Learn How to feed an orphaned puppy? The arrival of a new puppy to the family is always unique and very joyful, but in many cases, things do not turn out as the adopters expected.
The ideal puppy adoption is planned, and the puppy comes home at 45 days of age at the earliest.
During those first 45 days, the puppy must stay with its mother and siblings. However, there are times when an adopter becomes an adopter by surprise.
How many newborn puppies have been found in a container?
If the adopter owns the puppy’s mother, anything could happen birth complications, the mother not producing enough milk and, in the worst case, the mother dying during childbirth.
When this inconvenience occurs, the adopters’ life is marked, and from that moment must take care of the orphaned puppies.
Puppies will always need to consume their mother’s milk, the colostrum of the first days. It is the ideal medicine to cure any disease.
Also, with colostrum, the puppies can be immunized to protect themselves from diseases.
Colostrum helps the dog’s immune system fight diseases and eliminate them from his body. For this reason, when puppies do not receive this fluid that is so important for their development and health, they are more likely to suffer from diseases.
The adopter of an orphaned dog must always follow the necessary measures to feed it in the best possible way, always with the guidance of a veterinarian.
Providing the necessary care for an orphaned puppy should be the most important.
How to Feed an Orphaned Puppy?
Artificial feeding for puppies is the same as for small children, giving the puppy formulas.
When it comes to feeding based on prepared formulas, there is a great variety, but it is always recommended that you avoid the use of those with cow protein.
It is also advised that formulas that do not contain lactose be used. In this way, problems can be avoided in the puppy’s intestine.
Your veterinarian should always prescribe the artificial milk you give your orphaned puppy.
How Should a Puppy be Feed Artificial Milk?
The procedure for feeding a puppy with artificial milk is based on a preparation similar to human beings. In some cases, bottles containing special treats for dogs are used; but it is also common for small syringes to be used.
This choice will depend on how the dog responds to offering the milk. Some may accept the bottles, but others the syringe. Before offering the milk to the puppy, it is necessary to warm it up a bit.
The proper way to do it is with a water bath.Once the milk is heated, without overdoing it, the adopter should place a drop on the back of their hand to check the temperature by tasting the tiny drop.
It is necessary that, when giving the bottle or the syringe to a small puppy, it should lie down but always keep its head slightly raised.
Dogs have, by nature, to breastfeed, which is why it is necessary to respect the moment when food is offered to the puppy. Once the dog feels the bottle in its mouth, by instinct, it will begin to absorb the milk through suction.
As I have mentioned before, in case the puppy rejects the bottle, which can happen, it should be tried with the syringe, so it is essential to have both.
Note: Small amounts of milk need to be fed to the puppy initially, but more frequently. In one day, the puppy should be fed about eight times. This way, digestive disorders will be avoided, and you will eat much better.
With a few weeks passing, it is time to offer solid puppy food. When the time is right, the adopter should purchase a feed ideal for the growing puppy. Of course, always remember that the entire process must be done under the instructions of a veterinarian.
Importance of nutrition in puppies
Good nutrition is vital for all puppies. In its first hours of life, the most important thing will always be to consume the mother’s colostrum.
However, when there are cases of loss of the mother, it is necessary to quickly offer her nutritional sustenance that can support her growth in the best possible way.
Note: The adopter must, apart from worrying about feeding the puppy, provide him with an optimal environment for proper growth. The adopter must know that taking care of a small orphaned puppy is not an easy task but requires excellent dedication on their part, almost full-time.
This is primarily during the first days of the puppy’s life. Remember that it should be fed several times a day and even done at night.
What is the best milk to feed an orphaned puppy?
The best nutrition for a puppy will always come from its mother’s milk. However, in some cases, when a newborn puppy is born without its mother, that is, it is an orphaned puppy, the role of the mother must be played by its adopter.
In that sense, you should try to feed it the best way, providing it with the nutrients the dog needs. If you have an orphaned puppy, you should go to your veterinarian to find out what milk you can give him to help him properly during his growth, up to solid food consumption.
The adopter should not worry about obtaining the milk that his puppy needs since the vast majority can be bought in particular pet stores; however, it is always essential to buy it following the guidelines that the veterinarian advises him to be able to substitute the breastmilk.
Likewise, it is important to know the different types of milk that may be ideal for the puppy. Some artificial milk brands are ideal for many puppies who do not have their mother.
