How to Get a Five Week Old Puppy to Eat

At five weeks old, puppies are still highly dependent on their caregivers for survival. While they are becoming more independent, they still need constant supervision and a guiding hand. Because weaning off milk or formula usually starts about this time, it can be difficult to get some puppies to make the switch. Getting puppies to eat enough to fuel their quickly growing, energetic little bodies can be a challenge, but caregivers need to be prepared not to give up.

Things You'll Need

  • Nursing bottle
  • Puppy formula
  • Dry puppy food
  • Carrots
  • Yogurt
  • Pumpkin
  • Moist puppy food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set a schedule and keep to it. If you're having trouble getting your five-week-old puppy to eat, it might be because the periods between meals are too irregular. Puppies -- and dogs -- are creatures of habit. Setting a schedule will allow him to know just when he can expect his next meal. At five weeks old, puppies should be eating three times a day.

    • 2

      Moisten any dry food that the puppy is refusing. It could be too difficult for him to chew, so wetting it with formula or water can make it more palatable. Over time, moisten the food less and less until he will eat plain dry food.

    • 3

      Feed less formula. By the time the puppy is five weeks old, he should be turning his attention to more solids foods such as dry puppy kibble. Don't allow him to fill up on formula before eating dry foods or he might simply not be hungry enough to eat.

    • 4

      Try a different type of food. The puppy might be a finicky eater, so try a different kind of kibble to see if he likes it better.

    • 5

      Mix a healthy treat into the meal. The taste of a treat can stimulate a puppy's appetite and encourage him to eat his regular diet. This can be as simple as putting a spoonful of yogurt or plain pumpkin in the food. Vegetables are also good for puppies, so throw in a slice of carrot. These foods are generally easy on the delicate digestive systems of a young puppy.

    • 6

      Mix some moist puppy food in with the kibble. The stronger smell of the moist food can also help encourage the puppy's appetite.