feeding my female chihuahua since having puppies

Question
QUESTION: my chihuahua just had puppies on 6-21-07 and i am not sure what is best to feed her since having the puppies i am not a raw feeder

ANSWER: Hi Brenda -- good quality puppy food is the best thing.  You can supplement her with cooked chicken, heart, kidney and livers.  But in moderation, puppy food and the meat can cause the runs.

Sorry -- I hit the wrong key on your last question.  You can give her canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) a tablespoon will stop the runs.  Just remember whatever food you are going to introduce, do it in moderation.

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QUESTION: now what do i give her to drink since she isn't drinking much water
ANSWER: Just plan water -- you can add ice cubes.

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QUESTION: when does the mother dog ween the puppies off of her and how old should the puppies be when we start to give them puppy food?
ANSWER: Hi Brenda -- You don't have to feed her raw.  You can cook any meat (chicken, heart, liver) as a treat. Start her with a good quality puppy food, Solid Gold, Timberwolf, Fromm. There are some great foods out there.  

Make sure you "free feed" here, that's letting her eat when she wants -- it take a lot of energy to produce milk.

Congrats!

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QUESTION: when does she ween the puppies and how old are the puppies when they should be getting puppy food

Answer
Sorry I missed that part of your question.  They can be weaned at 6 weeks, although we let our pups feed until 8 because that's the only protection they have is the immunities of the mother.

They can start eating solids as soon as the teeth come in. We start around the 3 - 4 week, some pups are more eager than others.  Start with some hard kibble soaked in either goats milk (no cows milk they can't digest it) and/or mixed with some canned food (in moderation).