i have a friend who's dog (she took the dog in as a pregnant stray) had puppies and she was wondering when the pups should be introduced to solid food??
i have explained to her that when she starts to feed the pups that the puppy chow needs to be watered down with warm water so that it is soft for them to digest but when should they be started?
the pups will be 4 weeks old on tuesday dec 26.
thanks for all of your help
please do not make rude or ignorant comments as the lady that took the dog in is my best friend and she took this pregnant dog in when it was left out in the cold and has since had the dog to the vet's before she delivered her pups and will have her there again after the pups are 6 weeks old so that all of them will have their booster shots.
all of the pups have found loving homes and if they hadn't then she would have kept them all.
2006-12-22 13:16:32 · 10 answers · asked by Dawn 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Blessings on you for asking and your friend for caring!!!
First, check their mouths for teeth. You got the rest 100% correct. But can use warmed milk to make the mush at first. It can be messy!
I put down papers on kitchen floor and the "mush" in a couple of bowls, depending on how many pups. Let them eat what they will and the mom can finish up and clean up the pups. They should be about ready to start "mush". By 5-6 wks don't let the mixture get as mushy and then slowly reduce milk/water. Keep an eye that all are getting their share. Have her check the mouths to see how teeth are coming in.
And thanks again for caring!! There aren't enough rescues to take them all in.
2006-12-22 13:28:08 · answer #1 · answered by pets4lifelady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always started at about 6 weeks. By 8 weeks, the usual time that people can take a puppy home from the mother, they are used to eating solid foods on a regular basis. Since puppies eat quite often though, it might be best to buy one of those automatic feeders that they can go to at anytime they're hungry, and if the dogs have an obesity problem later, replace the auto feeder with 2 or 3 regular meals a day. If they don't like dry food at 6 weeks, try mixing it with canned for a little while. Hope that helped.
2006-12-22 13:21:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 4 weeks these puppies should be started on dry puppy chow, and like you suggested, mixed with a little warm water. Put it in a shallow dish (like a saucer) and give them 15 - 20 minutes to eat, then let the mom finish any left-overs. They also need fresh water offered to them a few times a day.
By 6 weeks, the mom should have them weaned at which time they need to be fed 3 times a day with fresh water readily available.
2006-12-22 14:07:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always started my puppies on food when they are about 4 weeks old. I usually "water" the puppy food down with formula until it is very soggy. The puppies probably won't start getting their teeth until they are about 6 weeks old. Once they start getting teeth, you can start putting out some hard puppy food, mixed in the soft stuff. By the time that they are about 7 weeks old, hard food will be fine for them.
2006-12-22 14:04:21 · answer #4 · answered by Katslookup - a Fostering Fool! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I start my pups on puppy kibble that has been mixed with warm water in a blender @ 28 days (4 weeks) feeding 3x during the day. Seperating them from their mother during the day but allowing them to nurse at night. Then @ 35 days (5 weeks) I seperate them from their mother completlly and start them on a 4x day feeding schedual.
The pups then go to their new homes @ 8 weeks.
It is IMPARITIVE that puppy kibble be mixed with water because puppy's with a full tummy tend not to drink.
2006-12-22 13:30:04 · answer #5 · answered by tom l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say 6-8 weeks, but make sure they eat puppy food because it is rich in the nutrients that puppies need.
2006-12-22 13:41:07 · answer #6 · answered by SuzyBelle04 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 6 weeks, then sart them on Purina Puppy Chow. They should be getting their teeth by then and momma dog will quit nursing them, those little teeth are sharp and hurt momma dogs teats......
2006-12-22 13:22:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should start weening the dog from his/hers mothers milk at 6 wks....make sure the dog eats solid food fine before selling/giving away the dogs
2006-12-22 14:10:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, mabey you should give them canned food, it's not solid, but, the age should be about four months, hope this helps.
2006-12-22 13:19:19 · answer #9 · answered by Erika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mix half and half of the dry and moist together, and gradually decrease the moist. This will help the poop not get runny.
2006-12-22 13:28:54 · answer #10 · answered by kitzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