No pet owner ever plans on having to raise a litter of puppies by hand, but it might be required if the mother becomes ill or leaves her litter. For keeping your puppies alive, store-bought puppy milk substitutes are acceptable, but homemade formula can be just as effective.
The majority of female dogs whelp and feed their puppies without assistance, but even seasoned mothers occasionally require a little boost. When first-time dams hear a few squealing puppies, they might feel uneasy and not lie still long enough for the puppies to eat. It’s possible that older females or those who weren’t in good health before whelping won’t produce enough milk to feed their puppies. Unlucky orphaned litters can be placed with another female who is currently caring for a litter, but if there is no wet nurse available, bottle-feeding is the only option for the litter’s survival.
A great base for your homemade puppy milk substitute is evaporated milk. It has a high enough fat content to be nourishing and is thick enough to resemble the dam’s natural milk. Although some owners choose more unusual bases like goat’s milk, evaporated milk is more widely available and convenient to keep on hand. An empty plastic bottle should be filled with 3 ounces of boiled or distilled water and 10 ounces of evaporated milk. Stir vigorously to combine 1 cup whole fat plain yogurt, 1 raw egg yolk, and 1/2 teaspoon corn syrup in the bottle. Keep the milk substitute cold in between uses, and after seven days, throw out any leftover milk.
Feed your puppies every two to three hours until they are five weeks old, at which point you can start giving them solid food. Each pup’s nutritional needs vary depending on age and weight, but as a general rule, one cup of formula for every ounce of body weight should be given. To warm the milk to body temperature, put the recommended amount of milk into a small puppy nursing bottle and hold the bottle over a pan of simmering water. Lay the puppy on his belly on the towel you have across your lap. Allow him to search for the nipple while you hold it close to his nose. If necessary, gently press the nipple against his lips until the baby latches on and begins to nurse.
Never leave puppy milk replacer out on the counter as it spoils quickly. When purchasing evaporated milk, read labels carefully because the packaging resembles that of sweetened condensed milk, which can seriously illen your puppies. Make a few more holes in the nipple with a sterilized needle if your puppies are having trouble sucking milk from the bottle. Weigh each puppy daily to track their weight gain because healthy puppies should do so.
For more than ten years, Louise Lawson has been a published author and editor. Using her 15 years of experience as a sous chef, dog breeder, handler, and trainer, Lawson creates articles for online and print publications with a focus on pets and food.
Is Condensed Milk the Same as Evaporated Milk?
Many dog owners mistake evaporated milk for condensed milk, but they are two different things. Both have been dehydrated, but evaporated milk is superior to condensed milk because it doesn’t have sugar added to it. If you run out of regular milk, it can serve as a good substitute for young puppies. However, when purchased from a store, evaporated milk may occasionally be referred to as unsweetened condensed milk.
Is Soy Milk OK for dogs?
Yes, it is, but if your dog regularly sips soy milk, which is high in calories and has added sugars, this could cause obesity or tooth decay. But one of the most common food allergens in dogs is soy. Due to the potential for further agitating dogs with food allergies, it is not permitted.
What About Other Kinds Of Milk?
Dogs can consume coconut milk, but it’s best to limit their intake to small amounts. Additionally, make sure the brand you’re giving them doesn’t contain a lot of sugars or additional ingredients.
Dogs can drink soy milk without harm, but there’s a good chance they’ll develop an allergy to it. Additionally, soy milk and other types of milk may contain a number of additives that reduce their nutritional value for dogs.
For dogs, oat milk is generally safe, and it also has a good nutritional foundation. Oat milk may have problems due to its higher fiber content, though. Thus, even small amounts of oat milk should be given to dogs.
In moderation, almond milk can be safe for dogs, but you should be aware of its higher fat content. This can cause some digestion issues for dogs.
FAQ
What type of milk can puppies drink?
Puppies can only consume mother’s milk because it contains antibodies and other nutrients essential for a puppy’s healthy development. The sensitive digestive system of a puppy can experience unpleasant side effects from cow’s milk and other dairy products.
What can I substitute for puppy milk?
2 to 4 egg yolks, 1 to 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil, and 1,000 mg of calcium carbonate, if available, are all ingredients in a homemade milk substitute for puppies. + Blend uniformly and warm to 95-100°F. ** Refrigerate between uses.
What happens if my dog eats condensed milk?
“There isn’t anything in sweetened condensed milk that is toxic. However, she continued, “I would anticipate you might see some diarrhea because of the sugar concentration because it is full of sugar.” This is not dangerous unless your dog has diabetes, in which case I would be concerned. ”.
Can I feed newborn puppies evaporated milk?
Pasteurized cow’s milk should not be used as it will result in scours. Whole goat’s milk is by far the best to use. Whole goat’s milk, evaporated goat’s milk, and evaporated milk are all available at Walmart. Ensure that you are using WHOLE goat’s milk OR evaporated milk.