden Grange foods no further supplementation is required or recommended. To add extras will upset the fine balance our nutritionists have formulated for your bitch.

 There is very little foetal growth during the first 4-5 weeks of pregnancy, and therefore we suggest you keep your bitch on her normal daily feeding quantity at this time.  By the 6th. week of pregnancy you should begin to gradually increase her food intake, until by the time of whelping she is consuming at least 60% more than normal. The amount will obviously depend on the size of litter she is carrying, and it is a good idea to split her daily ration into 3 meals. A few bitches may lose their appetite 2-3 days prior to whelping, and will only pick at their food - this is quite normal, as long as she appears healthy and is not distressed.

 After whelping, her appetite will increase considerably, and she will appreciate frequent meals of PRESTIGE to assist her in providing optimum nutrition for her puppies.  Individual bitches will vary in the amounts of food they require at this time.  However your eyes will tell you if she is becoming too fat or too thin, and you can regulate her intake accordingly. The size of the litter will also affect the amount of food your bitch requires, and this should be taken into account. Fresh water must always be available to your bitch.

 Different breeders and different breeds will have their own timetable for weaning puppies.  As a general guideline, most breeders wean gradually onto solid foods over a period of about 3 weeks, beginning when the puppies are around 3 weeks of age.  However, if the litter is unusually large for the particular breed, you may wish to start weaning a little earlier than normal, in order that the bitch is not overly fatigued.

 During this weaning period your bitch's intake of food should be gradually reduced. Once your bitch is completely away from her puppies, adding some fresh chopped parsley to her food may help to reduce the risk of mastitis if she is still producing milk.  However if her milk production is excessive, and her mammary glands become hot and engorged, do not hesitate to seek immediate veterinary treatment, as mastitis can develop only too quickly.

 When feeding Arden Grange foods, it is important to remember that puppies and adult dogs do NOT require additional milk in their diets.  In fact shortly after weaning, puppies lose the ability to digest lactose (the milk sugar present in cow's milk), and its consumption can therefore cause digestive problems resulting in diarrhoea. HOWEVER IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF FRESH, CLEAN WATER IS AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WORM THE PUPPIES & MOTHER AT APPROPRIATE TIMES

 IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WORM TREATMENT GUIDELINES

VIDEX GSD RECOMMEND DRONTAL PLUS