Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Nursing canine & puppies

    Posted 07-01-2023 06:02 AM

    Not sure if this is the place to ask but our shelter mostly takes in large pit bull breeds and when they have puppies mom's just "get it done."    We recently received in a very pregnant Chihuahua and a week ago she had five puppies - I am keeping her at my house.    She is just so tiny.    Right now I am feeding her free choice puppy chow but she is super thin.   Should I be feeding the babies a little puppy formula to help her out?   Or is there anything I can add to her food to increase calories and keep the milk flowing?    Any tips would be greatly appreciated.   


    #PetSupportServices*

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    Ruth Olson
    Director
    Sumter Humane Society, Inc.
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  • 2.  RE: Nursing canine & puppies

    Posted 07-02-2023 03:50 AM

    Have you tried canned food for mama? We do canned food, extra protein, at least 2 times a day along with free feed dry. 



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    Renee Milner
    Nonprofit Board Member
    Animal Shelter Alliance of Rhea
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  • 3.  RE: Nursing canine & puppies

    Posted 07-02-2023 03:54 AM

    I actually went and got some science diet canned puppy yesterday and crumbled it into her dry and she loved it.   She has lots of milk and pups seem content so I think we are doing ok.   Thanks for the suggestion.  



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    Ruth Olson
    Director
    Sumter Humane Society, Inc.
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Nursing canine & puppies

    Posted 07-04-2023 11:13 PM

    Hi there 

    At our shelter, we feed mama wet and dry food mix together with some water added to it. We do it 3-4 times a day. We mainly get Iams puppy. We make sure mama stays hydrated. 
    If mama is skinny and not at a good weight, we do weekly weight check on mama and puppies to make sure no one is loosing weight. With big litters, we weigh puppies weekly as well. 
    As long mom is feeding, we try to keep her stress free to help produce her milk for the pups. 

    Worst case would have to bottle feed. 



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    Amelia Pham
    Assistant Manager
    WAGS Pet Adoption
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