Is my dog weaning her 4-week-old puppies too early? What's normal?

Puppies get weaned between 4 and 6 weeks, so it is probably just time! I recommend mixing water with canned puppy food (or dry puppy food) to make it really wet and mushy. The puppies will often play in it and then lick it off their paws. Here is a helpful article: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2108&aid=887

It is better to nurse pups until around 4-5 weeks, then start the weaning process. Once they have teeth they are more than ready to be weaned off mom. At 6 weeks, they should have their teeth, so the sitter can start the process now. There is no harm in starting the weaning process between 4-5 weeks b/c that is the ideal time to do so and does not harm their growth in any way. Some momma dogs will still allow the pups to feed even after they get their teeth, but there is certainly discomfort for the mom and high risk of abrasions and infection of the teets if allowed to happen for long, so its best to get them weaned for mom's sake. : ) Best of luck with these pups and I hope that the weaning process goes well. Take care!

Great question! To help them wean and to get used to dry food, I would soak a high quality puppy formulated dry food in water water until soft. Then mix that with puppy formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry puppy food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until they are eating the dry puppy food only.

They are too young to be weaned from milk, you will need to buy puppy replacer milk at the pet shop. there could be many reasons for the mother to stop feeding her pups, the most common would be mammary gland inflammation.

AT 4 weeks old it is good to try to start feeding them so they can be weaned by 6 weeks old. Each puppy is different and may take to it a different times. I would try dry puppy food mixed with water so it is soft, then feed them. They may not eat at all and play in it. If that happens, skip a day or 2 and try again. You may have to place some in their mouths to teach them. They will still nurse despite being fed so it does not have to be a lot of food as they are little and can't hold very much. The better they get and the older they are, you can decrease the amount of water added to get them used to dry puppy food.

At 4 weeks they should be started in puppy food to start weaning them. They should be fully weaned by 6 weeks. If she is too rough and they are eating food and nursing less then keep them separate to give her a break from taking care of them so she won’t do that. Moms teach several lessons and they may be crying out if scared or just not being able to do what they want instead of pain.

At 3.5weeks pups would be expected to suckle less frequently but in larger volumes. If she appears unwell or feverish or the pups are crying and hungry you should have her checked by your vet to rule out infections such as mastitis. I would recommend gradually weaning pups onto semi solid food immediately in order to reduce the demand on stella