Puppies are 4 wks today and HUNGRY! (I think) I have a question and need serious help - btw - this is my first litter. I have 3 puppies that are four weeks old today and the mom has not been spending any time with them. I mean she goes back there if someone else goes and checks on them. They are in our master bedroom closet. And she will diaper them, but won't let them nurse. The only time I have seen them nurse is when she diapers them and they have to grab a quick snack and then she jumps off. The middle weighted one is crying more and seems like he is hungry. They are gaining only a very little of weight this past week but then again, they have been playing like crazy. I know at some point she nurses them less and less, and will wean the puppies themselves, but I think she's only nursed them (maybe - like laying down and nursing them until they get full) only once since about 2:00 pm yesterday. I gave them some Nutri-cal last night about 10 pm and then when they were crying at about 2 am, I got up and made some formula and very ground up puppy food and fed them. They went crazy over it and ate until they were satisfied and then went to sleep. She was in the room with me but wouldn't go nurse them. She did however, want the ground up puppy food and tried to eat their instead of hers, I guess she thought it was something better! ;) She has also began to start growling at them when they have tried to nurse. Also, whenever I do supplement them, what it the best supplement I should be giving them (like the formula or ground up puppy food or both or something else) and how often, at this age should I feed them. Also, will they get constipated and what should I give them, if anything to relieve it? Thanks for your help. Hopefully, I can prepare ahead of time, instead of at 2 am in a crunch with your help. :) And maybe they will get some much needed rest with full bellies. Thanks so much for your help! |
At 4 weeks they are old enough to wean. If mom really isn't feeding anymore then you must see that they eat. Grind up puppy food and soak with milk replacer or water. I would offer them food 4 to 6 times a day. If they only eat a small amount pick it up right away afterward. They should be fine with this. Cut back if they eat well on their own to 4 times a day. Eveeryone weans a little differently but this worked well for me. I had one female who always had litters of 5 and never had enough milk for them. |
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Thank you :D Thank you :D Thank you :D |
I know Lola would not feed unless I would lie down next to her. She wanted me more than the pups. Try that also. Go ahead and buy some suppliment milk at petsmart. and some good puppy food. I used INNOVA puppy. Mix warm milk little water and food til food is soft. about half hour. The pups will lap up all the liquid..and eat most of the food. Oh warm it up for them....Feed about 3 to 4 times a day....Let us know if you need more help... |
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I made the pups food soft with juice, soupy and warm..I would make up the night before a small batch of soft food then in the morning I would add water and warm it for 25 seconds in the micro. Trust me they will lap it up....I bought puppy goat milk from petmart. This er vet told me to use that....Let me know....The innova puppy food has all the nutrients. Also Wellness puppy is great.... |
You can dilute the milk with water or you dont have to its ready to serve in the cans. I deluted it a little. Later you can just use water and pup food... |
Yeppers, it sounds like Mom is finished with the pups. LOL Time for the human G'Ma to step up and take over. I've never had a mom that quit nursing so early, but if I did I would mix baby rice cereal with canned goat's milk which has been diluted with equal amounts of warm water - then I would start adding ground up puppy food (dry) and have water available to them at all times. |
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