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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Original Message:
Sent: 07-01-2023 06:02 AM
From: Ruth Olson
Subject: Nursing canine & puppies
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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