Feeding Babes - YorkieTalk.com Forums

yorkiegma · 10-28-2006, 07:34 AM

I have been feeding our mommy dog in the kennel with the pups off and on depending whats going on in the house and noticed a few times the bowl was taken or knocked off the wall and on the bottom of the pen. I didnt think much about it until this morning. I was building a fire in the fireplace when I heard a noise and saw Birdie(mommy) take the bowl off the wall and was sharing with the pups. I mix dry and wet food for mommy. I quickly went and and had to force the pups away from the bowl. They were starved. I thought it was too soon to start feeding them? Was I wrong? Birdie seemed to know what she was doing so I went ahead and got the soft puppy food out and fed them. Now Im in the forum looking up when to ween the pups. Any one out there know? I cannt find the answer! The pups all seemed to get their fill and layed down on the heating pad and off to sleep they went. So far no problems and Birdie is in laying by me with no cares in the world. I only wish she could talk but somehow I think she did.....

Olivier · 10-28-2006, 07:50 AM

How old are the puppies ?

ChestersMom · 10-28-2006, 07:58 AM

If mom was smart enough to make the food available to them, I assume she knows what she's doing. I started feeding mine water-soaked food at about six weeks (I think. Getting old, memory bad!) They were completely weaned by nine weeks. I did nothing to stop Chloe from nursing. I just paid close attention to how she acted when they tried to nurse; she took care of the rest.

Animals can be much smarter than we give them credit for. She instinctively knows what's best for them. Of course, if it makes them sick, I'd be careful. Are her teats still full? Maybe she knows she's not producing enough milk.

Whatever the answer, best of luck to you. And be prepared, it's not easy letting them go to their forever homes. I cried like a baby when the last one left.

annaschaben · 10-28-2006, 08:03 AM

We had to wean our puppies at three weeks old, and started feeding them wet puppy food mix with puppy milk replacer. They are almost 5 weeks now and seem to be doing great on it.

angelbaby's mom · 10-28-2006, 08:19 AM

I think you should start weaning as soon as they start getting teeth. It can take a day or two, or it could take two weeks, but just be patient. I'm learning that it will happen, just not always quickly and easily.

I think 4-5 weeks is a good age to start the process.

Sugar's Mom · 10-28-2006, 10:13 AM

i noticed my puppy standing and drinking from mom's water bowl at three weeks old. so, i mixed up a little wet food with puppy supplement and let her eat it while mom ate her food. she also started eating from mom's food dish about that time but that doesn't mean she was weaned. I let her nurse as long as she wanted to and mom doesn't seem to care. Mom has been dry for about two weeks and neither of them want anything to do with each other. BUT, last night I heard this smacking noise and looked and this big old nine week old puppy was sucking the fire out a a dry teat. i guess it was comforting to her.

yorkiegma · 10-28-2006, 06:39 PM

Thanks for all the answers and support I recieved. Birdie seems drying up and the pups will be a month old on the 29th of Oct. I guess they are old enough but none seem to have teeth yet.They dont seem to be having any problems with the soft food. I wish I knew how to send pictures. They look like mom in color but is fluffy like dad. Thanks again from Arizona

Lacy's Mom · 10-30-2006, 12:23 PM

I start about 4 weeks feeding a quality dry puppy food which has been put in a food processor and turned into a powder (makes mixing so easy) and then mix with warm water to make a soupy gruel. Mom usually starts regurgitating food for them about that time. Regurgitated food is shaped like a long tube, doesn't even resemble vomit.

yorkiegma · 11-02-2006, 06:52 AM

Mommy is still nursing the pups(born 29th Sept) and I put them all in their crate for the night together but other than 1 or 2 times a day she stays away from them. I give her nutri-cal, puppy food,and extra treats so she is so spoiled now she thinks she gets to sleep with us. She takes naps with me during the day. The pups are so cute. I sent a picture to my g-son and he thought it was Birdie(mom). I know its going to hurt to let them go but I think it will hurt my husband more. (softie) . I have pictures in my album of birdie and I think one of the pups if not I will get some there. My next question is HOW MUCH TO FEED THEM AND HOW OFTEN? I sound like the worse mom. Dont worry they arent going hungry but maybe feeding to much? There are 4 and they get puppy food (warmed up of course) and esbilac whenever they wake up from naps and have a play time. They also try and pottie on the puppy pad i place in the play pen with them. They are so smart. LOL.....Thanks for all the responses. They keep me from calling the vet or my Mom ....

yorkiegma · 11-02-2006, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacy's Mom

I start about 4 weeks feeding a quality dry puppy food which has been put in a food processor and turned into a powder (makes mixing so easy) and then mix with warm water to make a soupy gruel. Mom usually starts regurgitating food for them about that time. Regurgitated food is shaped like a long tube, doesn't even resemble vomit.

