underfoot Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Hi some welcome advice kindly sought.... My pups are almost 6 weeks of age and I am finding it hard getting them to eat to full tummies. They kind of graze, nibble or a couple even skip a meal. We have 13 puppies and this has NEVER happened in previous litters. We are using Advance Rehydrate puppy and Chicken carcass Mince (more mince than dry food). They just don't like it. We have also tried Goats milk and yoghurt added. Mum is not feeding them as she self weaned (could have strangled her) at 5 weeks as she had enough of 13 sets of teeth biting her. They are just not as roly poly as I would like and their poo's aren't as firm either. Yes they have been wormed before asking. We are feeding them 4 times a day. 7am, 11.30am, 3.30pm and 7.30pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I'd just cut back a meal ...maybe the afternoon one ..and feed later at night ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentapride Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Hi some welcome advice kindly sought.... My pups are almost 6 weeks of age and I am finding it hard getting them to eat to full tummies. They kind of graze, nibble or a couple even skip a meal. We have 13 puppies and this has NEVER happened in previous litters. We are using Advance Rehydrate puppy and Chicken carcass Mince (more mince than dry food). They just don't like it. We have also tried Goats milk and yoghurt added. Mum is not feeding them as she self weaned (could have strangled her) at 5 weeks as she had enough of 13 sets of teeth biting her. They are just not as roly poly as I would like and their poo's aren't as firm either. Yes they have been wormed before asking. We are feeding them 4 times a day. 7am, 11.30am, 3.30pm and 7.30pm. First off good on mum for feeding 13 up to 5 weeks of age!!!!! It takes a while for pups to get into fully eating solids but they will don't worry. If they aren't eating and aren't drinking from mum but happy and alert and active they are simply not that hungry. Puppies don't have to be roly poly fat puppies to be healthy infact its better for them if they aren't (IMHO) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Could you cook the chicken mince and then use the chicken mince juice to poor over the puppy dry food? I did this with mine and they loved it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I think your feedings are probably a bit close together. I feed at 6am, midday, 6pm, and bedtime (as late as possible). I can't imagine my puppies would eat 4 meals in 12 hours either! As long as you're sure all puppies are eating something, and no one is fading away, I wouldn't be too worried. Puppies don't have to be fat to be healthy. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underfoot Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 I think your feedings are probably a bit close together. I feed at 6am, midday, 6pm, and bedtime (as late as possible). I can't imagine my puppies would eat 4 meals in 12 hours either! As long as you're sure all puppies are eating something, and no one is fading away, I wouldn't be too worried. Puppies don't have to be fat to be healthy. :) WOW! I did not even think about that. too tired I think. I will try spacing the meals out more and cooking a little mince for a more appealing meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I wouldn't bother cooking it ...if it is minced chicken carcass it should NOT be cooked due to bone content, anyway (cooked bone is both indigestible and sharp/dangerous);) 3 meals a day , or 4 if one is very late .. and they should improve . Hunger is the best appetising factor !! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puglvr Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I also spread my meals out from 7am 1:30-2:00, 6:30-7:00 and them some warm milk and mince before bed around 10:30 I also feed a variety during the day. Rehydrateable/Mince for breakfast, Dog roll/sometimes can for lunch, mince, vegies, rice for tea. I use cooked meat juices from our meals over the foods at times just for variety. This way we don't end up with fussy eaters. and if their teeth are still coming through they may have sore mouths and not feel inclined to eat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Mine always wanted to skip the kibble meal, and preferred, always, the raw. i ended up feeding 3 times daily with the occasional late night snack. I'd leave the kibble down for their midday meal and it was usually left until their afternoon/evening meal, which was a raw mix with bones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kustali Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Do 3 meals a day, see how hungry they get then! They would eat if they were hungry, look like too many feedings too close together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Didnt even think of that, I didn't realize it was carcas as I feed chicken fillets cooked :) I wouldn't bother cooking it ...if it is minced chicken carcass it should NOT be cooked due to bone content, anyway (cooked bone is both indigestible and sharp/dangerous);) 3 meals a day , or 4 if one is very late .. and they should improve . Hunger is the best appetising factor !! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Feed one meal of dry not soaked food and see if they prefer that. Next meal just chicken mince or whole wings depending on the breed. By 6 weeks my litters were always over mush and wanted real food to chew on. Balance the diet over the day, not at every meal. Oh, and definitely space the meals a lot more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I think you are feeding them to often and they are just not hungry. Also do not feed cooked chicken mince as it is full of bone. Always remember that the food that is offered nowadays if of a higher quality in nutrition (in my opinion) than what was offered yeas ago. I only feed pups at the most three times a day. I feed as much as the pups can eat for breakfast and remove what's left. Then at lunch a mere pittance, then I repeat the breakfast quantity at night. I found following this regime I didn't have the backward eaters I used to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Yes you are simply offering them too much food. I feed a kibble meal early morning, a chicken wing for lunch and another kibble meal at night with a little mince mixed in, that's all they get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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