How to Bottle Feed a Bichon Frise

Bottle feeding a newborn puppy is a delicate affair.

Young dog mothers or mothers that have had a cesarean -- which is common in toy breeds like the Bichon Frise -- may not be willing or able to feed their litter. A newborn puppy unable to nurse because it was abandoned or turned away by it's mother, must be bottle fed in order to survive the first few weeks. Bottle feeding a newborn puppy can be a tricky affair. Several complications from the bottle including bloating and pneumonia can occur if the preparation and feeding is not precise.

Things You'll Need

• Dog formula
• Puppy bottle
• Needle
• Lighter

Instructions

1. Mix the puppy formula powder with hot water until it is smooth and there are no lumps in the formula, which can also be purchased in liquid form.

2. Add the formula to the puppy's nursing bottle and let it cool to room temperature.

3. Heat the tip of the needle over the flame of the lighter to sterilize it.

4. Use the needle to make two holes in the nipple of the bottle. When turned upside down, the formula should drip out one drop at a time and not flow out. If the formula flows out too fast the puppy can aspirate it and develop pneumonia.

5. Lay the puppy on its stomach and insert the bottle nipple into its mouth.

6. Gently squeeze the bottle to release a few drops of formula and the puppy should start to suck on its own.

7. Halfway through the feeding, burp the puppy to prevent excess gas that can lead to bloat. Lay the puppy on your shoulder and rub its back.

Tips & Warnings

• If the puppy is cold and lethargic do not feed it and take it to a veterinarian right away. A cold puppy's organs begin to shut down and feeding it will do more damage. A puppy should always be warm and active.

References

• All Creatures Care: Bottle Feeding Orphaned Puppies
• The Puppy Dog Place: Caring for New Born Puppies
• Dog Breeding -- LowChenAustralia.com: Hand Raising and Supplementing Puppies