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What can I feed 5-week-old puppies if mom stops nursing, no formula?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Bulldog | Female | unspayed | 17 days old | 4 lbs

What do I feed 5 week old puppies when the mom refuses to nurse them anymore? I don’t have access to puppy formula

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1 Answer

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Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on January 28th, 2018

They should be able to eat canned puppy food with added water or moistened puppy dry that is made into a gruel. To teach them put some food on your finger and get them to lick it off then gradually have your finger over a flat plate with the food in it so they learn to lap the food. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your puppies.

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