Update & more questions from northern BC Canada

[Athena9]

Hi, have a few moments to brag, update & more questions. Both of my mom's had successful deliveries. Eegee had 3 (2 boys 1 girl) & Cleo had 5 (3 girls, 2 boys). Eegee's weighed between 3 & 3.5oz. They r now 28 days old.
Is it normal for mom to not want the pups eating, drinking yet? She tries to either bury their food or eats it herself? I have had trouble getting her to eat. She eats bare min. Pups have gained approx 10oz. How much weight gain should I expect?
Cleo's litter are now 21 days old. She is an awesome mom & likes to dog sit Eegee's babies as well. Her pups started at 4-5.9oz. They have gained aprox. 10-13oz.
They r all healthy. Thank God!! I am very blessed w these new arrivals. Amazing how brutal they can b while nursing. I'm thinking that their nails should b trimmed to make it easier on the momma's. Is it normal to trim their nails at their age?
Recommendations as to their diet? When do u start supplementing mom?
Thanks again for your support

[gloriajean]

when I was breeding ( not anymore) I started my puppies at 3 weks old on puppy chow that was moistened with puppy milk (formula) until it was kind watery looking and they could lap it up out of a shallow bowl. as they got older I didn't add as much liquid, until they got their teeth

[msyorktown]

congrats...pics please!

[Suze225]

I also start all my puppies on solid food at 3 weeks. I start them on a puppy gruel for a day or two, then we go right to Royal Canin Mini starter. It dissolves in their mouth, it is wonderful and it is GREAT for mom too. Nice to get them right on dry food as soon as they can. Mine have no teeth yet they gum the royal canin mini starter and LOVE it!!!

I always hand feed my girls after whelping. They eat a LOT more if you sit with them and hold it while they eat. Sounds silly but it works. My girl after 5 pups was VERY thin after whelp, was 7 pounds the day she delivered and 5.2 after. She is now up to 5.10, BUT ONLY because I hand feed her almost every bite.

My girl is already beginning the weaning process of her pups. Only feeds them 2-3 times per day. She loves to eat their food, so I give them enough for the pups and her too!!! Shows the babies how to do it too!!! I think she is teaching them, not necessarily keeping them from eating.

My pups at 5 weeks have gained about 10-14 ozs each. You are right on track!!!!

YES trim the nails ASAP!!! Just the tips, they are sooooo sharp!!!!

[Suze225]

I feed my girls whelping pudding, puppy formula, canned foods, dry foods, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, cooked meats, ANYTHING she will eat and eat lots of. I have gone through 10 different kinds of canned dog foods, and find that my girls like Cesars puppy after a whelp. NOT the best food, but it gets them to eat. TRY many different kinds til you find one she likes.