Nursing pups with another mama
 

I apologize for the title, probably have people very confused, but just wasn't sure how to word this properly. I have a couple of questions for those of you who have used a lactating girl to foster pups from another girls litter.

My Bella has a litter of 2 pups who are just about 7 weeks old, they still nurse about 2-3 times per day, and are of course receiving appropriate puppy supplementation. (I don't wean my pups completely until they decide they are done on their own, about 10-11 weeks give or take.)

My parti girl T Bell is about 43 days pg with her first litter. I believe we are in for a nice big litter. Heart beats show 5 maybe 6 pups. (The girls in this line do produce 4-6 pups on average.) Would it be common, or ok, to let Bella nurse a couple of the pups if T. Bells milk doesn't come in or if she for some reason doesn't produce enough milk for all of her pups? Sounds much simpler than bottle or tube feeding, and since Mamas milk is of course best......does this seem to be an option I would have, if the need arises?? Of course I would let all the pups nurse off of T Bell too to get that much needed colostrum! (I have heard of this being done, but wanted 'expert' opinions!) I of course supplement my nursing girls with Excel calcium for dogs after whelp.

Thanks in advance!

If the need to find a "foster" mom comes it could work, but you need to keep the actual momma still nursing so she does not dry up before the other litter is born. We had mommies nurse litters of 6 puppies just fine, it all depends on the lines and the dogs themselves. It sounds like you know what you are doing and have a plan set out already. I am sure you only needed some reassurance, and if the needs arise, your plan is not bad, and i am sure if it does not work out you will find a way around it. I have a female who would foster anything... she loves being a mommy and had foster a litter for another female. There are bitches that once they are done with their own litter they are done and would not accept new puppies. You are the only person who can decide what is best for your little ones.
Blessings on your little ones and the ones who are to come !
XOXO

Thanks so much for your advice. It is appreciated, and reassurance on this upcoming litter is something I was kind of looking for. Bella has not ever been around another litter, other than her own, she does 'mother' all pups that come into our house, and is an excellent mother in general, so maybe it would work if it came down to needing to use her. She will still be producing milk, as her litter is not weaned, and won't be for a few weeks yet. (Perfect timing for Tbells litter!)

Tbell comes from excellent lines with excellent mothers, but we all know that sometimes even the best lines have issues. (I am in constant contact with her breeder, my mentor of sorts, she assures me all will be ok, her lines have larger litters, and mamas do great) Tbell has been in contact with Bellas litter for a couple of weeks now, and she LOVES to mother those pups. Potties them, disciplines them very gently when they get into issues, or get too rough, and even lays down to try to nurse them. :)

My largest litter thus far was 3 pups. So 5-6 has me a little worried, and am working hard to be prepared for anything that may arise, BEFORE these things arise. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best is my motto!

Thanks again!

I just saw this and wanted to tell you that my silky Chanel's last litter was 6 and she fed them well and she did fine, the only thing is you have to watch her calcium intake like a hawk, a Good puppy food, a good calcium supplement and 4 servings of whelping pudding and she will do fine..
hugs,

Thanks Carmen....:) Ohhhhhh I will watch her calcium like a hawk!!! I don't play around with eclampsia!!!

Just an FYI. I THOUGHT I kept Bella with milk for Miss Ts litter, just in case she needed help nursing her big litter. Bellas babies are 10 weeks old, they still get on and nurse a couple times a day, but Bellas milk was gone! I went to check her a few days ago, when I thought we may have to use her. I heard that females still have the capability to produce milk 30 or more days after weaning. I gave her a couple of doses of whelping pudding with fenugreek (which she devoured) . TODAY SHE HAS MILK and LOTS of it!!!! I am going to keep her on a nice rich diet, including her whelping pudding, which she will love, and will be valuable if we need to foster. I was amazed at how fast that fenugreek and whelping pudding had her back in milk.

The puppies were brought out for a play date with the mamas today. (In the middle of the living room floor.) Both girls were mothering the pups. Bella (NOT A MAMA, for those of you that remember that dinosaur show LOL) laid down and was happily nursing the babies! Go figure, we didn't need her, but she would have done it anyway! :D

I am glad everything worked out