weaning puppies

Question
Hello,

My daschund had five puppies about a month ago.  She nursed them perfectly for the first three weeks.  We consulted a vet who recommended that we supplement their diet with regular milk and baby food.  I have been doing that for about a week, but I have been reading online that maybe that is not the best diet.  I hope I haven't hurt the puppies until now.   They are in perfect physical health meaning they don't suffer from diarreah, hunger pains and they are very active.  Can I continue what I am doing or should I begin a new diet.

Answer
Hi Susan,

I would stick with a high quality commercial food. I like the All Stages type foods because they offer more even growth rather than growth spurts like puppy foods do. Some high quality foods include Wellness, Innova, Solid Gold and California Naturals.

The puppies really aren't gaining anything from the milk, they can't digest it. Baby foods while nice as a treat or to get a sick animal eating aren't needed daily either. You also need to be careful that you aren't feeding one that contains onions.

If you are familiar with feeding raw diets the puppies can be weaned straight onto raw as well.


~Jess