Is it your first time? Activate the discount code EATMONSTER or EATMONSTERCAT in Bonuscard to try Monster with 50% off. Note! Only applies to those who have not bought Monster before. Read the terms in the Bonuscard app.
%20copy.avif)
When your female dog is pregnant and expecting puppies, or has just given birth, her nutritional needs change significantly. She needs more energy, more protein, and a nutritional profile tailored to support both her body and the growth and development of her puppies. If you choose the wrong food, she may lose weight, produce less milk, and the puppies may be negatively affected.
Here, we’ll go over everything you need to know and which Monsterfoder product is best suited for each stage.
How do nutritional needs change during pregnancy and lactation?
During the first few weeks of pregnancy, the dog’s nutritional needs are roughly the same as usual; the puppies are tiny and do not grow significantly during this early stage of pregnancy. However, starting in week 7, the puppies begin to grow, and the mother dog’s nutritional needs increase:
• Weeks 1–6 of gestation: 100% of maintenance requirements; no change in calorie intake is needed
• Weeks 7–9 of gestation: 150% — gradually increase the feed ration
• Birth and Week 1: 150% - During their first week of life, puppies lose a small amount of weight in the first few days before their sucking reflex is fully established and they begin to nurse more. *
• Feeding in week 2: 200% — the need increases sharply immediately after whelping
• Lactation weeks 3–5: 300% — peak nutritional requirement; the bitch produces the most milk
• Feeding, Week 6: 250% — the puppies begin to eat solid food; the mother dog’s food requirements decrease
• Weaning, week 7: 200% – get the puppies used to the right puppy food before delivery
• Lactation, Week 8: 125% — puppy delivery, the mother is recovering
*If you significantly increase her food intake at this stage, the mother dog may develop milk stagnation, which is both painful and uncomfortable; in the worst-case scenario, the milk may spoil and the puppies will be unable to nurse from her.
This means that a female dog at the peak of lactation may need three times as much nutrition as usual if she has had a large litter. This places an enormous strain on her body—and on her diet.
The top choice for a pregnant or nursing female dog is Monster Original Dynamite. It’s a high-energy dry food with a high meat content, developed for dogs with high energy needs—and it’s perfectly suited to a female dog’s body during these demanding months.
✅ 4,520 kcal/kg — one of the most energy-dense dog foods available on the market.
✅ Protein 32% / Fat 28% — high meat content from chicken and turkey.
✅ Probiotics and prebiotics — support digestive health during the physical demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
✅ Omega fatty acids — essential for puppies’ brain development through their mother’s milk.
Learn more about Monster Original Dynamite here.
✅ 4038 kcal/kg — a high-energy, energy-dense feed in our Classic line.
✅ Protein 30% / Fat 20% — high meat content from chicken and turkey.
✅ Probiotics and prebiotics — support gut health during times of stress and help increase milk production.
✅ Omega fatty acids — essential for puppies’ brain development through their mother’s milk.
If your dog is a small breed or prefers smaller kibble, we recommend choosing Monster Puppy S/M instead.
If your female dog is a small breed, or simply prefers smaller kibble, Monster Original Puppy Small & Medium or Monster Grain-Free Puppy S/M are excellent options. The puppy food for S/M breeds has a sufficiently high energy and protein content to meet your dog’s needs during pregnancy and lactation.
✅ Monster Original Puppy S/M Chicken/Turkey: 4,029 kcal/kg, Protein 31%, Fat 18%.
✅ Monster Original Puppy Sensitive White Fish: 3,929 kcal/kg Protein: 30%, Fat: 16.5%.
✅ Monster GF Puppy S/M Turkey/Chicken: 3,860 kcal/kg, Protein 31%, Fat 18%.
✅ Monster GF Puppy S/M Lamb/Duck: 3,813 kcal/kg, Protein 28%, Fat 17%.
This is important. Puppy L/XL products — should never be fed to pregnant or nursing bitches. These foods are specifically formulated for the growth of large-breed puppies and have a different mineral ratio that is not suitable for the bitch’s nutritional needs during this phase. They are also slightly less energy-dense, which means the mother may not be getting enough nutrition for herself and her puppies. This can lead to:
* Weight loss in the female dog
* Decreased milk production
* Slower growth in puppies
Rule of thumb: Dynamite, High Energy, or Puppy S/M for pregnant or nursing dogs—never Puppy L/XL or other products with fewer calories.
During the most intense weeks of lactation, or if the mother has a poor appetite immediately after giving birth, wet food can be an excellent supplement. It is flavorful, easy to digest, and provides extra fluids—which are important for a mother producing large amounts of milk.
✅ Monster Dynamite Wet Food — extra high in energy, the perfect complement to Dynamite dry food →View product
✅ Monster Power Pâté—high in protein and appetizing → View product
✅ Monster Baby Dog Mousse — a soft mousse that’s easy to lick up if your dog has trouble eating → View product
