How to Wean a Puppy

In the first few weeks of life, newborn puppies rely heavily on their mother's milk for both nutrition and survival. It not only provides vital nutrients for their development but also contains antibodies that help prevent diseases. By the time the puppies are 3 weeks old, weaning typically begins. During this transition period, it is essential to teach the puppies to eat puppy food. As a caregiver, you should support them through this phase.

Start feeding the pregnant dog puppy food early. On the other hand, the dog will need to gain 15-20% of her body weight by the time of delivery. Puppy food is rich in protein and essential nutrients, which will help your dog achieve the desired weight. It is important to note that you do not want your dog to gain excessive weight. You can begin feeding the pregnant dog puppy food once you notice she is pregnant, or if you know your dog tends to change weight, you may wait until 2-3 weeks before she gives birth. Additionally, choose the puppy food you plan to feed the puppies later. This will make the transition to the new food easier for them, both for their general health and especially for maintaining a balanced GI index.

Gradually introduce puppy food to the puppies. Start when they are 3 weeks old. You won’t completely wean them off their mother’s milk immediately. Begin by offering puppy food, providing around 10% of their daily caloric intake. They will continue nursing while getting used to the puppy food. After 2-3 weeks, they will gradually eat more puppy food and nurse less.

Encourage the puppies to eat their food. Most of the time, if you place food in front of the puppies, they will eat it. In rare cases, some puppies might refuse to eat. Simply bring the puppy to the food and place them in front of it once or twice. Eventually, the puppies will start eating.

Separate the puppies from their mother while they eat. Start by removing the puppies from their mother for 1 hour, 2-3 times a day. Take the mother to a different area in the yard or house. Leave the puppies with their food bowl. Initially, they may whine, but soon they will realize their bowl has delicious and nutritious food. This mimics natural behavior in the wild, so don’t feel bad about it.

Always monitor the puppies. Throughout the weaning process, keep an eye on their health. Make sure they are gaining weight steadily. Check for signs of vomiting or diarrhea. Consult a veterinarian if you have any concerns or questions.

Switch the mother to adult food by week 4. As with all other steps, it is important to make the transition gradually. Begin by replacing 1/4 of the puppy food with the adult food the mother typically eats. This will help her digestive system adjust to the change while continuing to provide milk for the puppies. After a few weeks, switch her entirely to regular adult dog food.

Weaning off mother’s milk completely. By around the 7th week, puppies should be fully weaned. They should be fed dry puppy food and drink water.

Mix puppy formula with dry puppy food. You can purchase this formula at any pet store or from a veterinarian's office. Soak the dry puppy food in the formula and place it in a shallow dish when the puppies start walking around the 3rd week. Ensure the food is placed close to the puppies. They will not be able to eat it if you use a deeper dish.

Consider using a blender. For puppies, the wet food and formula may still be too much. Use a blender to mix the food until it resembles baby cereal. Use 250 grams of high-quality dry puppy food, 370 ml of formula, and about 470 ml of water. Blend well and feed the mixture to the 6 puppies. After 1-2 weeks, you can begin introducing dry food.

Feed the puppies three times a day throughout the weaning process. Puppies under 6 months old should be fed three times a day; after 6 months, they can be switched to two meals a day. Ensure you give them equal portions at the same time each day. It’s important to establish a feeding routine, which will help control their appetite and prevent them from crying throughout the day. When switching to two meals a day, you may skip lunch (the mid-meal).

Brian Bourquin, DVM
Dog training expert