Cross Breeds

2 shih tzu puppies born 5am how often should they feed and when can mun and pups be left alone?

one pup small worried not feeding enough worried when i go to work and leave them

Public Comments

1. You can usually leave them alone as soon as they are born, the mother has a natural instict on how to take care of her babies...Let them feed as often as they like. On the other hand if you find yourself bottle feeding them make sure you do it every 3 to 4 hours...You can buy the formula from many places as well as the bottles...Make sure that you test how hot or cold the milk is by dropping some on your wrist, if it feels luke warm then it should be okay.
2. Sit with the mom and keep the pups off the back teets (these have the most nutritious milk) and let the runt nurse. I got up numerous times and night and sat on the floor to let him nurse and did so periodically throughout the day. Weigh the pups everyday as long as they gain something they are doing good. I had a few stay the same for a day or so but if they ever loose weight they need to get to the vet. Is there anyone that can come by frequently to check on them? Can you hire an at home pet sitter? I am going to paste an answer I typed abt pups for u a lot will not be useful since she has already had them but some may. Good luck. *She needs to be eating puppy food and not dog food. *Set up a welping box in a private semi dark spot *Take her temp starting 10 days b4 due date when it drops to I believe 97 something labor should be within 24hrs *be there when she gives birth *Make sure to read up on dogs giving birth...have a baby nose sucker and some towels around. Offer her plenty of water while in labor she will probably not eat though. *I had to move the pups when their sibling was being born as she moved around a lot..there were also 4 born with fluid in the lungs and bubbles coming out of their nose. Read up on rubbing a puppy down after trying to suck the nose. Vet told me nesting and panting stage can last up to 36 hours...no more than i think an hour and a half btw puppies..(verify with vet or books) *Weigh puppies at birth and every day thereafter. They should gain every day I had a few stay the same for 2 days though. They should NEVER loose weight. *do not use thick blankets to line welping box as they can get trapped under and suffocate *Mom will need 4xs her normal food after babies are born and unlimited water *Make sure water bowl is deep enough pups cannot wiggle into it Verify all this with your vet but this is what I did. I also kept a baby monitor on 24/7 to make sure she did not lay on one (she did 4xs) and had to get up numerous times the first few nights to help the runt nurse. He woudl get pushed away. Good luck and it is hard work but very worth it. We had 8 puppies and all survived. Also, make sure to trim their nails every week or they will hurt mom. ***when u weigh the pups hold, pet and talk to them for a minute it will be good for their socialization when they grow. sit right next to mom if she is nervous with you handeling them so she can check on them. Keep any other dogs away from her and the pups..My pom could not even be in the HOUSE or the mom would freak out! They need their puppy shots and deworming (my vet said deworm at 5,7 and 9 weeks and mom needs it then also) ADD: You will probably get more responses in the dog section :-)
3. If you're worried, then supplement feedings as often as you can and when you're home, keep the larger ones back and let the small one nurse first.