I read the request about "Pit Bull Eating Grass" and I am an amateur dog breeder and would like to make a few comments.
First off: Your pup is eating grass because it either needs to eliminate some discomfort or it is lacking a nutrient. If you get a puppy and it no longer has access to its mother's milk or the equivalent then you should not just give it what humans or other animals would use. This pup specifically should be being introduced to some form of dog or puppy chow.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have 12 puppies that are 26 days old. They already started eating some solid food but were still nursing. The mother got hit by a car and died. What do I do?
I'm so very sorry for your loss, but you need to take care of the puppies.
I think you need to feed them some milk. Puppies two to four weeks of age do well with feedings every 6-8 hours.
The puppies should begin to wean off milk at about three or four weeks of age. Once your puppies have already started eating food, keep giving them some food. Use a commercially made, balanced food. Kibble should be softened with water or broth to a soupy texture, or you can add a little extra water to wet puppy food.
Also consult your veterinarian.
You are doing fine. They can eat soft food. If you feel inclined, they make formula for dogs or you make your own. Buy a store bottle or a preemie nipple if they are bigger breed puppies.
What is good to feed a 5 week old puppy?
By gutta$$$$
You should soften dry food for them (puppy chow) in some water then feed.
When we get young pups in rescue, I buy dry puppy food and put it in my blender. It's almost mush by the time I put it in the dish with some watered down milk. You can actually buy "mother's milk" at the pet store and that would help with puppy immunity until they get older. I have also used baby oatmeal or rice cereal for pups, all mixed with milk water.
What should I feed my new 2-3 weeks old puppies? They are still nursing from mommie.
Nothing. Their mother is feeding them what they need right now.
I have a month and a half old Pit Bull, actually there are 4 of them. Should I keep them all together or separate them in the house when I feed them?
By L. Trent from Baltimore, MD
I would feed them together as soon as possible. The sooner they get use to eating together now the easier it will be when they get older. It's another part of socializing which is very important if they are going to be around other animals and people.
Feed them together. especially while they are young. They will get used to that. They might have a little competition on who can finish the fastest so the other ones can't get the food, but they will be fine.
Feeding them together helps them learn to get along with others. At first they will try each others (just to make sure no one has something better in his/her bowl, than they have). Just separate the bowls enough to give them room to eat in peace when they finally quit trying each others. Always worked for me.
As long as they are still learning to eat food instead of nursing off mom, I'd feed them separately. But as soon as they get they idea and are eating good from a dish, I'd put them all together so they do learn to eat together and share.
If one or more seems to not be gaining weight as much as the rest, I'd feed that one by itself in between meals (as well as eating with the rest at regular meal time) until it gets strong enough to fend for himself.
Keeping them separate in the beginning will be a huge help in making sure each puppy is eating enough and is learning to eat from the dish. But don't let this separation go for long. Especially pitt bulls, do need to be socialized as much and as soon as possible.
Taking them to a dog park (check to be sure pitts are allowed there, many don't allow them) starting now or as soon as possible will be a fantastic way to socialize them to not just other people, but also to other dogs.
Oh one other thing. Check your local town ordinances. Many towns are outlawing pitt bulls. Personally I don't agree with this, but it is very important to know that your town does not outlaw them. Most towns that do, will come get them and almost immediately put them to sleep. Simply because of the breed. So cruel and so sad, in my mind.
If you were to ask 10 different people that you would get 10 different answers. I always fed my litter of puppies together so I could nip any food aggression in the butt before they were old enough to fight.
I am new at this because the mom didn't wanna take care of them and only one lived so I took her in. Suddenly, my 3 week old puppy doesn't wanna eat anymore and is sleeping all day.
She keeps opening her mouth when she is awake. Is all this because she's teething and I'm worrying over nothing?Not eating would concern me. I would contact the vet.
Please get the pup to a vet and have her checked out. Pups need special "mothers" milk (some tractor supply places have it or you can get it from the vet) and the vet can tell you how often and ways to get it into her to keep her strength up.
Post back with an update! Sending up lots of prayers!
After couple hours I sent this, she started eating again, but continues to open her mouth and biting on her blanket. Its funny when my mom hold her, or anyone else. She growls at them and throws a little bark.
