I have puppies who are now almost 3 weeks old. I have looked up tons of info on weaning them, so please don't tell me HOW to wean them, I already know. I want to be sure I START it at the right time. but i have found several different opinions. I have heard I should start weaning at 3 weeks of age. I have also head I should start at 5 weeks. Which is best? I want to do this right?!
2007-11-28 02:38:15 · 7 answers · asked by PeterPan1 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Some of you have said to wait until she starts to wean the pups herself. How do I know when that is? She has not been too interested in feeding them for the past several days. Does this mean she is weaning them? But they are only two weeks old. Isn't this too early? I am sorry for being so picky, but this is her first litter and I need to know this stuff.
2007-11-28 03:20:10 · update #1
It is a big litter......10 pups. I have been supplementing them cause the vet said i should if some of them could not get to her to eat. They are just starting to open their eyes and..........Sorry, i am getting off track! So should I start weaning them on Sunday? (They were born on Saturday Nov. 10.....)
2007-11-28 04:13:39 · update #2
The mother will start weaning them all on her own. You really should let her do it and just follow her lead.If you start interfering it could be bad for the puppies and for the mother. Let nature take it course.
2007-11-28 03:06:44 · answer #1 · answered by kuunoita 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Different people will have different opinions, and that is fine provided they do no harm.
I start by taking the litter away from their mother during the day at 28 days (4 weeks) and putting them back with their mother at night. Then at 35 days I separate the litter from their mother permanently. Then the litter stays together as a litter for another three weeks.
Toy breeds pups should be weaned a week later than medium or large breed pups.
2007-11-28 11:13:32 · answer #2 · answered by tom l 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Generally, 3-4 weeks is the time. With smaller litter or small breeds, you may wait until 5 weeks.
There is NO WAY I could EVER wait to wean a litter until 7-8 weeks. Maybe there is some confusion here. Do some people think that weaning at 3-4 weeks means you take them away and not let them nurse after that? NO ONE said that!!! You START weaning at 3-4 weeks. Start offering puppy mush at that time. Weaning is a process that takes WEEKS!!!!! It is not done in a day.....unless you do take the puppies away from the mother and do "forced weaning". That is cruel and should not be done unless there is a medical reason. Otherwise, you can START weaning (which is what you asked) at 3-4 weeks.
Someone over-reacted a tad!!!
2007-11-28 10:42:49 · answer #3 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
The litter my puppy is from started having their puppy mush at 3 weeks, and, at 5 weeks now, is eating more of a mushy kibble and only being nursed by the mother 2-3 times a day.
If you are concerned about the time, contact your vet! They will be able to give you a professional opinion on when the right time is for YOUR dog, not just dogs in general.
2007-11-28 11:07:32 · answer #4 · answered by bpbjess 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When my sister's dog had puppies the mother actually weaned them at 3 weeks but that was mostly because we had to hold her down to get her to nurse them. It was not pleasant since the dog was a 150lb Great Dane. I think as long as they are eating dry food good or even wet food it should be fine.
2007-11-28 10:56:00 · answer #5 · answered by Rebecca S 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
depending on the breed I start my pups at 3 1/2 weeks for med-large breed and 4 weeks for small to med.
2007-11-28 10:54:05 · answer #6 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
only a real idiot would suggest weaning at 3 weeks - pretty dumb to wean at 5 also...
puppys pass a CRITICAL socialization stage at about 5-6 weeks of age.. this is why EXPERTS suggest weaning at 7-8 weeks...
make sure pups are vaccinated 3 days BEFORE leaving your home...
2007-11-28 10:46:58 · answer #7 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1⤊ 6⤋