I have a male and female german shepherd pups, they are now 8 weeks old and i thought i was doing well with them, until i recently went back to see the last pup left from the litter and it was way bigger than mine! and i don't just mean a bit it was massive i mensioned it to they lady who owns the ***** and she put it down to that one had had the benefit of it's mothers milk, although there is such a big difference i really want to catch them up. they have been away from thier mum since 4 weeks but i have been feeding them 3 times a day on regular dog food and leaving milk and water down for them all the time.
what am i doing wrong? what can i feed them to help them build up as they are going eventually to be the replacements for my older dogs who work as security dog units, so therefore being fareley big is a good quality.
someone has suggested raw meat, but not sure if this is myth or not.
Please help!!!!
2006-09-09 05:21:27 · 18 answers · asked by jk447388 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
can i make it perfectly clear that the woman i got them from made it perfectly clear that if they weren't gone within 2 weeks she was going to take them to a kennels, the only reason she still has one is that someone has payed for it but is moving and couldn't take it strait away otherwise i would never have seperated them from thier mother so early!
also i have just recently wormed them as it was time.
2006-09-09 05:41:09 · update #1
I agree that the first stop should be the vets. Most puppies have worms. Severe worms could be the reason why the pups aren't putting on weight.
Raw meat at such a young age is probably not a good idea. A GOOD quality puppy food is what you should be looking for.
Milk is probably not a good idea as a lot of animals don't tolerate dairy very well. At petshops they sell special puppy milk and also mushy like puppy cereal when the pups are ready to make the transition to solid foods. The mushy cereal might help to bulk up the pups.
No animal really benefits from having fat on them though. So, I would worry mostly about them being healthy instead of their size.
Good luck with the little ones!
2006-09-09 05:31:16 · answer #1 · answered by lorelei.siren 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
oh my god!! You took 4 week old babies from the mother? That is criminal. Pups should not be taken from the mother until they are 8 weeks old. They need high quality puppy food at least 4 times a day. You would have been better advised to go to a rescue and get yourself a young dog. Incidentally, approximately 10,000 german shepherds end up in rescue every year in the UK. When I went to the rescue kennels for my one, he was only 5 months old and I had a choice of 5 dogs all under 9 months old. The following week there were another 5 in the kennels with more waiting to come in.
Ignore the post about raw meat being dangerous. What do you imagine dogs eat in the wild?
You need a good quality puppy diet. If you choose kibble, feed it ad lib with plenty of clean water available all the time.
2006-09-09 05:30:55 · answer #2 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pups didn't get the right feed early in life. The 'breeder' has behaved very badly in letting the pups go at 4 weeks. She should have advised you on diet at least.
Frankly dog food 3 x a day is not adequate for a tiny pup and its likely that your dogs will take a while to catch up. It won't happen quickly so don't bother trying.
Use puppy food and feed them the suggested quantity split into 5 meals a day.
Growing too fast will cause them bone and joint problems. Don't get them to 'bulk up' they're not weight training. Just feed them preoperly from now on.
And you may have a case against the backyard breeder you got them from. If she could keep one she should have kept yours. Contact the RSPCA for advice.
2006-09-09 06:14:39 · answer #3 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do NOT I repeat do NOT feed your dog cow's milk. There are puppy replacment milk products in most pet aisles but 8 weeks is far too old to be still drinking milk of ANY kind. It is possible that when the puppies were born, the one you saw that is still with its mother was already bigger than the 2 you have and that is why it is bigger now. I wouldnt worry about size yet, they are still too young to "bulk them up" without it being animal abuse. Feed them a puppy food that is specified for Large breed dogs, but only until they are 5 months of age, then switch to adult food. Feeding your dog puppy food after 5 or 6 months will make them grow too fast which will cause skeletal problems. Don't feed them raw meat either, domestic dogs are not equiped to handle raw meat. I suggest leaving a large bowl of food down at all times, most puppies will not eat the amout they should in one sitting, so measured amounts however many times a day is not a good idea. I have a Male 7 week old German Shepherd and I feed him Purina Puppy chow for large breed dogs, he has a bowl of food down at all times and when he finishes whats in the bowl, i refill it. simple as that.
2006-09-10 05:30:12 · answer #4 · answered by E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What milk are you giving them?
Other than his puppy food, I gave my GS baby milk twice a day (if it wasn't drank it was discarded), sardines once a day mixed in with pasta (sardines 19p from Asda) 1 cod liver oil capsule and 2 vitamin tablets daily since becoming a junior, wormed every six months plenty of exercise and love and i now have a lovely big strapping adult who does me proud.
Am sure, you're 2 babies will catch up at a good rate give them some time, dont over run them with exercise and give them a helping hand with the right food and am sure they'll make you proud too when their day comes.
Be careful of raw meat, especially as it can continously give them worms.
DONT mix and match their regular puppy food, and dont leave it down all day long, feed in the morning and in the evening, (as you probably already do) once they've had their fill remove it. You can also get flake maize from your pet shop which looks like yellow cornflakes, this can be added to their regular food and helps to bulk the dog up.
Good luck, am sure you'll do a good job with them.
2006-09-09 05:53:13 · answer #5 · answered by nikxnakx2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your not doing nothing wrong, all the pups are different i know as i have had this aswell. You really shouldnt worry about this in the end they all catch up and will be around the same size anyway....but if you do have any concerns the best thing to do would be to ask your vet...and trust me do not do the raw meat suggestion that is a myth they can get a serious illness by doing that and it will definatly not help growth at all.good luck
2006-09-09 05:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by § gαввαηα § 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they left their mum way to early you are not supposed to wean a pup from its mum til its at least 6-8 weeks and then they should only leave thier mothe rat 8 weeks the breeder or person who sold you these pups should have nown that really.
hi at 8 weeks they need worming but i am sure you know this
i worked in a kennels for many years and all new pups were given weetabix mixed with half warm water and half milk (as all cows milk is not good for thier digestive system) make it slightly runny as this helps them digest it. try a good small mixer with thier normal food but dont over feed them as they will be sick.
hope this helpd and bet they are really cute awwww
2006-09-09 05:33:03 · answer #7 · answered by sharrifarri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you bin to the vets to have there 1st jab they will get wade and the vet will tell you if they are under wate you are doing all you can they will eat it they are hungry just look after them i have had a litter of german shepherds the last one born is now the same size as the rest of them but 4 weeks was to Young any way did you pay a lot for them are they kc
2006-09-11 01:34:49 · answer #8 · answered by afairchild@btinternet.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't give your dog raw meat, I think that can be harmful. Milk is not meant for dogs and can also be harmful, but some dogs can handle it, mother's milk will always be the best. I think the best way to "bulk" up your dog, is to take it to the vet, and he will reccomend a diet that you will have to follow to make the changes.
2006-09-09 05:28:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
feed your normal dog food and water and you could try giving sherleys lactol powdered milk in a bowl, it is puppy milk with vitamins and nutrients most pet stores stock it.
i also had my puppy very early at 5 weeks due to a simular reason to yours.
best of luck mate
sherleys powdered milk worked fine in bulking my male rottie up, as he needed the extra vitamins because he was taken away from his mom way to early.
2006-09-09 06:41:00 · answer #10 · answered by ♥fluffykins_69♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