How long do puppies feed from the mother? After the mother stops feeding what do I feed them? I have a month old litter and their teeth are starting to grow (causing the mother lots of discomfort when they succle.)
2007-02-19 01:16:24 · 10 answers · asked by mmikle 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have been raising show dogs since 1965 and I have always started weaning puppies between 3-4 weeks of age. often when dams nurse for to long their litters are far to much of a drain on them, and they become to depleted of calcium and can go into an eclampsia. I don't take dams away completely I simply start weaning so that the dam does not become engorged and uncomfortable. I wean puppies with regular milk and I add egg yokes at first. I used cooked egg yokes and warm milk ground together. Depending on the size of these puppies other good things to put in a puppy mush are cottage cheese, baby rice cereal, etc. At about 4 weeks I start putting in chicken. I also tend to use my blenders a lot during puppy weaning to make a nice mash for them. Weaning puppies is fun and messy. Teaching them where the food is and watching them figure it out can be a blast and with toy breeds they can be hand fed and sometimes a syringe without the needle makes putting food into their mouths a bit less messy. Enjoy I am sure they are adorable.
Added note: Hey Tom good to see some other breeders on here with some real knowledge! The shame is that all these people seem to be saying don't breed because they have been listening to people who are NOT animal experts but claim to be. It is a whole lot of Animal Rights propaganda and they are not realizing that in the long run this nonsense will be extremely bad for all dogs. First there won't be many any more, and second of those that are they will be forced to be raised in mass breeding facilities, over seas, or on street corners because the Animal Rights people are trying to convince everyone that people in nice warm homes shouldn't be raising dogs.
2007-02-19 01:43:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No wonder many say "don't breed"
This really shows just how ignorant most are when it comes to raising a litter of puppy's.
The idea that a ***** should allow her pups to suckle until 8 weeks old is absolutely ludicrous.
The weaning process should start at about 4 weeks, large breeds sooner than small breeds, but only by a couple of days. Then the mother should be separated from the litter at 5 weeks, but it is important that the pups remain together until a minimum of 7 weeks.
Puppy's should be fed puppy kibble mixed with warm water. It is important to start pups on wet food because they will have a tendency to not drink enough water when they have full tummy's.
2007-02-19 01:36:08 · answer #2 · answered by tom l 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would say that if the puppies mother is in pain then you should start feeding the puppy food. Start off with milk, and puppy food from the supermarket. But give each food a chance for a few days just to make sure that each food does not have an allergic reaction.
2007-02-19 01:31:14 · answer #3 · answered by michelebaruch 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They need to feed from her for at least two more weeks four would be ideal. That's not to say you can't supplement their feeding starting right now. Buy some puppy food, preferably soft, and put a small amount of milk in it. They will still want some of their mothers milk but this will get them started on solid food.
2007-02-19 01:23:48 · answer #4 · answered by Big_Dog_Spike 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They need to be weaned off there mother at by 6 weeks. If she stops feeding them and they have some teeth switch them to puppy moist or wet dog food. When there able to chew hard food switch them over little by little.
2007-02-19 01:20:10 · answer #5 · answered by BABY GIRL 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I start giving them canned at that age them just filling up on momma. By next week start putting a little hard inthe wet food. They will want momma no matter what and as long as its a small litter she will keep them off. Mommas have a hard time controlling the larger litters.
Please prepare to take them all in to be spayed and neutered in about 4 weeks. Mom included.
2007-02-19 01:29:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mama will let them know when to stop and it's usally about 6 to 8 weeks you can start putting puppy food down to them anytime now. Even a little milk if you boil it first and get rid of the bacteria. It will help mama out as she is probley getting low on milk by now
2007-02-19 01:22:55 · answer #7 · answered by Larry m 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Start offering moistened puppy food.
2007-02-22 21:32:53 · answer #8 · answered by jen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
generally 6 to 8 weeks .mom will start to push them away.
2007-02-19 01:19:14 · answer #9 · answered by blue2602001 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
6 week minimum..try for 8..often the mom will stop them when its time.
2007-02-19 01:19:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