Supporting your dog during pregnancy and lactation and her weaned puppies

Supporting your dog on her pregnancy journey is one of life's special privileges. Your connection with her grows as you prepare a safe space to bring her puppies into the world. But the most meaningful way you can help her is through her diet. Not only will it keep her healthy and strong during this demanding time, but it will also give her puppies the best start in life. Just like humans, our canine companions have additional nutritional needs to perform the miracle of creating new life. Her energy requirements to grow and nurse a litter of multiple puppies can be 3-4 times as high. During this period, she'll need a nutrient and energy-dense diet.

The immunity gap Your dog is pregnant for nine weeks and can nurse for up to six weeks. When an infant puppy transitions from milk to solids, their immunity drops, as they no longer have the support of Colostrum. Their immune systems are still very immature at six weeks old, and it can take up to five months to fully develop. This period between six weeks and five months is known as the immunity gap.

Our team of nutritionists teamed up with veterinarians to develop PRO PLAN® Performance starter. This unique, high-protein formula fuels your dog's energy needs while she's pregnant and nursing. It also meets the AAFCO requirements for puppy development. It's enriched with essential nutrients like DHA for brain and vision development and Calcium to build strong bones and teeth. Best of all, our Starter formula is fortified with Colostrum, which supports the immune response. This can help protect puppies in those vulnerable first months. Allow us to handle the nutritional needs of your dog and her litter, so you can focus on showering them all with love.