When Do You Begin To Give Puppies Water?

8

8 Answers

Matt Domm Profile
Matt Domm answered
If a puppy is with its mother then it should wean itself off suckling and onto water itself somewhere between four and six weeks old, but this depends on the puppy.
While a puppy is still suckling it really doesn’t need water as it will get all the water and other nourishment it needs from its mother. If the puppies are somewhere extremely hot which that particular breed is not used to, then a little water to supplement the milk may be a good idea, but in general the mother’s milk will compensate for the extra water needed.
At around three to four weeks it is a good idea to start leaving a very shallow saucer of water with the puppies every day. It is important to make sure that the saucer is very shallow as a puppy can easily fall asleep in only an inch or two of water and drown as at this age puppies have very little control over when and where they sleep. 
The mother will usually begin weaning her puppies off her milk when they are ready and little by little they will become more and more interested in drinking water and less and less interested in suckling. It is also a good idea to start introducing hard puppy food at around five weeks as the puppies take less and less nutrients from their mothers. The best way to do this is to mix a little bit of hard food in with the soft food and slowly increase the amount as they begin to take the hard food.
If you have any problems feeding a puppy always take them to a veterinarian
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Puppies should suckle from their mother as their sole source of nutrition and hydration until 3-4 weeks of age.  Larger breed puppies can be introduced to food at 3 weeks while smaller breed puppies should not start weaning until 4 weeks.  Between three and six weeks of age a soft gruel of puppy food, water, or milk replacer should be fed. 
Full weaning from mom occurs between six and eight weeks of age.
Water can be available for the puppies (and should be available for mom) but do not be concerned if they are not drinking on their own until 3-4 weeks of age.
If any of the puppies stop nursing or mom ignores them you need to intervene immediately.
Consult with your veterinarian about appropriate care of kittens.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Puppies will not stop nursing until about 5 weeks of age.  Their mother will start weening them, you will notice, they will try to nurse and she will get up and walk away.  However, you must start introducing them to puppy chow and water at the age of 3 weeks.  I breed Labradors, and I always use Purina Puppy Chow, and soak it in hot water, until it gets soft and mushy.  I usually do that up until they leave to go to their new home, which is usually about 7 weeks of age.  
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
I have 4 week old boxer pups now. I began weaning them at 3 weeks(early because we are having some issues with mama not wanting to nurse) and they are now to a soft puppy food just mixed with a little water and nursing 3 times a day from their mom. I was wondering this same thing so I asked a friend of mine who is a breeder. She said I could put a small dish of water in each time I feed them food(I put it in one of my daughters child size plates). They played in it, and spilled it everywhere, but didn't drink it. I called my friend back and asked about this and she said they are probably still getting hydrated with the milk from their mom, so if they don't drink any water I shouldn't worry. I would offer water in a shallow dish, when you start to offer food, and they will figure out how to drink it when they are ready. Make sure the dish is shallow!! You don't want those babies aspirating water, or drowning in it.
Jacquelyn Mathis Profile
They will start eating and drinking water when they are about 6 weeks old, you might want to keep an ample amount of it out for them as they will need to eat several times a day. Hope this helps, good luck.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
I gave my baby pompek water at 4 weeks and I am introducing him to chow at this stage
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Hi mom does most the work for puppies. If you wont to start weaning them you start with puppy milk from vets. And follow what it says. Start watering it down when pups are 5 weeks can give just water at 6 weeks. Puppies start on puppy food at 3 weeks old.Can warm in microwave for 2 or 3 sec and mush with a fork. My dog has had 3 litters and iv had on probs with any iv feed.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
My boxer bitch has had 10 pups we have 2 small pups which have to be fed every 2 hours now by us. The pups are 2 and half weeks old now can I introduce puppy food to the pups now or do I have to wait as I feel the bitch is struggling to feed all the pups.

Answer Question

Anonymous