| The earliest sign of pregnancy in a Shih Tzu is often | | | | found this kind of quality in the Life's Abundance food. I |
| behavioral changes. She may demand extra attention | | | | say this not as a gimmick to sell the food, as I am a |
| or she may become depressed, lethargic and | | | | distributor as well, but it is true, Life's Abundance has |
| withdrawn. In these cases, try to give her as much | | | | produced healthier moms during pregnancy, whelping |
| emotional support as possible to help her retain the | | | | and nursing and healthier puppies for me. Mom's skin |
| pregnancy. Gestation last about 63 days. | | | | and coat does not suffer, and I did have this problem |
| Other changes you may observe might be in the way | | | | especially during times of nursing with other dog foods |
| she walks or carries herself. She may appear to | | | | I fed. I do not recommend raw meat for any Shih Tzu |
| move differently once bred. Her appetite can change | | | | at any time in its life. Hard boiled eggs is a good treat |
| rapidly, sometimes within a few hours of breeding and | | | | most Shih Tzu enjoy during this time. After the litter is |
| conceiving. She can show either an increase or a | | | | whelped, I like to give a very special treat to my |
| decrease in appetite as signs of pregnancy. She may | | | | females. Most of them like cottage cheese with rice or |
| even suddenly become very picky about what she | | | | hard boiled eggs. Feed soft, mushy types of food for |
| eats. | | | | the first 2 days after whelping. My dogs also like |
| The vet can perform a variety of tests to determine | | | | Pedigree Canned Puppy food right after whelping. |
| whether or not a female has become pregnant. | | | | After the first 2 days, I begin to mix back in the Life's |
| Puppies can usually be felt by palpation by 21 days | | | | Abundance with the Pedigree Puppy Canned food. |
| past conception. Puppies will feel round and enlarged | | | | Do not allow your pregnant Shih Tzu to become |
| like eggs. In some of my dogs I have been able to feel | | | | overweight. Overweight matrons may have more |
| movement as the pregnancy progresses. Ultrasound is | | | | difficulty delivering puppies. Do try to exercise your |
| a successful method of determining pregnancy. The | | | | pregnant Shih Tzu. If she is reluctant to run and play on |
| best test is that of "time." | | | | her own during this time, take time to walk her on a |
| Once conceived, it is possible for a matron to | | | | leash. Exercise can help her to maintain energy and |
| "withdraw" her pregnancy by either a spontaneous | | | | good muscle tone during whelping. Inertia (just plain |
| abortion or absorption of the fetuses during the early | | | | shutting down from fatique) is one of the greatest |
| stage of development. Females can also show all the | | | | cause of sillborn puppies. Moderate exercise during |
| signs of pregnancy and it actually be a "false | | | | pregnancy is very important. |
| pregnancy." | | | | I don't feed anything more than HealthyPetNet Life's |
| In most cases, however, pregnancy does occur when | | | | Abundance and the Daily Supplement to my pregnant |
| bred, and goes along quite normally. | | | | Shih Tzu. I feed no other supplements during this time. |
| The pregnant matron requires a higher volume of food | | | | As long as your pregnant Shih Tzu's appetite is good, |
| intake. As she progresses toward the end of her | | | | don't be alarmed if she does become a little |
| pregnancy term, she will usually demand to eat more | | | | depressed or withdrawn. Most usually the behaviors |
| and more. I use HealthyPetNet Life's Abundance All | | | | are from hormonal changes rather than something |
| Natural Premium Dog Food. The quality of the food | | | | going wrong with her or the pregnancy. |
| given to a Shih Tzu during pregnancy is much more | | | | Most pregnancies progress along normally and without |
| critical than at any other time in her life. You must use | | | | adverse incidents. Most Shih Tzu are free whelpers. |
| the highest quality of dog food you can find. I have | | | | |