My pekingese had puppies nine weeks ago and she still nurses them every now and again. The puppies eat solid food. Is this a comfort thing for the puppies and mom? Will this effect them when they have to eventually leave the nest?
2007-10-16 05:06:09 · 12 answers · asked by ajruff2000 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thank you for all the advice. I bought her a child size moon chair(spiderman!). She jumps in it to get a break. I think you loved me for that!
Another funny detail, now dad will come down and get a taste too right along side the pups. He's different!
2007-10-17 07:01:58 · update #1
* They are still very bonded to 'mom'! As they get older you will see less & less of this! Yes the pups are still finding comfort with 'mom* This is not harmful at this age*
2007-10-16 17:45:08 · answer #1 · answered by Me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this has no ill effect on the pups on a longterm basis. It may serve to keep the pups feeling calm and secure, which isn't really a bad thing.
They'll be fine when they leave. The pups will continue to be able to digest milk as long as they have access to it on a
continual basis... once they stop having access to milk, they will lose the digestive enzymes that allow them to process it.
You'll hear more lip-smacking as the pups get older and attempt to nurse .. this is due to the decreasing supply of milk. If the mother is adequately nourished with a high quality puppy food, I would not worry about calcium depletion or eclampsia.
Enjoy your pups, make sure they have adequate supplies of puppy food.
2007-10-16 05:55:28 · answer #2 · answered by animal_artwork 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what?????
tere is nothing wrong with the pups still nursing. just because they CAN be taken away doesn't mean that they can't nurse anymore. We people are always trying to wean our pets and kids way too young.
Dogs aren't people, they won't develop dependency issues or anything like that. They will be healthy, properly socialized pups. Mom will tell them to knock it off when she is done. Dogs and cats actually need to be with their moms for at least 12 weeks, not only to be weaned by HER, but so she can teach them how to be animals. Don't worry about it, and certainly don't scold them for nursing. That will give them issues before over-nursing will.
They can eat solid food, and comfort nurse too, and it will not affect them when they leave, they will be better pets for it.
2007-10-16 07:20:00 · answer #3 · answered by ♪Majestik moose© ★is preggers★ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mine will nurse the mom like that until they are 9-10 weeks old. I think it is more a comfort thing as you say. I really don't think the moms have milk at that point. It is like a child sucking its thumb or using a pacifier.
2007-10-16 06:43:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some dams will not quit nursing on their own...don't know if it's "comfort", or if they are just especially doting mothers. :) At 9 weeks, the puppies really shouldn't be on milk anymore. Their digestive systems are developing to the point where it could become a problem. Not only that, but the longer the dam lactates, the more risk of eclampsia. She needs to "dry up". :)
I would suggest separating her from the puppies during the day -- even a baby gate to separate them between rooms will work. When they stop nursing, she will stop producing milk.
2007-10-16 05:16:23 · answer #5 · answered by Loki Wolfchild 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Mum can be seperated from the pups now if they are 6 weeks old. They must be allowed to eat freely or their growth and health will suffer. Remove mum from the room during the day if need be. Good luck
2016-03-13 00:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How long are you planning on keeping them?? If you want to sell them soon you should keep mom away from pups most of the day to get them used to being away from mom. Also this will make it so they can't nurse.
2007-10-16 05:13:14 · answer #7 · answered by Teresa V 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
The mother will stop nursing them when she's ready to.
If the mom (was) the only dog in the house, you might want to consider keeping one of the females to keep her company (and if you don't want more litters, spay the mother after she stops nursing, and the female you keep after her first heat).
2007-10-16 05:22:44 · answer #8 · answered by jcurrieii 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should be keeping them away from her for most of the day so they're used to it. She should also be eating normal dog food instead of puppy food by now. That'll help dry her up, she can't make milk if she isn't getting extra calories, right?
2007-10-16 05:25:14 · answer #9 · answered by Roland'sMommy 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
The pups are old enough to remove from Mom,as this is just pulling your Mom down.
2007-10-16 09:35:53 · answer #10 · answered by Help 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