Our female has been fed a raw diet since she was 6 months old with no problems. She is in the early stages of a planned pregnancy and the only vet I have access to advises I should stop raw feeding and switch her to Science Diet puppy food. I don't want to do that, can you help?

Cindy,

We have a Standard Poodle who is in the early stages of her first pregnancy. She has been on a raw food diet since she was 6 months old with no problems. We started her on the raw diet because she was having skin issues and goopy, runny eyes and the diet just makes sense. Her skin and eye issues have disappeared and she seems to be very healthy and happy.

We live in a very small town so my Vet options are limited. I was told a Vet in town was familiar with the raw diet, but what I wasn't told is that she is not a big fan of it. She says that the diet is unbalanced and very high in calcium and phosphorus, both of which are damaging to the kidneys. So long story short she said I should stop the raw food and put her on a Science Diet program with puppy food in the last 3 weeks of her pregnancy.

I really don't want to do that. I feel lost. She weighs almost 50 lbs and this is what her diet consists of: beef (we raise it ourselves), lamb, goat (raised by a friend and processed by my husband and I), turkey necks, chicken (breast, thighs, legs backs necks), pork (whatever may be on sale), organic beef liver and heart muscle, eggs (we raise), salmon oil and Vit E, along with a vegetable mix that I have just introduced recently. It consists of whole eggs, apple cider vinegar, black strap molasses, powdered Vit C, and any kind of veggies that are around (kale, broccoli, yam).

I believe what I am doing is correct but it's a bit scary not having a Vet to consult with. Can you help? I am a bit unsure on how much I should increase her portions and what to do while she is nursing to keep her weight up. Also should I be using some sort of supplement? Thank You.