How to Feed When a Puppy Won't Nurse

Healthy puppies have a strong suckling reflex and will nurse vigorously almost immediately after birth. If you are caring for a puppy that will not nurse, it probably is one of the weaker ones in the litter and will need intervention. With the right tools and some tender care, you may be able to help the struggling pup and give it a good start in life. However, consult your veterinarian if, despite your efforts, the puppy still refuses to nurse.

Things You'll Need

  • Box
  • Towels
  • Heat lamp
  • Ceiling hook
  • Chain
  • Dropper
  • Milk replacement formula
  • Sugar
  • Cup
  • Lactated Ringers solution
  • Syringe with 22-gauge needle
  • Karo syrup
  • Test tube
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Instructions

    • 1
      Separate the puppy to provide special care.

      Separate the puppy from its mother and litter mates. A puppy that does not nurse requires special care, and separating it is a good way to monitor the pup and prevent it from being injured by the other dogs.

    • 2

      Place the puppy in a box lined up with soft towels. Newborn puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature, so they depend on their mothers and the surrounding environment for warmth. Hang a heat lamp from the ceiling by screwing in a ceiling hook and attaching one end of a chain to it while attaching the other end of the chain to the heat lamp. Keep the lamp at least five feet above the box and aim for a temperature of 75 to 80 degrees.

    • 3

      Collect some milk from the mother to allow the puppy to receive colostrum. Gently squeeze the nipple in a downward motion and collect the drops in a test tube. Colostrum, also known as ''mother's gold'' for its color, provides puppies with full immunity and is produced in the first 12 hours at most. Fill a dropper with the colostrum and feed the puppy drop by drop on the tongue to provide important antibodies. Repeat several times in the first few hours.

    • 4

      Ensure that your puppy is getting enough fluids. Try to dropper feed it a puppy milk replacement formula. If none is available, dissolve one tablespoon of sugar in one cup of water and attempt to feed. If the puppy still refuses to drink, give about 10 to 20 milliliters (depending on the breed) of lactated Ringers solution with the syringe subcutaneously as needed, ensuring that the needle stays under the skin almost horizontally. Ask your veterinarian to give you a demonstration the first time.

    • 5
      Try several times to encourage the puppy to nurse.

      Place a drop of Karo syrup on the puppy's tongue. This will give the puppy an energy boost and may encourage suckling. Squeeze the mother's nipple to allow a drop of milk out, and place the puppy near the nipple in hopes that it will start nursing. Try this several times until the puppy nurses on its own. If the puppy still refuses to nurse, contact your veterinarian.