Dog Parents Discuss The Best Time To Separate Puppies From Their Mothers

“Is it okay to separate puppies with their mom at 4 months?”

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• March 27, 2024

Puppies, with their fluffy tails and innocent eyes full of wonder, are the epitome of cuteness overload. Who can resist the charm of these furry bundles of joy?

But as with all great epics, there comes a pivotal moment—a rite of passage, if you will. Yes, I’m talking about the moment when our fluffy protagonists must leave the nest, or in this case, the comfy dog bed they’ve shared with their mom and siblings.

This leads us to a question that has sparked a lively debate on Quora: Is it okay to separate puppies from their mom at four months? And, more importantly, will there be a puppy-sized heartbreak involved?

First things first, let’s tackle the timing issue. Four months (or about 16 weeks, for those who love a good countdown) is generally seen as a green light in the dog world for puppies to start their own adventures away from their mom. 

This isn’t just a random number picked out of a hat. By 8-12 weeks old, puppies have usually been weaned off their mother's milk. So when the clock ticks past the 12-week mark and ventures into the 4-month territory, what happens then?

Well, our furry friends are somewhat more self-assured in their puppy prowess and have likely soaked up all the wisdom their mom has to offer. They've probably even mastered the art of the perfect puppy-dog eyes and know just how to tilt their head to get a few extra treats.

Quora users chimed in with their perspectives, reinforcing that any separation from eight weeks onwards was only part of the natural process. Another user emphasized that by four months, the mother dog won’t feel particularly motherly anymore; she may even push her puppies away if they try to nurse.

A very interesting question for Quorans

“A mother dog will naturally wean her puppies off her between 8 and 10 weeks old.”

“I think that, generally speaking eight weeks is the standard.”

“Eight weeks is about right, by four months their mother isn’t feeling motherly at all.“

“Separating a puppy from its mother at around 4 months might cause some distress, as they still rely on their mother for socialization and emotional support.”

“Perfectly fine….At 16 weeks, you should have finished their ‘Puppy Vaccination’ series.”

“The absolute youngest a puppy (or kitten) should be split from its mom and littermates is 8 weeks. The ideal is at a minimum of 12 weeks.”

“As soon as pups are fully weaned they can be taken away from mum. This is usually within the first 6 weeks.”

“Separating puppies from their mother at four months of age is generally not recommended unless there are compelling reasons to do so.”

“You are about 4-6 weeks behind schedule. That mother dog must be getting very frustrated.”

So, what's the verdict? While there might be some initial adjustments and whimpers of longing, puppies are resilient creatures who can adapt to change.

With love, care, and a few extra treats, they'll soon be bounding around joyfully, exploring the world with their newfound independence.

Are you a dog parent or an expert in doggo behavior? If yes, we would love to get your input on this post.

Jesse