Puppies are excited to start their solids
Today, we decided to introduce solids to the puppies. I made this decision because both Ellie and Willow have started to feed their puppies in the standing position. When mama’s begin weaning, they still nurse their puppies. As they continue to nurse, they shorten the length. They also nurse less frequent.
Willow has a mind of her own
Willow knows her own mind and once made up, there is no changing it. On Tuesday she made up her mind that it was time to start weaning her puppies. I tried to encourage her to lay down but, she didn’t comply.
Firstly, Willow started to nurse in the standing position. Secondly, Willow began to regurgitated her food for the puppies to eat. This is something wild dogs do to wean their babies. They do this by first eating their food. Then, after a short period of time, they regurgitate the partly digested food. This process makes it easier for their young to eat.
Willow’s puppies eat solids
Willow continued this on Wednesday so, I decided mama knows best. Following mamas lead, on Thursday we started the puppies on solids. This is only a couple days earlier than my usual time.
The” first solids” is made from cooled boiled water, puppy formula, and puppy kibble. I place these ingredients in the blender to make our “puppy smoothie”. As the days pass, we gradually make it thicker. The next step is softened kibble and finally by seven weeks the puppies progress to dry kibble.
The puppies loved their food and ate two helpings. As you can see, things get very messy! So, when Willow’s puppies were finished eating, we cleaned out their whelping box. They then enjoyed play-time before taking a nap.
Ellie’s puppies
Ellie’s puppies loved their first taste of solids. As you can see from the video, they also ate two helpings. Before I could change out their vet bed fleece, all Ellie’s puppies fell asleep. Sweet dreams sweet puppies!
