Shih Tzu Information Center
Your Subtitle text
Shih Tzu Puppy Weaning
Overview
A Shih Tzu is technically a puppy until the age of 2 years old. However, this breed will be most vulnerable and in need of your care when he or she is going through the puppy weaning process.
A large part of puppy care is the weaning process. If you obtain your Shih Tzu when the dog is at a very young age, it will be your responsibility to help the pup wean from mom's milk in a healthy way.
When this process is rushed, it can cause health issues to the puppy. Malnutrition may occur. Additionally, studies have shown that when the steps are not followed carefully, food allergies may develop. Those intolerances to foods may affect a dog's health for their entire life.
In almost every state in America, it is illegal for a puppy to be taken away from its mother before the pup is 8 weeks old. Responsible Shih Tzu breeders will allow the puppy to stay to drink its mother's milk until the age of 10-12 weeks.
Therefore, most likely, if you have a Shih Tzu puppy, the youngest age it should be is 8 weeks old. Learn how to properly feed your little bundle of fur to maintain optimal health.
A Shih Tzu is technically a puppy until the age of 2 years old. However, this breed will be most vulnerable and in need of your care when he or she is going through the puppy weaning process.
A large part of puppy care is the weaning process. If you obtain your Shih Tzu when the dog is at a very young age, it will be your responsibility to help the pup wean from mom's milk in a healthy way.
When this process is rushed, it can cause health issues to the puppy. Malnutrition may occur. Additionally, studies have shown that when the steps are not followed carefully, food allergies may develop. Those intolerances to foods may affect a dog's health for their entire life.
In almost every state in America, it is illegal for a puppy to be taken away from its mother before the pup is 8 weeks old. Responsible Shih Tzu breeders will allow the puppy to stay to drink its mother's milk until the age of 10-12 weeks.
Therefore, most likely, if you have a Shih Tzu puppy, the youngest age it should be is 8 weeks old. Learn how to properly feed your little bundle of fur to maintain optimal health.
Issues Before Weaning
Problems with puppies receiving enough calories and nutrients may occur even before the weaning process. For reasons not quite fully understood yet, some mother dogs will push their pups away. They will reject the feeding puppy and not allow that pup to drink milk. Therefore, if you are taking care of a new litter of Shih Tzu puppies, you must carefully watch to make sure that they are receiving what they need. If you notice that things are not flowing smoothly, you will need to step in and feed those puppies. This is done using a dropper or small bottle with a very small nipple tip. Do not use cow's milk, it does not contain the necessary vitamins and nutrients for a growing puppy. There are special formulas specifically designed to feed a very young puppy; you can obtain these through your veterinarian.
The Beginning of the Process
While puppies will drink from their mother until about 6 to 8 weeks old, the weaning process will begin at approximately 3 to 4 weeks. At this time, the puppies will begin to grow curious about the world. They will begin to stray a bit away from their mother in an attempt to explore the outside world. It is important to give the puppies an opportunity to do this. During this time, the Shih Tzu puppy is starting to learn independence and this is needed for good emotional health when it will be time to fully be on their own with their human family.
It seems that usually the Shih Tzu mother realizes this as well, as she may push the puppies away after a while of feeding. Beginning at 3 to 4 weeks old, you should introduce solid food.
How to Wean Your Shih Tzu Puppy
The introduction to solid dog food must be a slow and patient one. The Shih Tzu puppy must be given plenty of time to become accustomed to chewing and swallowing dog food. This should begin with a very high quality, wet dog food. It should be mixed with water and many find it best to heat it slightly. Test the mixture on your wrist to make sure that it is not too hot, you will want the dog food to be comfortably warm.
The puppy or puppies should be gently taken from their mother for a hour or so, several times a day. During this time, you should offer the puppy a chance to test out the new experience of the solid dog food. Do expect a bit of a mess. It is quite a feat for a tiny Shih Tzu puppy to learn how to eat its new diet.
