Just like babies, puppies are very delicate creatures. They need the utmost care and supervision not only from their mothers but also from their owners. Before handling a litter of little pooches, it is important to prepare the necessary things such as beddings, bottles, heater, etc. that will ensure the health and survival of puppies. It is normal to see a few or one weaker pup in a litter and being able to identify this as soon as possible will surely ease the burden of attending to a sickly puppy.
One of the primary things to consider before weaning puppies is the nutrition that they get from their mother. Be mindful of the mothering instincts of the dam and how well she looks after her young. There are times when the puppies do not get enough milk from the mother and you might need to step in. Also, some first time mothers are not careful and may lie down on their puppies that can lead to suffocation and death. After the first 3-4 weeks, start introducing the pups to solid food. Make sure to prepare a mushy meal where there is a high dose of protein and energy source. Do not give cow’s milk because the nutrients in cow’s milk are not suited and enough for growing dogs. You can consult your veterinarian about available substitute formulas and how they are given. During this time, the puppies will also start to move by themselves and explore the world around them. Under your supervision, allow this to happen because this is one of the primary learning skills that pups should master. There may also times when the dam won’t allow suckling because the pups are already strong and the dam feels sore after nursing. Weaning takes place when the pup reaches 8 weeks old, can survive on solid food and is able to walk and run on its own. Should you observe a pup that is still in the process of learning to eat solid food and walking, you need to give more time for this pup and let it stay with the dam. After weaning, watch out for some food allergies that may manifest in diarrhea, vomiting or lethargy. It is best to gradually shift from one diet to another to avoid these from happening.
