Can you use baby formula for puppies?

In my more than 30 years of breeding GSDs, I have produced over 350 litters. Over those years, we have helped our fair share of new babies who require care. Additionally, we developed our own newborn puppy formula, which I believe is the best we have ever seen. You can also make this formula at home.

You must call your veterinarian if you are hand-raising puppies and they develop medical issues. Please do not email me and ask what to do. I shouldn’t make assumptions about your sick puppy’s medical needs.

Homemade Puppy Formula Recipe for Bottle Feeding

10 oz. of canned evaporated milk OR whole goats milk Do not use pasteurized cows milk as that will cause scours. Whole goats milk is by far the best to use. Walmart sells both evaporated milk, whole goats milk, and evaporated goats milk. Make sure you are using EITHER evaporated milk OR whole goats milk. Do NOT use sweetened condensed milk!

3 oz. sterilized water Use baby water OR boiled water that is then cooled. This is NOT needed if using whole goats milk.

1 raw egg yolk

1 cup of plain yogurt Avoid skim or fat-free if at all possible.

1/2 tsp Karo corn syrup Do NOT use honey. If you cannot find corn syrup where you live, use a simple syrup substitution instead: 1 cup of Karo can be subbed with 1 c white sugar, and 1/4 c hot water. Cook to dissolve the sugar in the water as best as you can. If you need the sugar to be completely dissolved, you might need to add a bit more water.

Place ingredients in a blender and blend or use a wire whisk. Be careful to not over blend and create a milkshake full of bubbles. We dont want bubbles in the tube we are using to feed the puppy.

Warm the formula to body temperature (dogs are around 101 degrees). Discard any unused formula. This is a thick mixture. Use a stomach tube to tube-feed or enlarge the hole in the bottles nipple for easy access for the pup.

Feed the pup in accordance to the tubing chart below.

PetAg Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer Powder

For newborn puppies who have been abandoned, are nursing and require additional feedings, orphaned, rejected, or need additional nutrition, PetAgs Esbilac milk replacer powder is available. The formula contains prebiotics and probiotics plus vitamins and minerals. It offers the same quantity of protein, fat, and carbohydrates that are present in mother’s milk.

Shop now: PetAg Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer Powder, $48; chewy.com

Credit: Courtesy of Chewy

Is baby formula toxic to dogs?

There is a chance that baby formula will turn toxic to dogs. Even a smaller dog won’t be poisoned if your dog ingests a small amount of formula accidentally. However, the vitamins and minerals will accumulate over time and become toxic to your dog.

Due to its high concentration, powdered baby formula poses a greater risk because it will be more toxic. Water is used to thin out ready-made baby formula, making it less toxic for dogs.

If your dog ingests baby formula, it’s especially crucial to call your veterinarian right away if you have a very small dog like a chihuahua. Compared to a larger breed, the toxic build-up will occur faster in these little guys. Your veterinarian could advise you on the best course of action.

FAQ

Is it OK to give puppies baby formula?

When you have to switch to bottle-feeding, pick a milk substitute designed especially for puppies. Feeding a puppy goat milk, cow milk, or human infant formula is not recommended, even though puppy formulas may contain some of the same ingredients.

What kind of milk can newborn puppies drink?

Milk from a puppy’s mother has more than twice the amount of protein compared to cow’s milk, which helps to explain why cow’s milk is not the best choice for feeding orphaned puppies. Commercial puppy milk substitutes are advised as they are preferable to cow’s milk and homemade concoctions.

What formula can puppies drink?

• revival-animal-health-breeders-edge-foster-care-powdered-milk-replacer. Credit: Courtesy of Amazon. …
• petag-esbilac-puppy-milk-replacer-powder. Credit: Courtesy of Chewy. …
• petag-petlac-puppy-milk-replacement-powder. …
• gnc-pets-ultra-mega-premium-milk-replacer-goat’s-milk-puppy-powder-formula.

What is the best formula for newborn puppies?

• Thomas Labs Goatalac Goat Milk Replacer Powder.
• PetAg Goat’s Milk Esbilac Powdered Milk Supplement.
• Vets Preferred Advanced Milk Rx Dog Supplement.
• Hartz Powdered Milk Replacer Formula.
• PetAg Goat’s Milk Esbilac Liquid Milk Supplement.