Things You'll Need
- Baby bottles
- Puppy formula
- Hot water
- Wash cloth
- Stainless steel feeding dish
Instructions
Check the flow of fluid from the baby bottle. When you hold it upside down, formula should drip out, not pour out. Formula that flows too quickly may enter the puppy's lungs, which can lead to suffocation or infection. Boil the water you will mix with the formula to remove any bacteria, then cool it to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit so it will not burn the puppy's mouth or stomach. Mix the formula with the water, following directions on the recipe or package, and fill the bottle. Check that the formula drips, but does not flow, from the nipple before every feeding.
Hold the puppy gently but securely in your lap or hand and gently put the nipple into its mouth, holding the bottle upward so no air is ingested. Let the puppy drink at its own rate to allow it to breathe between sips. Increase the amount of formula gradually as the puppy grows. On average a newborn puppy requires one cc of food for every ounce of body weight. It needs to be fed every three hours until the dog reaches about four weeks of age, at which point solid food may be gradually introduced into its diet. Always consult with your veterinarian about what to offer the puppy and when to begin feeding it. Burp the puppy gently after every feeding. Refrigerate any unused formula, but do not keep it for more than three days. Consult with your veterinarian often to ensure the best oversight for the puppy's health and to confirm when to begin weaning.
Begin weaning when the puppy is about four weeks old. Introduce the puppy to the idea of eating from a bowl by offering some formula in a stainless steel dog food bowl, letting it remain available while it is still fresh. Place the bowl on the floor where you intend to always feed your pet. Mix premium puppy food or whatever first food is recommended by your vet with formula so it is soft and easy for the puppy to eat and digest. Encourage but do not force the dog to eat. Leave the food available as long as it remains fresh. You may alternatively mix the food with water, which keeps it fresh for a much longer period of time. Reduce the amount of fluid mixed with the puppy food gradually until you add no fluid at all. This should occur by the time the puppy is about eight weeks old.