Pregnancy & lactation are critical times to provide optimal nutrition
If you are not continuously breeding then the below pre-packaged options would likely be a great fit for you.
If you are a breeder who produces more than one litter per year, then custom nutrition services are going to be a better fit because you need more on and a consistent basis.
Custom nutrition services are packaged based on your program’s needs. There is a section on the request form where you can tell me about your needs and I will create a custom package for your breeding program.
All balanced diet recipes for pregnant and lactating dogs are formulated to meet individual needs, based on the guidelines published by National Research Council’s book on Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats (NRC) 2006 edition.
I use the female’s specific physiology and genetic profile (if available).
Recipes are carefully formulated using whole foods and appropriate food grade supplements. It is important to provide a nourishing diet that optimally supports your female & her litter. Depending on which stage of pregnancy/lactation your female is at determines how her meals are formulated. The further along your female gets in her pregnancy, the more her energy needs increase to support her litter.
The later stages of gestation require your female to eat frequent, balanced meals + snacks. At the latest stage of gestation, calcium considerations become an even more crucial focus and it is very important to properly change the calcium intake.
Lactation brings high demands of energy on the dam and she must be fed frequently and calorically appropriate to support her own body and the growing pups in her litter.
Caloric intake increases dramatically and careful attention is crucial to properly configure the appropriate meals and snacks for lactation. The dam’s diet impacts her milk production. Weeks 3 and 4 of lactation are generally the most demanding on the dam. Appropriate adjustments to calories, types of calories, and calcium among other nutrients during this time are crucial.
Client Onboarding Package
A welcome package outlining your formulation project details and timeframe.
A Balanced Feeding System You can Adjust Through Gestation & Lactation
Your dog’s recipes are formulated using canine nutrition guidelines and balanced per recommended nutrition standards. The feeding systems are built with customizations that allow you to adjust the calories, batch sizes, and supplement boosts as you need to. Recipes are formulated for your specific breeding dog’s nutrition needs and will not be applicable to another dog as the formulation is that specific.
I do not use chicken in formulations unless there is specific reasons as it is a commonly problematic protein for dogs. Additionally, using better protein options allow for fewer additional ingredients.
Each recipe includes one minor adjustment to the type of ingredients used for fiber and or antioxidants, as anything further than that would cause the recipe to be imbalanced and require a complete reformulation.
Shopping List
I take the guesswork out of what to buy & how much to buy with a complete ingredients list that includes measurements for your balanced recipes. You can take this with you to the store or have it next to you for online shopping and use it to buy the amount you need based on your meal or batch size.
Gut Support Information
It is crucial to provide gut support to females during pregnancy and lactation, especially with certain breeds. As part of your package, you receive gut support information specific to your dog.
Skin + Coat Support Protocol
Many dogs experience skin & coat issues post whelp so it is important to support them before and after whelp nutritionally. Specific nutrients should be boosted in a balanced way to help manage this.
Skeletal Support Protocol
Gestation, whelping, recovery, and lactation take a lot out of a dam. Providing her with skeletal support during gestation and after is very important to help her body frame, joints, ligaments, etc. to return to normal.
Custom Instructional Video
A recorded 20-30 minute instruction video that is custom to your dog on how to use your feeding system and education about various topics ranging from ingredients used to guidance on essential nutrients and any lactation support snacks and protocols that have been used for your dog.
1:1 Video Meeting or Phone Call (Full Scope & Ongoing Breeding Program Clients Only)
One 60 min 1:1 video meeting or phone call to review and discuss the completed formulations and phases of the nutrition plans for the Dam and puppies.
How many 1:1’s & what kind depends on the services retained.
*Two Weeks of Client Support
I provide two weeks of client support to my clients upon project delivery so I can answer any questions you might have or help you with an adjustment that you might need. This doesn’t mean you can’t contact me after this time period if needed; I am happy to offer discounted extended support to clients!
*Full scope gestation & lactation clients receive ongoing email support for the duration of our current project together.
Client Offboarding Package
A wrap-up of your project and information regarding extended support options and discount offer towards future services.
Balanced Diet Formulation for Breeding Dogs Package Options
- Two Balanced Recipes, Two Lactation Support Snacks, & One Weaning Recipe for the Litter... $225
- Full Scope Gestation + Lactation Formulation for Week One of Gestation Through Weaning... Custom Quote
- Ongoing Nutrition Services for Breeding Programs... Custom Quote
*Litter needs are factored into lactation support formulations