How to Make a Newborn Puppy Drink Milk

If a newborn puppy cannot receive milk from its mother, a puppy must be fed by hand using puppy newborn formula to survive. However, do not feed a puppy cow̵7;s milk as a replacement for its mother̵7;s milk. Cow̵7;s milk contains different levels of nutrients than what a newborn puppy needs. In addition, a newborn puppy that is fed cow̵7;s milk can suffer from an upset stomach. Instead, provide the puppy with one of the many puppy milk replacement formulas available. With a little practice, you can easily accomplish successfully feeding a newborn puppy canine formula.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy Formula
  • Baby bottle, eyedropper or syringe
  • Scale
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the puppy formula according to the formula̵7;s directions. Puppy formula generally comes already prepared in a liquid form, or in a powder form that requires you to add water. Giving each formula may differ according to their instructions regarding how often you should feed a newborn puppy. For example, Esbilac recommends feeding a puppy 2 tablespoons of formula for every 4 ounces the puppy weighs during a 24-hour period. Therefore, you will increase the amount you feed the puppy as the puppy gets older and gains weight.

    • 2

      Place the formula in a bottle or syringe. Depending on the size of the puppy or the puppy̵7;s personality, the puppy may prefer feeding through a syringe or an eyedropper. However, if you feed the puppy using a bottle and nipple, find a nipple that will gently drip when you turn the bottle upside down.

    • 3

      Provide formula to the puppy every two hours for the first week of the newborn puppy̵7;s life. After the first week, you can begin to stretch the time in between feedings, following the formula̵7;s directions. When the puppy reaches the age of 4 weeks, you can begin to feed the puppy solid food, such as puppy chow mixed with warm water, according to the ASPCA.