Nutritional Milk for Newborn Puppies

Newborn puppies need nutritional milk to grow and develop. Puppies' digestive tracts and metabolisms are dependent on receiving the appropriate nutrition components from a mother's breast milk or from an appropriate alternative milk supplement. There are numerous reasons why a mother will either not be able to produce milk or neglect an offspring puppy, making it necessary to create and provide nutritional milk.

Significance

Milk appropriate for newborn puppies should contain carbohydrates, mainly in the form of sugar lactose, fat, a principle energy component, minerals and vitamins, protein and water. Dog milk contains 9.5 percent protein, 8.3 percent fat, 3.7 percent lactose and 79 percent water.

Types

If you have a nursing newborn puppy without milk from a mother, use commercial supplemental milk formulas specifically designed for puppies. Commercial formulas are usually found at grocery stores and pet specialty stores. If you are unable to locate newborn puppy commercial supplemental milk, you can create a home formula that closely replicates the mothers milk. Homemade formulas suggested by your veterinarian might include condensed milk, yogurt, vegetable oil, light corn syrup, vitamin supplements and salt.

Considerations

Powdered newborn puppy formula can be used as nutritional milk for puppies. Homemade formulas can be made by combining one-half cup evaporated milk, one-half cup boiled water, 1 tsp. of corn oil, two raw egg yolks, 1 tbsp. of plain yogurt and one drop of pediatric multivitamin. Using evaporated milk instead of fresh milk results in less diarrhea symptoms. Add one-quarter of a lactase tablet to each batch of formula to aid in digestion and promote easier break-down of the lactose found in cows milk.

Expert Insight

Puppy hunger signals include continuous crying, suckling on objects and back-and-forth head movement. On average, puppies eat every three to four hours. By the time puppies reach three weeks old, feeding four times a day is sufficient. Puppies should begin eating solid foods by five weeks of age and eating two to three times daily.

Warning

Over-feeding puppies can lead to milk-inhalation in the lungs and develop into pneumonia. Over-feeding may also lead to excessive diarrhea. Prevent complications by speaking with your veterinarian about newborn puppy feeding guidelines. Avoid tube-feeding your newborn puppy without guidance from your veterinarian.