Weaning Puppies
Frank's Pro Gold Puppy Feeding Program
has been developed for growing dogs of different ages and
sizes. Formulated by veterinarians Frank's Pro Gold Puppy
and Frank's Pro Gold Large Breed Puppy make it possible for
you to chose exactly the right nutrition for your puppy during
the most important period of his development and growth. Frank's
Pro Gold Puppy Feeding Programmes are balanced, complete foods
containing top quality proteins essential for good muscle
development and optimal levels of calcium and phosphorous
for healthy bones and teeth. Omega3 and Omega6 fatty acids
promote a healthy skin and coat.
Weaning is the term used to describe the introduction of solid
foods into the puppies diet. The time chosen to begin weaning
can vary due to several factors.
Generally, three weeks of age is the norm, however, if a new
mother has a large litter weaning can begin as early as ten
days. Depending upon the breed most will cope adequately with
six or seven puppies. Beyond this number, even a bitch in
excellent condition can only produce so much milk and has
a limited number of teats. Greedier puppies will get the majority
of the milk and within a matter of days you will notice a
difference in size - contrary to popular belief "runts"
of the litter are not small by design but are the puppies
who have been the last in line at the "milk bar".
Providing all puppies in a large litter were similar birth
weights, and are allowed sufficient nutrition they will all
generally remain even in size, weight and condition.
Correct diet and a plentiful intake of fluids are essential
for a lactating bitch as the nutrients she receives from her
diet enables her to produce a highly nutritious milk which
in turn provides her growing puppies with all the energy,
protein, vitamins & carbohydrates they require. Some mothers,
though, can have a poor milk supply - either lacking in quality
and/or quantity. As the puppies grow she may be unable to
provide enough milk to sustain their optimal growth up to
the three week stage.
All puppies, irrespective of breed, should be weaned using
Frank's Pro Gold Puppy. The food should be soaked using hot
water, mashed to a porridge and allowed to cool to warm. Puppies
at the normal weaning age of three weeks will have some teeth
already present and a normal porridge consistency will be
easy for them to manage; puppies at earlier ages, may prefer
a more liquid porridge to enable them to lap it. The porridge
should be spread around the edges of a large flat bowl - small
legs find it difficult to stand for more than five or ten
minutes without tiring and a shallow bowl allows them to sit
whilst eating. For the first few feeds it is advisable to
bring the mother away from the puppies for an hour to ensure
they have not fed from her and filled themselves with milk.
Position the puppies around the edge of the bowl so they all
have access to the food. It is sometimes helpful to place
a small amount of food on your finger in front of the puppy's
mouth. If some seem a little reluctant a small smear of food
on the puppy's lips will encourage them to lick it off and
sample the food - sometimes a new smell is not enough, but
the taste soon makes them realise its edible!
The quantity fed will depend upon the breed. Until the puppies
are about three weeks old small regular feeds are easier for
small stomachs to cope with and produce the best growth. A
good rule of thumb for feeding quantity at this young age
is to prepare enough food that the puppies can eat in a ten
minute period with a small amount left over, so you know that
each puppy has had his fill. The remainder needn't go to waste
and can be fed to the mother. Let the mother back in with
her puppies immediately after they have fed as they will still
require a drink from her and as they usually toilet shortly
after a meal she can still clean up after them.
Once the puppies are eating readily and their teeth are coming
through the food can gradually be dried off until it is fed
with a little water only which ensures they have sufficient
water intake and also prevents the food from being scattered
around the kennel during feed time! As the puppies grow and
their appetites increase the amount of food should be increased
accordingly, still bearing in mind the ten minute guideline.
At about five weeks old it is advisable to begin measuring
quantities especially with the larger breeds to prevent overgrowth.
Fast growth at such an early age can cause strain on young
joints which can have detrimental effects at a later stage
such as hip dysplasia and other joint problems due to excessive
weight bearing on the soft cartilage in the joints. Below
is an approximate guide to quantities. Please bear in mind
it is a guide only and that certain breeds may require more
or less.
For all puppies up to 8 weeks of age:
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Frank's Pro Gold Puppy
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Small
Breeds - (1-10kg)
Age (Weeks)
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Medium Breeds - (11-25kg)
Age (Weeks)
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Large
Breeds (25kg+)
Age (Weeks)
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Weight
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3-12
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12-24
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24-40
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Weight
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3-12
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12-24
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24-40
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Weight
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3-6
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1-2kg
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75-120
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40-55
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45-70
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100-180
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3-4kg
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100-180
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3-4kg
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100-190
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85-150
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90-110
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5-6kg
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150-250
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120-200
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5-6kg
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150-250
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5-6kg
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120-200
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90-140
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6-10kg
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225-350
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150-290
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135-225
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6-10kg
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225-350
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7-8kg
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25-285
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160-190
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10-15kg
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250-400
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200-300
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10-15kg
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300-500
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8-10kg
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200-240
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15-20kg
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350-490
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250-380
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15-20kg
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450-600
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20-25kg
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350-450
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20-25kg
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g/day
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25-30kg
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g/day
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400-510
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25-30kg
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g/day
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All large breed puppies from 8 week of age should be changed
to Frank's PRO GOLD Large Breed Puppy. The food should be
mixed half and half for a couple of days. Large Breed Puppy
is specifically formulated to ensure larger breeds do not
overgrow and have the optimum levels of calcium and phosphorous
to promote healthy skeletal development.
Frank's Pro Gold
Large Breed Puppy
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8wks-7mths
Age
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7-12
mths Age |
7-12 mths Age
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Weight
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150-290
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6-10kg
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250-450
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10-15kg
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400-520
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185-250
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15-20kg
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500-610
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225-285
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200-265
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20-25kg
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550-700
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250-325
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225-300
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25-30kg
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650-850
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300-375
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265-335
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30-40kg
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350-450
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300-400
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40-50kg
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400-525
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350-475
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50-65kg
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500-625
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450-575
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65kg+
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g/day
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600-725
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550-650
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You may well find that the greedier
puppies remain dominant at the food bowl and that it may be
necessary to split the litter at feeding times into fast and
slow feeders so that all puppies have the correct quantity
of food.
Puppies should have access to fresh water at all times.
When your puppies are ready to go to their new homes it is
strongly advised that the new owners keep their puppy on the
same diet. The excitement and change of environment can cause
stress (also being away from Mum and his litter mates) to
young systems which can affect digestion until the puppy is
settled in his new home. A change of diet at this time can
give rise to upset stomachs and diarrhoea. For information
on selling Frank's Gold Puppy with your litters please contact
us on 0870 0468774
Copyright© J.M.International
2005
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