drying up a nursing female?

Any tips for getting a nursing bitch to dry up faster? The mom is still producing milk and wanting to nurse her NINE six-week-old puppies (whining, scratching at the door to get them, etc)...but they are hurting her so bad she kicks her legs and will nip at them. When they get done with her she has bleeding cuts and scratches. They eat puppy kibble soaked in water, mixed with moist puppy food just fine. Really, they don't really need the milk anymore as they are all fat and healthy (just got first vaccinations and vet check).

What can I do to help this situation? She begs to feed them about three or four times a day but I want to help her stop producing milk.

 

I usually go a full day without feeding her then feed her small portions for a few days untill she starts drying out. Oh and dont let them nurse at all .

 

Yep budboy has it right.

day 1 no food or water at all
day 2 1/4 amount of food with just a bit of water added (no water rest of day)
day 3 1/2 amount of food same on water as above
day 4 3.4 amount of food same on water
day 5 full amount of food same on water
day 6 normal amount of food and give water a couple times
day 7 everything back to normal.

This will stop production of milk and be well on your way to having her sucked back up. Not completely but give her a couple more weeks and she should look good as new.

Was taught this by some very experienced dog people.

 

For the second day for the amount of water how much would you say roughly? just the amount you add to her feed? 1 cup 2? just out of curiousity? I have heard something similar to this but never seen it laid out like this very interesting thanks BB.

 

Boogie, the bitch is a little on the thin side as it is but she's been gaining weight steadily since she stopped staying with the pups 24/7. Think she'll be alright?

Thanks for the advice. It's gonna suck being around a hungry mama dog who is pissed about not seeing her puppies lol. I assume like budboy said, I separate completely for now on? We plan to feed her night, let the puppies with her one last time, and start her drying her up tomorrow.

 

id give raw meat this way she wont need to drink as much, maybe suggest a supplement any vitamin tab from a pet store would help balance her out,. I dont think that this would cause her to actually make more milk, also id get her far away from the pups so she cant see or hear them, but do what BB said for sure that sound on point, I was gonna say the same thing but he beat me to it,lol

 

Don't give her any supplements or switch to meat. do just what the gentlemen said above. By depriving her of food, water, and pups; she will absorb the milk to nourish herself.

 

That's too bad about not being able to be with the pups.

My experience is that bitches really do want to be with the pups at that age; but it is necessary to let her come and go as she pleases; or at least not shut her up with them all day. If she has been allowed to be with them this way all along, the puppies don't get so desperate for her and then get too rough.

At 6 weeks, she really starts playing and interacting with them -- after they have a suckle. I find bitches are delighted to get their pups out of the whelping area to a newer, bigger place (best is outside for a while, but only if weather is decent) and PLAY with them. The pups want this too. It is fun to watch for us too!

Can you sort of help her get back to being with them? Maybe put her with them maybe 3-4 times a day, and sit there and help the puppies not be so rough, but let them get a good suckle. After that, you will see her relax and often play with them. It's best if the pups have some space to move into and play, not just confined in a box. If they can get to be with her several times a day, maybe they won't get so desperate.

And when was the last time you cut puppy nails? I cut nails once a week!

Dreamer

 

Dreamer most of the time it isn't the nails at that age that are tearing the mother tits up but the teeth and i do agree to let them play with the mother but if the mother is to dumb not to let them suckle because they are causing damage to her then it is best to wait a couple days atleast so she also starts to realize hey leave my tits the hell alone it hurts and corrects them 6 weeks is a fine age to let them wean as long as they are eating well and are healthy i have taken pups off at 4-4 1/2 weeks because they were doing so much damage to the bitch so young my 2 cents

 

I guess I look at "weaning" differently.

It's a gradual process (and more natural, I believe) where I don't deny the bitch water for so many days (I DO decrease food as the pups get older) and the bitch is pretty much allowed with the pups AS SHE PLEASES and eventually she is not that interested and it's about the same time the pups could care less. I love it when the bitches are interested enough in their pups to go be with them several times a day -- it naturally tapers off quite a bit by 7 to 8 weeks. I believe that 6th week is really important as the bitch and pups interact quite a bit and you will see the bitch correct the pups as they get too rough with her.

The pups don't seem to get so rough when they GET to be with her more often.

I've never had a bitch not tuck up and look like she's never had puppies when it's all over with....even after 3 or 4 litters.

Dreamer

 

I never had to with hold water or food, this is the first ive heard of it. I usually start exercising the dog to get the bitch back in shape, that has always worked for me. Learn something new everyday. JMO

 

One old man told me to rub pickle juice on the tits to get them to shrink up LOL :rolleyes:
anybody else ever heard that one?!?

 

Well, you DO eventually have to bring the mothers down from the large amounts of food they are eating while nursing. More food + nursing stimulates milk production. The method mentioned WILL stop the milk production quickly.

Dreamer

 

When the pups are 4-5 weeks old start putting mother on the chain for the whole day to separate her from pups.
Feed the pups wet canned dog food during the day and especially before putting mother in with them for the night! That way the pups are full and won't drink too much milk...just enough so that mothers breast aren't so full!
Week 5-6 take mother way for 2 days now and make sure pups are fed and full before putting mother in back with them. As pups get older they will eat more solid food...and mother will slowly stop producing milk the more longer you keep her away from the pups. Start reducing the time she spends with them at night to 10-6-4-0 hours.

YIS

 

Just want to say thanks for the advice Boogie. She has stopped producing milk and is gaining weight. Can't wait to see what she looks like another month; the pups are doing just fine too.

 

Sounds highly logical to me!!!

 

Nell's pups are almost 7 weeks. Going to give this a go this week. I'll let you all know how it turns out! Hard part will be keeping my kids from slipping her treats LOL!

 

I slowly take the bitch off the pups. It will get her body to stop producing milk. At 4 weeks of age I only put the mother in there with the pups for an hour a day. On the 5th week I put the mother in there for an hour every other day.

 

Ah didn't see you post this. This is a better explanation. This is the correct way to do it. Good post flipside

 

Have fun Nell_Bell

Boogie's advice worked like a charm. She's back to normal and was spayed earlier this week. Thanks!