狗狗离乳期是什么意思?
关于离乳期的概念,美国兽医协会给出了一个定义 (Definition of weaning by the American Veterinary Medical Association) Wean is a term used to describe the process when an animal gradually decreases its dependence on milk from its mother or other source. It may also be called "weaning" or "suckling period termination", and it begins with a gradual decrease in amount and frequency of feeding, usually between four weeks (28 days) old until eight weeks (56 days) old. The time frame can vary, depending upon species, sex, size, and individual condition. During this phase animals are not dependent entirely on their mother for food – they begin eating solid food as well, which will serve as an energy source in later life stages that do not require extensive nursing. At some point after approximately six months of age, most mammals stop breastfeeding altogether; however, mothers continue to produce breast milk up to a year in humans, and much longer in many species. Some dogs and cats continue to nurse two years or more after giving birth to their last litter. In sheep and goats, lactation lasts about nine months. As long as there is milk available, even if just every few hours, nursing will occur; this situation should be treated aggressively by removing milk sources. Once a steady diet of solid foods has been established, mothers no longer secrete colostrum during early-stage lactation. However, colostrum remains essential in order to provide important immune protection to offspring throughout the first month of suckling. 这段文字翻译成中文大致是这样的:
“断奶一词用来描述动物逐渐停止依赖来自其母亲或其他来源的乳汁的过程。它也可以是“断奶”或“吸奶期终止”,通常从4周(28天)到8周(56天)左右开始逐渐减少喂奶次数和量。这个时间范围可能会因物种、性别、大小以及个体状况而异。在这个阶段,动物和它们的母亲不再完全依赖哺乳来获取食物——它们开始吃固体食物,这对于成长阶段的能量供给来说很有用,这些成长阶段不需要进行大量的哺乳喂养。在出生后大约六个月后,大多数哺乳动物会停止母乳喂养;然而,妈妈会持续产奶长达一年甚至更久,在人身上如此,很多物种亦然。有些狗和猫会哺乳两年或者更长,直到最后一次生产的小动物成年。在绵羊和山羊那里,哺乳期大概持续九个月。只要还有奶源,即使只是每隔几个小时才有一次,哺乳就会发生,这种情况应该被积极治疗——就是去除所有的奶水来源。一旦固体食物的稳定餐盘被建立起来,母亲的乳汁中就不会再有初乳了。但是,初乳对于哺育婴儿第一个月的免疫保护仍然至关重要。”
所以根据上述表述我们可以知道,所谓“离乳期”是指幼崽由依赖母乳转为逐渐适应固体食物的一个过渡期。这个时期一般是从出生后的第四周到第八周之间,时长取决于