How Long Do New Puppies Need to Nurse?

Puppies generally begin naturally weaning between six and seven weeks. If the puppies are not weaned by seven weeks, you can begin separating the mother from the puppy for longer periods of time and incorporating solid and semi-solid foods into the puppies' diet. Puppies need to eat at least every three hours during the first six to seven weeks of life, so as puppies begin nursing less, supplement their diet with solid foods.

Weaning doesn't happen overnight. Instead, mothers gradually begin rejecting their puppies' attempts at nursing and allow their puppies to nurse for shorter periods of time. In most cases, mothers wean their puppies automatically, and it is safer and healthier to leave weaning to the mother. Puppies learn to chew solid foods as they are weaning, so they should get soft solid food -- such as watered-down dry food or wet food -- as they begin to nurse less.

A mother's milk is the single healthiest food source for puppies in their first weeks of life. It is protein-rich and helps puppies gain weight at an even, healthy pace. Nursing also provides puppies with some immunity against illnesses and can boost overall health. Puppies who are weaned too early may have growth problems, be at an increased risk of infection or suffer from other health issues.

Puppies learn much of their adult behavior from their mothers and siblings, and nursing keeps the dog family close together. Nursing puppies learn bite inhibition from their mothers and littermates, who correct them or yelp if they bite too hard. They also learn the basics of body language and acceptable dog behavior. Puppies who are taken from their mothers too young may have more behavioral problems. They frequently continue to act immature well into adulthood and may play bite harder than puppies who were allowed to remain with their mothers.