7 Best Vitamins For Pregnant Dogs and Dogs That Are Nursing

Vitamins for pregnant dogs, and minerals, are important for pregnant and nursing dogs. The best vitamins for dogs in the pregnancy or nursing stages are necessary for fetal development and nourishing the mother dog as she cares for her pups.

With adequate vitamins for pregnant dogs and minerals in a dog’s diet;

• Pups can grow and develop properly in the fetal stage
• Mother dog gets important nutrients that will help carry a pregnancy to full term.
• puppies can receive the nutrients they need through mother’s milk
• Bitch can get the body nourishment necessary to care for a new litter

It is not uncommon for a dog to have more than 10 puppies in a litter. All these pups will need to be cared for and the dam can only do so if they are feeding on a proper diet with all the important vitamins for pregnant dogs.

Vitamins for pregant Dogs and nursing dogs

Top on the list of vitamins to include in your expectant or lactating bitch’s diet include;

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Choline

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is necessary both in the pregnant phase and lactating phase. It is the vitamin necessary for cell differentiation and organ development in the fetal stage. In addition, vitamin A is important for;

• Boosting immune function
• Preventing fetal malformation
• Ensuring healthy puppy growth in the nursing phase

B Vitamin For Pregnant Dogs

Vitamin B is a group of vitamins that are vital for your dog’s health. They are also thought to be the best vitamins for nursing dogs, thus puppy parents should limit their intake. 

The main B vitamins required by pregnant dogs include;

• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B9
• Vitamin B12

Vitamin B1

Thiamine, also referred to as vitamin B1, has a role in the metabolism of glucose and energy in both mother dogs and puppies. It is also an essential vitamin in brain development because it opens ion channels in the brain that help dogs process stimuli. 

Vitamin B5

Pantothenic acid, often known as vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin. It aids in the production of energy and useful coenzymes. Puppies will also need Pantothenic acid to metabolize proteins and fats. This vitamin also promotes healthy skin and coat in both mother dogs and pups.

Pregnant dogs require 12mg/kg of vitamin B5 for reproduction and fetal development.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is necessary for red blood cell production and the metabolism of glucose. A pregnant dog also needs vitamin B6 for hormonal balance and immune response. B6 is also a necessary vitamin for the synthesis of vitamin B3 and DNA.

Vitamin B9

Vitamin B9 or folate or folic acid aids in the creation of mitochondria, the energy-producing organelle inside every body cell.

Vitamin B12

Cobalamin or vitamin B12 combines with niacin to support the activity of enzymes. In the early stages of pregnancy, vitamin B12 is combined with folic acid and vitamin B6 to develop the neural pathways and nervous system of the fetus. This vitamin also helps in cell division leads to the growth of the fetus into a puppy.

Vitamin E

Pregnant or nursing dogs require plenty of vitamin E for puppy development both in the pre-natal and post-natal stages. This vitamin is important for fetal cell division, body metabolism, and the growth of the skeletal structure and immune system. Vitamin E also helps puppies grow and maintain healthy muscles and reproductive systems.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps in blood coagulation a necessary action for a bitch that is healing from c-section delivery. Puppies need plenty of vitamin K for the synthesis of fast healing of wounds when they get cuts or bruises as they play.

Choline

Choline is a vitamin that works like the B vitamins for pregnant dogs. It is produced in the liver and can be found in most meats, vegetables like sweet potato, and nuts. Choline is a catalyst for chemical reactions in the body especially those that control the nervous system.

Important minerals for pregnant and nursing dogs.

Minerals work independently or together with vitamins for pregnant dogs to promote the health of both young and older dogs. For dogs that are expecting or are nursing a new litter, there are specific minerals that are important for their physiological and emotional well-being.

These minerals for dogs include;

• Calcium and phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Iron
• Copper
• Zinc
• Selenium

Calcium and phosphorus

Calcium and phosphorus work together to improve the health of the mother dog and puppies. Puppies need calcium and phosphorus, right from the fetal stage, for the growth of healthy bones and teeth. The mother dog uses these two minerals to produce milk, so she needs to supplement with calcium and phosphorus to replenish depleted levels.

Also, calcium and phosphorus are important for;

• Blood coagulation
• Hormone secretion
• Blood circulation through constricting and relaxing of blood vessels
• Catalyzing of enzymes
• Transmission of nerve impulses

Potassium, Sodium, and Chloride

Potassium, sodium, and chloride are important electrolytes required by all dogs, young or senior. Electrolytes are important for maintaining fluid balance in a dog’s body. In addition, a nursing dog and its pups need potassium, sodium, and chloride for;

• Nerve impulse transmission
• Sending signal for muscle contraction
• Maintaining internal body PH

Iron

Iron is a necessary mineral that facilitates the circulation of oxygen throughout the body. It is one of the minerals that nourish the chief oxygen-carrying proteins in the body- hemoglobin, and myoglobin. Both bitch and puppy need iron to strengthen their immune system. 

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that sustains bones, enzymes, and body cells. Also, a young and senior dog needs magnesium for neural communication between the nerves and the muscles. Magnesium is important for reproduction, fetal development, and the overall health of the mother dog. 

Copper

Like magnesium, copper helps in the creation and maintenance of neurotransmitters and the bone/skeletal structure. Copper is also a vital mineral that helps in the pigmentation of the hair and skin. Dogs and puppies need this mineral for antioxidant defense and red blood cell development. 

Zinc

Dogs need zinc to activate enzymes and hormones that regulate most of their biological functions. Zinc as a vital mineral also helps in reproduction, puppy growth, protein digestion, and wound healing. Your dog also needs zinc to keep its immune system strong. 

Selenium

Selenium is a mineral that boosts a dog’s antioxidant protection and is also needed for thyroid health. Combined with other minerals, selenium is crucial for dog reproduction, growth, and development, as well as body maintenance. 

Why pregnant dog needs Bullyade vitamins for dogs supplement

Feeding your pregnant dog a healthy diet is the first step to ensuring it is getting all the vitamins and minerals that will keep them healthy during pregnancy until they give birth to a healthy litter. 

But it does not stop there. Most dogs give birth to more than 10 puppies and feeding all these pups can be a challenge. Also, as the mother dog nurses its pups, she goes through hormonal and bodily changes that will affect her ability to fend for her pups. 

The mother dog must get a proper diet, rich in minerals and vitamins, to facilitate birth and milk production. However, it can get challenging to balance all the nutrients required for pregnancy and lactation. 

This is where Bullyade vitamins for pregnant dogs comes in. Bullyade is rich in vitamins for pregnant dogs and minerals required by dogs of all ages. As a dog multivitamin, the Bullyade supplement for dogs has over 22 amino acids which are the main proteins required by dogs for growth and development.

It is not uncommon for pregnant dogs to feel exhausted and dehydrated after giving birth. so needs Bullyade supplements to keep the mother dog properly hydrated because it contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphorus, and potassium which replenish lost electrolytes during breastfeeding.