Yes, weighing them using a scale would be best, even just a small food scale will work; they're not very expensive. Really, mom doesn't need any special foods, though while she is nursing feeding her a quality puppy food is best. If you use a kibble, have it available to her 24/7 so she can eat at will. Her appetite will increase a lot as the pups nurse more and more. I also give my girls "Doc Roy's Healthy Bones" every day while nursing; you can buy it from the Revival Animal Health website.
I think the "no extra calcium" you are reading about is the rule for pre-whelping. To much extra calcium before she has pups could cause the body to think it doesn't need to make as much, and after the pups are born that could mean trouble/eclampsia. After the pups are born added calcium is a good thing......the Healthy Bones' tablets are a good supplement. |