Its good your puppy started eating again. It could be she has some food caught in her teeth and it is bothering her. Or she could have a stick stuck in her mouth. Have a gentle look if she will let you. Could be she is teething. You did not mention how often or fast she opens and closes her mouth. Rapidly opening and closing her mouth (like she is chewing gum real fast) can be a sign of distemper. Opening and closing her mouth over and over, but less quickly can be a sign of epileptic seizures. It can be hard to tell if it is nothing or something serious. If it doesnt stop right away I would get her to a Vet. If you do need to see a Vet try to take a video of her doing it. Good luck.
How many times a day does a six month old Pit Bull eat?
Seratta from Chicago, IL
I would ask your vet but, the amount to feed your puppy should be printed on the can or bag of puppy food.
I have one the same age. I feed him 2 times a day. about a cup each.
Depends on how active your pit is and what type of food you're feeding him/her. If you are feeding your dog a lower quality food, you'll need to feed it more and if you're feeding him/her high quality food, he/she will need less. I go by the feeding recommendations printed on the bag of food and just judge by how active my dog is.
I've raised 4 dogs. Right now I own 3 of them. I have a chihuahua, a toy poodle and a German Shepherd. I keep the dog food on the floor in a large bowl full time. I never let the bowl go empty and my dogs eat when they get hungry. They never over eat and are not over weight. My chi is 5, my Shepherd is almost 4 and the poodle is a pup.
I've always offered my dogs what I eat and you know, they don't beg and won't eat most table scraps offered to them. I think it's because they know they can have it so they don't want it. Strange, but it always worked for me. Mind you, I don't think you can start this with older dogs as they will probably over eat and gobble everything up fast. I started this as pups and it's worked for me.
I have 11, 3 week old American Staffy cross Bull Mastiff pups and am wondering if it's OK to give them raw minced beef?
Yes, when they're older. Puppies at this age should have only their mother's milk. When you start weaning them you can use minced raw beef, but you'll have to mince it a lot at first.
By the way- Since you have 11 it just occured to me that you're worried they're not getting enough food and that's why you asked.
You'll need to do supplemental feedings with puppy formula. It does seem like 11 is a lot of puppies and some are not getting their fair share. Only feed the smaller ones. The fatter ones are doing okay fending for themselves.
It's still not a good idea to introduce solid food until 8 weeks.
Our litter of 5 week old Labradors is on ground puppy food and puppy milk at the moment which they enjoy. Every time we try to soak the food in water as the puppy food comes they reject it, are we too early? They only have 3 weeks to go before they leave for there new owners.
By Rob from Devon
We had Dalmatian puppies~4 litters. The mom would get to the point she would get up to stop the puppies from nursing. We then bought a box of baby cereal to get them use to texture foods at around 3 weeks of age. The cereal was mixed with 2% milk warmed a little. In a few days they were ready for puppy chow. We never had a problem with puppies eating. We always had litters of 10 and they grew so fast they were able to leave as early as 4 weeks.
We always used powdered baby cereal before we went to puppy chow. We used 2% milk to make a soupy mixture. Do you use warm water to soften the puppy food? I would think that would help also. We had 4 litters of Dalmatians a few years ago.
What do I start feeding my 3 week old puppies?
I would not use that link. It has information for weaned puppies.
The puppies you have are too young for anything except puppy replacement formula.
I have 3 1/2 week old Pit Bulls and have been bottle feeding them since they were one week old. I had just introduced them to soft canned dog food and now they won't drink their milk.
Is that OK or should I make them drink it?The pups are old enough for regular food-buy a high quality brand made for puppies to guarantee they receive the best nutrition.
I was given two little brown puppies. They are still very small. My sister and I gave them their first two baths. We would like to know what they can eat. They are weeks old and they are hungry. What foods would be right to feed them?
By maryrojas647
First off- they shouldnt be taken away from their mother before 8 weeks of age. Second- if they have- you must bottle feed them every few hours. Keep them warm. Or they will not survive.
Is it too early to introduce a slurry of puppy food to my 20 day old puppies? They're a Labrador/Weimaraner mix seem to be ready for it.
By Mel from Montgomery, NY
