feeding schedule for 3 week old pups
Submitted by bullymama2four on May 17, 2011 - 3:07pmI have a litter of 8 pups..all are weighing in at 3.2oz-3.12oz @ 3wks old. I have them on a schedule of 6am-12N-6pm-12M. I have them nurse (which is getting less and less) then top them off with 1 to 11/2oz of puppy formula? I am thinking about adding gruel this weekend when they turn 4weeks-would like some input on that too...
So I guess my question is...is this feeding schedule spaced out to far for them? when can they go all night?
Thanks
Kim
feedings.....
In my opinion, they should have been nursing more frequently, at least 6 times a day at this age and topping off probably wasn't necessary and definitely isn't now. That said, they're probably pretty used to that schedule. You can start introducing them to gruel already and stop the topping off. They are going all night already - midnight to 6 a.m. Are they crying between those times? Put them with their mother then, if she's willing--getting teeth now she's starting to want a break from them though. Good luck and all good wishes.
thanks for your reply
I did have a conversation with another breeder too..so I will be changing up the feeding schedule to 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm & 10pm. I tried this last evening with topping them off with just alittle puppy formula-they woke up @ 4am-so we fed them again. So it might take a few days of them getting used to this schedule and this week end I will start with the gruel too...
Happy Hump day to you and all the bullies out there:)
Gruel
They are definitely old enough at 4 wks to start on gruel. Have fun :). I had to spoon feed for the first few times, they much preferred momma. Your new schedule should work well...and agree they should have nursed every 3 - 4 hours.