Hi, my ***** has had her first litter of jack sussell pups they are now18 days old, what age would you recommend starting to feed them?? One already licking the mothers bowl of chicken!

Hi angie, there is a time and place for everything, at l8 days the pups still need the dam's milk to give them immunities and the proper nutrition. It doesn't matter the pup is licking the bowl, he/she probably knows it food and it won't do any harm, but now is not the time for solid food.

Please read this website. There is some important information you should know and follow so you will be aware of what to do when the time comes to help out mom after those pups are weaned by her.

Good luck.

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Hi, thanks for your reply, much appreciated,

At 3 months of age, you should start to introduce kibble.

From experience, the mother will introduce the puppies to food on her own. It's a lot easier. I don't even soak the food.

Feed mom in the same pen as the babies. The babies will become curious on their own and start to play with the food and suck on it. Within a week, they will be eating solid food.

I believe that with mom weaning the babies, they learn proper dog language. Of course, keep an eye on her. Young moms don't wean very well. If you see that she continues to nurse babies when they are 6-8 weeks, then separate her from them. But for the most part, pups should be relying on solid food only by 4-5 weeks.

I meant 3 weeks, not 3 months!

Lol! Good post Lucky.