My dog had a litter of two puppies a few hours ago and she has only fed them ones. We think that she has post pardom dippression or something but yeah. so we either have to force her to feed them or we have to feed them our selves. So we have to know how often to feed them!
2007-02-11 07:20:35 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
There mom needs to feed them. If the mom is not able to, they should be fed 3-4 times daily. This is a chart i made about how much to feed them.
1st week -- 3.75 calories/ounce of body weight daily
2nd week -- 4.50 calories/ounce of body weight daily
3rd week -- 5.00 calories/ounce of body weight daily
4th week -- 5.50 calories/ounce of body weight daily
2007-02-11 07:24:59 · answer #1 · answered by Beth 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Right now is more important than ever to have the mother feed the puppies. For at least 24-48 hours after birth, the mother produces special milk called colostrum. It is high in fat and highly digestible proteins, as well as antibodies. Only for about 2 days will the puppies' GI tract be open to these antibodies, and it is ESSENTIAL that if at all possible that they drink from their mother at least for the first few days, preferably until they are weaned. If you can make her nurse the puppies, do so.
If the mother is actually pushing the puppies away, try to muzzle her and restrain her. If she is just not producing milk, this is a different story. But if you just don't see them eating, maybe they arent' hungry yet. You said a few hours. Their tummies arent' very big and maybe they are just full right now. You should be able to see this as puppy tummies stretch and balloon as they eat. If they look very chubby around the middle, they are probably just not hungry again. If they don't eat in a few more hours, then you should start to worry. Call the vet if you are concerned, he/she is your best resource.
2007-02-11 07:49:52 · answer #2 · answered by lildi_32 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, give her a chance here, already. A new-born pup isn't going to eat all that much at once, and the "mommy" dog should know what to do. If after MANY hours, and she appears to be ignoring them, call your vet about getting some new-born puppy milk and bottles and also explain what is going on with the "mommy" dog. If she is very young, and this is her first litter, she just may need some help from you to get started with this. But, DO speak with your vet. You can also get new-born puppy milk/bottles, etc. at a well stocked pet supply store like Petco, PetSmart, etc. PLEASE--do NOT give them the milk that we drink, it will probably give them diarrhea. Good luck with these babies.
2007-02-11 07:35:16 · answer #3 · answered by sharon w 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You really shouldnt feed them at all. If you do the mother may not want to feed them again and then your in for real trouble. Mothers milk contains all the antibody protection for the pups. Puppies have no immune system. They get it all from mom until 6 week old. Keep forcing her to feed them. She will come around soon. If you do have to suppliment feed only one or two ounces once or twice a day. Keep the pups hungry for moms milk. If you have to suppliment use Esbilac suppliment they sell it at all pet and feed strores. Please dont rely on it to fully feed your pups. If shes not producing milk get a lactation suppliment to help her produce milk also some calcum suppliments will help tums work in a pinch, human calcum supplimants work just fine.
2007-02-11 08:09:03 · answer #4 · answered by gary b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she had them a few hours ago and she has fed them once give her more time before you worry too much. They need to eat every two hours. Follow the puppy formula label as far as size and how much to give them. Give the Mother a chance to feed her own babies though. As long as shes not pushing them away and she has milk (check that). If her milk production is low then you may need to go to the Vet Monday and see what they think would be the right thing to do.
2007-02-11 07:26:17 · answer #5 · answered by Amy R 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
CALL YOUR VET NOW...
You can't feed them anything you have in your home. You have to feed them a special formula which you will have to purchase from your vet. You will also have to be taught to do it properly otherwise you will drown the pups in the formula.
Call the vet now. If your vet doesn't have a 24 hour number, call an emergency vet's office.
This is very important and you should do this immediately.
The pups will have to be fed every 3-4 hours (round the clock)
Please call now. Hopefully the momma will start feeding.
2007-02-11 07:29:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You don't. Let the mom dog feed them. If she rejects them then call a vet for assistance.
Besides, she might not be done having puppys.
2007-02-11 07:27:52 · answer #7 · answered by Kamah 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i think it best for the dog to feed them if there only a day old! Don't feed the puppies solid food if you are going to feed them buts i think this a bad idea personally if the pups are hungry they will cry and the dog should let them suckle.
2007-02-11 07:25:42 · answer #8 · answered by Tink 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
also consider what mom has just been through and she needs to re-coup some energy. Is she in a contained area near the pups or allowed to vacate? (she should be kept in an area near the pups). if she does not go back to them on her own in a few hours gently coax her back in with the pups and if she does not stay lay her down and move the pups to her while gently restraining her there and praise her. calling the vet in the am is advisable because she may have dehydrated herself and nursing is unconfortable for her.
2007-02-11 07:32:25 · answer #9 · answered by mom tree 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
usually puppies need to be fed once every hour or two for the first week or so, but the mother should instictively take care of it. if she doesnt you will also have to help them with their defecation, that means massaging their stomachs and rectums gently with a warm wet rag. dont only rely on this alone, search for more answers, good luck ^_^
2007-02-11 07:28:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