Weaning

As newborn pups the litter may be feeding from the dam, or being bottle or tube fed by you, but they will need to learn to feed on their own. The time to wean them will depend upon their breed, and usually occurs between three and five weeks of age. Your veterinarian and experienced breeders can advise further, depending on the breed of pups you have. Generally the process is as follows:


1. Introduce soft puppy food to the weanlings by dipping a finger into the food and bringing the finger to the pup’s mouth. If he doesn’t immediately lick the food then dab a small amount onto his lips. Do this with each pup as necessary, usually for two to four days. Some breeders may also introduce the weanlings to rice cereal to start, progressing to a mixture of rice cereal and ground puppy food and then to ground puppy food with softened puppy food, and some breeders also use home formulas or a variation of these.
During this time the pups are still nursing. As the weaning process continues this will lesson. Slow the dam’s milk production by gradually decreasing her food intake.

2. Offer the weanlings soft puppy food from shallow dishes and place them before the dish. If they are reluctant to eat from the dish encourage them by placing a small amount of the food on your finger and offering it to them. It is normal for the pups to make a mess of themselves while learning to feed themselves—after all it is a new and foreign process for them. Have lots of warm, damp towels on hand for cleanup after each feeding.

During this time the pups will continue nursing however the amount of times per day should be decreased to approximately two.

3. After about a week of introducing the weaning process offer the pups food four times a day. They should always have access to water.

During this time the mother will have less milk for the pups, which is normal and encourages weaning. The pups may also be less interested in nursing as they get accustomed to feeding themselves, however they may still nurse about twice a day.

4. As the pups progress, and become more accustomed to feeding themselves, solid food should be introduced. The dry puppy food should be moistened, as the pups do not yet have teeth.

Once the pups are eating solid foods nursing should be discouraged. This is the final necessary step in their weaning, and often a welcome one for the dam as the pups will have begun to teeth at this point and their new teeth may hurt her. Pick the pup up and remove him from his mother if he continues to nurse. The pups feeding times can now be reduced from four per day to a morning and evening feed.

The pups should be fully weaned by eight weeks of age, however depending on the breed and the bitch the pups may be weaned as early as four weeks.

Myths

Colostral antibodies that protect a pup from infection are transferred from the dam throughout nursing and so encouraging the pups to nurse longer than is normal for their breed is better. Untrue.

Yes, colostral antibodies are very important in protecting the pup from infection and are transferred to the pup through his mother’s milk. However, a few hours after birth the pup’s intestines develop and this transfer of colostral antibodies no longer occurs. Weaning should begin between three and five weeks, and nursing longer will not mean additional protection from infection.

Watchpoints

Changes in feeding times and type of food should be done gradually, to avoid upsetting the digestive systems of pups, which may result in diarrhea. Keep towels moistened with warm water on hand to clean around their anal areas if this occurs.

How do you choose the best puppy food?

Dogs need a balanced diet, just as people do, however they require higher amounts of protein. As omnivores they absorb nutrients from plants and meat. The food you choose must be palatable and easily digestible to the young pups. It should be of a quality that provides the additional nutrients and protein necessary for healthy puppies, and is formulated for a pup’s smaller mouth and stomach.

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