[mcialm01]

Yesterday I adopted a 4 week old lab/terrier puppy from a rescue shelter (the mom wouldn't care for it) but get mixed answers on what he should be eating. I have been mixing puppy formula (mixed with water) along with some puppy food (I allow it to get soggy before I give it to him) but he will drink the milk and leave the soggy food. This doesn't really worry me except the fact that he is not pooping. Yesterday he pooped once and today I would say half a poop. What should I be doing?

[Wondergirl]

After he eats, rub his bottom gently with a warm, moist cloth or cotton balls (like his mother's tongue). This should stimulate his bowels.

Orphaned Puppies: How to Raise Them

[Lucky098]

He's not pooping because he isn't eating anything.

Milk is a source of protein, but in a different way.

He should be eating a hard kibbled diet. Since it is apparent he isn't weaned, you may need to also bottle feed him.

Having experienced weaning puppies that were bottlefed, this is no easy task and it took some tough love for them to start eating it.

He should be eating a kibbled puppy food. I really like pro plan puppy, I've had nothing but good results from it. Sit down with your puppy and give him his food in his bowl. Play with the food with your hand... out of curiousity, he'll start to mouth it and eventually eat it. You may have to be tough with him and not bottle feed him while you are introducing him to the puppy food. You aren't being mean or cruel, a lot of breeders wean this way. He may lose weight.. most weaning puppies do. If he's not eating at all, you may need to go to a vet.

I'm not a fan of soaking the food. I've watched too many puppies younger than 4wks eat the food with their mom with no problems. You are just going to have to take the place of mom and fiddle with the kibbles in his bowl. That is where they learn to eat.