Choosing Your New Pet: A Guide in 55 Characters
When Should Weaning Occur?
Wheaning, the process of transitioning a young animal from mother's milk to solid foods, is not strictly timed. However, it is most commonly done between 4 to 6 weeks after birth. It's important to note that weaning should not eliminate dairy products entirely; instead, it should involve a gradual reduction in milk intake and the introduction of solid foods, such as puppy or kitten kibble. [Image]
Why PostWeaning?
Postweaning refers to the stage when young animals are capable of consuming food other than milk. This period is chosen because mother's milk plays a crucial role in their development.
When the mother animal is properly vaccinated, her milk contains antibodies against various infectious diseases, such as canine distemper, parvovirus, rabies, and influenza, which can protect the young from these illnesses. Therefore, purchasing a postweaned young animal without access to milk is essential for their health.
Besides milk, the mother's care is irreplaceable. She often licks her offspring, which can stimulate them to expel waste and start eating independently sooner. Caring for young animals during the lactation period is incredibly energyintensive, and without a lactating mother at home, artificial feeding becomes necessary.
Considering that many pets are lactose intolerant (they may experience diarrhea after consuming milk, leading to discomfort), alternative dairy products like goat's milk powder can be considered. However, no dairy product can match the nutritional value and immune protection of mother's milk (which shields pets from various diseases like feline distemper and canine distemper).
The first six months of life are the most susceptible period for pets to contract various infections, making vaccinations particularly important for them.
For animals over six months old, we cannot verify the authenticity of the seller's claim about vaccinations. On the other hand, postweaned young animals are at the age where they can be vaccinated and dewormed. Therefore, if they remain healthy for a week at home, they can be taken to a veterinary clinic for vaccination.
