Taking Care of Your Great Dane Bitch: Appropriate Care In and After Whelp
Taking Care of Your Great Dane Bitch: Appropriate Care In and After Whelp
By: Gale Renz
One of the most important jobs any responsible Great Dane breeder has is caring for their dogs. Happy, healthy Great Danes produce happy, healthy baby puppies! Great Dane bitches have some special needs, such as special care to provide appropriate nutrition to moderate the stress to the bitch’s body as she carries a litter of puppies, whelps and feeds the litter for four to six weeks. These activities place a huge demand on a body. It is especially important to feed a premium quality, naturally preserved kibble and/or complete natural diet that will meet the needs of the bitch in the various stages of whelp. There are many wonderful commercial foods on the market with a balance of nutrients that have been established through extensive research to meet the nutritional needs of specific dogs at different stages of their lives. A naturally preserved, super premium quality kibble with a base of fresh beef, chicken or lamb that is formulated with a balance of vegetables and whole grains for adult dogs is a good choice. A supplement containing Vitamin E, Ester C, and garlic is an appropriate choice for a bitch in whelp. My vet also recommends a supplement of 1000 mgs. of coral calcium the two weeks before delivery. This is the only time in a Great Dane’s life that I would ever advocate supplementing the diet with a source of calcium. The best indicator that a bitch is receiving adequate nutrition is her coat and body condition. Over the years, I have found that paying close attention to my bitches’ coat condition (it should be shiny-even after whelp and while nursing), eye luster and expression(should be bright eyed and serene after recovering from whelp-by 72 hours after whelping is complete),
as well as overall body condition, I am able to have bitches who are not adversely affected by whelping stress. It is so much more satisfying to see a calm, bright-eyed bitch enjoying her litter of puppies rather than a stressed out mommy. Keeping your bitches in optimum condition takes care and commitment and it is well worth the effort!
Byline:
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great
Dane Breeder and owner / founder of dynamitedanes.com
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