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My 6-week-old puppy won't eat and is constipated. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 2 lbs

My puppy won’t eat the milk for the bottle a little under six weeks old and seems to be have a hard time using the bathroom

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 22nd, 2018

At six weeks of age, Daddy is old enough to be eating a puppy food. To help him wean and to get used to dry food, I would soak a high quality puppy formulated dry food in warm water until soft. Then mix that with puppy formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry puppy food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until he is eating the dry puppy food only. It could be that he is constipated causing him to have a hard time going to the bathroom. You can mix in a teaspoon of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) with his puppy mush to see if that helps him. If it doesn't, he will need to see a vet. Best of luck.

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