The best dry food for a pregnant dog is a high-quality, calorie-dense kibble labeled as complete and balanced for “growth and reproduction” or “all life stages,” such as a puppy formula or a dedicated pregnancy food like Royal Canin Starter Mother. Our five picks below are Rachael Ray Nutrish, Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, Taste of the Wild, and Wellness CORE. Life-stage labels matter; if you've picked up the wrong bag for another dog, see what to do if you accidentally bought puppy food.
Before the reviews, here’s a quick look at what a pregnant dog actually needs, so you can check any food against it.
What to Look for in Food for a Pregnant Dog
- The right life-stage label. Look for the AAFCO (or equivalent) statement “complete and balanced for growth and reproduction” or “for all life stages.” Food made only for adult maintenance may not provide enough energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus in late pregnancy and while nursing.
- Plenty of calories and protein. Her energy needs rise mainly in the last third of pregnancy and peak while she’s nursing.
- DHA. This omega-3 fatty acid supports the puppies’ brain and eye development.
- No extra calcium supplements. Giving calcium on top of a balanced diet during pregnancy can actually raise the risk of eclampsia (dangerously low blood calcium) after whelping. Only supplement if your vet tells you to.
- A gradual switch. Change foods slowly over about a week, ideally early in the pregnancy, to avoid stomach upsets.
How Much to Feed a Pregnant Dog
For the first five to six weeks, most dogs can eat roughly their normal amount. After that, gradually increase her portions so that by her due date she is eating noticeably more than usual, often about a quarter to half more, split into several smaller meals since her belly has less room. Healthy weight gain is expected, but your vet can tell you the right amount for your dog.
Call your vet if your pregnant dog stops eating for more than a day, vomits repeatedly, has a smelly or green discharge, or seems weak or lethargic. Also check with your vet before feeding a grain-free diet, since some grain-free foods have been investigated for a possible link to a heart condition called DCM.
At a glance
5 picks, each best at something different
1Rachael Ray Nutrish
If you are looking for a value for money dry food for pregnant dogs, look no further than Rachael Ray Nutrish. It comes with a delicious flavor, combining brown rice with chicken, making it irresistible for dogs.
Besides powering the flavor, chicken takes the top spot as the main ingredient, ensuring a high protein intake for your pregnant dog. Additionally, the combination of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids promotes healthy skin and coat.
The formula also contains EPA and DHA, which support brain and vision development, while the calcium supports bone health. However, some dog owners have noticed their dogs putting on extra weight with this food. Some weight gain is normal during pregnancy, but too much can make whelping harder, so keep an eye on her body condition.
In short, if you try it, switch over gradually and check her weight and stools over the following weeks.
Pros
- Budget-friendly dog food
- Delicious brown rice and chicken flavor
- Promotes bone health and healthy skin and coat
- Contains EPA and DHA for better vision and brain health
Cons
- It might trigger weight gain
2Purina Pro Plan
If your dog loves chicken, the Purina Pro Plan is undoubtedly worth considering. And why do we say so? Well, this dry food maintains chicken as its primary ingredient, making it a powerhouse for protein. In fact, a cup of Purina Pro Plan contains about 456 calories, which is helpful for pregnant dogs who need more energy in a smaller volume.
Revolving around the primary protein are ingredients like fish oil, calcium, and phosphorus that promote eyes, brain, and bone health. Furthermore, the presence of antioxidants enhances the immune system while making the formula highly digestible.
The only downside of this dry food is that it contains wheat and corn, which can cause stomach problems in some sensitive dogs.
In short, switch over gradually and watch whether your dog develops stomach issues like constipation or diarrhea.
Pros
- High-calorie count per cup
- Easy to digest
- Contains vital ingredients, including calcium and phosphorus
- Delightful rice and chicken flavor
Cons
- It might cause stomach issues
- Contains corn and wheat
3Royal Canin dry food
With a delightful chicken flavor and a detailed feeding guide, the Starter Mother dry food from Royal Canin is undoubtedly one of the best meals you can give to your dog.
This dry food is rich in calories, making it excellent for expectant dogs. Furthermore, the kibble softens into an oatmeal-like mush when mixed with water, which makes it easy for the mother to eat and is also handy later when weaning the puppies.
Additionally, the formula contains DHA, vitamins, and minerals to support an expectant dog and her puppies. However, we did feel that the price is on the expensive side, and it contains by-products.
Other than that, this dry food ticks all the boxes and is undoubtedly worth considering.
Pros
- Suitable for expectant dogs throughout the pregnancy period
- Higher calorie content
- Includes all the vital essentials, including vitamins and DHA
- Easy to digest
- It comes with a delightful chicken flavor
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Contains gluten and corn
4Taste of the Wild dry food
If you want a premium product for your pregnant dog, Taste of the Wild High Prairie might be the right choice for you. The premium venison and bison flavor will act as an aroma magnet for your dog, which comes with a high-calorie count of 415 per cup.
Furthermore, the fruit and superfood combination coupled with the primary ingredient (buffalo) will provide the much-needed energy for your expectant dog. You can also find prebiotics and probiotics that improve digestion and supplement other ingredients to enhance overall health.
One of the significant benefits of this dry food is that it contains no by-products, and it’s free from wheat, corn, and artificial flavors. Note that it is grain-free, so check with your vet first (see our note above).
However, we did find the aroma a bit overpowering, and you may have to feed your dog in a confined place. Furthermore, the price ends on the expensive side, so it is not for everyone.
Pros
- High-calorie count
- Delightful venison and bison flavor
- Easy to digest
- No filler products
Cons
- Expensive
- It comes with an overpowering aroma
5Wellness CORE
If the calorie count is what concerns you, our final product will suffice your needs with the highest calorie-per-cup figure on this list. Meet the dry food from Wellness CORE, which delivers 491 calories per cup along with plenty of protein.
The Wellness CORE comes with a combination of proteins and veggies, making it the perfect dry meal for expectant dogs. Furthermore, the presence of salmon oil, antioxidants, and DHA complements the primary ingredient to promote overall health.
Additionally, the absence of by-products makes the Wellness CORE dry food a good fit for pet owners who want to give their fur friends a natural meal. Like Taste of the Wild, it is grain-free.
However, this dry meal is on the expensive side, and maintaining a regular feeding cycle may be challenging for some owners.
Pros
- High-calorie count of 491 per cup
- It comes with a delightful turkey and chicken flavor
- No by-products and artificial flavors
- Contains vital ingredients that promote overall health
Cons
- Expensive
Final Thought
While it can be challenging to find the perfect dry meal for an expectant dog, it is not impossible if you know what you want: a calorie-dense food labeled for growth and reproduction or all life stages, introduced gradually, and fed in increasing amounts as her due date gets closer. Keep in mind that a pregnant dog eats more as her due date approaches, so a bag empties faster than usual; our dog food bag calculator helps you plan when to restock.
Hopefully, our article has helped you find the perfect dry food for your pregnant dog that will provide the much-needed energy and calories to aid the pregnancy period. Once the puppies arrive, our guide to mothers pudding for nursing dogs explains what it is and how to make it.
