Quote:
Originally Posted by Kittykatmeow  so good to know that it's normal. I tend to worry too much. right now we've got them in a series of boxes. the sleeping area, the feeding/poop area (which they haven't quite gotten used to), and then it opens into a large box/play area that's about 3x3. I will definitely look into a playpen.
do you still keep a heating pad going during this phase? no ground up kibble, or kibble paste, or kibble with formula? got the water thing going. I've been supplementing at night with about 1 ounce of formula split between the 4 pups. they are now drinking it out of a shallow pet dish. (mom drinks about 1 ounce after they've had theirs).
I trimmed their nails and even did a quick file with the emory board, but will definitely take another look at them. perhaps I didn't cut enough. thank you so much. I really appreciate the advice. |
I feel that boxes at their age are to confining. With an x-pen or play yard they can see out and won't get as stressed. Set it up where mom can go in and out when she wants to.
I would leave out the finely ground puppy kibble and also give them pups some mushy food several times a day. The mom might eat some the ground up kibble but that is okay since she will be teaching them how to eat. If she eats up the mussy food right away then you might have to keep her away while the pups eat. You should not have to supplement them if they are eating out of a bowl. Just feed them right before bedtime. Mom should be able to feed them during the night as long as she can get to them.
They should not need a heating pad at this age unless you are in a very cold climate. Just some nice clean bedding will be fine. I fold up a sheet for them to lay on. During cooler weather I will use flannel sheets and fleece blankets.
All litters are different. I have had some litters that were very vocal, wanting mom with them all the time and other litters that hardly ever make a peep.
Is the mom still cleaning up the puppy's poop? Once they start eating solid food sometimes the mom will stop cleaning their bottoms. At about four weeks I make sure the hair around the puppies bottom is trimmed short.