How to make a newborn puppy drink milk

Puppies are born with their eyes closed, and are completely dependent on their mothers for nourishment during the first initial weeks. However, if for some reason the newborn puppy's mother is unable to take care of it, the onus of looking after the puppy falls on the owner.

Step 1

Take the puppy immediately to the vet. Wrap in a blanket to keep it warm while transporting it. The vet will show you the correct way to feed the puppy. If a puppy is fed incorrectly, the milk may enter its trachea and choke it or result in aspiration pneumonia. The vet will also tell you what to feed the puppy. Invariably, newborn puppies are fed canine milk replacer especially formulated for puppies, as other milk replacers, such as cow's milk, can result in diarrhea.

Step 2

Weigh the puppy to find out the amount feed it will require. The vet will tell you how much to feed the puppy.

Step 3

Measure the puppy from the nostril to the last rib. This is the length of the tube that will be inserted into the puppy. Mark the point on the tube. Perform the tube measurement everyday, as puppies keep growing continuously. Tube feeding is one of the easiest and most hygienic methods to feed a newborn pup.

Step 4

Prepare the puppy milk replacer formula as instructed by your vet. Wrap the puppy in a towel and hold it on your lap. Keep the head and chest slightly elevated. The puppy has to be sitting on its stomach and not kept on its back, like human babies are kept while feeding.

Step 5

Insert the feeding tube into the puppy's mouth from the front while holding the back of the puppy's head. Do not force the tube in. The puppy will swallow the tube reflexively once it reaches the oesophagus. Slide the tube until the point marked earlier.

Step 6

Press the plunger of the syringe slowly. Withdraw the tube after half the formula is fed, as you will have to burp the puppy. Rub its back gently in an up-and-down motion to get the puppy to burp. After burping, resume the feeding.

Step 7

Burp the puppy once more, and use a moist cotton ball to rub the anal area to get the puppy to pass stools.