Inside the Puppy Pen: Day 26 - First Steps Toward Weaning

Today marked a big milestone for the Herb Litter—their very first meal from a tray! We set down raw goat milk enriched with probiotics, and the puppies took to it immediately. The goal at this stage is teaching them how to lap up food rather than nursing directly from mama. They’re not ready to leave her just yet, but this is the beginning of their weaning journey.

The goat milk is a perfect first step because it’s gentle on their digestive systems and packed with nutrients. Adding probiotics supports the development of healthy gut bacteria, laying the foundation for long-term digestive health. Fun fact: about 70% of a dog’s immune system is linked to their gut, so establishing good balance early on makes a real difference!

The puppies were so enthusiastic that they climbed over one another to get their share, turning the pan into a little wrestling match. Tomorrow, we’ll use two trays to give everyone more space. Since they handled the milk so well, we’ll likely add a small amount of raw food next, slowly building up toward their regular puppy food over the coming weeks.

Mama took a short break to play outside before we brought the milk in, so the puppies were extra hungry and wasted no time diving in. Their excitement is a great sign that they’re ready for this next stage.

Weaning is not just about food—it’s about independence, social learning, and building strong bodies from the inside out. These first messy, joyful meals set the stage for healthy, happy puppies in the months and years to come.

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