Ernährung bei Läufigkeit und Kastration

Nutrition during heat and castration

Dog Nutrition during Heat, Spaying, and Hormonal Balance

Table of Contents

Puberty and First Heat Cycle

Sexual maturity marks the beginning of significant hormonal changes in a dog's body. The hormone leptin, produced from fat cells, signals the onset of puberty. Overweight can accelerate this process, while underweight can delay it.

Nutrition During Heat

During heat, nutritional needs vary depending on the phase:

  • Proestrus and Estrus: Loss of appetite can be offset by palatable additives such as pumpkin or carrots.
  • Metestrus: Monitor weight and use diet food if necessary to control water retention.
  • Anestrus: A balanced diet stabilizes weight.

Suitable Ingredients and Supplements

  • High-quality proteins: Chicken, fish, insects.
  • Healthy fats: Omega-3 and Omega-6 from fish oil or algae oil.
  • Herbs: Valerian and Chasteberry for calming and hormone regulation.

To the suitable products for heat

Nutrition After Spaying/Neutering

After spaying/neutering, a dog's energy requirements decrease, necessitating a special diet. Light products or high-fiber feeds help control weight.

Suitable Ingredients and Supplements

  • Lean meat: Chicken, fish, defatted insect meal.
  • Fiber: Pumpkin, sweet potatoes, legumes.
  • Roughage: Beet pulp for increased satiety.

To the suitable products for spaying/neutering

Diabetes Risk and Hormonal Effects

Hormonal changes increase the risk of diabetes in dogs. An adjusted diet and regular vet visits help prevent long-term damage.

Practical Tips for Dog Owners

Monitoring and Adjustment

Keep an eye on your dog's weight and adjust their diet regularly.

Stress Management

Magnesium and stress-reducing supplements help during hormonally induced stress phases.

Routine and Exercise

A consistent feeding routine and regular exercise promote your dog's health.

Conclusion

Your dog's nutrition during hormonally sensitive phases requires special attention. High-quality ingredients, an adjusted food quantity, and regular exercise are crucial to promote your dog's health and well-being.

Product Recommendation: BugBell HappyMood

BugBell HappyMood supports dogs with hormonal fluctuations or stress. With natural ingredients such as cheese, cashew, valerian, and L-tryptophan, this product line ensures inner balance.

Learn more about HappyMood

Note: This article does not replace veterinary advice. Our products can provide nutritional support but are not veterinary medicinal products. If your dog has health problems, please always consult a veterinarian.

Portrait of Jamina Zaugg

Reviewed and approved by

Jamina Zaugg, M.Sc.

Food Scientist at BugBell

Jamina is a food scientist specializing in functional pet food formulations, alternative protein sources, and digestible feeding. At BugBell, she is responsible for product development, formulation validation, and transparent, open declaration of all ingredients.

Degree: M.Sc. Food Science (Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences)

Expertise: Nutritional physiology, alternative proteins, formulation and labeling law (EU)

Conflicts of interest: works for BugBell (product-related content may mention own products)