britt3 Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Hi All I have a litter a 9 cavie pups & are 3 wks old today, what age should I start weaning them?? is it too early to start now?? was just wanting to take the strain of mum..... when I do what do i start with I am feeding mum eukanuba puppy, do I just soak the biscuit & mush it up for the pups like puree?? any advice would be helpful thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Baggins Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Hi All I have a litter a 9 cavie pups & are 3 wks old today, what age should I start weaning them?? is it too early to start now?? was just wanting to take the strain of mum..... when I do what do i start with I am feeding mum eukanuba puppy, do I just soak the biscuit & mush it up for the pups like puree?? any advice would be helpful thanks I let mum make the decisions re weaning. I start solids at 4 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerojath Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 I let the pups decide. Every litter varies. I have a litter 10 days old and they have been lapping at diluted puppy milk for a couple of days and are showing interest in their Mums food too. I do like them to be well and truly on solids by 4 weeks and completely weened by 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whippets Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 We start at around 4 weeks of age. If it was a huge litter (10+ puppies) I'd probably start on formula earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozstar Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 At 3 weeks it is fine to start to wean them. 9 pups is a lot for a little cavie mum and even if they only have 1 or 2 feeds a day it will help her. I have had a pups fully weaned by 3 weeks as mum ran out of milk. Leanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 I start about 3 to 4 weeks on hamburger mince and then I slowly add a little soaked dry food. I do not feed pups slops. Between 5 and 6 weeks I start to add chicken mince (whole chicken frame minced) I also stop soaking the dry. By six weeks the pups are fully weaned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 I don't force the issue as there are no advantages to weaning them early. I start to offer food from around 4 weeks, if the want it they will eat it and the bitch keeps topping them up. We have had puppies still taking a suck from Mum just before they are walking out the door at 9-10 weeks. It doesn't mean that they aren't eating and drinking on their own. Don't be in a rush, the bitch will switch the milk bar off when she's ready and there will naturally come a point where the pups want more than they are getting from her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 I let the puppies decide. If they're paying a lot of attention to mum's food, or to licking her mouth after she has been fed, or if she starts regurgitating food for them, I give them a try with some very finely minced meat on the end of my fingertip. If they're ravenous for that and looking for more, they're ready and I will start weaning. I start with pink slushies and gradually make the meals more solid and chewy as they become accustomed to the different texture and consistency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 I start offering the puppies little balls of raw mince (human grade) at 3 weeks and they love it. I then add Advance Rehydratable soaked in water. At 6 weeks I start giving them chicken wings. However I leave them with the bitch and allow her to wean them, sometimes they're still having a quick suckle at 8 weeks depending on the bitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozwildflower Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 I also don't force the issue of weaning - mum stops them when it's time. I offer scrapped meat or top grade mince at 3 1/2 weeks and they usually start looking forward to it by 4 weeks. From then I start adding different food and textures e.g. soaked puppy food. I don't like giving it dry as I've seen pups get quite constipated. By the time pups are 6 weeks they are eating pretty much what mum eats - chewing bones, chicken wings/frames. I have a bitch that often gives her pups a last feed before they leave home - after they haven't suckled for a week or more. Her pups have all grown to well adjusted adults, so I trust her as to weaning time. As has been said - just make sure pups are getting something before mum starts regurgitating for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboyz Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 I usually start to offer a little human grade mince at 3wks, at first once a day, then twice. I agree that 9 is a big load for a small dog and I would be concerned about eclampsia, so would definately start to wean sooner rather than later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyehaven Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Mine are 3 weeks tomorrow and had mince today, loved it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britt3 Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share Posted March 29, 2010 thanks everyone, for your suggestions, I really appreciated look out pups here comes some yummy food lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboyz Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 How gorgeous are they! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 I also don't force the issue of weaning - mum stops them when it's time. I offer scrapped meat or top grade mince at 3 1/2 weeks and they usually start looking forward to it by 4 weeks. From then I start adding different food and textures e.g. soaked puppy food. I don't like giving it dry as I've seen pups get quite constipated. By the time pups are 6 weeks they are eating pretty much what mum eats - chewing bones, chicken wings/frames. I have a bitch that often gives her pups a last feed before they leave home - after they haven't suckled for a week or more. Her pups have all grown to well adjusted adults, so I trust her as to weaning time.As has been said - just make sure pups are getting something before mum starts regurgitating for them. Why ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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