feeding schedule for a 3wk pitbull?

[pattonme]

of all the breeds to have...

my neighbors picked up a barely 3wk pup (mommy dog died the other day) and are currently feeding it like 6oz of formula every 4 hours. the vet said 3hrs. I watched the pup suck down a full feeding in like 45 seconds flat. It has a little bed but the mom doesn't care for animals in her home to begin with and her daughter is a 3rd grader with no pet experience. To me the little girl is starving. Should I be concerned? Monday I'm going to go to the library and find some books on puppy rearing. I don't think the dog is going to be in their charge for long...

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

It takes a lot of work to do it successfully. If the mom doesn't step up to the plate, they're not the right family. Not only does it need the right food, shots, etc, it also needs love and socialization. It's good of you to be watching over this little one. Why did they pick it up if they don't like animals in their house? Was it in the street or something? How sad that the mom died. Do you know why she died?

[weezyNollie]

Some things to know..

Puppy Milk Replacer.. called Esbilac. You can get it at PetsMart or other local pet supply stores. They also provide proper bottles. It's also really important to stimulate the genitals of puppies after feeding times with a warm wash cloth to get them to urinate and defecate.

Just a couple hints, I'm sure checking out a book will be a huge help. Let us know how it turns out.

[tessa_s212]

of all the breeds to have...

The pitbull isn't a bad breed...

I wish this person goodluck..she is stimulating his bowl movements, right!? The puppy may be old enough that it doesn't need it though..not sure.

[Country-Side Br]

By the time they're 3 weeks old, they are old enough to deficate and urinate on their own. As for a feeding schedule, she should have 2 Tablespoons of puppy formula (prepared {1 part puppy formula to 2 parts water}, and NOT cow milk or human baby formula!) for every 4 ozs. of body weight. They should be fed every 3-4 hours. It should also be warmed to either room or body temp. so that she doesn't get chilled. A newborn baby nipple/bottle also works great, they can latch onto the nipple much better than the puppy bottles...which is too small to latch onto and can cause gas and then make for an unhappy pup.

[pattonme]

I'm sure pit bulls are fine dogs. they are the ONLY breed though that has to be officially registered with the city. the pup pees and poops just great! well, the exclamation point is probably not appreciated by the mom. at least she whines and cries about 30 seconds before she does her business so she knows enough to want to go in the 'right' spot. The kid's father (divorced) picked it up at the spur of the moment and didn't clear it with anybody. Just showed up with it for his daughter. the pup's been to the vet twice and is probably fine in that regard. shots next week. they've got a bottle with what looks like a human sized nipple on it and the pup sucks it down very well.

My son and her daughter play together a LOT so I'm sorta family. That's how I got involved and I'm trying to teach the daughter some responsibility and gentleness. Unfortunately the biggest thing this pup will not have near enough of is cuddling and nurturing.