Lab puppies

[little possum]

Hello NCduckers, my 5 year old female just dropped a litter of 7 pups 3 weeks ago on Monday.
I was wondering if anybody has experience with raising puppies. I have 5 labs, but have never had any dealins with breeding and raising the pups at this young of a age.

My main question is when can I introduce them to wet dog food? They are all around 3 pounds already and they are taking a toll on my 60# female.

Thanks. Also any kind of tips would be appreciated.

[labman63]

At 3 weeks they should be nibblin in wet food. I put milk in mine. Good luck. Do you have them sold yet? Health clearence in parents?

[little possum]

Thanks Labman. Is that regular milk? Or what, the vet told us we could use goats milk to mix in with the females food.
So far 2 of them have homes. And far as I know the parents are both very healthy. The female is a stout 60#er and the male is a brute of about 90#s of solid muscle. The pups have been checked out already once and they were healthy too. Vet said they were big for being 2 weeks old.

[dugreen85]

I also start mine on a wet food around 3 weeks what i do is take and puree puppy chow and water together and make it thicker as time goes until they get there teeth then its puppy chow and water just let it sit for a little bit and let it get soft until there about 6-7 weeks old ( it really all depends on the puppies and when there ready for hard food) i hope this helps out

[little possum]

Thanks dugreen. Mom and Dad fed them their first batch on Sunday while I was at work. They said they took to it great. They pureed it in the food processor.

Really appreciate the advice and help. Now can somebody tell me the best way to deal with having to get rid of the little fellas ?

[labman63]

I meant health clearences like hips,eyes,EIC,CNM?