I have tried several times to get them to eat. I moisten puppy chow and mash it up with broth from the food. And they won't eat it. I have tried separating them from the mom for awhile still they don't want to eat. This is the mom's first litter and she is very protected of them and doesn't want to leave them for very long. I don't know what else I can do to get them to eat. The puppies have already been sold. And I wanted to know if this is normal that they don't want to eat yet. The last litter my other female had; the puppies were eating at 4 and 5 weeks of age and the new owners came and got them when they were 6 weeks old. But these puppies are totally different. They just don't want to eat the food. Any help on how to get them to eat will be greatly appreciated. I breed dogs and the new owners are really anxious and want to get their puppies as soon as possible. Again thanks to everyone who answers this question!
2007-10-01 16:51:39 · 9 answers · asked by CB Luves Her Chihuahuas 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
First of all being a breeder you should be giving your dogs better quality food rather than puppy chow. Anything bought at Wal-mart or dept. stores is not good for them. I personally recommend Wellness Dog Food. Then I would recommend like others mixing it with the replacement formula, they have powder or liquid at pet stores or on the internet. I have 5 week old yorkies and they are just starting to nibble at the food but aren't really eating yet. Like many others I would recommend keeping them for a minimum of 8 wks. When I got my 2 adult yorkies they were both 7 weeks old and my male did not have teeth yet. Luckily I had the experience to know how to handle that. You may not be so fortunate with your new owners and you should be concerned more with the well being of these puppies and not trying to please potential buyers. If they are as excited as you say, then explain to them that you are looking out for the pups best interest and will let them know when you feel the time is right to let them go. After they are gone, I would even call a few days later just to check and make sure they are eating and doing well. This is something that I do to just go that extra step to make sure my puppies are adjusting well to their new family and environment which may also cause their appetite to decrease. Contact me if you have further questions or need more info. Good Luck!
2007-10-01 18:02:17 · answer #1 · answered by marielaveau1794 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really should keep them until they are at least 8 weeks old. It's important for their socialization to keep them with their litter mates until then. They should be weaned by now. Try getting baby rice cereal and dog formula. Mix it up and put it in a large round flat dish. The puppies should want to lap the food. Eventually you can grind up puppy food and mix with the cereal and formula. Gradually wean them from cereal and continue to grind the puppy food. Eventually, you can stop the grinding and soak the puppy food in warm water to soften. They will eat.....don't worry. But you have a couple weeks...don't let them go until then!
2007-10-01 17:32:46 · answer #2 · answered by ♥ Liz ♫ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a lot to learn.
Puppies should remain with mom and littermates for a minimum of 8 weeks. In fact in some states it is illegal to sell a puppy under 8 weeks of age.
They are to young to be away from mom.
I realize that Taren, but the reason she is worried is that she gave the last litter away at 6 weeks old, and she wants to do the same with this litter.
I quote "the new owners came and got them when they were 6 weeks old" and "I breed dogs and the new owners are really anxious and want to get their puppies as soon as possible"
A good breeder will explain to anxious puppy owners why it is so important for the dogs well being to remain with mom and littermates until at least 8 weeks of age.
If your dog is a chihuahua, I'm assuming as you had asked a previous question about a chi, many reputable breeders are now recommending these pups stay with mom and littermates until at least 12 weeks of age.
2007-10-01 16:54:30 · answer #3 · answered by Bindi *dogtrainingbyjess.com* 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
At 6 weeks old, they can eat completely dry food. Offer it 4 times per day. Either way, a 6 week old pup should still be with it's Dam and litter-mates.
2016-03-19 03:30:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your buyers must wait 2 more weeks. Puppies should not go till 8 weeks. And they can't go till weaned, and only Momma can decide when she won't feed them and force solid food.
2007-10-01 17:11:26 · answer #5 · answered by Liz H 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Mom will wean them when she's ready. I always let my female nurse her pups as long as she wants to.
In most States it is against the law to let pups leave before they are 8 wks old. I always leave excellent quality puppy food in the pen for mom and when the pups are ready they go over to her dish and start to play with her food, I then start softening some up for them.
My Shih-tzu will not let the pups nurse as long as they want to, as soon as their sharp puppy teeth start comming in she can't wait to get them weaned.
2007-10-01 17:09:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
You can't put the puppies into their new homes til they are at least 8 weeks of age. Leave the puppies to their milk. If mom isn't ready and still feeding them, leave her alone. She knows better than you do.
2007-10-01 17:01:50 · answer #7 · answered by PawPrintz 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
try mixing some warmed puppy food with puppy formula from the pet store, start with more formula at first them every couple days add more and more canned food til they are on only canned, then mix the kibble with the canned and do the same thing it may take a couple weeks but you need to keep them away from the mom as well, because she will let them nurse as long as they want,
2007-10-01 16:56:54 · answer #8 · answered by chuklz 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Jess she is talking about weaning not taking them from momma dog permanitley!
get some of the powder milk replacer they sell at pertsmart and mix it in with some wet pedigree puppy can food.
2007-10-01 16:57:08 · answer #9 · answered by ♥I'm not Bob♥ 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