How do I stop my 5 week old puppies feeding from their mum?

Answer 1

I see a lot of good answers getting the thumbs down. Perhaps this is because one part is right, but the other is wrong.

5 weeks is indeed too young to wean puppies. They need their mothers milk for at least another 2-3 weeks. If they don't show signs of starting to naturally wean by 8 weeks of age (usually, they show an interest in regular food, and mom starts withholding her nipples), then you'll need to separate the puppies from mom. It sounds cruel, but she needs the break, and they need to be weaned. You should separate them for about a week. During this time, a 24 hour fast imposed on the mother dog would be a good idea. This is to ensure her body reabsorbs the milk still in her system. If there is any mammary swelling, you can apply an ic pack to help alleviate it and any pain.

Remember that a lot of nursing mothers will wean their pups, but there are some that will allow their pups to nurse indefinitely. And a pup will take advantage of that a lot of the time. So only use separation (at around 8 weeks) if it looks like the mother isn't trying to wean, and the puppies are still gorging on her milk.

Answer 2

I pretty much disagree with most if not all the answers you have received. These pups are old enough to eat gruel. Take a HIGH quality pet food and soak it in warm water to make it soft/sloupy and feed it to the pups in a pie pan. These pups no longer need milk replacer and I also do not advise taking 3 week old pups to the vet. They do not need a check up at this age if they are doing well and all you do by dragging this young of pups into a vets office where all the SICK dogs hang out is risk them getting a disease. leave them home unless there is a need to take them in. Get some food for them and start feeding. If you want to add in some milk replacer for a couple of days this is ok but really they do not need it. PLEASE choose a high quality dog food. Pick one that doesn't swell to double and triple the size when soaked in water or your pups will be getting full of water instead of nutrition. I believe Wellness sells a dog food that does not swell. Anything cheap from the store is not good enough. Go to a pet store and try to find one with few grains. You are about to be over whelmed with a mountain of poop so I hope you are ready for that! Feeding these pups should have been thought of weeks ago so that you were ready. Mothers of big litters stop feeding full time at this age so it's all normal. Please leave her with the pups though so she can feed them here and there and teach them to be good puppies. You should start feeding 2 meals a day for a couple of days and let mom feed in between. With in a couple of days you will be feeding 4 times a day and at 5 weeks you can back down to 3 times a day and leave them at 3 times a day until they are 8 weeks at which time you can go to 2 times a day. Do not think that these pups can leave the nest earlier then 8 weeks just because the mother is not feeding them. They are your responsibility until 8 weeks.. Not lecturing or trying to be mean but a lot of people don't seem to realize this. I don't know what all you know so just making a general statement.

Answer 3

they will keep getting mum's milk until fully weaned just start giving them puppy food if using dry food just soften it with some warm water .
puppies are ready to go to homes at 8 weeks not weaned to answer above.
put out water as well the more food they get they don't need mum.

Answer 4

If you haven't started feeding them, you need to.
Of course you didn't mention the breed.
Larger breeds should start some feeding by 4 weeks of age. Smaller breeds start 5-6 weeks.
Get a good PUPPY food, read the bag. Feed them at least 3 times a day. As they are eatting good, take mom away from them. 1st shots-6 weeks old + deworming....should be done.

Answer 5

all you have to do is get some puppy food add a little warm water just enough to for moistening. That will bring out the smell of the food. that usually works. But make sure you keep the mom away from pups at feeding time cause they will still try to feed off of her.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Their mum will stop them from feeding when they are old enough to be weaned. She won't let them feed anymore when she knows its time for them to quit.

Answer 8

She will let them know. One litter I had had teeth at 4 weeks- not pleasant for mom, I started them on dog food mixed with formula for puppies at that point. They need extra nutrition still, but need to get used to food as well- that's why the formula. Good luck- I doubt that most people would know puppies have little needle sharp teeth that soon- that's why they are telling you 8 weeks. When they have teeth- no ***** will feed a litter when its so painful for her.

Answer 9

You should let them wean for a few more weeks put at 5 wks you can try to start them on puppy soft food so they can wean off mom but let them enjoy until ther at least 7 wks its good for them

Answer 10

you should't. Puppies take around 8weeks to wean. they need as much mothers milk as possible as they contain the antibodies needed to protect them from flu's and virus's etc until they get their vaccines. They weill stop weaning when they are ready.