Weening

I've been searching on the net for a while about this, and I still can't seem to get a real set answer on this.

What week should I start feeding my puppies actual hard food instead of letting them nurse?

Xelleron wrote:

I've been searching on the net for a while about this, and I still can't seem to get a real set answer on this.

What week should I start feeding my puppies actual hard food instead of letting them nurse?

You don't do it all at once. At week three introduce them to solid food. What i do is blend the food up (grind it up) and put some water in make it really mushy also sometimes add milk suppliment but that depends on if the mother isn't nursing them much. Usually around this time the teeth are starting to come in and the mother doesn't want to nurse much if at all. I use just born milk replacer when the mother refuses to nurse. Once they start eating the food up really good then I start giving them more or i add a lil rice baby cereal to the mix to make sure they are getting full! It all depends on your bitch and how good a mother she is. Sierra was awesome she was still trying to nurse long after i pulled the pups from her!

I do solid food about the same time, (when they get teeth in) we never got that not that elaborate with the food though , We just used puppy food softened with water. (I may have to try those tips with our next litter though ) I also agree it depends on the mom and how well the pups are nursing and if they are getting enough from the momma.

As for Weaning off Momma, we always let the momma decide when she is done nursing. Nature knows when it's time. I have also read that it is better for the pups, healthwise and socially. I wish I still had the link to the article I found about it. But I also think there is no right or wrong answer, everyone has there own ways of doing things and for their own reasons.

I do the same as christie, put the food in the blender w/ a milk supplement and some baby rice formula. And vala you got mush, I gradually decrease the amount of water, and it gives them a little more to chew.

Thanks for the tips! I will def. do that!

I really do appreciate it!

schismatickennels wrote:

I do the same as christie, put the food in the blender w/ a milk supplement and some baby rice formula. And vala you got mush, I gradually decrease the amount of water, and it gives them a little more to chew.

Wow!!!! That is a great idea you 2...... I wish i knew that back in the day....

schismatickennels wrote:

I do the same as christie, put the food in the blender w/ a milk supplement and some baby rice formula. And vala you got mush, I gradually decrease the amount of water, and it gives them a little more to chew.

yep same here....

I'm really glad I asked you guys! My mom and I are going to go look for some milk stuff.

What brand do you think would be good?

Just born milk replacer.

Xelleron wrote:

I'm really glad I asked you guys! My mom and I are going to go look for some milk stuff.

What brand do you think would be good?

You can get the just born milk replacer really cheap off the net. I wouldn't suggest the walmart brand milk replacer I had gotten it for a friend (at her request) and all her pups but two died then both of them died later down the line, one made it all the way to six months and then Nemo just died on her she never bred another litter of rotties after that!

I've also used carnation good start......I asked the vet about it, and he said it was a good supplement. That any baby milk would do. I didn't like teh walmart puppy milk replacer either.

I thought that was the purpose of a blender. I don't use mine for anything else. we have use Just Born and were always pleased with it.

Mikado&Chalice wrote:

I thought that was the purpose of a blender. I don't use mine for anything else. we have use Just Born and were always pleased with it.

Same here! I don't use the baby formulas cause they all have their flaws. I used carnation with my children and it messed up both their digestive systems, not knocking you chelle I just don't like the formulas I brest feed all mine but I did try formula with each of them. I tried the carnation with my youngest after the innocident with the oldest cause the doc said it most likely was not the milk but his own system but it didn't work for either of them so I just don't like it lol. How did it go with your pups?

I'm so confused. lol

Yep the purpose of the blender is definately for dog food in my house, but ya know margaritas are good too. lol

Anyways, yea I don't breast feed my children lol Formula or you ain't eatin...sorry. lol

I liked the carnation with my pups though.

If it were not for forumal my son would have died something is messed up with me I can not breast feed. I too made all of my sons food with the blender as I don't think that baby food is any good just MO. I think he did alright he is now almost 15, 6'2" I'm only 5'4" his father was 5' 7". I hope he stops growing soon

i NEVER BREAST FEED

Mikado&Chalice wrote:

If it were not for forumal my son would have died something is messed up with me I can not breast feed. I too made all of my sons food with the blender as I don't think that baby food is any good just MO. I think he did alright he is now almost 15, 6'2" I'm only 5'4" his father was 5' 7". I hope he stops growing soon

dang! 15??? 6'2?? That is TALL!!!!! lol.

We too use the same formula with the milk repacement and baby rice formula. However, we try to let the pups on the mother for as long as she will let them. The pups need the calcium from the mother. I also give the mothers calcium tablets once they drop the pups.

Bluffside wrote:

i NEVER BREAST FEED

ROTFL!!!! Shannon I didn't see you as a breastfeeder, although you could have bought the fake breast thingy and a pump and given them the motherly love.