When should I start my puppies on puppy food?
kabar_jsn asked:
My chihuahua puppies are four weeks today. I was wondering when should I introduce them to puppy food? Also, whats the best brand for them. They already have teeth, so I was thinking I should start them today..
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My chihuahua puppies are four weeks today. I was wondering when should I introduce them to puppy food? Also, whats the best brand for them. They already have teeth, so I was thinking I should start them today..
March 16th, 2009 at 2:48 am
When there about 8 or 9 weeks
March 16th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
you should start them with Iams puppy chow at 7-9 weeks (some wet food mixed with that would be good)
March 19th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
id start now.
a good one is science diet puppy food. buy in sachets
March 19th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Use a good quality canned puppy food. A little esbilac will be good too. But most of their nutrition at that age should come from the mother.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
4 weeks is too young, unless the mother is drying up or refusing to feed them. I would wait until at least 6 or 7 weeks old to give them food. And when you do, give then purina puppy food in the can. And mix it with some warm water on a small plate. Also you can buy replacement puppy milk to mix the food with, it makes it a lil easier for them to start digesting the puppy food.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I start my puppies on puppy food (soaked in hot water to make a mush for them) and give it too them three times a day, however, they should still be nursing at 4 weeks. I personally use Iams Puppy food. It’s a good quality brand. I allow mom to start weaning them herself at around 6 weeks and by 8 weeks they are totally weaned and ready for their new homes.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:37 am
I would start them on puppy food right now. Also some canned puppy food would be good for them.
March 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Generally, around the age of three or four weeks, they should be introduced to small amounts of puppy food. At first, they may play in it but will learn soon enough what to do with it. By the time they’re weaned (about seven to eight weeks), they should be able to get complete nutrition from solid food.
Check these links for more info.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Puppies start nibbling @ 3 weeks old. Here’s some ideas;
1. moisten the puppy food and break it up with a fork,
2. cottage cheese with hard boiled eggs
3. cooked chicken with steamed carrots
4. scrambled eggs
Make sure they always do have just the dry kibble and plenty of water. Clean up all soft, left over food.
March 29th, 2009 at 1:23 am
Why not ask your breed mentor. They will have the answers to all your questions.
My questions,
Before breeding, did your dog obtain it’s breed championship?
Do you have committed homes for the pups?
Do you have a contract that states that you will take the pups back should an owner need to get rid of one?
Hopefully the male and the female had all of their health and genetic testing done?
Please spay your dog, do NOT add to the already millions of dogs being euthanized because of backyard breeders like yourself.
Some one recommended IAMS, please don’t use it, it’s CRAP. Anything you can purchase at the market is junk.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Right now is a good time. Soften some dry puppy food with water.
As for dog food brands:
Here are some of the best dog foods:
Taste Of The Wild
-
Wellness
-
Solid Gold
-
Blue Buffalo
Stay away from these brands:
Ol’ Roy
Beneful
Purina ONE
Purina Pro Plan
Pedigree
Purina Dog Chow
Alpo
Eukanuba
Nutro
Iams
Science Diet
If you are on a VERY super tight budget, these are good foods:
(The first one is better)
Chicken Soup For The Pet Lover’s Soul
-
NutriSource
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***Vets will try to tell you to feed Purina, Iams, and Science Diet. But don’t feed them, they aren’t good for your dog. Vets tell you those lies because they are PAID to do so!!!!***
*****************
Here is a website that rates dog food. Go to it and enter the food of your choice. You will want a 4, 5, or 6 star rating.
Also, another great thing to feed is the raw diet. Raw is completely safe and healthy. It’s what I feed to my dog. Here are two great links about raw feeding, the healthiest thing for your dog.
Well, good luck with your dog. I hope you find a healthy food that works good for your dog(s). Good luck!!!
March 31st, 2009 at 10:01 am
When mama starts weaning them, which is probably now. As for best brand, it varies. What does your breeding mentor with the kennel club you are registered with say?
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:24 am
awww how cute….LoL…well u can but it might cause sum diarrhea problems and d food may still be 2 hard if ur gonna give dem d dry kinda tibbits of dog food….wen one of my shih tzus was still 8 months…i gave her dog food tat was softened…like i would add a little bit of water and microwave it so tat it was soft enough 4 her 2 consume it…i no tats kinda disgusting but it rlly helpd…also..wen i got my other shih tzu at d age of about 6 months, she had diarrhea problems often when she would eat certain kinds of food…so we gave her rice and boiled chicken which helped alot, but we did not want 2 get her dependent on human food, so we have her eukanuba 4 puppies, which rlly was good
so jus try softening der food…but if u wanna go w/ dry dog food, then go with eukanuba or iams and make sure tat d size of d dog food is small
gud luck w/ ur adorable puppies…and i hoped dis helped, even though i may have bored u since i talked 2 much LoL
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
I start weaning all my puppies at 4 weeks.
I start them on Eukanuba soaked in warm water with a bit of organic milk. They are totally free of Mama’s milk at 5 weeks.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 am
As a chihuahua breeder for the past 8 years,I feel qualified to answer this question.All of my chihuahua puppies are eating Pedigree,canned ,Lamb and Rice formula by 3 weeks old.Yes,they have teeth,and may even try nibbling on some dry food if available.You may have to put tiny bits in their mouths to get them to taste it….do this with the mother out of the room,because normally the mom may gobble the food down…lol….before they leave your house they should be eating dry food.You may also moisten some puppy food with hot water..after it sets a few minutes ,stir it,and serve it.I can’t believe the people saying,8 weeks and so forth.My vet is very pleased with how ALL of my puppies turn out,starting them on Pedigree.Any questions,feel free to write me privately.