How interesting. My mother raised dogs for 20 years and I never Knew they did that. I am going to try and blend the food like you said . I think it would be better for them then swithching them from wet to try. Birdie still takes the bowl off the wall of the crate to feed the pups at night. Im afraid they will choke but if she feels its ok who am I to disagree. I feed them what I can find a Wall Mart cause I want who ever gets the pups not to mess up their diet until they figure out what they want to feed them. I found when I couldnt find the brand of dog food they were use to I had to change and they got sick. Now I keep plenty around and they are fine but had to go to a common brand. I give them Nurti-cal for extra vitimins and dog treats with vitimins . Thanks for your response and teaching me more about the babies.

Julz · 11-02-2006, 07:51 AM

At 4 weeks I add water to some kibble and put it in the microwave for 20 seconds (to speed the process up of softening the food). When it is completely soft I mush it up and warm it again for 10 seconds making sure it isn't too hot, but nice and warm for them. I add a bit of the "post whelping" recipe to it in the beginning. Each week I let the food be firmer and firmer for them. I add a little cottage cheese on the 5th week. It is during the 4th week that I also trim the hair off of their ears so they can start to stand. I have never had a pup not have both ears up by 8 weeks. You will be surprised how much hair comes off. I also trim their nails. It is easiest if you have someone else hold the pup for you during both processes. I know...I got off track...

Lacy's Mom · 11-02-2006, 09:54 AM

Julz,
Try putting the kibble in a food processor and turning it into a powder. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to mix, no waiting for it to turn soft and no risk of bacteria from getting it too hot then having to let it cool off or getting too cold before it gets soft and having to reheat it.

No microwaving is necessary, just hot tap water. I have a water dispenser that dispenses hot and cold water so it takes me like 10 seconds to have a perfect puppy meal.

Yorkiegma,
I feed about 4 times a day, but don't feel guilty if they may only get three on a particular day at this point. My moms are back to sleeping with me at this point also. At this age, if the pups cry in the middle of the night they will go to them (they're right next to my bed). In a week or two though, they will even ignore the crying at night and look at me to get up and feed them (which I will). Don't usually have more than a couple of the middle of the night feedings because they adjust to Mom not nursing at night very quickly and sleep right through the night.

yorkiegma · 11-14-2006, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julz

At 4 weeks I add water to some kibble and put it in the microwave for 20 seconds (to speed the process up of softening the food). When it is completely soft I mush it up and warm it again for 10 seconds making sure it isn't too hot, but nice and warm for them. I add a bit of the "post whelping" recipe to it in the beginning. Each week I let the food be firmer and firmer for them. I add a little cottage cheese on the 5th week. It is during the 4th week that I also trim the hair off of their ears so they can start to stand. I have never had a pup not have both ears up by 8 weeks. You will be surprised how much hair comes off. I also trim their nails. It is easiest if you have someone else hold the pup for you during both processes. I know...I got off track...

The more info the better. Now whats with the cottage cheese. I dont feed the dogs anything but dog food. I mix rice and lamb, puppy chow with soft puppy food.I also give them puppy cal and the mom nutri cal. Also I give puppies and mom esbilac , since mom isnt feeding pups now. I keep hearing cottage cheese. I really want to know if what Im doing isnt enough. I find the more you know the better your able to do for anything. I may not agree and decide not to do it but at least I can make a decision. I like the input and know it may help others too. Thanks

10-28-2006, 07:34 AM	#1
yorkiegma Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: arizona Posts: 28	Feeding Babes I have been feeding our mommy dog in the kennel with the pups off and on depending whats going on in the house and noticed a few times the bowl was taken or knocked off the wall and on the bottom of the pen. I didnt think much about it until this morning. I was building a fire in the fireplace when I heard a noise and saw Birdie(mommy) take the bowl off the wall and was sharing with the pups. I mix dry and wet food for mommy. I quickly went and and had to force the pups away from the bowl. They were starved. I thought it was too soon to start feeding them? Was I wrong? Birdie seemed to know what she was doing so I went ahead and got the soft puppy food out and fed them. Now Im in the forum looking up when to ween the pups. Any one out there know? I cannt find the answer! The pups all seemed to get their fill and layed down on the heating pad and off to sleep they went. So far no problems and Birdie is in laying by me with no cares in the world. I only wish she could talk but somehow I think she did.....

