I called the vet and they said that we could try feeding them and we did and they ate like crazy. I try to give them water to drink but they aren't doing to well on laping. I am afraid they won't get enough fluids even though we make the mom nurse them at least two times a day. Why do you think she is stopping nursing already? It just seems real early to me.
2006-09-24 19:06:35 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Most of the time a mom weans the puppies early it is because their nails are too sharp, and they begin clawing or biting so much at that age..check her tummy to see of it is all scratched up..
she may do better if you only allow 1/2 of the litter at a time to nurse..
If you get the canned puppy formula, they will be able to drink it better...Also, warm any fluids..
As the mom is weaning them, be sure to get them vaccinated as soon as she stops nursing them..
2006-09-24 19:15:51 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
1. If 8 babies were sucking you, and by now they do have teeth, you wouldn't be too happy nursing either.
2. Nature knows best. If the puppies can eat canned food, or boiled chicken, it is time they started.
3. Don't make her nurse. If you are worried about the liquids, you could give the puppies some water with a syringe (no needle), or mix it with their food. Canned food has liquid in it, anyway, so you can add some more..
2006-09-24 19:26:12 · answer #2 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me that they are normal. If they are eating well and nursing twice a day, they should be fine. It takes practice to lap the water so get 8 small bowls and let them keep trying. If you are really worried, get a bottle from a farmer who often has to hand-feed animals. That's what we did when our dog had 6 pups and the mother was stolen after 3 weeks. I hand-fed those puppies until they could drink and eat on their own. Good luck.
2006-09-24 19:19:07 · answer #3 · answered by phoenixheat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They really need mama. Does it seem like she has an infection in her teats? Redness,or tenderness? Can you see the veins? If yes, go to the vet, she can take antibiotics get better.
If mama is a small breed she may have difficulty with the crowd. Try only putting 4 on her at once and bottle feed the others, then, next feeding switch out the 4 on mama. See if that helps.
Please have her spayed. We already have enough dogs and really don't need anymore. Call animal control or SPCA if you can't pay, they have programs to help.
2006-09-24 19:15:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Get a baby bottle and nurse the pups with regular milk, or baby formula milk in a bottle.
Also give them water AFTER they are 8 weeks old. Untill then they should be getting all of their fluids from their mom or their bottle feedings with the milk in it.
Take some dry puppy food and pour some warm milk or gravy on it to soften in up... that will encourage them to be weened early from mom.
2006-09-24 19:16:09 · answer #5 · answered by lilstormbug 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is normal If she occasionally feeds them. Puppies that age grow little teeth and nails that are very painful to the mother.
What I do is wet puppy food until it is really moist and soft (with no lumps) and then I feed them, that way I make sure they are getting a little bit of fluid at least. You could also put instead of water a little bit of lactose free milk.
2006-09-24 19:16:00 · answer #6 · answered by gretaotto 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
my dog did the same thing and u need to get a bottle and some puppy formula and feed them , plus make the mom feed them and puppy food also for about another 1-2 wks when they can do both eat and drink on their own, keep trying to get them to drink out of a bowl during this time too.
2006-09-24 19:33:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to Brittany! In the meantime offer the puppies all of the softened puppy food that they will eat three to four times a day.you can moisten it with puppy milk replacer or warm water,and you might want to add a bit of canned puppy food as well for added moisture until they get the lapping water thing perfected.Also,are you feeding Mom enough? Nursing moms need 3-4 times their normal amount of food ,and it's good to feed her puppy food as well.Eight puppies put a big drain on her,see that she gets a good dog vitamin as well.And please ,again ,Listen to Brittany!
2006-09-24 19:18:38 · answer #8 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They're getting their teeth!!!! That's why she doesn't want the little razors on her nipples. Don't MAKE the Mom nurse them, she knows what she's doing. Put your finger in their mouth and see for yourself.
As for fluid, give them mushy food, with lots of water in it, even if you have to pour it in. Gravy on soft food is good, also. That way they can get fluid without lapping to your standards.
They should be able to drink out of a pan, but don't expect perfection yet. They can barely stand up without wobbling, right? They're still babies, but Mom knows best. Stop forcing her to nurse them. She knows they need to be ready to go in two more weeks
2006-09-24 19:20:46 · answer #9 · answered by Charlotte M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some dams will want to break away early.
Feed her plenty & give her lots of water-to make more milk. Give her a break n between nursing them.
When fixing pups food, make sure you have plenty of broth. Put a bowl of water down, take your fingers & splash the water around-letting them look -even placing ur fingers inside their mouths giving them a taste. They will get the idea.
2006-09-24 19:15:50 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