Hi everyone,

Our pups are 3 weeks old today. They are thriving well and are fully fed by mum. This evening they have been really loose, bright yellow colour and a bit smelly! I had intended to start weaning them about now anyway, but I wondered why this had happened? Could it be they are having such a lot of mum's milk now that they are getting squitty and therefore need to start solids?

I will be weaning them onto Hills Science Pupppy, mixed with whelpi to begin with.

Mum fit and well and eating like a horse! No problem with her.

Thanks guys,

Kate.

Mothers milk should not make pups loose.  Have you wormed them?  It could be the worms if you haven't or the wormer if you have.  Or has Mum eaten something rich and this has affected them through her milk (this time of year lots of dogs get upset Tums with all the grub around some of which finds it's way into them).

Yes you may be right. I may have given the bitch too much rice pud which she adores. She is very hungry and having about 4 meals a day. I found she liked rice pud and so have given 3 tins in past 30 hours or so, not thinking this may upset things. Otherwise she is on Hills Science Puppy (Chicken)  and tins of Butchers.
The pups were wormed with Drontal at 2 weeks, with no problems.
Do you think I should start weaning? Or leave them for a day to settle down a bit?

Glad you're around tonight Barbara.

Now cows milk could upset Mum and though her the pups.  I would leave it if she has plenty of milk for their digestion to settle before challenging it with new food.

I will thanks.

I had given her goats milk in the early days which caused no problem but as you say cows milk may well do; tbh I never give my dogs anything but their normal food usually, and in fact Charmer has been prone to tummy upsets in the past if she has eaten something yukky when out or sneaked the cats food!

Mum has plenty of milk and they are very content so I will leave things for a bit.

It's funny but I absolutely hate puppies getting diarrhoea. It worries me tremendously.

Sounds like mums milk has affected the pups. If you wanted to give her milk I would give her goats milk as I have never had any problems with that making bitch or pups runny, they are able to tollerate it imo far better than whelpi, lactol etc.
Would leave the pups a few more days until they are no longer squitty before weaning them.
Good l;uck and enjoy your babies.

I have always made my own rice pudding for lactating bitches using goats milk and no sugar. It doesnt take long in the microwave, and as they start on solids, the pups love it too.