When is it safe to transition my 5-week-old puppy from milk to water?

At this point mom has generally begun to wean her puppies. Offer water, regular dry kibble, kibble soaked in warm water and canned food. This does need to be a large breed puppy formula for the food. There’s a brand that makes a food specific for weaning puppies called Royal Canin and I recommend to pick some up at the pet store or online. You may need to smear some of the food on the puppy’s mouth so that it gets the idea. Also allow him to see mom eating so that he has the desire to copy her. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend canned puppy food at 5 weeks of age. You can add puppy formula to it to get him used to it for a week. I do not recommend human dairy products. The Cerelac has a lot of moisture and that is probably why he isn't drinking much. As long as he is eating, urinating and pooping he should be fine. Good luck!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If the milk you are giving is milk replacer, this should be continued until Missy is 8 weeks old. You can continue to transition her to hard kibble when she is about 8 weeks old. By that time, she should be eating hard kibble and you can discontinue the milk replacer. She is likely not drinking water as much due to getting her liquid from the wet food and milk replacer. She will begin to drink more water as you transition her to hard kibble. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You may switch to kibble at this time or you may wait 1-2 more weeks. If using the kibble, you could consider soaking it in water to make it softer and easier for him to eat. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At this stage you can try to feed him puppy food. You can water it down to make it softer or just feed him the wet kind. If he is not wanting to eat that yet, you may have to start him on a milk replacer until he is a bit older (perhaps a few more weeks) and try solid food again at that stage. Have a good night!

The milk replacer is all the pup needs until he starts eating solid food. There is enough water in the milk replacer. You can place a small amount of water in a flat dish and dip your finger in it. Then offer it to the pup to lick. That way the pup will start to learn how to lap water. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

You can start now offering a small amount of plain dry as treats and after every feeding until Coco gets used to it. Many dogs prefer dry and usually don't have problems adjusting. Make sure she always has fresh water available as she will drink more when eating dry only. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Coco.