If you are tackling the job of mama for baby puppies or cats, don't let them aspirate (breath in) their milk, as it can cause respiratory problems and death. Feed only small amounts, and more often without allowing pup to overeat then vomit, and can inhale it into their lungs.
Don't use cow milk, but goat milk for babies is as good as the stuff from vet, easy to digest. Use l/2 goat milk (canned) for babies and 1/2 water. Remember to burp as with a baby on a bottle. Good growing.
Source: My experience with a tiny Boston bull terrier pup started at 2 days.
By gbk from south GA
Young puppies that are no longer nursing, won't or can't always begin eating dry kibbles right away. There are products made especially for this situation, your vet may also have advice on homemade alternatives. There are several ideas offered on this page, as well. This is a page about feeding a puppy that can't eat dry food yet.
There are a number of reasons you may find yourself feeding and caring for a very young puppy. This page contains recommendations for how and what to feed a two week old puppy.
Caring for and feeding puppies young puppies that typically would still be being fed by the mom may require purchasing some milk replacement and perhaps offering moistened puppy food. This is a page about feeding a five week old puppy.
There are a number of legitimate reasons you may need to feed a very young puppy. Check with a vet or pet supply store to purchase products intended to replace mother's milk.
Checking with your vet is a good way to determine when to begin offering solid food to your puppy. Many pet owners suggest beginning solids, in addition to nursing, at around 4-6 weeks. This is a page about, "When can I start feeding a puppy solid food?".
Very young puppies can be given goat's milk or special puppy formulas available at pet stores. As they mature these liquids can be mixed with puppy kibbles and blended or softened depending on their age.
Feeding your dog an occasional cooked egg is fine. They usually really like them. With a puppy, any new food might be given in small amounts so that they get used to it. This is a page about feeding a puppy cooked eggs.
A six week old puppy is a bit young to be away from its mother. Feeding it in lieu of it being nursed, may require some experimentation and special food for awhile.
I have adopted a very young puppy (4-5 wks old) that was either abandoned or lost her mama. She's actually a wonderful puppy, extremely smart and very laid back...except when it comes to eating. OMG, it is unreal!
My sister found her and fed her canned food for the first 5 days. My sis warned me that she was crazy when she ate. I switched to giving her dry food soaked in water. But the first day, I just got it wet and let it sit for about 5 minutes. She ate it so fast!
I didn't realize there was a problem until her next few stools; they were loose with a pinkish/clear liquid. I was immediately concerned that the food was too hard on her little tummy, not to mention the fact that she couldn't possibly be chewing the food. I then let her food completely soak up the water so it was soft. That seemed to help as far as her stools go, they have been normal.
I just cannot get her to slow down! I've tried hand feeding a few kibbles at a time and letting her eat from the bowl while I hold it, then taking it away to make her take a breath. But, as soon as she can she's inhaling again. I've read to keep food down where she always has access to it (this is what I've always done with my other pets), but I'm afraid she might hurt or kill herself if food was available all the time.
I have two main concerns with this: she's not chewing the food at all, (there are a few pieces of kibble that don't get completely soft and I worry she's going to choke). I'm afraid I'll never be able to give her dry food if this continues. The other is, I'm afraid that when she's older, she'll be food aggressive. I'm hoping to have her certified as a therapy dog or at least an emotional support companion. And she "cannot" be aggressive at all to be certified.
The common theory would be that she had to fight for food from her litter mates, but she wasn't underweight when we found her nor was she old enough to fight for "regular" food. She'll try to take my food from me, right after she's eaten, so it can't be from hunger; can it?
She still wants to suckle. Would bottle feeding her help? I was thinking once a day? I'll do whatever it takes to break her from doing this. If not bottle feeding, what else can I do?
I've already fallen completely in love with my DaisyMae, and I want the best for her. I just need her to slow down enough to at the very least, chew her food.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so very much!
By MaryAnn M.
My 8 week old Pit Bull pup doesn't want to eat or drink anything today. I'm taking him to the vet when they open, but until then idk what to do. He's still active and what not, but his tummy is making a bubbly noise like it does when you're hungry.
By Crystal
I have 3 six month old Pit Bull puppies. How many times a day should I feed them?
By Karlis from Louisville, KY
I need help. I don't know what to do with our new puppy. She isn't weaned. I need to know what to do.
