weaning puppies

[suki75]

i have german shepherd puppies they are 3 1/2 weeks old and want to start weaning them but what food is best to use? i have some people say to use goats milk and readybrek and not to use cows milk as this bad for them is this true?

[dawnshields]

Hi I have been a vet nurse for 5 years and I firstly I have to say that you should wait until your pups are at least 5 weeks old to start weaning them. Please don't take them away from their mother full time until they are 7 or 8 weeks old.
Goats milk and ready brek!!! The best thing to use would be a puppy food specifically made for puppies, either tinned or dry although if you are using dry use warm water to mush it up at first. Don't think that it is expensive, not all of them are! Also they really aren't going to be eating much of it!!
Any kind of milk other than their mothers at this age isn't ideal for them, cows milk can make them put on too much weight. So use a puppy food and warm water.

[orange-gnome]

I am inclined to agree.
I have heard lots of people say to use weetabix or redaybrek, scrambled eggs...all sorts of things! I think that these are really old fashioned ways of weaning pups, lots of breeders who have been breeding for years still swear by them. There are loads of dog foods designed for puppies which are much better for them and will be giving them all the nutrients in the correct amounts that your pups will need at this age.
I am also in agreement with the age, give it a couple of weeks!

[woofgang]

the lady who bred our weimaraners said that she doesn't actually separate mum and pups until the pups go to their new homes. Pups get hungrier so she offers alternatives, mum gets bored with pups so wants to leave them for longer periods eventually pups don't need mum and vice versa but she never actually separates them. If she is keeping a puppy, then they just stay together unless its a dog pup who needs to be separated when mum comes into season. She is known for the happy well adjusted animals that she breeds.

[PurplePixie]

I always use whatever dried food is appropriate or I intend to feed later & soften it with a little Lactol (puppy safe milk) At first just let them play with it...very messy! Make sure you stick to the recommended strength of the milk...and also the amount of dried food, also provide plenty of water (in very shallow bowls)