Things You'll Need:
- baby bottles
- puppy formula
- damp cloth
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Step 1
Mother's milk is the best, but if she's not available you can create your own puppy formula with simple household ingredients. Commercial puppy formula can also be purchased at pet supply stores, but it has no additional health benefits over homemade. It simply costs more.
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Step 2
To make your puppy formula:
Boil a small pot of water and allow it to cool. Then, in a blender, combine:
1 cup of the boiled water
1 (10 oz.) can of evaporated milk
1 egg
1 tbsp. Corn syrup
I always make a fresh batch of formula every morning and use it that day. However, if you have leftovers this formula can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. -
Step 3
Fill your baby bottles with the formula and warm them in a pot of water on the stove, just as you would for a human baby. You can also buy special puppy feeding bottles at a pet supply store, but baby bottles work just fine.
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Step 4
Hold your filled baby bottles upside down. If the milk drips out, then you're ready to feed. If it streams out of the nipple then you need a new nipple, a steady stream of milk could literally drown your puppy.
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Step 5
Puppies are most easily feed while laying on their tummies. Usually, when you give them the nipple they will instinctively begin sucking. If they don't, allow some of the formula to drip onto their tongue and that may help things along. If your puppy refuses the bottle, you can use a syringe (without a needle!) or eye dropper to slowly drip the formula into their mouth. Puppies may get milk bubbles around their mouth while eating but if the milk starts to pour from their mouth, STOP feeding and give them a moment to catch their breath.
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Step 6
With newborn puppies, you will also have to assist with their bowel movements. Normally, the mother will lick the anus to stimulate this. You can use a damp cloth to gently wipe the puppy's bottom a few times. Doing this after each feeding should be sufficient.
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Step 7
Your puppy needs to be feed about every four hours. Middle of the night feedings should be done for at least the first week. Expect to perform six feedings in a 24 hour period for the first three weeks. After that, four feedings are required and weaning can begin at four weeks.
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Step 8
It's hard to estimate how much your puppy needs to eat. You will notice after time that their tummy expands when they are full. Weighing your puppy regularly to ensure that they are gaining weight is the best way to determine if they are eating enough.
