Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have been doing it successfully for ages, so how hard can it be, right?
But humans, not being dogs, can sometimes forget the natural part, and get confused about it.
Fact is, weaning puppies is an easy, logical process.
When you're ready to begin weaning your new puppies, keep in mind that this should be done gradually, in small steps. You can't rush it, and you definitely don't want to begin when the puppies are too young.
Sometimes people get impatient and try to begin weaning puppies before they're three weeks old. That's too early. Their bodies need to develop the ability to handle solid food, and that takes time. Wait the three weeks -- it's not really so long.
The first step in the weaning process is to take the mother away from the puppies at least an hour before it's time for them to eat. This gives the puppies a chance to get good and hungry. They'll be more inclined to try the new, alternative food you offer them.
Remember, when it's time for the puppies to eat, the mother should be nowhere around.
The alternative food you offer them should be liquid or semi-liquid so it's easy for them to swallow and digest. Solid food won't work for them yet.
You can make a gruel of commercial dog food mixed with water or baby cereal thinned with water. Another option when weaning puppies is to use diluted strained baby food.
Put any of these mixtures in a small, shallow dish. Some of the puppies will have no problem eating. They'll catch on immediately. But there may be a few that just don't get it. So they'll need some encouragement. The easiest way is to put a little of the mixture on the tip of their nose or on their tongue.
When weaning puppies you'll also need to decrease the amount of food you're giving the mother. This causes her to produce less milk. At the same time, you can gradually begin increasing the amount of food you give the puppies, and over the next several days make it less soupy. As they grow and their digestion matures, their food should slowly become more solid, day by day.
Weaning puppies at this point becomes easier because, as the solid food grows more familiar to them, they learn to enjoy it more. Let them eat as much as they want as long as they don't become bloated.
If you approach weaning puppies like this, the process should be simple, painless and easy. Expect to see them completely weaned by the time they're six to eight weeks old.
puppy-toy-tips.com
Learn great ways to use puppy toys for training and socializing your new pup. Make sure you're on the right track when training your dog. Also, be sure to get the free eBook of puppy coloring pages for your kids.
Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More
I'm sure you're aware of the bad reputation Pitbulls have.... Read More
For Discus fish, there are 2 consideration in tanks -... Read More
Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More
Horse owners who are history buffs may recognize the name... Read More
First pet stores began selling clothes for pets. Then kennels... Read More
As dogs grow older, their senses become less sharp and... Read More
A crate is a valuable and useful training tool. Its... Read More
I would like to address some of the statements I... Read More
Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to... Read More
BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native... Read More
"Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs,... Read More
We all know that good food, a loving home and... Read More
Traditionally, a doggie treat was just that, a treat that... Read More
The first thing to do when searching for a lost... Read More
Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of... Read More
This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I... Read More
Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show... Read More
When you take into account that there are over 68,000,000... Read More
So you're thinking about trying cichlids. A good choice. In... Read More
Anyone can put two dogs together and let them breed,... Read More
What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease... Read More
"On Trust" & "Paid For" for are one of the... Read More
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More
Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare North Chicago ..Now that you're dog has shown you so much love... Read More
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More
Looking for some quick Rottweiler dog facts? Here's a quick... Read More
What happens when we die? In our society, death is... Read More
While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More
Selling a HorseThe best new tool for people selling horses... Read More
Many pet owners don't like using a leash, for a... Read More
Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens are... Read More
Have a dog lover on your gift list? Want to... Read More
Let's think about this for a minute: God did not... Read More
Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen... Read More
Gone are the days of boring bird cages. Today's bird... Read More
Many cat owners believe that their good little kitty would... Read More
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how... Read More
Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More
This is a very controversial topic which has a lot... Read More
Every day, people by the millions pour food from a... Read More
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
Bark CollarsMany pet owners become lost as to what to... Read More
Adopting a dog is a lot of fun, but it... Read More
Talk to the animals?Yes.And what's more, they talk to us!If... Read More
While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More
Does the idea of trimming your dog's nails send chills... Read More
On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More
As many of you know America is serious about our... Read More
Pet |