I have 4 week old puppies and they are eating dog food already. Is that going to hurt them? Should i NOT let them eat dog food until they are older?
2007-03-17 10:59:34 · 14 answers · asked by momeeof2 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You're doing the right thing! Most bitches start to wean their puppies when they're around 4 weeks old, finishing when the puppies are about 6 weeks. The puppies need to be fed good quality dry puppy food moistened with warm water about 3 times a day - assuming the mom's still nursing a bit. They also need fresh water available all the time.
2007-03-17 11:03:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
No but you do need to mix with can food, dry food and hot water and after it cools it will be cool enough for them eat and soft enough. They will not quit eating on their own so you might try giving them just a little. I had 5 pups and used a regular size cake pan and mixed everything together with warm water. They would have ate more if I let them. Sometimes they don't get enough off mom but it is not good to do it before 4 weeks. Try to get mom to nurse them as long as she will. Their teeth could be hurting her as well. Try laying next to her when she nurse and tell her she is a good girl. I wouldn't let them eat just dry food now. I would moisten it, their little intestines can't digest it properly. Good Luck.
2007-03-17 18:07:31 · answer #2 · answered by T G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your doing a good job! It's fine to have them eat puppy food at 4 weeks! Good Luck finding them good homes!
2007-03-17 22:29:17 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa T (Stop BSL) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is mom still in the picture? If she is make sure the puppies still have her too. If mom is not then just get some puppy formula to mix with the kibbles. It wont hurt them just make sure they don't eat to much because puppies will EAT and EAT.
PS Make sure it's puppy food.
2007-03-17 18:34:04 · answer #4 · answered by dpinscsher 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My little Shih Tzu puppies start eating at that age 4 weeks..I blend puppy chow and warm water in a blender for them. then on their own they started eating regular puppy chow. I let my female ween the puppies I think she knows better than I do when to ween them. So they eat and drink. In my opinion I would feed them puppy food the adult my be to strong for them.
Good luck on your new puppies.
2007-03-17 18:38:21 · answer #5 · answered by china 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the breed. I woun't allow a small breed dog to eat puppy food but if it is a large breed puppy then yes it's ok but not just the puppy food. They still need to nurse from mom too. She will tend to ween them her self and if not than you can start at 6 weeks old.
Most of my mom's allowed their pups to nurse until almost 8 weeks old.
2007-03-17 18:04:13 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Our collie just had 7 pups and have been looking up advice too, if the Dam has weaned them herself then thats fine, make sure its high protein puppy food as little bodies need loadsa nutrition plus mum will prob need some extra vits and proteins to boost her post preg self. Google puppies whelping advice and loadsa info comes up!
2007-03-17 18:07:25 · answer #7 · answered by Capolia 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they can eat dog food as soon as they have teeth, it wont be a problem, and if it is soak it in a little warm water, or some gravy, but don't feed them wet food, it isn't good for their teeth. have fun with your puppies!
2007-03-17 18:04:28 · answer #8 · answered by Mango Muncher 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it shouldn't as long as its not too hard my suggestion is not a real good brand but my puppies in the past just love it they are the ol'roy dinner rounds and they are very soft but dint take them away from the mothers milk yet that has vital nutrients they need
2007-03-17 18:21:45 · answer #9 · answered by guitarking1982 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure they are getting enough nutrients from their mothers milk. it cant hurt them unless they choke. usually pups tha try to eat dog food this young have colitis...
strange
2007-03-17 18:16:37 · answer #10 · answered by pd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