When your bitch only has one pup, and there is plenty of milk, is it best to leave mum to feed for as long as possible. Or should I still start to wean at about 3 weeks. I don't want pup to miss out on anything, and I don't want to leave weaning if it will make it more difficult in the long run. But if milks the best thing I'll leave thing as they are.

Michelle.

Hi there

I don't know what others have done where this is concerned. I started my baby on solids at about 3.5 weeks as well as letting her suck from Mum. I have to say it did get more difficult as she got older and moved onto more meals as she would suckle from Mum and then not be hungry, so I tried to make sure she didn't go to mum for about an hour before she was due to be fed so she was looking for something. I think I was really lucky as my baby took to solids really easily and really enjoyed the meals she was given. My baby was getting a fly suck from Mum at about 13 weeks and still would if Mum would allow it lol. I'm sure someone with more experience in singletons will be along shortly with some better advice.

Hope all goes well

Alli

Hi, I've had 2 litters of singletons, but can't really remember :o
I do remember that they were both like roly-poly lumps of lard at 3 weeks :D
Think it is much harder with a singleton, but Mum does get fed up with them, you just have to be quite hard about seperating them for a couple of hours (not easy when they're all on their own, I know) before trying to feed them. Good Luck!

I think its best to leave mum to look after the pup, there is no need to wean when the pup is sleeping well is obviously satisfied. I would offer a desert spoon of some puppy porridge or very well soaked complete puppy food ( served like thick soup) every morning from about 3 1/2 weeks, but be prepared for it to be refused, maybe until nearly 5 weeks. If pup is hungry it will eat it.

If you start weaning a singleton too soon the bitch may lose interest and then you will have a lot of work to do keeping a lone pup amused and fed many tiny meals a day! The bitch may also get uncomfortable and over full. If she is happy to feed pup and pup is doing well - leave well alone.:-) Mums milk is best.

I would tend to agree, my last two litters have been only four pups, and both litters the pups were so happy just on Mum that most of what I was offering from 3 weeks went into her! :D

Mind you I am one who quite unintentionally continued breast feeding my own infant son until 14 monhts :D  He is now a cheeky 13 year old.