What to Bottlefeed Newborn Puppies

Newborn puppies that cannot nurse from their mothers need to be bottle-fed. Bottle-feeding puppies is a big job to take on and you may wonder where to start. The first thing you must do is decide what you will be feeding. Puppies need calories and nutrition to grow and develop into healthy dogs. You should explore your options before making a decision about what to feed your pups.

  1. Commercial Puppy Formula

    • Choose a formula that is specially designed for puppies. Do not feed your puppies cow's milk or any other animal's milk, as this can create digestion problems including diarrhea and vomiting that can kill the pups. Visit your local pet supply store to find puppy formula. Choose the powdered formula, which can be mixed with water, as it will usually last longer than "ready-to-feed" formulas that need to be replaced frequently.

    Homemade Puppy Formula

    • If you need formula immediately you can make your own. Combine 10 oz. evaporated goat's milk, a raw egg yolk, 3 oz. sterilized water, 1 cup yogurt, and 1/2 tsp. corn syrup. Mix it thoroughly with a wire whisk at a moderate pace. Mixing too vigorously will create bubbles that may give the puppies excess gas. Keep the formula for no longer than seven days, in the refrigerator to avoid spoiling. Commercial formulas are the recommended food for newborn puppies, so use this recipe only when you are unable to secure the proper formula.