3 week old shitzu

Question
QUESTION: what is the proper food they should be eating the mom is a good mom but she seems to be needing help with feeding them.She doesn't seem to be producing enough milk to provide for them. I know they don't have teeth as of yet so what can i give them to help the mom out a little.

ANSWER: My question here is, why isn't the bitch supplying enough milk? Is she on a proper lactation diet? How many pups are there? What was her diet like while she was pregnant, and what are you feeding her now? I suspect this is the first order of the day, to get her nutrition up to standard. Although at 3 weeks it's a little late, there is still a lot you can do.

Catherine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The bitch was getting beneful and Purina 1 time a day, table scraps a little, she has 5 pups. I told my mother to feed the bitch 3 times a day and it might help. The pups all are fat but the bitch has gotten thin.My mom wants to be sure the bitch stays healthy as well.

Answer
At peak lactation - four weeks - many bitches require 3 times their regular nutrient requirements and in some cases as much as FIVE times! Purina Beneful is a very low quality food and she will scarcely be able to derive her own needs from it, let alone nurse puppies. My immediate recommendation is that you switch her to a premium, nutrient dense diet such as Canida All Life Stages. Normally I wouldnt suggest a fast transition for a dog under so much stress, but I feel the stress of switching is the lesser concern here. Her malnutrition is far worse. Cut the table scraps and low quality food and get her on a premium diet - and lots of it - now.
Catherine