If you are raising puppies who are orphaned or rejected, you have a great responsibility on your hands. Specifically, you’re doing your best to ensure their dietary needs are met for optimal growth. As such, puppy milk replacers will be crucial for meeting their demanding nutritional needs, including vitamins and minerals that support their growth throughout their early puppyhood.
The question you may be asking is: How long do puppies need milk replacer? We will answer this and more in this guide. Furthermore, we’ll also discuss when it may be time to wean them and transition to a different feeding approach.
Why Puppies May Need Milk Replacer
A puppy typically nurses from its mother until the 6th to 8th week of its life. However, there may be situations where milk replacer is necessary. These include the following:
- The mother may not be producing enough milk
- The litter is too large for adequate feeding
- Rejected or orphaned puppies
- The mother is unable to nurse due to illness or death
In such situations, consider a veterinarian-approved puppy milk replacer. They are safe, effective, and mimic the nutrient profile of a mother dog’s milk, especially when they are rich in the essential fats, proteins, vitamins, and immune-supportive compounds that can be found in the nursing mother’s milk, which can help ward off illnesses early on.
What Is a Puppy Milk Replacer?
Puppy milk replacer is specially formulated to give puppies the essential nutrients they need from birth up until they can consume solid food safely. Puppy milk replacers are not like cow’s milk or plant-based milk, which both lack the essential nutrients that orphaned puppies need for their overall growth. Not to mention, cow’s milk may even cause digestive upset in puppies. Nevertheless, a commercial milk replacer is formulated to:
- Support growth and development
- Strengthen immunity that can prevent diseases and illnesses
- Deliver calcium and phosphorus for strong bones
- Easily digestible fats and proteins
Milk replacers are available in liquid and powdered forms. However, if you are looking for a type with a longer shelf life, the powdered form will be your best option, as it can be mixed at any time.
When Should I Start Using Milk Replacer?
A milk replacer is usually introduced from birth if a puppy is unable to nurse from its mother. When you begin to feed newborn puppies, they will need to be fed every 2 to 3 hours (even during the night) for the first 1 to 2 weeks. However, the feeding frequency decreases as they grow, but the amount will increase as well. In the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, newborn puppies typically receive colostrum from their mother. However, if they are unable to receive this naturally, a high-quality puppy milk replacer will be necessary, as it contains colostrum and immune-supportive ingredients. Check out the milk replacer and other products that Under the Weather has to offer for your newborn puppy!
How Long Do Puppies Need Milk Replacer?
This is a question that often gets asked. The duration of time puppies require milk replacers depends on several factors, including the puppy's age, development, and overall health status. On average, a puppy will need a milk replacer until they are 3 to 4 weeks of age. At that point, you can gradually introduce them to solid foods.
As for a timeline of when to feed them, timing is crucial. Let’s take a look at how you can be able to feed them from the beginning to the 8th week of age:
- Weeks 0-3: 100% milk replacer every 2 to 6 hours for newborn puppies. Needs to be fed via bottle or syringe. Ensure the milk formula is at body temperature (approximately 95°F to 100°F).
- Week 4: Begin weaning them gradually by mixing soft food with milk replacer.
- Weeks 5-6: Increase solid food, decrease milk replacer usage
- Weeks 7-8 (2 months of age): Puppies may be fully transitioned to solid food such as wet or dry puppy food. Milk replacer may no longer be needed.
By around week 6 to 8 (or around 2 months of age), most puppies will be able to eat solid puppy food and no longer need milk replacer. Yet, each puppy is different. Some puppies may need to continue using puppy replacer milk for a longer period, especially if they are smaller or weaker. Nonetheless, it is essential to monitor their weight gain and development regularly.
Signs Your Puppy Is Ready to Wean
Weaning puppies from milk replacer to solid food is a crucial process that enables them to transition from one source of nutrition to another. When may it be time for them to begin the weaning process? Here are some signs that indicate they are ready:
- Biting or licking your fingers
- Chewing or mouthing the nipple of the bottle
- Increasing energy levels
- Showing interest in the food bowl
- Reduced satisfaction
As soon as you notice these signs at around 3.5 to 4 weeks of life, that’s when you can offer a gruel mixture. This features a mix of high-quality puppy food with a milk replacer to soften it. Alternatively, you can mix the food with warm water.
