Inside the Puppy Pen: Day 32 – Mush Meals for the Herb Litter

Today marks Day 32 for the Herb Litter, and mealtime looks (and sounds!) a little different these days. The puppies have been eating mush for a little while now, and they’re really getting the hang of it. While I’ve never been a fan of the sound of people eating, there’s something absolutely heart-melting about the happy lapping of puppies at their bowl.

What is “mush”?

Mush is the first step in transitioning puppies from nursing to eating solid food. It’s a soft mixture of high-quality puppy food and warm liquid (usually goat’s milk or water) blended until it reaches a porridge-like consistency. This makes it easy for tiny teeth and developing digestive systems to handle.

Why start mush at this stage?

We start mush around 3–4 weeks old, because puppies start to need more calories than mom can provide alone. Offering mush:

Helps take pressure off the mother dog as her puppies’ appetites grow.

Supports healthy growth and development by gradually introducing solid nutrition.

Gets puppies used to the taste and texture of dog food, preparing them for the next step of softened kibble.

What comes next?

As the puppies grow, we slowly decrease the liquid in their mush, making it thicker week by week. By the time they are around 6 weeks old, they will be eating plain kibble on their own. This gradual process is gentle on their digestive systems and ensures a smooth transition from mother’s milk to solid food.

It’s a messy stage (puppies often end up wearing as much food as they eat!), but it’s also adorable.

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