Outside domestication, pups might nurse from their mother for several months. During this time, they’ll eat other foods, but will continue taking their mother’s milk. By contrast, puppies bred for ownership are usually weaned after a few weeks. This is typically supervised by a professional breeder who ensures the pup is gradually acclimated to solid foods.

In this article, we’ll explore the process of weaning puppies, including the reason it is done so early by breeders. We’ll also explain how to transition them to solid food in the event you’re suddenly forced to care for orphaned pups. Lastly, we’ll take a look at how to reduce the mother’s milk supply during this process.

The Reason For Weaning Pups Early

As noted earlier, left on his own, a puppy may potentially nurse for months. He’ll eventually make the transition to solid foods, prompted by his mother. But it is rarely rushed. Under a breeder’s care, this process is accelerated and completed near the 7-week mark. This is done because puppies are typically adopted at that time by their new owners. The puppy is typically separated from his mother when he is adopted, so his GI tract must adjust to solid foods by that time.

The weaning process usually begins at three weeks, though it may start a few days prior or after that point. While this might seem too early, pups can adapt easily.

From Mush To Dry Food

The puppy is placed on a mush diet at three weeks. This mush is created by blending two cups of commercial puppy food with a cup and a half of the mother’s milk (or a special milk formula). Warm water is added to produce the right consistency, though this consistency will change over the course of the next few weeks. A pup should receive three or four servings each day.

At the beginning of each week, add more puppy food and less milk and water. This will add bulk to the mush. You should also allow less time in the blender to increase the solidity of the food. By the seventh week, the pup should be eating regular food and drinking water, rather than eating a mixture of the two. The milk is no longer necessary. At this point, the puppy is fully weaned.

Preventing Overproduction Of Milk From The Mother

The mother will continue producing milk as long as her mammary glands are stimulated (as would be the case during nursing). Unless the pup has been left with her under the breeder’s care, her milk production will have already started declining. This is due to the accelerated weaning process, which typically includes separating the puppies from the mother for a few hours at a time. The reason they are separated is to help them adapt to eating from a pan without the presence of their mother.

This separation means less stimulation for the mother’s mammary glands, which prevents overproduction of milk. This, in turn, helps her avoid the pain associated with engorged glands.

The Challenge Of The First Step

One of the common challenges with weaning puppies is introducing them to the mush after separating them from their mother. Not only is their mother’s absence confusing to them, but the mush is unfamiliar. Many pups will investigate by walking in the mush before sampling it. Some will need extra encouragement to try it for the first time, such as licking a small amount from your finger. After the first taste, their resistance or hesitance typically crumbles.

The goal of this process is to help puppies develop their gastrointestinal tracts to the point they can consume commercial foods by seven weeks. By the time they are adopted and introduced to their new homes, they are fully independent of their mother’s milk.

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Category: Pets
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