Hi, how do we know puppys are getting enough milk from the mum. Tia has only a 6 bigish teats and sometimes they really tug at them and she has some bruises around her teats. The pups are growing very well but im sure they are struggling with the milk. I checked and there is milk coming out but some more than others. Could i help feed or could this put Tia of the pups.

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TIA

Also they seem to feed all the time perhaps they are not giving her the chance to fill up again.

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TIA

have you weighed the pups at all ?? and are they peaceful??

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i have not weighed them but they are double the size and they do sleep after every feed

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TIA

How old are they now? Are they nearing the age for starting to wean them?

It sounds as if they arer getting enough Kerry, just make sure Mum is having loads to drink. I tend to give my Bitch Goats milk watered down and she loves it.
As the pups get bigger and stronger their suck gets stronger as well so most bruise the mum. Little lovebites all over tummy

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Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or hump it. Piss on it and walk away

agree with clueless they would be whingeing if they werent getting enough from her and they def wouldnt have doubled in size but if you are worried weigh them now and then in a couple of days we weigh ours when born then for the first week weigh them daily then onto weekly weighs

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Abbie had 5 puppies and only 2 teets that looked full.. but they all got more than enough milk. Abbie had loads of bruises, and they kept sucking on her skin which gave her hard sore lumps. We soaked a J cloth in warm water with a tiny bit of salt in, and dabbed the sore bits.. and then washed it off with fresh water and it really helped.

ok thanks and yes she has little love bites lol, they will be 1 week tomorrow.

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TIA

It's best to weigh them really, as you then get an idea of how much weight each is gaining, and can make sure you're putting the ones who aren't gaining as much on the back teats (the back teats are more productive) so they gain a bit more and you end up with an evenly sized litter. If they are gaining steadily they are getting enough milk. Also, they are getting vital handling if you weigh them. I weigh all of ours daily until they are too big to fit on my scales, usually between 2-3 weeks, and they are usually starting weaning around that time too. Then I take them into the vets every couple of weeks to be weighed so I can worm them, and because it is good for socialisation to get them out.

I wouldn't give the pups extra milk because Mum's milk is on a supply and demand basis, just like breast milk in humans. So, the more they feed, the more milk she'll produce and if you start feeding them, they won't need as much from her, so her milk supply will decline. Just make sure Mum is getting plenty of food and fluids. I always soak any kibble in water to help with fluid intake.