Bottle Feeding a New Puppy

Most puppies receive milk from their mothers. However, some mothers don't take to their pups right away or at all, causing them to starve to death if you don't step in to feed them. Luckily, you'll find many similarities between feeding formula to a human baby and feeding puppy formula to a puppy. Just be sure to check in frequently with your veterinarian, and keep a close eye on your pup's weight, eating habits and overall health.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy-nursing bottle with nipple
  • Sterilized needle
  • Puppy milk powder
  • Microwave or stove
  • Food scale
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a puppy-nursing bottle and puppy milk powder at your local veterinarian's or pet store. Most vets carry these items. Some pet stores or even larger retailers like Walmart may also have them in stock, but call ahead before making the trip.

    • 2

      Poke one or two holes through the rubber nipple with a sterilized needle if none are punctured in it already. Only poke one or two holes so the milk drips out slowly when the bottle is shaken, rather than flowing out steadily. Puppies that have a steady flow of milk entering their mouth can actually collect liquid in their lungs, resulting in pneumonia, which can be fatal. Consider buying a few extra rubber nipples to test out with water before attempting to feed the puppy.

    • 3

      Prepare the formula according to the directions on the package. A stove or microwave for boiling water may be involved.

    • 4

      Serve the formula only when it is approximately at room temperature. Test it on your wrist just as you would for a human baby. Also make sure that the ingredients are well-mixed and not clumpy. Do this by shaking up the bottle and observing its ingredients.

    • 5

      Prepare to feed the puppy when it is laying on its stomach. Do not turn it on its back or hold it like a human baby.

    • 6

      Offer the nipple to the puppy and see if it takes it automatically. If it does not, open its mouth slightly and let a few drops fall into the mouth. This should prompt it to take the nipple. If not, gently insert the nipple into the puppy's mouth. It should begin suckling at this point.

    • 7

      Burp the puppy after it is done feeding by patting its back, as you would a human baby.

    • 8

      Feed a young puppy approximately 2 to 4 oz. of the formula five to six times a day. This measurement may differ depending on how young or large your puppy is. Check with your veterinarian about how much and how often to feed your puppy. Revise the amount of food you feed your puppy and how often it's fed by weighing it frequently on a small food scale to determine its new nutritional needs.