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03-07-2011, 07:19 PM | #1 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 220
| Breeders....Questions about Newborn Puppy Care. Breeders, I have some questions about what comes next with the care of our new puppies. Some may have followed our threads and know that the "Miracle Babies" are now 4 weeks old. Mom did start nursing at day 7 if memory serves me correctly and has been nursing since then however, I still had to do 2 bottle feedings a day and a few supplements since they were still crying. I am now up to 3 full bottle feedings and some supplements. I started them on a little rice cereal with their formula and let them take that from the plate. I did that for 3 days at 3 feedings a day and all seem to have done well with it. No diarrhea or upset tummies. Today I did add a spoon full of Wellness Puppy food from the can and they devoured it. 2 can eat from the plate without any problems and 2 still need a little guidance. Our 2nd feeding I did add a little more dog food to it and not so much cereal. Again, all did good but still had to guide 2 to the plate. Now for the questions about feeding.... 1) Is this the correct method for getting them to eat??? 2) Should I continue with this path till they are all on puppy food only or do we try to cut out the cereal all together and just use puppy food? 3) Should I be offering them water too? I do offer them a bottle afterward if momma won't nurse them to see if they are still hungry or need a drink and occasionally I will get a taker. 4) Since doing the food, they are going about 4 hours or so without even looking for food. Is that normal?? 5) When do I use the puppy kibble?? I can't see them even trying to eat that right yet even if it is soaked and mushed. Is the can alright or should I try using the kibble?? So that is the feeding questions that I have. Now on to the next area. What should I be doing or not doing to help these pups when they go to their homes? I do not know when or if I start crate training them, do not know if I try to separate them so they get used to not having each other, do not know when I start trying to potty train them, and do not know when I start letting them meet other pets even if it is from a distance. As you can see this is all new to me. If you can point me to areas that I can read I have no problem doing that. Any guidance that you can give would be appreciated. Lastly, I need to find contracts for the new owners. I will insist upon spay or neuter and I need that in there. Any suggestions where I can find contracts or do I need to have an Attorney draw one up. The reason I am coming to you is I value your opinions and your expertise. You all helped me save this momma and her puppies and I don't mind being told if I am doing something wrong. Just want what is best for them. Hugs, Sara |
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03-08-2011, 06:25 AM | #2 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 82
| Sara, You have done a great job on these puppies. I know it hasn't been easy for you ! Big job to raise puppies who need bottle fed so often for so long. Everything you are doing sounds great. To get them started with a little kibble. Put some of the kibble in the blender and blend until it looks like coffee grounds. Add just a little of this with the mixture you are already giving them. May need to add formula that you are giving in the bottle to it to thin it down to a very thin mixture they can lap up. This will get them used to the flavor and eating some before they have the teeth to chew up the kibble. Just add a small amount and gradually add more daily. They are getting some liquid with their food and may be drinking out of the moms water bowl if it is short enough. If not, you could put a short bowl of water in for them. They have their siblings and mother to play with so there is no advantage to them being with other puppies at this age. They need to have their vaccinations before being exposed to other puppies or people. As far as the potty training, too young now, but when they are about 7 weeks old, if you set up an x pen with papers at one end and bed, food at the other end they will start training themselves to the pee pads. You wont want to take them outside until their shots are complete. |
03-08-2011, 11:06 AM | #3 | |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Inola
Posts: 8
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03-08-2011, 11:24 AM | #4 |
Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California
Posts: 14,776
| Goats Milk, equal parts of distilled water with a bit of Karo Syrup. It's the closest to mother's milk.
__________________ Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers |
03-08-2011, 05:54 PM | #5 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 220
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I have been adding more of the canned food in and less of the cereal. All 4 will now stay at the plate. One will get away from it and I have to guide her back but they are all doing great with it. Poop is still normal....a little firmer than what it was but now they have real food so I expected that. Will start to add in ground up kibble and use less of the canned food and cereal now. Did put some water in there and showed them all it but none would take it. I even made it the same temp as their bottle. I am only doing it 3 times a day. Is that enough or should I do that more or less??? Also, after they eat they shake like they are cold. So I wipe them down since they make a mess and put them under the blanket to warm up. Is that normal too?? I think they get cold since they crawl in the plate and it gets on them. I also turn the heater on in the room before I put the food down just to try to make it a little warmer so they don't get too cold. Thanks again for the help. Just wanted to make sure I was doing it right. | |
03-08-2011, 06:51 PM | #6 | |
Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California
Posts: 14,776
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As mom's milk begins to disapate and change texture, usually about 5 weeks of age, I would add more a couple of more meals.....You'll find her reluctant to nurse when their milk teeth come in....so, that is when they'll begin eat more. I usually don't add ground kibble until their puppy teeth begin to come in.
__________________ Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers | |
03-08-2011, 07:20 PM | #7 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 220
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