Puppy bottle feeding

 

If it is necessary to hand rear or bottle feed a pup here are a few tips. (Please note that this is not a complete guide nor medical advice.)

Pups require a formula designed for puppies with sufficient calories to keep them healthy.  Seek advice from your vet about each individual dogs requirements.

When choosing a teat for a bottle make sure the formula only drips out (if the bottle is held upside down) and does not flow out.

A pup should make some physical effort in sucking the formula out.  If the liquid streams out it can enter the pups lungs and may result in pneumonia.

Bottle-fed pups need to be burped after being fed.  They can swallow air and bubbles just like human babies can which becomes uncomfortable if not relieved.

Distilled water or boiled water which has had time to cool off is better than tap water.

Please do not give your puppy cows milk.

If you prepare formula which is blended or shaken, please give the bubbles time to dissipate before feeding.  Also, it should be given at the temperature which matches the body temperature of an adult dog.

Record what your pup has consumed and also it’s bodyweight so you can keep track of his progress.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)