The reason why a breastfeeding dog would loose drastic weight.

My friend whose dog is breastfeeding has been complaining about weight loss for some days and we were trying to look for the possible reason why that could be a problem, together, we came up with some possible causes of problems and a solution that can be applied before it becomes a serious issue, but before we get to that point, let us start from the beginning.

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Before making the choice of dog breeding, you should first consult your vet who will assess the physical health of your pet, check for abnormalities including its' physical health, and then inform you as the owner of the possible complications that could come out of the check. That your dog gets high-value nutritional food is important before and after delivery, as every dog is different, and understanding the health of your dog is highly important before you choose to feed them whatsoever and whenever.

Just like other mammals, a pregnant dog has the responsibility to provide all the required nutrients to their pups before birth and even after birth, the nutritional value of the dog plays a major role in the promotion of proper lactation and raising happy, growing pups. The little dogs are also helped in the growth and sustenance of their immune system, fighting off infections that could compromise the health status of your puppy. At this point whatever your dog eats is not for herself alone, she is eating for herself and her puppies as well. As a result, not only does pregnancy and nursing change the eating habit of your dog, but their lifestyle is also affected.

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In some cases, both mother and newborn puppies will require very little assistance, a warm place preferably a whelping box with lots of food and fresh water. A nursing mother may get very aggressive at the point of birth and while the children are still tender, but once the puppies begin to eat on their own, they will start to explore the environment and at that point, the mother will allow some help with feeding, cleaning, and even stay away from the children longer.

When the puppies are under 4 weeks;
Create an upside-down box with a small walkaway path that will make babies close to their mother, ensure that several layers are kept at the bottom of the box, and it will come right in time when puppies begin to play around the room.
Also, place water bowls that are unable to trip, use stainless steel instead of plastic, also make sure that adequate food is provided from time to time with lots of clean towels and blankets.

But then, what could make a nursing dog lose weight is what we will be getting into next, as the physical demands of pregnancy and nursing are high, a dog that has a lower ideal health will experience difficulties. An underweight dog usually has difficulty consuming food that will support its own nutritional needs as well as the needs of its growing puppies, it is safe to say if a pet does not consume the needed level of nutritional value for herself and her pet, then weight loss is not far-fetched.

Just to be sure that you are feeding your pet the adequate required balanced diet, AKC recommends that you provide a highly digestible diet that contains a sufficient amount of fat and protein, this will help your dog support the growth of their puppies, it is also advised that there is a gradual food intake increase during pregnancy in order to ensure healthy weight gain and adequate caloric intake, with this, the weight of the mother will be supported according to body condition before breeding and the health of both mother and children will also be sustained all through pregnancy and lactation stage. High-quality, and nutrient-dense dog food is necessary for your pet at this stage. Feeding is a lot for pregnant and breastfeeding puppies and supporting the nutritional need of your lactating dog will help prevent malnourishment, poor milk production and even thinning of the hair.

Apart from the fact that my friend visibly noticed weight loss in her own pet, it could take time before it starts to show, and the health of your dog. Appropriate hydration would help to avoid any form of complication, especially if she is refusing food. While my friend's pet may be losing weight as a result of the lack of some nutritional availability, it doesn't mean this will be the same issue all the time, because some cases will require instant and immediate visits to the vet's shop.

It isn't normal for puppies to lose weight as they grow, they should gain weight instead, so when you notice your pet is losing weight as they grow older, then you need to see a vet. On the other hand, your pet may be losing weight due to an underlying health condition, and the risk of catching a disease for a growing pet increases with age.
Kindly have it in mind that, weight loss combined with feelings of illness is not normal at all, so when you notice that, ensure to book an appointment with your vet instantly.

In conclusion, the weight loss of a pet is highly dependent on the nutritional content of food given especially in the case of a breastfeeding dog, but with that being ruled out, sudden weight loss especially coupled with symptoms of sickness has to be reported instantly to the vet for examination and treatment.

References.

https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/why-your-dog-is-losing-weight

https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Animal_Services/Foster_Care_Manual/Nursing_Mother_Dogs_and_Their_Puppies.pdf

https://www.iams.com/dog/dog-articles/nutritional-needs-pregnant-and-nursing-dogs