Can hormones help my pregnant dog carry her puppies to full term?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Bugsy is the correct age, this is her first time being pregnant. I wouldn't advise progesterone supplementation in a case without a known history of problems with past pregnancies. Also, progesterone levels need to be monitored in those cases before beginning supplementation. Since you didn't state more information in your question, I would advise against giving this supplementation unless there is a good reason for it and progesterone levels have been measured. Good luck

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend feeding a pregnant dog puppy food. MOST dogs do not need a calcium supplement. Little breed dogs are at a higher risk of low calcium. Low calcium IF it will be a problem, occurs after birth during the first few days with large litters nursing or in small breed dogs. I wouldn't start a calcium supplement until all the puppies are born. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Pregnant bitches should be fed a high quality, complete food and should be fed the puppy stage from 6-7weeks plus to ensure a higher calorie intake. They should not need extra supplementation and be sure not to over supply calcium as this can predispose to eclampsia during birth or nursing

I don't normally recommend giving pregnant females any kind of extra calcium supplementation during pregnancy, since there is evidence to show that this can actually increase their risk of post-birth complications such as eclampsia. Instead, feed her a high-quality puppy food such as Royal Canin or Purina Pro Plan during her pregnancy and while she is nursing her puppies - puppy food has a higher calorie content than normal adult dog food, and will meet all of the mother's nutritional needs during this time without the need for any additional supplements.

Hi there. Unfortunately, natural calming supplements like Zylkene or Composure have not been tested in pregnant dogs, so it's not known whether they would be safe to use or not. You could try an Adaptil pheromone collar or diffuser, as this should be safe and may help some with her anxiety.

You need to make sure that she is fed a high quality dog food, such as Royal Canin or Hill's Science diet. Make sure she is up to date on her deworming treatments, and her flea treatments as well. Revolution spot on flea treatment is safe to use in pregnant dogs. She should also have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Do not give her any vitamin supplements, as too many vitamins can cause birth defects in the puppies, such as cleft palate from too much vitamin A. A high quality dog food will provide all the vitamins she needs to be healthy.

This product has not been tested for safety in pregnant dogs. That said, a quick search of individual ingredients reveals that licorice root and nettle root should not be given to pregnant dogs and echinacea should be used with caution in pregnant/nursing dogs. Since these are in the ingredient list and to be safe, you should not give this product to Vienna until she has whelped and the litter has been weaned.