My dog is pregnant, what should I feed her and how much?
All of our diets are suitable for pregnant bitches, except Kanga due to the low fat content - we don't recommend feeding this recipe exclusively. During the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, food requirements generally do not change, although it is recommended to increase the frequency of feeding with a minimum of twice a day. In the third trimester, we recommend not limiting her food intake, allowing her to consume as much as she wants. It is also important to ensure raw meaty bones are included to optimise calcium intake.
Related FAQs
What would you recommend for a dog with sensitive skin / irritated skin?
Big Dog Pet Foods Sensitive Skin recipe is complete and balanced and formulated to support dogs with skin issues by strengthening their immune system and nourishing their skin.
For dogs that have skin issues due to a food allergy, we have 3 single meat protein options available: Kangaroo, Turkey, and Goat.
Including a probiotic can be very beneficial for dogs with skin issues.
We recommend working with your vet to determine the cause of the itch or irritation.
Feeding raw food for sensitive skin.
My dog needs to lose weight, what's the best food for them?
We have two options for dogs requiring a low-fat diet to assist with weight loss. They are our Kangaroo recipe which sits at 5% fat and Wellbeing recipe which contains 7.5% fat. These two diets are our lowest-fat options and provide everything your dog needs, nutritionally, without the extra calories. To get the best results it’s important to also consider your dog’s daily physical exercise and treats in their diet.
Make sure you start by feeding them at their target weight. If that is a drastic goal, then slowly reduce their food intake over time to meet that goal.
Is your food suitable/beneficial for arthritis/joint conditions
Yes, Big Dog raw food diets are very beneficial for pets with arthritis. Our diets exclude poor quality ingredients such as processed wheat products, rancid fats and any other inflammatory arthritis aggravating ingredients. What our diets do include is healthy, high quality nutrition from natural sources. All of our raw food diets contain crushed cartilage and bone which contain the building blocks for maintaining healthy joints.
Fresh bone and cartilage are packed with calcium and other vital minerals, such as glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen as well as anti-inflammatory omega-3 essential fatty acids which promote cellular health, decrease inflammation and help with healthy ageing.
Our most suitable diets for dogs would be our Nourish Nutrition Joint+ Support, along with our Wellbeing diet. High in omega-3s, these diets help improve joint health through its anti-inflammatory ingredients. Our Wellbeing diet is great for joint issues that are driven by weight. Being a lower fat diet, it naturally assists in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight which will decrease additional pressure on the joints.
Dr Nicole's tips and tricks for preventing and managing arthritis
Can my pet eat Big Dog while on antibiotics since your food contains probiotics?
There is no problem with feeding our food when your pet is on antibiotics. The antibiotics may damage the probiotic ingredients that are in our food, but the probiotics will not negatively impact the effect of the antibiotics which have been prescribed for your pet. A course of probiotics after the antibiotics are finished is highly recommended to get gut health back on track.
Read more about supporting your dog's gut during and after antibiotic use
Is your food suitable/beneficial for pets with pancreatitis?
Veterinarians and Canine Nutritionists recommend high quality, low fat diets for pets with pancreatitis.
The low fat recipes in the Big Dog range include our our Wellbeing diet at 7.5% fat and our Kangaroo Single Protein diet at 5% fat.
We also have Optimal Support in our Nourish Nutrition range which contains ingredients that allows the body to detoxify, such as chlorella, dandelion, milk thistle, cordyceps, reishi which aids in the support of the pancreas. It also contains probiotics that contain digestive enzymes amylase, protease and lipase that will assist the pancreas when the pancreatic secretions are deficient. The fat content of Optimal Support is 10%.
It is important to work with your Vet or Canine Nutritional Professional for the management of conditions such as pancreatitis.
I think my dog is constipated, what can I do?
Our Wellbeing and Sensitive Skin Diet contains higher levels of dietary fibre, which naturally promotes a healthy intestine by adding bulk to their stool and helping the stool pass more quickly through the intestines. All our raw diets have a high moisture content to combat dehydration, which can be a common cause of constipation.
Our Big Dog Probiotics may also assist in improving intestinal function and combat constipation by introducing good flora (bacteria) to help draw water into the intestines and properly digest food.
Pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, or fig is a great addition to their meal or on its own if they have lost their appetite. These are all naturally high in fibre and packed full of vitamins and nutrients, which alleviate constipation and will make them feel full. Pureeing these foods may make it more appealing to your dog and the moisture in a puree can also help loosen your dog’s stool.1
Otherwise, dietary oils such as flax, fish, or coconut oil can also work to combat constipation.
Making sure they have plenty of water and are staying hydrated is incredibly important, as is continuing to exercise. Physical movement can trigger bowel movement, so take them out for a walk or get them running around the house.