I usually don't start supplementing until about 3 and 1/2 weeks, but then again mine don't have their eyes open until closer to 2 weeks. Peak milk production doesn't occur until about 3 weeks, nursing stimulates and guides the amount of milk produced, so if you start supplementing Mom will probably produce less milk.
Puppies that are hungry and not getting enough will not be content and will cry when nursing and after nursing.
If you don't think she is healthy, I would probably start offering the pups a milk replacer in a saucer and then when they are about 3 and 1/2 weeks start adding a little canned or a quality dry puppy food that has been turned into a powder by a food processor. Keep it soupy in texture, more lapping than chewing, and then you can gradually lessen the moisture until they are eating it dry. |