Ways to Burp Newborn Puppies

Sometimes a mother dog is unable to nurse all the puppies in a litter. This is more likely to happen with young mothers or in small, more temperamental breeds, according to veterinarian Dr. Ron Hines. Pups who are unable to nurse can be hand-raised, but there are important steps to take to successfully bottle-feed newborns. Doing so can also lead to the accumulation of excess gas in the puppy's stomach. There are steps to take to prevent the pup from ingesting air. Bottle-fed puppies also need to be burped to release air from their bellies.

  1. Need for Colostrum

    • Puppies need to ingest colostrum within the first 12 to 14 hours after birth to build their immune systems and ward off disease. Colostrum is the mother's milk produced in the first couple days after birth and contains essential antibodies needed for health. If the newborn pup was unable to nurse, Dr. Hines says that giving the puppy blood serum or plasma by injection is one way to compensate for lack of colostrum. If this isn't possible, you will need to be especially careful about sanitation when handling and feeding the puppy. He also recommends feeding the puppy probiotics, yogurt or bene-bac paste in small amounts over a long period of time.

    The Formula

    • Dr. Hines recommends feeding puppies powdered Esbilac formula. To reduce air in the formula, let it sit after mixing a batch to eliminate bubbles. If you can't immediately obtain formula or puppy milk replacement, mix half a cup evaporated whole milk, half a cup boiled water, 1 tsp. corn oil, two raw egg yolks, 1 tbsp. whole plain yogurt, one drop of pediatric vitamins and ¼ crushed lactase tablet. Only feed this until you can get commercial puppy formula. If it will be less than 24 hours before you can obtain the formula, you can just give the puppy Pedialyte.

    Bottle Feeding

    • Mix the formula right before using it, remembering to let it sit for a while to release bubbles. Let the formula cool to just above room temperature. Use a puppy nursing bottle that holds 2 to 4 ounces of formula. With a flame-heated needle, melt two pin-sized holes---only large enough for a few drops of formula to drip out when shaken---in the nipple. If the holes are too large, the pup may inhale the formula. On the other hand, if the holes are too small, it will cause the puppy to ingest too much air. Have the puppy resting on its stomach when you feed it. Feed the puppy small amounts at a time in several feedings a day, not in large amounts in one sitting.

    Burping the Puppy

    • Bottle feeding causes a buildup of air in the puppy's stomach, so they will need to be burped. Throughout the feeding, hold the puppy against your shoulder, like a human infant, and gently pat its back until it releases air. You can also gently rub its sides to help release air bubbles. If the puppy's belly bloats or it becomes colicky, Dr. Hines recommends adding a few drops of infant anti-colic medicine to the formula. If the bloating problem persists, you will need to consult a veterinarian.