Pregnancy can be an emotional experience for pooch and owner alike and you want to make sure you give them the very best, including the best dog food for pregnant dogs in the UK. As you support your dog on its journey to becoming a mother, it’s good to focus on how you can help. If you’re considering the idea of mating your dog, or have already started the process, understanding pregnancy in dogs is vital. With pregnancy, comes a few lifestyle changes for your family – for example, what to feed a pregnant dog and what dog food you buy them.
For most dogs, din-dins are an important part of their day. However, what might be great for one pooch, may not be any good for another. After all, dog food is not a one-size-fits-all product. Like us, every dog has preferences when it comes to chowing down, some with intolerances, allergies, and sensitivities. Luckily, lots of brands are making high-protein dog food to suit your pregnant dog that is safe for mum, as well as her little ones.
Best dog food for pregnant dogs at a glance:
• Best for pregnant sensitive stomachs: AVA, Optimum Health Medium Breed Dry Puppy Food Chicken - 15kg
• Best all-around food: James Wellbeloved, Dry Puppy Food Turkey and Rice - 2kg
• Best meat and rice food: Harringtons, Complete Dry Puppy Food Turkey and Rice - 10kg
• Popular dog food pick: Pedigree, Junior Wet Dog Food - 48 x 100g
• Best 'superfood' dog food: Pooch + Mutt, Complete Puppy Superfood - 1.5kg
For expert guidance, we spoke to Dr Linda Simon, the in-house Veterinary Surgeon for the brand Pooch & Mutt, who talked us through what food is best for pregnant dogs. For the first six weeks, you “want to feed them their regular diet and they do not need extra food at this stage,” says Linda. So, for this period of time, stick to their regular wet or dry dog food.
Then, when the six-week mark passes, Linda recommends changing their diet. Here, to support the puppies, it is advised to switch mum to high-quality puppy food, as “this has the extra calories and calories the puppies need.” That makes sense. Luckily, there is plenty of suitable puppy food for pregnant dogs on the market – and we’ve searched high (and low) to pick the best. At Take a Break Pets, we want to make sure your pooch is happy and healthy when expecting.
As always, we'd always recommend speaking to your vet for advice first and foremost if your dog is expecting.
Best food for pregnant dogs UK
Best pregnant dog food for high meat percentage
www.petsathome.com
Want more bark for your bite? Lily's Kitchen is known for its high meat content and lack of dog food 'fillers', meaning you're getting good sustenance for your pregnant pooch. Lily's Kitchen Complete Wet Puppy Food is made up of all-natural ingredients, including fresh meat, vegetables and herbs, plus all the vitamins and minerals to help support mum and pups.
Customer review: "We've been feeding our 16-week-old puppy Lily's Kitchen since we got her at 8 weeks. She LOVES it, it doesn't smell too bad, and the consistency is nice as far as dog food goes!"
Pros
- High meat percentage
- Fresh ingredients
- Great value
Cons
- May be considered more of a treat meal rather than everyday food
Best pregnant dog food for smaller breeds
If you have a particularly mini or small pregnant pooch, this Royal Canin MINI Puppy Dog Food is made with small breeds in mind. The kibble size is smaller compared to other dry food to be the right size for their little gnashers. This dry dog food will help to keep your dog's teeth clean, too.
Customer review: "Great product dogs overall condition has improved you feed less as better quality of food for nutrients. Would not change to cheaper products. Delivery was very good pleased with supplier use again. Best price I've found."
Pros
- Good quality
- Breed-specific
- Adapted kibble size
Cons
- Kibble may require more crunching compared to other dry food
Best dog food for pregnant sensitive stomachs
www.petsathome.com
Recommended by veterinarians, AVA Optimum Health Dry Puppy Food is a great choice if you want something trustworthy. With Imutiva, easily digested proteins, and a hypoallergenic recipe, this is perfect for any pregnant sensitive stomach. Calcium and Phosphorous help to maintain strong teeth and bones, while Omega 3 and 6 help keeps skin and coat in excellent condition.
Customer review: "After trying 3 different brands, Ava saved me, my 10-week puppy was having very runny stools, so I tried Ava and was amazed that his stools are now normal. One happy puppy!"
Pros
- Good quality dry food
- Hypoallergenic
- A source of easily digestible protein
Cons
- New reseal mechanism broken
Best all-around food for pregnant dogs
www.petsathome.com
This James Wellbeloved Complete Dry Puppy Food is suitable for pregnant dogs and their puppies aged two to six months. Made using 100 per cent natural turkey with no artificial flavours, colours or antioxidants, it's naturally hypoallergenic and has a blend of dietary fibres, making it good for your pooch's tum. This is a good all-around puppy food with substance and good value for money.
Customer review: "My Whippet puppy loves the particular food, it's a great size for her to chew. I love the fact as she's a grazer, and I can leave this food down, and she can come and eat whenever she feels like it, without the worry of it going off."
