Advice on weaning please

[johndavies]

My pups are 3 weeks old on wednesday, so i want to start to get things in ready for them next week when i start to wean them. This is my first set of pups so i need all the help i can get off you lot out there please lol as i dont know where to start. Do i wean them at 4 weeks or 4 and a half? What do i start them off with and for how long until i give them puppy food? I have 5 pups, thanks kath

[Ladyhawk]

Supplimentation at 4 weeks for a large litter is great but too early for them to be weaned fully. They should not solely be on puppy food until 6 weeks old. Not only do they still need the nutrients from mom but she teaches them alot about how to live in the pack and other social behaviors. It has been proven that puppies removed from dam and siblings during the period of between 5 & 7 weeks may be unable to socialize with other dogs, and are the ones most likely to become fighters later in life.

[johndavies]

So what do you suggest i do and when? What do i start them off on?

[Sugar's Mom]

i take my cue from my babies. i don't even make an effort to wean them until I notice them getting in their mama's dry kibble. then, i put them just a few bites of wet food down mixed with a tiny bite of puppy supplement. next week, i put some dry puppy kibble in the processor and grind it fine and add some puppy supplement (I use Esbilac liquid). After a few days on this, i start giving them coarser and coarser food until at about eight weeks, they are taking the same dry kibble mama is.

[rhiannon80]

Once my puppies start walking with their bellies off the ground I start to offer them food. My vet (years ago) told me to mix puppy dry kibble 1/4 c, boiled milk or evaporated milk 1/4 c & 1 2oz jar chicken baby food in a blender and blend until smooth. Offer this to the puppies for the first 2-4 days, then slowly cut out the milk and replace with equal amounts of canned food (continue to blend in the blender) for another 4 days then slowly cut out the baby food, replaceing with canned food (still continue to blend) at this point (about 10-14 days after your first offering of the food) the mix should be about 1/3 cup dry kibble to 2/3 c canned food. Slowly remove canned food and replace with dry kibble over the next couple days (I recommend that you continue to blend their food). Once they are completely on dry kibble you may stop blending their food. It usually takes me about a total of 16-20 so completely switched to dry food, though I allow to wean them on her own from her. I supplement her feedings with my mixture! My babies usually only quit feeding from their mommy at about 8 weeks old! Good Luck I hope this helps!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by johndavies

So what do you suggest i do and when? What do i start them off on?

I allow my mom's to set the pace. Around the 5th week when pups are starting to get teeth, mom will be reluctant to feed very readily, I take mom out at feeding time and begin Gerber baby Rice ceral with a mother's milk supplement and a bit of Karo Syrup. Then as time goes on I begin adding kibbles to the mess. My mom's usually fully wean them about 10 weeks of age.

[Ladyhawk]

Welcome back Mary, we missed you around here!!!!

[CO_yorkie_momma]

I also let the mothers do the weaning. They usually start at 4 weeks and have pretty much had enough of feeding them by then so I start to put the puppy kibble in with Esbilac to soften it and add a good quality wet puppy food to it. I also supplement with just the esbilac on the side with a syringe.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Ladyhawk

Welcome back Mary, we missed you around here!!!!

Thanks Tami

Trip out to California went without a hitch.

By the way I cut Charmer down yesterday and he's loving it. After being in coat for so long and since he's been a Champion for quite for well over a year and a half, it was about time. He now has 2 sons in the ring another owned by Tegamom1 that will be hitting the show circuit and making his debut at the Bluebonnet Specialty in September. And possibly 2 more sons coming out in December.

[Ladyhawk]

Sounds like you're on a roll. Are you enjoying Ca. so far? How's Tahlulah doing in Ca.? Have you shown her there already? I've been going up against Caraneal, Thimbletip, and David Fitzpatrick. I'm still not so sure I want to play with the big boys. Connor is growing up beautifully though.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Ladyhawk

Sounds like you're on a roll. Are you enjoying Ca. so far? How's Tahlulah doing in Ca.? Have you shown her there already? I've been going up against Caraneal, Thimbletip, and David Fitzpatrick. I'm still not so sure I want to play with the big boys. Connor is growing up beautifully though.

Yes, I've shown Tahlulah at the LA Specialty....she came home with 2 Ribbons; 1 in Sweeps and the other in regular classes.

Tami you shouldn't be afraid of playing with the big boys....it's great when you beat them.....then and only then is when you find out that your dog is one of the best of the best. Knowing your dog is winning because he's good and not because of the face at the end the lead. Get out there and do it, show your face let the AKC judges get to know your face and learn that you will only bring them the best to judge. Yes, it's political, but you got to start somewhere