This milk is a formula very similar to the mother’s milk that the puppy should consume. Esbilac Goats Milk contains high proteins and fatty acids, ideal for replacing the nutrients in the mother’s milk. This milk can provide the necessary amount that the puppy needs to grow healthy and strong.
It is ideal for puppies with sensitive digestive systems. It is a very easy milk to digest and very easy to prepare. This milk provides a wide variety of vitamins, such as A, B12, D3 and E.
Consuming this type of milk will significantly improve your pet’s digestion. In addition, it is recognized as milk. Therefore, it can be found in any supermarket.
- Nutri Vet Milk Replacement for Puppies:
This milk is developed by veterinarians and is ideal for providing the puppy with an excellent diet. It contains a base of protein and fatty acids to help the puppy’s growth, plus various vitamins and minerals.
It is a formula specially made for orphaned puppies and newborns, regardless of their breed. Contains vitamins and fatty acids ideal for strengthening the defenses of the puppy; and, of course, helping it grow properly.
It is an ideal milk to feed a puppy that does not have its mother until the moment it can consume solids. Milk that contains vitamins, omega 3, trace elements and colostrum. It is ideal for strengthening the puppy’s immune system and is easy to digest.
Important: During the puppy’s first weeks, its diet should be rich in protein and calories.
The milk supplied must contain the following:
- Vitamins.
- Minerals.
- Fatty acids.
- Trace elements.
- Carbohydrates.
How to feed an orphaned puppy? Basic Guidelines for Caring for an Orphaned Puppy
For the primary care of an orphaned puppy, adopters responsible for their care must follow certain specific guidelines to protect the life and health of the newborn.
- Set up a box or your own space:
Preparing a place where the puppy will sleep is essential. The adopter must consider that the place should not have any draft. Even if you can lay down a thick blanket to provide warmth, it will be essential to keep him warm.
The puppy’s temperature must be between 32 and 34 degrees in its first week. As time passes, it will change until it is one month old.
- Stimulate the puppy’s sphincter:
Newborn puppies need help or stimulation to be able to defecate or urinate. It is a task that the mother usually carries out, but being an orphaned puppy, the adopter must take charge to help him. You should help with cotton, stimulating the areas to achieve these functions.
The puppy’s intestines and bladder will not function independently, so the adopter must help him before and after eating. Because puppies do not control their sphincters, it is necessary to keep their genitals clean.
It is usually a job that the mother does, but given her absence, she should help with the use of wet wipes. However, before the wipe touches the puppy’s skin, it is essential to warm them with the adopter’s body heat.
This way, before putting them in contact with the puppy, there will be no drastic changes in temperature.
Note: Toilet training puppies is an essential point that all adopters should consider if caring for a puppy without its mother. When the dog relieves itself, the adopter should observe if its stools are brown or dark brown.
If they are green stools, it indicates that the puppy may have an infection that must be treated quickly with the help of a veterinarian.
- Always maintain the same routine for feeding the puppy:
Puppies resemble babies, so feeding them needs to be done based on their weight and with a routine. The puppy should be fed every two hours if it is three days old.
As you progress through the first week of life, feedings should be every three hours, and in the second week, every four hours during the day, with one feeding at night.
From the third week of life, similar to what happens in human babies, belching begins to be present, so the adopter must be careful that the puppy releases gases to avoid the presence of colic.
Important: The vast majority of adopters ignore the damage they do to puppies by giving them milk that they cannot metabolize properly, such as cow’s milk.
Even if the milk is reduced with water, it can cause considerable damage. Adopters must reject this practice and obtain artificial milk approved by a pharmacy and their trusted veterinarian. Additionally, the adopter must ensure that the puppy receives the correct milk.
- Imitate the licking of the puppy’s mother:
The adopter can try to imitate the licking of the dog’s mother. This can help the puppy in the absence of its mother.
To do this, the adopter, with the help of his slightly damp thumb, can pass it over the puppy’s forehead and the rest of his body using a cloth dampened with warm water. This will help clean it up, and the pup will feel a small quantity of its mother’s presence.
Brief Conclusion
A newborn dog will need its mother’s milk. Approximately in the first 12 hours of life, you should consume the mother’s milk of the bitch and her colostrum.
This is to obtain all the necessary nutrients and create antibodies that help protect you from diseases. If the dog does not have the option of suckling from its mother, artificial milk or formula milk is the best option that the adopter has so that the puppy can live, grow and develop correctly.
It is certainly not an easy task to face, but with a lot of patience, love, and dedication, your pup will be given the quality of life it deserves.