With a litter of 5, your girl definitely needs to be on a calcium supplement. I use the ones where one tablet is good for a 20 pound non-nursing dog. I give 1/2 tablet in the morning and 1/2 in the evening.
Along with the other foods mentioned, I've come to rely on beef liver for my new Moms. I just boil some up and give them a bit with their other food. I also keep the broth and pour that over food even if I don't add the liver with that meal. Liver seems to be the one thing that mine will never turn down, even if they're being picky.
Liver is a very nutrient dense food that goes a long way in replenishing the body after whelping. Think about it....your girl has created 5 pups from her body. It's very draining on them to build all that muscle, organs, skin and the skeletons off those babies. Liver is a near perfect food for rebuilding their bodies after such a process.
Once my girls get over their picky stage, they turn into little eating machines. They know they need to eat. With 5 babies, your girl will need lots of extra food for now. She may need to be fed up to 4 full meals a day as the pups grow. Just give her all she wants...she needs it. Provide well for her and she will be better equipped to provide for her babies.
Best of luck. |