can i feed my German Shepherd puppies solid food?

Question

My German Shepherd puppies are 3 weeks old. The mother isn't letting the puppies feed from her any more (is maybe a another problem).

Can i start feeding the puppies solid food like sloppy rice with mush up liver for example???

Answer 1

No, the babies aren't ready for solid food. They won't be weaned and ready to start solid food until they are at least six weeks old.

Have the vet check the mama. She may have mastitis. It's an infection of the breast that won't let her nurse her pups. It can be serious and needs to be treated immediately or you could have a very sick dog on your hands.

In the meantime, go to the pet store and find canned "puppy milk". It's formula that has been created to fit the nutritional needs of puppies. Get baby bottles or pet bottles with nipples that will fit the puppies mouths. (Get extra nipples if they are chewy.) You will have to feed the babies by hand. This means you will need someone on hand about every three or four hours to feed them, just like you would for a human baby.

Do this NOW. The babies are hungry.

Answer 2

German Shepherd Puppy Food

Answer 3

At 3 weeks (no earlier) a puppy's digestive tract can handle solid food. The best food is either canned puppy food with warm water added or dry puppy food that has been soaked and mashed to an oatmeal consistency. Feed 5 times a day until 6 weeks old, then 4 times a day 8 weeks old, then 3 times a day until 6 months old, then twice a day for life. Don't forget to start deworming them NOW (with pyrantel pamoate--you can ask your vet about this).

Answer 4

Before you start feeding the puppies solid food, you should try clipping their nails. They may be hurting the mother with their sharp little nails. If that doesn't do it maybe you should take her to the vet to be examined.
If the reason mom won't feed the pups can not be resolved, it should be fine to start feeding them solid food but you should buy some puppy chow, add warm water and put it in the blender and mix it til it is a sloppy gruel, prepared this way the pups will be able to lap it up. Feed them four times a day. Liver may be too rich for the pups, I would suggest feeding Canidae All Life Stages, to your puppies.

Answer 5

Get some rice baby cereal ( for human babies) and some puppy milk replacer,and some canned puppy food.Mix it all together to form a gruel,let the puppies taste some off of your finger,and then put them down in front of the gruel ( a pie or cake pan is good to use,and make sure to put down plenty of newspapers.) You might have to gently guide their mouths to the food,but they will soon get the hang of it.Feed until their bellies are nicely rounded,4 times a day if mom isn't feeding them at all, two or three times if she is. They will make a mess,so you need to have baby wipes handy,and they will poop a lot,too!You can also start with just the cereal and milk replacer ( goats milk is OK,too) and add the puppy food in about a week.At 5-6 weeks,you can add dry food,moistened with water or milk replacer.Also,if mom isn't nursing them,they aren't getting any antibodies from her,so they will need to be vaccinated earlier than usual ( ask your vet.) Good luck.

Answer 6

they would be best on the milk but it is ok to start with the very mushy puppy food.
Since they are so young I would use the puppy formula( milk replacement) to moisten the dry dog food with.
If possibel at least 2 times a day try to make mom nurse them a little.
Pups should be wormed at 2,4,6, and 8 weeks (you should get wormer from vet not over the counter)and should get first shots at 6 weeks.
If you need further help email me at [e-mail]

Answer 7

there a little to young to be eating solid dog food
so what u do is take the solid dog food and add some water until it's mushie and then u feed it to them that way but make sure the food is puppy chow or puppy food adult dog food will hurt or even kill them so don't feed them adult dog food until there about 9-12 months

Answer 8

I wouldnt. If the mother isnt feeding them any more sn u want 2 feed them differant food, i would go 4 puppy caned dog food or yes like u said anything mushy an has alot of vitamins an u should still give them puppy formula that u can buy @ any pet store, vet, or any were that sells pet stuff

Answer 9

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A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 10

They still need milk at 3 weeks so trying bottle feeding them. People food is never good for puppies. When they are at least 10 weeks old you can starte feeding them canned dog food.