i have just been given a 4 wk old pit bull what r the proper feeding techniques to make a strong heatlhy dog?

Question

this is my first dog and i want to raise it right.

Answer 1

If you want to make it strong and healthy mentally as well as physically then take it back to the breeder for another 4-5 weeks, it is MUCH to young to be separated from its mom and littermates. Dogs that are separated that young tend to have problems relating to other dogs, as that is what it would be learning for the next month if it were still with its littermates. What breeder would have a breed such as a PB and deny it the chance to learn basic dog manners.

It is not your fault, the breeder should know better. It really needs to go back until it is 8-9 weeks old.

Answer 2

I would wonder why someone would place a pup at 4 weeks old? I have raised dogs for quite some time now and for proper mental developement they need to be with their littermates and Dam. It should just be starting the weaning process now and just coming off the mother. This young it is very easy for a puppy to choke on hard kibble. We take and place small amounts of kibble in a blender and make it into a fine powder. We then add warm water to make a gruel for the puppies to learn to statr to lap up. Gradually we take and and blend the kibble less and less warm water until eventually they are eating hard kibble pieces. I personally use Diamond Large Breed lamb & rice now as they have eliminated the corn product from it. It has done well with my first litter raised on it that just now turned 8 weeks old yesterday. I just sent our puppies home with their new owners as of yesterday and refuse to send them any earlier. I am sure you did not know, this is a good example of why states are now making laws as to when puppies can be placed such as Florida states no earlier than 8 weeks. I personally don't place any earlier than 8 weeks myself.

Answer 3

1 - this pup has been either weaned or cut off from the mother way too young. It will have psychological problems.

2 - this is not the breed to get as your first dog, and definitely not one to get poorly weaned.

States and counties have laws against pit bulls because owners don't train them right, take them on as a first dog, or take an improperly weaned dog. The result is a "surprise" bite that brings a bad name to the breed and gets the breed banned from regions.

You and people who think like you are the cause of the anti-dog laws in every state, county, and city. Do a favor to the breed and return the dog to it's breeder until it's properly "puppy-socialized."

Answer 4

That is too young to be taken away from it mother. Can it even eat solid food yet? If not you will need to feed it puppy formula for a couple of weeks and then you can start it on a good puppy food. Keep it in a box for now and keep it warm. You are going to have to be it mom and clean up after it. You can put newspaper down after you feed it , then put it on the paper so that it uses the paper until it gets old enough to go outside. Take it to a vet and get it checked out and find out when you can start it's vaccinations. Good Luck

Answer 5

Oh my gosh, that puppy needs to be back with his momma. If you cannot do that for some reason, they have puppy milk formula at the pet store.
My puppies between 6 and 8 weeks started digging into moms food, so I started leaving them puppy food mixed with wet puppy food. I gave them that mix until they were 3-4 months and then slowly put them on just dry puppy food, with soft morsels in it. At 5 1/2 months I mixed the puppy food with a high performance adult formula dog food, and then at 6 months when they aren't puppies, I made it just adult dog food. Up to 3 months I let them eat as much as they wanted, and then I started feeding them twice a day. Pit bulls are a bigger dog, so don't overfeed him it is unhealthy for large dogs to be overweight. Rule of thumb* you should be able to feel the ribs, but not see them!
Also make sure he has lots to chew, they need that to help them cut their baby teeth. Those toys called "Kongs" are nice, they are made of nice durable material that will withstand pit bull abuse. AND- if you stuff it with peanut butter, ot occupies them for hours!
When your puppy is between 8 and 10 weeks old, make sure he has alot of interaction with other people, pets, kids, everything that breathes. This is a crucial time, this is when your puppy developes his social skills. This time is important in what your dog will become.
Also, when you play with your puppy, make sure that you make him aware when he is hurting you. When puppies play together, their litter mates help this develope with naturally with play, you dog won't get this so you need to teach him that. It is never okay for them to bite flesh, and you need to stongly impose this, especially since you have a pit bull.
Make sure he gets plenty of exercise, it doesn't take much, oh, and at about three weeks, introduce potty training. If you have anything else you want to know, please feel free to ask, I just raised a little by myself, so I know what your going through. [e-mail]

Answer 6

4 weeks is a terribly young age for the pup to be separated from his mother. 8 weeks should be the bare minimum! If it's at all possible, you need to get it back to the mother. He could develop severe social and behavioral problems.
If you want to get the best possible pit bull advice on the internet you need to check out the Pit Bull Forum: http://www.pitbullforum.com/index.php . You won't regret it.

Answer 7

I got my pit puppy when he was 5wks old. I fed him Iams Puppy Dry Food and in the evening I fed him a 1/4 can of wet puppy food. I also started walking him on a leash with my older dog right away. He also gets alot of exercise, because he loves to play fetch and chase our older dog around. Anyway, he just turned 1yr old and he weighs 62lbs and is very muscular.

Of course we also had him wormed right away and followed the regimen of shots and heartworm meds. Our vet recommended that we wait until he was 1 to neuter him so that he would have time to develop him muscles properly.(The kinda fatten up after neutered). We have a fenced in yard and no females so it was safe for us to wait.

Believe me he is a VERY strong, healthy, happy dog. Pits stay in kind of a puppy stage until they are almost 2 yrs old, they like alot of attention and are very smart. Mine watches everything we do, he has almost mastered our dead bolt lock believe it or not, I have to watch him or he will be letting himself out soon. lol

Have fun with your Pit, they are a pleasure, and a great breed.

Answer 8

i have raised 3 litters of pits (10 each) at 3 weeks i started mine on corned beef hash and whole milk with an egg and about a tablespoon of sugar. they lapped it up. i never had a problem with loose bowl or vomiting or any other problems. they were fat, healthy little pups who at 4 weeks would go to the door to go out.

Answer 9

I used to raise pitt bulls and the can have any dog food you choose but the one thing you want to do is NEVER give them RAW MEAT or anything they can taste BLOOD it will effect there brain and will make them mean

Answer 10

Puppy Chow for the first year. Be aware. 1 bag puppy chow =3 bags of puppy poop, but it gives them the nutrition they need.
Just make sure he has all his shots, has plenty of food and you show him a lot of love and you guys will be fine :)