As the weeks go by, you can add less and less water to the dog food. Your Shih Tzu will be learning to eat without making such a mess. By the time your dog is 8 weeks to 12 weeks old, he or she should be fully weaned and eating a regular, healthy dog food diet for puppies.
Look Out for Allergies
If your dog displays:
this means that he or she may be experiencing food allergies. It is very important to take your Shih Tzu to the vet or animal hospital immediately.
Problems with puppies receiving enough calories and nutrients may occur even before the weaning process. For reasons not quite fully understood yet, some mother dogs will push their pups away. They will reject the feeding puppy and not allow that pup to drink milk. Therefore, if you are taking care of a new litter of Shih Tzu puppies, you must carefully watch to make sure that they are receiving what they need. If you notice that things are not flowing smoothly, you will need to step in and feed those puppies. This is done using a dropper or small bottle with a very small nipple tip. Do not use cow's milk, it does not contain the necessary vitamins and nutrients for a growing puppy. There are special formulas specifically designed to feed a very young puppy; you can obtain these through your veterinarian.
The Beginning of the Process
While puppies will drink from their mother until about 6 to 8 weeks old, the weaning process will begin at approximately 3 to 4 weeks. At this time, the puppies will begin to grow curious about the world. They will begin to stray a bit away from their mother in an attempt to explore the outside world. It is important to give the puppies an opportunity to do this. During this time, the Shih Tzu puppy is starting to learn independence and this is needed for good emotional health when it will be time to fully be on their own with their human family.
It seems that usually the Shih Tzu mother realizes this as well, as she may push the puppies away after a while of feeding. Beginning at 3 to 4 weeks old, you should introduce solid food.
How to Wean Your Shih Tzu Puppy
The introduction to solid dog food must be a slow and patient one. The Shih Tzu puppy must be given plenty of time to become accustomed to chewing and swallowing dog food. This should begin with a very high quality, wet dog food. It should be mixed with water and many find it best to heat it slightly. Test the mixture on your wrist to make sure that it is not too hot, you will want the dog food to be comfortably warm.
The puppy or puppies should be gently taken from their mother for a hour or so, several times a day. During this time, you should offer the puppy a chance to test out the new experience of the solid dog food. Do expect a bit of a mess. It is quite a feat for a tiny Shih Tzu puppy to learn how to eat its new diet.
As the weeks go by, you can add less and less water to the dog food. Your Shih Tzu will be learning to eat without making such a mess. By the time your dog is 8 weeks to 12 weeks old, he or she should be fully weaned and eating a regular, healthy dog food diet for puppies.
Look Out for Allergies
If your dog displays:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
this means that he or she may be experiencing food allergies. It is very important to take your Shih Tzu to the vet or animal hospital immediately.
Do you Wonder?
Do you wonder why it is so difficult to find detailed, step-by-step instructions for breeding, whelping, weaning, bottle feeding and raising puppies? The answer is because only a few select professionals know all of the "trade secrets". Most do not share this type of information. This type of information cannot fit into 1 website & who could take the time to tell you all that is needed in person? We have the answer for you. The AllShihTzu Experts have combined all of our Tzu knowledge together, to bring your the only Shih Tzu book you will ever need. Why are we so sure? Find out here.
Do you wonder why it is so difficult to find detailed, step-by-step instructions for breeding, whelping, weaning, bottle feeding and raising puppies? The answer is because only a few select professionals know all of the "trade secrets". Most do not share this type of information. This type of information cannot fit into 1 website & who could take the time to tell you all that is needed in person? We have the answer for you. The AllShihTzu Experts have combined all of our Tzu knowledge together, to bring your the only Shih Tzu book you will ever need. Why are we so sure? Find out here.
Created by Dreamz4Duppy Designs, Owned by Alisa Chagnon. All text is protected by copyright laws. Copyright . All Shih Tzu. Privacy Policy.
All rights reserved. Contact@allshihtzu.com
All rights reserved. Contact@allshihtzu.com
