Feeding Orphan Puppies

Puppies may be orphaned for many reasons such as rejection by their mother, failure of milk production, found abandoned, rarely, the death of their mother.

Newborn puppies are very fragile and problems can develop quickly due to their high reliance on their mother for warmth and nutrition. There are several critical problems that must be urgently addressed if they occur including:

Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Dehydration (lack of fluid) and
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

Hypothermia

Up to 6 days old puppies are unable to control their body temperature and quickly become hypothermic if they are not kept warm. Hypothermia is a major factor in Fading Puppy Syndrome. The ideal environmental temperature during the first week is 29-32°C, 26-29°C in the second week, 23-26°C in the third, and 23°C from 4-12 weeks. A heating pad, hot water bottle or heat lamp can be used. The heating pad should be on the low setting and covered with a towel, and a hot water bottle should be well wrapped. Caution must be taken to ensure the puppies are not overheated. If you are raising a litter of puppies, the temperature can be a little lower, as the puppies will huddle together to keep each other warm. Avoid drafts by placing the puppy’s box away from windows and doors.

The normal rectal temperature for a newborn puppy is 35-37°C. ( 95° F to 98.6° F) If the rectal temperature is below 34.5°C ( 94.1° ) this is potentially life-threatening hypothermia. Warm the puppy immediately, but do not overheat the puppy or warm it too quickly as this can be fatal in a weak puppy.

Dehydration

Newborn puppies quickly become dehydrated if they are not nursing. They can also become dehydrated if their environment is hot and dry. Two indicators of dehydration are loss of elasticity in the skin (the skin stays tented when gently pinched up) and decreased saliva production (the gums and tongue feel tacky or dry). In addition to providing adequate nutrition, you may need to humidify the puppy box or room if the puppy is small or weak. Be careful not to make the box too hot and humid; this can cause respiratory distress. A home humidifier should be adequate.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia quickly develops in a newborn that is not nursing frequently. As hypoglycemia worsens, the puppy becomes progressively more depressed and weak. Without treatment it may develop muscle twitches or seizures (convulsions) and then it becomes unresponsive and comatose. If it is showing any of these signs place a few drops of a glucose solution on its tongue. This simple procedure is often sufficient to revive a hypoglycemic puppy. Also watch for signs of hypoglycemia over the next several days, as you adjust your puppy’s feeding schedule.

Puppies require different rectal and nest temperatures depending on their age:

0-1 week: Rectal temperature 95-98.6°F, nest temperature 85-90°F
2-3 weeks: Rectal temperature 97-100°F, nest temperature 79-84°F
4 weeks: Rectal temperature 99-101°F, nest temperature 73.5-79°F

2. Consistent Room Humidity:

The recommended room humidity puppies aged 0-4 weeks is 55-60%. This helps maintain their comfort and health.

What Do I Feed The Puppies?

To assure the adequate growth and health of pups and kittens, a commercial replacement is best used to meet their nutritional requirements. Some “home-made” formulas do not provide this. The formula should be species specific not the “uni-species” variety. Most formulas are available in both a canned and powder forms.

NOTE….When feeding formula always follow the manufacturer’s label directions, mix up each time or no more than a 48 hour supply, keep it refrigerated in a covered glass container. Mixing formulas wrong can cause GI upset, not getting the nourishment needed etc. FOLLOW THE LABEL.

Feeding This file provides guidelines for feeding and caring for neonatal puppies,focusing on milk intake,caloric needs,stomach capacity,and feeding schedules.

Puppies require about 20-26k cal per100g body weight daily,with milk replacers providing less than 1k cal/ml,often necessitating larger volumes that can challenge stomach capacity and increase gastrointestinal issues. The maximum comfortable stomach capacity is approximately 4m l per 100g body weight, and feeding volumes should not exceed this to prevent aspiration,vomiting,diarrhea, or gas build up. As puppies age from 3.5 to 5 weeks, they begin eating solid food, reducing milk need sand feeding frequency. The amount off or formula needed per day and per feeding varies with weight,with typical feeding schedules around six times daily for most weights. The energy concentration of milk replacers is about 0.9 kcal/ml,and feeding volumes are calculated based on body weight to meet caloric requirements efficiently while avoiding over feeding. Ref: Lawler, D. F. “Neonatal and pediatric care of the puppy and kitten.” Theriogenology, vol. 70, no.3, 2008, pp. 384-392.

