As I am now bottle feeding puppies ,Mum is also going through the motions and still toileting extremely well considering (she has some milk) I have cut down on her meals  as in not giving her what I would be expecting to at this time (she doesnt want it) (puppies 2 weeks ) she is still drinking well and I am giving her Lactol and water .

What are others opinions on this??

Roni

sorry roni i dont understand what you are asking ???

sorry if I am confusing ....

do you consider I am correct in my thinking that Mum does not require the extra food now that puppies are being predominately bottle fed apart from comfort feedng from Mum?

I have no experience of this situation but my feeling would be to give her however much she wants (she may start producing more for the pups) and just adjust if she seems to be getting too heavy.

thanks Isabel ..thats what I have done she is refusing some meals as if she knows she doesnt need it..

Sorry Roni, I was slightly confused at the wording also

I have had to bottle feed a couple of litters, once because mum was producing no milk at all.. I cut her back to just over normal feeding when the pups were over a week old... although not producing milk, pregnancy took a lot out of her..

2nd time.. mum suffered recurring mastitis in 6 of her teats, and milk had gone sour, upsetting pups tums.. I cut her food right back to pre-pregnancy to help stop milk production

As long as your girl is eating her 'normal' amount of food, and drinking well, then there really is nothing else for you to do..

Enjoy .. I love bottle feeding :-)

Sorry.. ETA.. just read she is producing some milk.. I would try and up her intake a little.. she may begin producing more (my girl produced no milk whatsoever)

well I am a member of the sleep deprived club probably most of that question was in my head just forgot to type it  LOL thanks ..I know its an awkward one really as she is still feeding albeit nothing like she should be at this time , I would say I am doing the main but as you suggest will keep her food up just  dont want her to get too fat with not using up the extra food as she normally would. She is trying her best ..bless her

I just love bottle feeding ...wont want to stop !

i would just leave down food for her if you can do that ,thats what im doing for my girl shes looking great she knows what she needs and just takes it all day long ,shes not over eating but just eating what she needs , its great that shes got some milk and can let them suckel still

sorry kay ive klicked on  yours :)

sounds like mum and pups are doing great now roni :)

xx

Another thought Roni... are you bottle feeding.. or just topping up .. ie: bottle every meal, or just when you think they need a little extra help...

feeding every meal will satisfy pups, so they dont suckle from mum as much, this can have a knock on effect on milk production.. the less they suckle, the less milk produced..

I am bottle feeding full on but she did loose her milk . I think she is the one supplementing not me at this point I am carrying on as we will be weaning in a week and thier weights are very good and pretty equal eyes open and they are tottering about two even tried to escape the whelp box so a slot has now gone in!

If she is producing milk I would be inclined to step down the bottle feeding to increase the demand on her and hopefully increase her production.  Even when they are close to weaning, mothers milk is best not just because it is the idealy tailored nutrition for the exact stage they are at but also for the continuing antibody protection that will see them through until vaccination.