I wonder if someone can just clarify a weaning question for me as I have a litter due very soon.

I've heard a lot of talk about puppy porridge, and to be quite honest wasn't too sure what this was at first, and was told by a friend yesterday that she uses pedigree puppy porridge when the pups are 3 wks old which I was going to buy after speaking to her.   But, last week, I had already bought the best AG puppy food they sold, and after reading the pack, can wean the pups onto this.   So, question being, do I still need to buy the Ped Pup Porridge or I am able to use the AG food from 3 weeks and mix this with Whelpi/Esbilac (sp?).   Just getting a bit confused as different people are telling me different things and don't want to buy something which isn't necessary.    And the little angels haven't even been born yet!!!

A couple of brands now make a named 'puppy porridge' but most people make their own by whizzing some of their chosen puppy food up in the blender with some bitches milk replacement like Welpi or Esbilac. As the puppy grows the amount of milk and blending are reduced until the pup is eating the dry food.

The one branded 'puppy porridge' I've seen (not Pedigree) was just tiny kibbles and imo would still have needed a whizz up with some milk substitute for newly weaning puppies.

I just soaked my chosen puppy food (which was AG) in plenty of boiling water.
Waited until it was cooler and then mixed it with my chosen puppy milk and mashed it all up
voila puppy porridge :)

I wouldnt use anything that had the word "pedigree" on it! Moistened dry food is just fine,however i would not pour boiling water over any type of kibble as this high a heat will DESTROY any heat sensitive nutrients the manufacture replace after the cooking process.

Once added to cold food it is not going to stay boiling for long enough to destroy anything.

I don't feed Pedigree food, but what's wrong with it?

Isabel the instant the boiling water hits the food the applicable nutrients will be destroyed.

>but what's wrong with it?<

Every single ingredient.

I suppose the very surface stuff may be destroyed but there is no way it is still boiling when it has soaked through to all the pieces underneath, or even the bottom side of the top pieces :) there should be ample nutrients left.
I don't use Pedigree Porridge myself as I prefer to go straight on to pureeing the intended puppy food but I have seen the Porridge receiving several testamonials on here so clearly the ingredients are suiting other people.

>I suppose the very surface stuff may be destroyed<

Yes thats what i'm talking about,after the cooling process they spray on stuff like probiotics etc. that are killed by high tempretures,there are people who pay good money for dry foods with probiotics,enzymes etc added(all after the cooling process),only to pour boiling water over the kibble and killing the stuff they pay extra money for :p

>but there is no way it is still boiling when it has soaked through to all the pieces underneath, or even the bottom side of the top pieces  there should be ample nutrients left.

.....and the rest of the quote.

Pedigree puppy porage/porridge is wonderful stuff, I don't know of one serious breeder who doesn't recommend it, it's trying to get the pups off of it that's the hard job!  ;)

Well I and several other serious breeders don't rate it :D

Just had to be one didn't there!  ;)

Well us serious Munster breeders like it!!!!  ;)

Ipreder to soak the puppy food and add puppy milk to make it into a porridge. 

I got given some of this product and as mine were already ont the porridge made from AG and the puppy milk they turned their nosed up, and when checkign the ingredients it has no meat, which of course the puppy food had. 

Also my freinds did find that it tended to seperate out and the cereal ened up like concrete at the bottom of the pan.

It is worth using if you aren't going to buy any puppy milk, but is superfluous if you use puppy fod and puppy milk (which lets face it you always need on hand just in case).

Brainless - can you type up what the ingredients are in it?  I'm just interested, and I had a look on the Pedigree website but they don't list any ingredients there.  I've emailed them but am still waiting for a reply.  Thanks!

Don't have it any more but from memory it was cereal and milk with vitamins and Vegetable fats.  No meat in it at all.

Thanks....Don't like the idea of feeding unidentified cereals, because a lot of dogs can't tolerate certain cereals.  Also don't like the idea of the milk....

I personally do not use Pedigree products past 12 weeks but I do think the pedigree puppy porridge is quite good. I use that for a week then add just a little the pedigree puppy meat. I get them off it all by about 8-10 weeks but for the first few weeks of weaning I have found it really good. No tummy problems ever.

I must say I agree with you ChristineW. I found the Pedigree puppy porridge to be wonderful. the puppies adored it. they put on weight beautifully and mum thought she was getting a super treat when she got some as well. I agree, I don't think Pedigree on the whole are brilliant at what the provide for dogs in general but that one was certainly a good buy.
Anne

I have 8 staffy pups and there 3weeks old now, just had there first feeds yesterday, we have been giving them puppy porridge, by blending lactol milk and pedigree puppy food, its been a sucess!! they love it. the runt and of of the girls are not too keen on eating if from the flat tray but will lap it up of your hand? and suggestions??  (oh and they love getting messey in it then going back to bed and cleaning each other off...ha)

You know, I would continue exactly what you are doing. 1 of ours instinctively knew to lap the porridge the others needed encouragement but after a  day or so they soon learnt, the other thing we did was to get on the floor and pretend to lap the food with them!! that worked a treat.... mind you get covered in porridge and if you wear glasses i would take them off!!

It's really helped bring on some tiny ones in my litters too.   At 2 weeks old I've intoroduced it to them and they can suck it up with ease, getting that extra nutritious meal has really speeded their growth up against their siblings.