Milk is essential for newborn puppies to receive. Their mother’s milk helps them transition from their utero position to a solid form. But what happens when a puppy can’t get its mother’s milk? Let’s discuss replacement milk for puppies.
Here are a few reasons why a puppy can’t receive its mother’s milk. In some cases, the mother doesn’t create enough milk. Or maybe she’s too sick.
In other cases, the puppies are left orphaned. Maybe there were complications, and the mother didn’t make it, or perhaps the puppies were separated from their mother too early.
So, if you come across young street dogs or orphaned puppies, then you must feed them some sort of milk.
Why Is Milk Important For Puppies?
If a puppy doesn’t get milk when they’re young, its growth is stunted. As a result, they won’t develop properly, either. In fact, they might not even survive.
A mother’s milk provides the puppies with stronger immune system functionality and protection from diseases.
If the puppies can’t get the mother’s milk, then you’ll need to provide a replacement.
Replacement Milk Options For Puppies
Unfortunately, you can’t feed the puppies any type of milk. However, there are certain nutrients they need to get.
For example, the milk should provide the following:
- 33g crude protein
- 42g fat
- 14.5g lactose
Cow’s milk may be your first choice. However, a mother dog’s milk contains twice as much protein as cow’s milk. Unfortunately, it also lacks the proper amount of amino acids puppies need. Therefore, this type of milk is a poor option to give to puppies.
Commercial Puppy Milk Replacement
If you happen to find orphaned puppies, you can easily go to your local pet store and pick up some commercial brand puppy milk replacement.
These often come in powder form, similar to human baby formula.
Most commercial brands are a good replacement because they contain everything a puppy needs to grow and thrive.
For example, they often contain various vitamins and minerals, protein, fat, and lactose, and it’s easy for puppies to digest.
Homemade Puppy Milk Replacement
If you’re in a pinch and have the ingredients on hand, you can also make your puppy milk replacement.
For example, you can make your puppy milk replacement with goat’s milk as the base. But, again, you don’t want to use cow’s milk since it won’t give the puppies the nutrients they need.
In addition to the goat’s milk, you can add water, vegetable oil, egg yolks, and calcium carbonate. Blend it all and heat it, so it’s warm for the puppies to drink.
These types of recipes will only stay good for about 24 hours, but it’s a great option to have on hand if you’re in a pinch.
Use Goat’s Milk
Finally, goat’s milk is one of the best options to give to an orphaned puppy. This type of milk not only mimics their mother’s milk the best, but it’s also packed with nutrients to help the puppies grow and develop.
For example, goat’s milk is easy for puppies to digest. However, unlike cow’s milk, goat’s milk isn’t pasteurized, and it doesn’t contain the same type of casein.
Overall, goat’s milk is more natural. It helps support digestion in dogs and also reduces the symptoms of inflammation and allergies.
What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Puppies Goat’s Milk?
Goat’s milk contains a lot for growing puppies. For example, this type of milk includes the following:
- Probiotics
- Moisture
- B Vitamins
- Vitamin A
- Protein
Together, these work well to improve the puppies’ overall health and wellbeing. But what does all of this mean?
Well, the probiotics in goat’s milk help to support digestion. Easy digestion will help your puppy’s body filter out toxins, boost their overall immune system, and improve their absorption of nutrients.
Everything else helps with the following:
- Hydration
- Strengthens bones and muscles
- Supports blood clotting
- Provides a healthy metabolism
- Supports hormone regulation
- Maintains eye health
- Provides proper cell function
- Contains amino acids
Needless to say, goat’s milk is the number one choice to feed puppies if their mother cannot provide them with milk.
How To Feed Replacement Milk To Puppies
Depending on the puppies’ age, you can provide them with small bottles. Puppies will still suckle and take well to the bottle.
You can feed the puppy similarly using a bottle to feed a human newborn.
As they get older, you can simply add goat’s milk to a feeding bowl and allow the puppies to lap it up.
In addition, you can also add goat’s milk to other dog food. For example, you can add a bit to their dry kibble to soften it up a bit. It will also allow the puppies to get a bit more hydrated.
Goat’s Milk Is The Way To Go
Overall, there are many options you can give if you’re looking for options for milk replacement for puppies.
As long as you don’t use cow’s milk, you can buy powdered replacement milk at the pet store, make your homemade puppy milk, or substitute the mother’s milk with goat’s milk.
