Starting to wean the pups at 15 days because of mums calcuim problem at least then if I need to take them away from mum they will be weaned.
Just gave them whelpi with baby rice and one lapped like she was starving believe it or not the one who had pneumonia !!  The other two would lap off my finger so a good sign.
My question is how often should I offer food whilst they are still with mum ?  I was thinking twice a day for now (whelpi and baby rice) and increasing when they reach 3 weeks and also offering puppy food then, don't want mum to suffer and get mastitis but also want to make sure we will be safe if mum goes down hill again.

Lydia

Hi Lydia,

Fortunately I didn't have any health issues but because of size of litter (8) I started to offer liquidised puppy food to our pups around day 19 and gave them some twice daily for about a week and then moved on to three times daily.  Always made sure that mum had been away from them for a little while before hand as naturally they would rather have fed from her than a tray - but not so long as to make her uncomfortable :)

Sorry not to have more specific advice for your own problem but HTH.

Very best wishes, hope mum and babies continue to improve.

Teri :)

I would agre with the other poster, I have started mine as early as 10 days when they seemed to ned it, starting with twice daily, then 3 tinmes then four timnes a day therefater.  I never restrict the bitches access to the pups, just aim to try feeding them when she hasn't been with them too recently.

I start with soaked puppy foor mixed with puppy formula Milk.  As pups get older the amount of puppy food increases and the proportion of formula reduces, but I keep my medium breed on an ounce (before mixing with water) of puppy formula each once well onto feeding to going to new homes.  I always make up a bit more fod than I guess they might eat, and let mum polish off any left overs.