• Is This Dog Food Appropriate for a Pregnant or Nursing Dam?

  • This form will assist you in determining if a specific dog food is appropriate for a pregnant or nursing bitch. Many breeders also feed foods that meet these criteria for their stud dogs and bitches they are preparing to breed.

    Use the information from the dog food label or container to fill in the information below.

  • What Dog Food Are You Analyzing?

  • What AAFCO Standard does this food meet?

    Examine the label on this dog food to find the following information. It can be difficult to find so keep looking. It is sometimes found near the calorie listing under Feeding Guidelines.

  • Macronutrient Percentages

    Find these percentages in the dog food's guaranteed analysis either on the label or the manufacturer's website.

  • Calcium and Phosphorus

    Find the percent of calcium and the percent of phosphorus in the food's Guaranteed Analysis. This calculator will help you determine the Ca:Ph ratio in the food you are considering.

  • Total Calcium

    In addition to the calcium-phosphorus ratio, it's important to know the total calcium your dog would get each day if it ate this food. This requires knowing the calories in this food. 

    Look on the label for kcal (kilocalories) or Metabolisable Energy (ME). It should look like ME Kcal/kg:1440. This means there are 1440 kcal in each kilogram or 2.2 pounds. Below enter the Kcal per kilogram (kg). 


  • (optional) How many grams of food does your dog eat each day? Using your puppy scale or a kitchen scale, measure out your dog's daily food and weigh it on the scale. Enter the number of grams here. Currently, you must measure this in grams not pounds or ounces.

  • Phytoestrogens

    There is some research in humans, rodents, and dogs showing that foods high in chemicals called phytoestrogens can negatively affect fertility, sexual development, thyroid, and other hormonal systems. Small amounts of these foods in your dog's diet likely will have no negative effects but if you are having fertility issues in your dogs, it might be best to avoid these ingredients. 

  • Does this food meet the criteria for pregnant and/or nursing bitches?

  • Print this analysis or take notes on these results. We do not have a way to email them to you.

  • Is this food formulated for pregnant & nursing bitches per the AAFCO?

  • No, adult maintenance foods are not formulated for pregnant or nursing bitches and therefore most likely do not provide adequate nutrition for dam and puppies. They can however be used as a small part of her overall diet, for example, Fresh Pet dog food as a treat to encourage her to eat.

  • No, supplemental foods are not formulated for pregnant or nursing bitches and therefore most likely do not provide adequate nutrition for dam and her puppies. They can however be used as a small part of her overall diet, for example, canned tripe as a treat to encourage her to eat.

  • Unknown. Unlabeled dog foods or those you make yourself require you to ensure the food is designed to be a complete and balanced food for reproduction. We recommend you use the:

    • basic criteria in the Avidog guidelines
    • broader AAFCO Growth and Reproduction standard
    • sources such as the USDA food database to create your bitch's diet.

  • Yes, foods labeled All-Life Stages and Growth and Reproduction are formulated for your bitch and her pups. However, you can optimize her diet using the criteria below to ensure she and her pups have the best nutrition possible.

  • Are this food's macronutrient levels appropriate for pregnant and nursing bitches?

    The percentages below have been converted to a "dry matter basis" so you can compare foods, regardless of type. This means you can compare kibble to raw to canned foods with the numbers below.

  • Does NOT Meet Protein Goal. Your goal with your bitch's reproductive diet is that she gets 29% or higher based on dry-matter analysis. This food does not meet the protein goal for reproductive diets. We would recommend you find another food that is higher in protein.

  • Meets Protein Goal. Your goal with your bitch's reproductive diet is that she gets 29% or higher based on dry-matter analysis. There is no too-high protein percentage so don't worry if the food is well above 29%. This food meets our protein goal for reproductive diets.

  • Does NOT Meet Fat Goal. Your goal with your bitch's reproductive diet is that she gets 18% or higher based on dry-matter analysis. This food does not meet the fat goal for reproductive diets. We would recommend you find a food higher in fat.

