Weaning My chihuahua puppies? Please share your experiences, thanks!?

Question

I have four chihuahua puppies I am weaning rite now due to their mom catching the kennel cough about 2 weeks ago. The vet suggested that I start weaning the pups at 5 weeks since the mom is sick and that it would help the mom out since she's weak from nursing the babies. The food my vet recommended is half bottle of "gerber baby food-meat n veggie" mixed in with a can of puppy canned food.

My question is:

Should I set a schedule of when I should feed them?
How many times a day should I feed them?
When should the latest time be at night when feed them?
Will they starve overnite?
How do I get them to drink water from their bowl?
What happens if I over feed them?

in my area of town.... the cough has been going around, kennel cough for dogs and strep throat for the humans... at least thats what my vet said. a lot of dogs caught it from being walked. my dog caught it because i'm guessing she's a lot weaker in health.

i wasn't aware and thought that she could use some fresh air since she's cramped up with the pups for about 4 weeks straight. so yea, all my fault.

Answer 1

I tried to respond to your direct email to me, but you are not confirmed through Yahoo, so I am trying to answer this way.
Your feeding schedule is fine.
I would leave dry food down all the time, they are old enough to start trying to taste the dry food.
The last feeding should fit your schedule, such as just before you go to bed.
They will N O T starve overnight, remember to leave the dry food out at night so they can munch.
You may want to add a tiny bit of Karo syrup to the water to get them to taste the water, if one ever tries it the others will copy (puppy see....puppy do)
With this young and small a breed dog DO NOT WORRY ABOUT OVER FEEDING for the first 3 or 4 months.

In this case I agree with the vet, if the mom has/had kennel cough the babies are VERY susceptable to catching it.
It is best to wean them early, as the vet said, it may put a strain on you having to do moms job. But the health of the babies will be much better and safer away from mom.
You may want to check with your vet about giving the babies Nutra-Cal (looks like a tube of brown toothpaste) once a day also.
It is a suppliment to help prevent low blood sugar.
It doesn't take much, about an inch on your finger per puppy per day.


Message: The mom chihuahua caught the kennel cough when the pup are at 5 weeks. I took the mom to the vet, got her meds and etc she's doing fine now. But the vet said that I have to wean the puppies right away because they all started to grow teeth, nursing too long from the mom sucks out the mom's nutrients, and since the mom "had" the kennel cough I had to separate the mom and the rest of the dogs in the house.

The puppies are on half a bottle of Gerber meat n veggie food mixed with 1 can of puppy canned food. I have four puppies. They're eating, a lot, and pretty much I feed them about 4-5 times a day. Majorly breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In between those times I just go with my instincts.

Prior to my pups, I've bought the mom and dad chihuahua from other breeders and they too told me that the puppies can't leave mom until 10weeks of age. So why is the vet telling me to wean mines early? Or is it the kennel cough deal?

Answer 2

Your vet should have given you the answer to all of those questions. I wonder how in the world a pregnant mother or one who just had puppies could have caught kennel cough! It's an airborne virus, usually picked up at kennels. Didn't you keep her isolated from other dogs? If you did, your vet should be checking for other causes for her illness.

Puppies will stop eating when they are full. Use a very low puppy-feeding bowl or a plate so they can get at the food without damaging their necks. Make sure the food isn't too hot - check it like you would for a baby. Five week old pups should be fed about four times a day. They won't starve overnight like a two-week-old pup would. You'll also need to clean them up with a damp washcloth when they're done - puppies wear as much food as they eat.

For water, get a no-spill bowl and put it down during the day. They will drink when they are thirsty, but most little pups won't drink too much until they are eating dry, solid food.

Keep the litter box VERY clean and provide an area where they can go away from the "nest" to pee and poop - or you will have a hard time housebreaking them later.

Answer 3

Weaning and buying/selling are two separate things. Weaning begins towards the end of the 3rd week, going into the 4th, depending on how well the litter is going. Weaning onto solids is usually complete by around 6 weeks. Weaning away from mum and getting the puppies used to living a more independent life before going home takes a few more weeks yet. Some bigger breeds can start to be sent home around 8 weeks, although I'd only sell my Bassets at 8 weeks if I knew the people beforehand, and they were experienced. I preferred to hold mine until they were 10 weeks. And I do believe a Chi. shouldn't go home until at least 10 weeks, probably even later. If the breeder you have contacted wants you to have a puppy of under 8 weeks, then don't buy from them. BYBs want their puppies out asap, to cut their feed costs, and work load.

Answer 4

es, you should set a schedule. As they're only 5 weeks, I'd feed them 4 times a day. Put the food in a saucer or very shallow bowl and set it down. They'll walk in it and make a mess and you may need to help guide their heads down at first, but they'll catch on quickly. They won't starve overnight - they'll be just fine.

You get them to drink water the same way, either gently guide their heads down, or put water on your finger, they'll lick it, then keep bringing your finger closer to the bowl till they dip their heads in.

I don't think you'll overfeed them. My puppies always ate till they were full (and you'll be able to see their tummies will be round). Any puppies I've had always quit eating when they were full. They should have water available most all the time except at night. Good luck with them!

Answer 5

I got my 1lb chihuahua at 4wks and feed her every 2hrs for the 1st wk then every 3. The older they get the longer you can wait to feed. Give them water from a bottle first then dip their mouths in the water or let them lick it off your finger. Also cottage cheese is real good for them. My vet had me to give my chi some and she's 4 yrs old now and still loves cottage cheese. Good Luck. Just treat them like human babies.