2007-03-14 05:52:21 · 6 answers · asked by rcval03 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
First of all, how old are they? Weaning should be done over several weeks, as the puppies develop to the point where they are able to eat solid food on their own. You also do not want to wean them completely until they are at least 8 weeks old, as they still get most of their immunities from their mother's milk until then.
I used to breed my dogs before my female passed away last year, and I always gave my puppies a bit of shredded bread soaked in milk to start. I would put a little on my fingers and put them in their mouth to let them know what it tasted like, and then they would get the idea very quickly. You don't want to give them too much at first though, or it will make their little tummies hurt. Once they master that, then you can soften some puppy food in water and let them try that. Eventually, as their adult teeth develop, they will be able to transition to dry dog food. But you should take your cues from the puppies... don't force it if they don't seem to be ready yet.
Eventually, your puppies will eat more and more solid foods, and take less mommy milk. However, they will probably keep nursing for as long as their mother will let them. At some point, most dogs will start to run from their puppies and not allow them to feed anymore. If it has been a long time (like several months,) and the mother still lets the puppies feed, you might want to consult with a vet about separating them until her milk dries up.
2007-03-14 06:13:03 · answer #1 · answered by mloraine76 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at about 4-5 weeks offer them mushey food eg. biskets soaked in milk.
encourage them to eat this and offer them some 3-4 imes a day.
once they they can eat this happley, take them away from the mother as some will keep trying to nurse if they have he chance. (one of my baby rabbits was like this) slowley stop soaking the food and move on to puppy mix.
they should be fully weened by about 6 weeks.
2007-03-14 13:18:16 · answer #2 · answered by Joanne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at about 4 weeks you can start giving the puppies puppy food that is wet down with water till it becomes a mush. then put a paper down in the kitchen and put the puppies nosesface where they can get a little bit on there face. after they finishing eating give them back to mom and let her clean them off. also look on the akc.org site for more help.
2007-03-14 13:11:16 · answer #3 · answered by Skyhoss 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They ween themselves.
2007-03-14 13:06:03 · answer #4 · answered by Spark5000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mother will wean them herself. You can cause problems if you interfere.
2007-03-14 13:13:27 · answer #5 · answered by kalsmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
over them soft food...
i used to add baby cereal; flakes and abit of milk or water
2007-03-14 13:00:19 · answer #6 · answered by eleanor l 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