10-28-2006, 08:03 AM	#4
annaschaben YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 532	We had to wean our puppies at three weeks old, and started feeding them wet puppy food mix with puppy milk replacer. They are almost 5 weeks now and seem to be doing great on it. __________________ Anna & Roxy

10-28-2006, 06:39 PM	#7
yorkiegma Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: arizona Posts: 28	feeding babes Thanks for all the answers and support I recieved. Birdie seems drying up and the pups will be a month old on the 29th of Oct. I guess they are old enough but none seem to have teeth yet.They dont seem to be having any problems with the soft food. I wish I knew how to send pictures. They look like mom in color but is fluffy like dad. Thanks again from Arizona

11-02-2006, 06:52 AM	#9
yorkiegma Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: arizona Posts: 28	feeding babes Mommy is still nursing the pups(born 29th Sept) and I put them all in their crate for the night together but other than 1 or 2 times a day she stays away from them. I give her nutri-cal, puppy food,and extra treats so she is so spoiled now she thinks she gets to sleep with us. She takes naps with me during the day. The pups are so cute. I sent a picture to my g-son and he thought it was Birdie(mom). I know its going to hurt to let them go but I think it will hurt my husband more. (softie) . I have pictures in my album of birdie and I think one of the pups if not I will get some there. My next question is HOW MUCH TO FEED THEM AND HOW OFTEN? I sound like the worse mom. Dont worry they arent going hungry but maybe feeding to much? There are 4 and they get puppy food (warmed up of course) and esbilac whenever they wake up from naps and have a play time. They also try and pottie on the puppy pad i place in the play pen with them. They are so smart. LOL.....Thanks for all the responses. They keep me from calling the vet or my Mom ....

10-28-2006, 07:50 AM	#2
Olivier Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,999	How old are the puppies ?

10-28-2006, 07:58 AM	#3
ChestersMom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bacliff, TX Posts: 947	If mom was smart enough to make the food available to them, I assume she knows what she's doing. I started feeding mine water-soaked food at about six weeks (I think. Getting old, memory bad!) They were completely weaned by nine weeks. I did nothing to stop Chloe from nursing. I just paid close attention to how she acted when they tried to nurse; she took care of the rest. Animals can be much smarter than we give them credit for. She instinctively knows what's best for them. Of course, if it makes them sick, I'd be careful. Are her teats still full? Maybe she knows she's not producing enough milk. Whatever the answer, best of luck to you. And be prepared, it's not easy letting them go to their forever homes. I cried like a baby when the last one left.

10-28-2006, 08:19 AM	#5
angelbaby's mom YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: OK, but Texas soon! Posts: 326	I think you should start weaning as soon as they start getting teeth. It can take a day or two, or it could take two weeks, but just be patient. I'm learning that it will happen, just not always quickly and easily. I think 4-5 weeks is a good age to start the process.

10-28-2006, 10:13 AM	#6
Sugar's Mom BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9,248	i noticed my puppy standing and drinking from mom's water bowl at three weeks old. so, i mixed up a little wet food with puppy supplement and let her eat it while mom ate her food. she also started eating from mom's food dish about that time but that doesn't mean she was weaned. I let her nurse as long as she wanted to and mom doesn't seem to care. Mom has been dry for about two weeks and neither of them want anything to do with each other. BUT, last night I heard this smacking noise and looked and this big old nine week old puppy was sucking the fire out a a dry teat. i guess it was comforting to her.

10-30-2006, 12:23 PM	#8
Lacy's Mom YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 3,065	I start about 4 weeks feeding a quality dry puppy food which has been put in a food processor and turned into a powder (makes mixing so easy) and then mix with warm water to make a soupy gruel. Mom usually starts regurgitating food for them about that time. Regurgitated food is shaped like a long tube, doesn't even resemble vomit.

11-02-2006, 07:51 AM	#11
Julz Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 4,347	At 4 weeks I add water to some kibble and put it in the microwave for 20 seconds (to speed the process up of softening the food). When it is completely soft I mush it up and warm it again for 10 seconds making sure it isn't too hot, but nice and warm for them. I add a bit of the "post whelping" recipe to it in the beginning. Each week I let the food be firmer and firmer for them. I add a little cottage cheese on the 5th week. It is during the 4th week that I also trim the hair off of their ears so they can start to stand. I have never had a pup not have both ears up by 8 weeks. You will be surprised how much hair comes off. I also trim their nails. It is easiest if you have someone else hold the pup for you during both processes. I know...I got off track...

11-02-2006, 09:54 AM	#12
Lacy's Mom YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 3,065	Julz, Try putting the kibble in a food processor and turning it into a powder. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to mix, no waiting for it to turn soft and no risk of bacteria from getting it too hot then having to let it cool off or getting too cold before it gets soft and having to reheat it. No microwaving is necessary, just hot tap water. I have a water dispenser that dispenses hot and cold water so it takes me like 10 seconds to have a perfect puppy meal. Yorkiegma, I feed about 4 times a day, but don't feel guilty if they may only get three on a particular day at this point. My moms are back to sleeping with me at this point also. At this age, if the pups cry in the middle of the night they will go to them (they're right next to my bed). In a week or two though, they will even ignore the crying at night and look at me to get up and feed them (which I will). Don't usually have more than a couple of the middle of the night feedings because they adjust to Mom not nursing at night very quickly and sleep right through the night.