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When do you start supplementing? The pups are going on 3 weeks, and they are doing GREAT!! They are getting nice and big, and beginning to crawl out of there whelping box. They have all opened their eyes on their own, and I am VERY relieved about that! So I was just wondering at what age do you start puppy food? And what type and consistency. Thanks Again for all your help!! Audrey |
I start trying (once a day) at about 4 weeks or so. I put a quality dry puppy food in a blender or food processor to turn it into a powder. Then I just mix it with warm water in a very liquid state (something they can lap more than chew). Once they start eating it then I go to three times a day and eventually 4 times a day. As they get older I put less and less water until they are able to eat just the dry. |
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Audrey |
Yes, Mom will start leaving them more and more and just come back to feed and clean them up. Once the pups are moving around, I put the whelping box in an enclosed gated pen area so they can start to explore. I include a shallow dish of water, toys and a potty pad. |
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Thak you! So is it normal for the pups to cry more now that the Mom is not in there as often? Should I be encouraging her to go in there and feed them more often, or does she "know" what they need. Like i went in today and she licked them all to make sure they were clean and pottying, and then she walked out, and they started crying. So I brought her back in and lied her down, and she fed them for about 15 min. with me in there petting and talking to her. Should I be doing this, or is she doing the right thing by not feeding as often or as much. They just seem so hungry when she is feeding them, and they are crying when she leaves them. Audrey |
A healthy well fed pup really shouldn't be crying that much. If they are crying a lot, they are probably not getting enough to eat. The pups stomachs can hold more now so the feedings are spaced further apart, but they should be content after nursing. You might want to go ahead and start the supplementing with powdered dry puppy food and a milk replacer (instead of water since they are only 3 weeks). |
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By the way, you are GREAT!!! Thank you soooo much for ALL your help!!!!! |
They been pooping the whole time, but the Mom has been eating it. She should continue to do so until you start introducing food. You could start with just adding water at 4 to 4 1/2 weeks, if the puppies are gaining weight like they should. You don't have to buy the expensive esbilac - you can just make your own from a small can of evaporated milk, can of water (bottled), one egg yolk, and 2 tsp. of corn syrup. The reason I change my kibble to a powder form is because it actually takes a little while to become soft if left in kibble form. It is much faster to turn it into a powder and they will eat it at a younger age if they can lap it up, rather than chewing. |
I have a question My pups are 41/2 weeks and tonight mom snapped and growled at them. Is that normal? |
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Hello, My puppies begin individual hand feedings at 3 1/2 weeks along with mama's milk. I use mighty dog or Lil Cesars canned because they respond to the strong smell and love the taste. They eat very well in a few days and they get as much as they want in the next several weeks.. I open cans until they are full. They nurse also until approx 6 weeks.. Feed them canned to start because they like it alot and leave dry out all the time. Keep them happy and fat.If puppies are crying or whining quite a bit they are cold or hungry most likely. Establish good consistent feeding habits. They should be kept on this diet for a week or more after leaving to their new home then they should be weaned from canned food gradually to dry only. (with occasional treats of course) Best wishes and healthy puppies!!! |
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