Pros
- Great for grazing dogs
- Excludes common allergens such as beef, pork, soya, eggs, dairy and wheat
- It contains natural prebiotics for a healthy digestion
Cons
- Not ideal for dogs who eat quickly
Best supermarket puppy food for pregnant dogs
www.sainsburys.co.uk
If you're looking for a value option that's easy to access in your supermarkets, Sainsbury's has a bargain. Complete with a variety of meats to give to your dog, this tempering selection in a richly savoury jelly provides a complete recipe that every pregnant pooch and her pups can enjoy. This Sainsbury's Complete Nutrition Puppy Food Meat Selection in Jelly also comes packed with vitamins and minerals needed for optimal nutritious goodness.
Customer review: "We have four big puppies and need something that is not too expensive to feed them on. They gobble this up well, so they obviously like it, and it seems very similar to other brands - but much better value. So would very much recommend it."
Pros
- Great value
- Easy to buy
- Three different flavours in a pack
Cons
- Small range
Best meat and rice food for pregnant dogs
This Harrington's Puppy Food Rich in Turkey and Rice puppy food is filled with Omega 6 and 3 oils to ensure your pregnant pooch's coat stays lovely and glossy. Rich in turkey and prebiotic FOS, it offers a good source of protein for energy, growth and repair while helping to maintain healthy digestion. Plus, it has no soy, wheat or dairy, making it a great choice for those sensitive stomachs.
Customer review: "Very good value and quality dog food. My Pomeranian puppies love it, and the odour isn't as bad as other brands. The biscuits are very small, so it's very good for 'toy dog' size."
Pros
- Great value
- Large bag, so it will last for a while
- Made in the UK
Cons
- You must have somewhere to store a large amount of food to ensure it stays fresh
Popular dog food pick
We've all heard of Pedigree dog food - it's a trustworthy brand that's been much loved by pooches and owners alike for years. Safe for pregnant dogs and puppies to eat for up to twelve months, these Pedigree Junior Wet Dog Food in jelly sachets will provide your pooch with 100 per cent of the nutrition they need. Vitamin E helps to support the immune system, zinc and sunflower oil provide a good source of Omega 6 to keep skin healthy, and calcium ensures bones grow strong.
Customer Review: "The puppies love this food, tried others, but they wouldn't eat them."
Pros
- Popular brand
- Includes two packs of 24
- Choice of flavours
Cons
- Not the best value
Best 'superfood' dog food for pregnant dogs
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
Now you can even get your hands on 'superfood' for puppies - yep, you read that right. Packed full of prebiotics, natural ingredients and supplements, this Pooch & Mutt Puppy Complete Superfood puppy food will make your pregnant pooch's tummy feel good. These are enhanced natural foods that are worth the investment. Subscribe to this recipe, and you can save 20 per cent off the RRP.
Customer review: "This is perfect for two small chihuahua puppies. Full of quality ingredients and apparently very easy for them to eat, digest and - importantly - get rid of!"
Pros
- Rich in antioxidants
- Grain-free and junk-free
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Only one flavour
FAQs
Is wet or dry food best for pregnant dogs?
Every dog will have their preference – and sometimes it’ll come down to what you find easiest to give them.
There are benefits to wet dog food, though, as it can “improve hydration levels, which can ensure mum produces enough milk,” says Linda. When it comes time to wean the puppies off milk, they find wet the easiest to eat and will “be more encouraged to do so if they see mum eat the same food.”
Dr Linda Simon says that “either can be fed, or you can mix feed” when feeding a pregnant dog.
Do pregnant dogs need to eat more?
“From six weeks, mum will need more calories,” says Linda. And - if you’ve got your pregnant pooch eating puppy food six weeks into their pregnancy, then calorie-dense puppy food should be fine. After all, calorie-dense puppy food will have all the right nutrients to help her stay strong. Plus, it'll pass nutrients to her growing puppies and eventually into her milk. Make sure to introduce your dog to the new food gradually to allow her stomach time to adjust.
Is there anything I shouldn’t give a pregnant dog?
Food-wise, there seems to be no change to what you normally shouldn’t be giving your dog. That’s a plus. Putting high-quality and calorie-dense puppy food in your dog's bowl should give your pooch all it needs and more for the pups. So, there’s no need for things like supplements for pregnant dogs – unless prescribed.
Moreover, Dr Linda Simon has given us some advice on what medication to avoid:
“Certain medicine and parasite prevention cannot be given, so always double-check with your vet before giving medicine. Do not give any supplements unless prescribed. Things like calcium supplements can do more harm than good.”
What to feed a pregnant dog that won't eat?
Front of the Pack has given us some pointers to this question, to help your pregnant get its appetite back. So, if your expectant dog leaves half of her food, "decrease the amount that you give and introduce additional meal or snack times to allow your dog to ingest smaller amounts at her own pace." If your pooch is picky, why not take a look at our fussy dog food guide, where we make suggestions on what to eat - or supplement their food with?
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she's not barking about dog supplements, she's online devouring cat content.