NOTE..As the puppy is adjusting well to the milk and the feeding volume, you may be able to increase the volume fed to help reduce the number of feedings per day. Be aware that exceeding the stomach capacity (amount per feeding) may put the puppy at risk of aspiration, vomiting, diarrhea, and gas build-up in the stomach and intestines.

Puppies Weight

Weight gain is a good indicator health status, but this also requires the purchase of a small accurate digital scale. The puppies should double their weight in 10 days; the puppies should gain 5-10% / day; and puppies should gain 2 Gms/Kg of the expected adult weight/day.

Keep A Proper Bottle Feeding Position

The puppy should be fed while resting on its stomach with the bottle placed at an angle similar to that associated with a nursing mother, or on a rolled-up towel simulating the mother. This method creates a natural nursing posture for the puppy, plus keeps the air at the top of the nursing bottle. Excessive ingestion of air will cause bloat/colic. Unfortunately many youngsters die as a result of improper feeding techniques. DO NOT feed puppy on its back.

Aspiration pneumonia is a fatal consequence of puppies fed wrong.

DO NOT FORCE the sick puppy to nurse (weak or absent suckling or swallowing reflex);

Feeding with an eyedropper or syringe you must be very careful don’t squirt it quickly down the throat, go slow, have patience.

Same as using the bottle do not Squeeze the plastic nipple bottle, it will force more milk then the puppy can’t swallow fast enough.

Tube Feeding

If you use a feeding tube it must be done properly, Improper feeding tube placement or volume overload can be fatal. Please watch the “Tube Feeding A Puppy” below. Preparation and Setup Tube Size: Generally, use a #5 or #8 French catheter for small puppies and up to #14 for larger pups Warm the Puppy: If the rectal temperature is below \(96^{\circ }\text{F}\)–\(99^{\circ }\text{F}\), warm the puppy before feeding. Measure the Tube: Measure the tube from the puppy’s last rib to the tip of their nose and mark it with a marker. Warm the Formula: Use a warm water bath to warm the puppy formula to body temperature; do not microwave.

Step-by-Step Procedure Positioning: Keep the puppy in a horizontal position on its chest, not on its b Insertion: Pass the tube gently over the center of the tongue and down the throat toward the left side. Confirm Position: If the puppy cries or moves, the tube is likely in the right place. If they gag heavily or show signs of distress, pull it out and start over. Confirming No Airway Entry: The tube should be inserted until the mark is reached. Feeding: Push the syringe plunger slowly to avoid overfeeding or forcing milk into the lungs. Removal: Pinch the tube before removing it to prevent milk from entering the lungs.

Aftercare Burping: Gently rub the puppy to encourage burping to remove trapped air. Stimulate Pottie: Gently rub the genital/anal area with a warm, moist cloth or cotton ball for urination and defecation. Clean Equipment: Rinse and wash the syringe and tube after every use.

Warning Signs

If the puppy is breathing, the tube is likely in the stomach, not the lungs.If milk spills out of the nose or mouth, stop immediately. Do not force the tube if you feel resistance.

Tube feeding is generally needed for weak or premature puppies, those with a cleft palate, or when a mother is unable to nurse. Always try the bottle first.

Remember: Orphaned Puppies Need Help Defecating

Mothers stimulate their puppies to defecate by licking around the pup’s anus. To prevent constipation do this with a soft cloth or cotton ball moistened with warm water after feeding for the first 2 weeks.

Tube feeding video

Bottle feeding

Please keep in mind, If you cannot afford to feed a orphan puppy/puppies, do not have the time or patience. Please call your local veterinary office or local animal rescues. We encourage to always establish a client/patient relationship with your local veterinarian.