How to Wean Puppies off Milk Replacer
Weaning is a process that needs to be done slowly and gently. Please note that this process typically takes around two to three weeks. Here’s a step-by-step guide that you can follow:
- Prepare the Gruel: Mix dry or canned puppy food with warm water or milk replacer. Ensure the consistency is similar to that of thin oatmeal or porridge.
- Introduce a Shallow Bowl: Pour the gruel into a shallow dish. Gently guide the puppy’s nose towards the bowl. Help dip their chin or encourage them to eat if necessary.
- Decrease Bottle Feedings: As puppies begin to eat solid foods, gradually reduce their bottle feedings. Do not suddenly stop the bottle feeding, especially if the puppy is smaller or less developed.
- Monitor Progress: Be sure to monitor the puppy’s progress. You’ll want to track their weight, energy levels, and stool consistency. Weight gain should also be steady, and they should be gaining a percentage of their birth weight.
- Phase Out the Milk Replacer: By around 7 or 8 weeks of age, the puppy should be able to eat solid puppy food easily without needing a milk replacer. At the same time, ensure they are always drinking clean water. Remember that a puppy’s growth stops at a certain age, depending on the size and their respective breed.
What Common Mistakes Should You Avoid
While feeding puppies during their most critical times, or weaning, is a challenge, you can get the hang of it if done properly. In the meantime, you’ll also need to avoid common mistakes that tend to be made. These include the following:
- Using the Wrong Nipple or Bottle: Use a special pet nursing bottle or nipple that regulates flow. Do not use human baby bottles or makeshift droppers, as they can create a choking or aspiration hazard. Bottle-feeding puppies can be done when they are on their stomachs. Never feed them while they are on their backs.
- Never Use Cold Formula: When feeding puppies (even at early stages), the formula has to be at a warm temperature. Be sure to warm up the milk formula using boiling water. To determine the temperature, use your wrist. If it's too hot, cool it down until it reaches a comfortable warm temperature.
- Overfeeding or Underfeeding: Ensure you follow a consistent feeding schedule and volume based on the puppy's weight and age. Underfeeding can slow down growth and cause weight loss, while overfeeding can lead to bloating.
- Feeding Cow’s Milk: Cow’s milk has low protein and fat amounts for puppies. This can lead to issues such as digestive upset and diarrhea.
- Stopping too Soon: You may be wondering how long puppies need milk replacer because you want to wean them early. However, this may be a mistake because some newborn puppies may need to wean beyond the 4th week of life rather than earlier. Simply put, you shouldn’t rush the process. Weaning is a gradual process, so it takes patience.
When Should You Talk to a Veterinarian?
If you are caring for a puppy that needs a milk replacer, there may be situations where veterinary intervention is needed. This can include if they are not gaining weight, have digestive issues, or are experiencing lethargy. Because puppies are fragile, early intervention is crucial, as it helps avoid complications as soon as possible. The vet can also advise you on the best milk replacer products, when to feed them, and plan a weaning strategy tailored to the puppy’s needs.
Please note that you will need to monitor your puppy regularly if they are experiencing growth issues, such as not gaining weight at a normal rate. You should weigh them daily using a kitchen scale, as they need to gain weight each day during the first few weeks of their life.
Supporting Healthy Growth from Puppy to Adult with Under the Weather
A puppy milk replacer can be a lifesaver for puppies you are caring for. However, it is important to make sure that you follow a strict feeding schedule, especially in the first few weeks of their life. The best puppy milk replacer can be great for their overall development. As your puppy grows older, consider the diet you can feed them and any necessary supplementation to boost their overall health. That’s where Under the Weather can assist you with natural, high-quality products that can be great for puppies and adult dogs as well. See what we have today!
