Frequently Asked Questions About Esbilac® 2nd Step Puppy Weaning Food and KMR® 2nd Step Kitten Weaning Food

 
What is the difference between KMR milk replacer and KMR 2nd Step Kitten Weaning Food? What is the difference between Esbilac milk replacer and Esbilac 2nd Step Puppy Weaning Food?

Both 2nd Step Weaning Foods are exactly that, weaning cereals. Their intended use is as a transitional cereal, which will help take the puppy/kitten from drinking milk to eating solid foods at a gradual pace. 2nd Step is not a milk replacer and should not be fed through a bottle. A puppy or kitten is usually ready to start the weaning food at about 3-5 weeks of age, depending on the individual animal. The most important factor in deciding when to start feeding the weaning food is whether the animal is steady enough on its feet to lap out of a dish.

How do I mix the 2nd Step Weaning Food products?

You may mix the weaning foods either with water, Esbilac (for pups) or KMR (for kittens). Follow our recommendations found on the label for the amount of powder to feed the animal based on their body weight. Begin by mixing the powder with 3 parts of water or milk replacer to one part powder. Example: 1/3 cup powder would be mixed with 1 cup water/formula. Mixing this amount of liquid should give you a thin gruel-like consistency. Every day gradually decrease the amount of liquid mixed with the powder until eventually the cereal is an oatmeal consistency. Remember to continue to monitor the animal’s weight so you can be certain it is getting the proper amount of nutrition for its size. Divide the feedings into 3-4 session per day, never leaving the mixture sitting out for more than -3 hours.

Once the animal has been eating the oatmeal consistency food for a few days you may introduce a commercial puppy or kitten food that has been soaked with water. Follow the recommendations found on the puppy/kitten food package to ensure proper nutrition. Remember, any time you change a small animal’s diet there is a risk of intestinal upset. Always introduce new diets gradually over the course of several days.

My puppy/kitten won’t eat the weaning food. What can I do?

Both formulas are highly palatable, but if you are mixing the weaning foods with water you may want to consider mixing them with Esbilac or KMR instead. The milk replacers will be a taste they are accustomed to and they will probably like that mixture better. If you are already mixing the weaning foods with a milk replacer, first be sure the animal knows how to lap from the dish. He or she may still not understand that they must eat from the dish and not the bottle or mom. Also, animals like humans have discriminating taste buds and may not be welcoming the diet change right away. Be patient. A few drops of vanilla extract added to the mix sometimes makes it more interesting as well.

How do I get my puppy/kitten to eat from a dish?

The age at which to begin teaching a kitten or puppy to lap from a dish is dependent upon its ability to stand up over the dish without toppling over. A few tips for teaching to lap:

• Start each feeding with a session where you dip your fingers into the shallow dish and let the animal lick your finger.
• Repeat this several times, each time making the animal lean closer to the dish.
• Every animal is different, but it shouldn’t take long for the animal to get the idea.
• Finish the feeding session with a bottle depending on the amount lapped from the bowl.
• Don’t push the animal’s nose into the dish.
• It might inhale the liquid into its lungs, which can lead to pneumonia and only stresses the animal, making your task all the more difficult.
• Be patient.

How important is the expiration date on your products?

• The expiration date on our products is very important.
• It is printed clearly on the packaging as a date you can read.
• We have determined with extensive testing that our products have a certain shelf life (the amount of time is dependant on the various products) from the date of manufacture.
• After the expiration date we can no longer guarantee the product will hold its nutritional value.
• In addition, our milk replacers are milk-based and contain fat, which stored incorrectly or after the expiration date can go rancid. Our skin and haircoat supplements are oil based.
• We do not recommend you ever use any of our products past the expiration date.
• Be sure to check the date in the store before purchasing any nutritional supplement or pet food.

Can I purchase your products directly from you?

• PetAg, Inc. currently sells exclusively through distributors.
• If you would like the name and phone number of your nearest mail order Company or distributor, please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-323-6878.