  • Meets Fat Goal. Your goal with your bitch's reproductive diet is that she gets 18% or more fat based on dry-matter analysis. There is no scientific limit on the amount of fat you can feed but if your girl gets diarrhea or puts more weight than she should, look for a food lower in fat but still meets the goal for reproductive diets.

  • Is this food's calcium-phosphorus ratio appropriate for pregnant and nursing bitches?

  • Although there are many minerals and vitamins essential to your dog's health, the balance between calcium and phosphorus is especially critical during pregnancy and lactation. This balance is called the calcium-phosphorus ratio and is annotated at Ca:Ph. 

    Your goal is to feed a food with a Ca:Ph no lower than 1:1, so 1% calcium for every 1% phosphorus and no higher than 1.3:1 or 1.3% calcium to 1 percent phosphorus. The idea ratios fall between 1:1 to 1.2:1.

    This calculator will help you determine the Ca:Ph ratio in the food you are considering.

  • No, this food is low in calcium. This food has a low amount of calcium for pregnant or nursing bitches. The lower that number is below 1, the greater the risk. Low calcium may cause dystocia or whelping problems, aberrant or strange behaviors after whelping, and even eclampsia, a life-threatening acute condition in lactating bitches. We recommend you select a food with a Ca:Ph ratio between 1:1 and 1.3.1.

  • No, this food is high in calcium. This food has a high a calcium percentage for pregnant or nursing bitches. The further this number is from 1.3, the higher the risk. Bitches can handle more calcium than phosphorus for days or even a week or two but over a long period, this imbalance can weaken their bones, cause muscle cramps or spasms, and trigger rashes and itching. We recommend you select a food with a Ca:Ph ratio between 1:1 and 1.3.1.

  • Yes, this food has an adequate Ca:Ph ratio. This food has an adequate Ca:Ph ratio of between 1.21:1 and 1.3:1, which is fine for both pregnant and lactating bitches. 

  • Yes, this food has an optimal Ca:Ph ratio. This food has an optimal Ca:Ph ratio of between 1:1 and 1.2:1 for both pregnant and lactating bitches.

  • Does this food have an appropriate amount of daily calcium?

  • In addition to a proper Ca:Ph balance, bitches need an appropriate amount of calcium in their diet. the current standard is 2.5 to 4.0 grams of calcium for every 1000 kcal. The AAFCO maximum for all dogs is 4.5 grams calcium per 1000 kcal.

  • Is this food high in phytoestrogens?

  • There is some research in humans, rodents, and dogs showing that foods high in chemicals called phytoestrogens can negatively affect fertility, sexual development, thyroid, and other hormonal systems. Small amounts of these foods in your dog's diet likely will have no negative effects but if you are having fertility issues in your dogs, it might be best to avoid these ingredients. 

  • Some Phytoestrogens. There is some research indicating that diets made with phytoestrogens, like legumes, soy, and flax meal (not oil), can affect fertility, the onset of puberty, and endocrine function, like thyroid. You might consider avoiding foods with soy, legumes like peas, flax linseed meals (not oil)s, and alfalfa for your breeding dogs.

  • High Phytoestrogens. There is some research indicating that diets high in phytoestrogens, like legumes, soy, and flax meal (not oil), can affect fertility, the onset of puberty, and endocrine function, like thyroid. You might consider avoiding foods with soy, legumes like peas, flax linseed meals (not oil)s, and alfalfa for your breeding dogs.

  • No Phytoestrogens. This food does not appear to contain phytoestrogens, like legumes, soy, and flax meal (not oil), which can have a negative effect on fertility, the onset of puberty, and endocrine function, like thyroid. 

  • If you would like to receive a copy of your input, enter your name and email address before clicking Submit. This email will not include our evaluation of the food, only the fields you inputted so be sure to take notes on the evaluation you received here.

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