Energy requirements continue to increase following whelping and into lactation, peaking at approximately 3 to 5 weeks. At this point, energy requirements can fall between two and four times the adult maintenance requirement (Ontko and Phillips 1958; Legrand-Defretin and Munday 1993).

Milk production peaks during the third and fourth week of lactation. Caloric requirements are highest during this period. Once weaning is complete, usually by 6-8 weeks, the bitch should be consuming the same number of calories as before breeding.

If foods with low energy density are fed, the bitch may not be able to physically consume enough to maintain weight, have decreased milk production and display signs of severe exhaustion. These signs are most pronounced in giant-breed dogs with large litters. Therefore, foods should provide at least 4 kcal metabolizable energy (ME) / g dry matter (DM).

Energy requirements can be subdivided into energy for maintenance and energy used for milk production. The maintenance energy requirement for lactating bitches is slightly higher than that for average adults because of stress and increased activity associated with caring for puppies.

The requirements for lactation can be expressed as follows:

ME (kcal) = maintenance + BW x (24n +12m) x L

Extrapolated maintenance energy requirements during lactation: 145 kcal x BW^0.75

ME (kcal) = 145 kcal x BW^0.75 + BW x (24n + 12m) x L

Where:

BW = body weight of bitch (kg)

n = number of puppies between 1 and 4

m = number of puppies between 5 and 8 (<5 puppies m = 0)

L = correction factor for stage of lactation: week 1, 0.75; week 2, 0.95; week 3, 1.1; and week 4, 1.2)

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