Last Updated on October 21, 2021 by admin
As the saying goes, mother’s milk is best. This is as true when it comes to puppies as it is for us.
However, sometimes a puppy can’t have its mother’s milk, for many reasons. Sometimes, very sadly, the mother has died. Perhaps she has had a large litter, and there is simply not enough to go around. Or maybe she has rejected her babies.
For whatever reason, now you need the next best milk for puppies after their mother’s milk. If you find yourself in this position, you are probably needing to know, what kind of milk is best for puppies?
The Best Puppy Milk Replacers
The best puppy milk replacer is one that mimics all of the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and calories that would occur naturally in the mother dog’s milk.
If possible, ideally puppies will have at least two days worth of milk from their mother, because it contains something called ‘colostrum’. Colostrum is very rich in nutrients and it strengthens the pup’s immune system, as well as stimulating cell growth, fat utilization, and protein synthesis.
Here we have a list of the best puppy milk replacers on the market, in no particular ranking order.
Learn more about: How To Care For A Husky Puppy
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Nutri-Vet Pup Milk Replacer By Nutri-Vet
This puppy milk replacer has the right amount of carbohydrates, fat, and protein, as well as amino acids, minerals, and vitamins for newborn pups. This product also contains probiotics to keep their little tummies healthy.
Puppies love this formula and it is known for healthy weight gain and optimal puppy growth. It comes in powder form.
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Baby Animal Milk Replacer By Savcaf
We love this product because not only is it perfect for puppies, it can be used to feed all manner of other baby animals too, such as kittens, calves, foals, goat kids, piglets, fawns, baby elk, lambs, and baby llamas!
It is so versatile, if you live on a farm, for example, and have many different species of animal in your care.
This milk replacer has all-milk protein and promotes optimal health and growth in baby animals. It is easy to digest and offers complete and balanced nutrition.
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Goat Milk Replacer For Puppies By Pet-Ag
This puppy milk replacer has everything you would expect in a formula for newborn puppies, and it is made with goat’s milk.
Perfect for orphaned or rejected puppies, this product comes in a variety of sizes. It gives puppies the milk protein they need for optimal health, plus vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Plus it is free from preservatives.
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Puppy Milk Powder By Pet-Lac
This milk replacer is perfect for newborn puppies (but it is good for older dogs too!) It is rich in microorganisms that occur naturally, and it is enriched with vitamins and minerals too.
This milk replacer will give puppies everything they need for strong and healthy development plus they find it yummy too. It is easy to digest and has prebiotics and probiotics.
This product can be fed to dogs up to six weeks of age, and it is made especially for pups that have been rejected by their mother, or orphaned babies.
Also, if you are after a milk replacer to help replace a mother’s milk during the weaning process, then this milk replacer is perfect. And it also comes in liquid form.
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PetAg Esbilac
This puppy milk replacer is a very popular brand. It is all-natural, with no preservatives, it has both prebiotics and probiotics and all the essential vitamins and minerals that puppies need.
Puppies seem to love the taste of this milk replacer too, which is important! This formula is easy to digest and helps puppies to thrive.
It mimics mother’s milk in terms of protein, carbohydrate, fat, and energy. This product is made for newborn pups right up to 6 weeks of age, and it comes in a 12-ounce can.
What Kind Of Milk Is Bad For Puppies?
Cow’s milk is not recommended for puppies (or adult dogs for that matter) due to an enzyme in it called lactase that they cannot metabolize properly, which can lead to flatulence, upset stomach, and diarrhea.
So if mother’s milk is not available to feed a puppy or puppies, then your best bet is a puppy milk replacer, like the five types reviewed in this article.
How Long Do Puppies Need Milk For?
Depending on the age of the pup, you may also need some other equipment to help them drink. For example, very young pups may need to be fed via a sterile plastic syringe or a bottle with a soft, plastic teat. Your vet can advise you on this, and show you how it is done correctly.
Puppies younger than 2 weeks will need to be fed every 3 to 4 hours. 2 to 4-week old pups require feeding each 6 to 8 hours. Puppies can be started on the weaning process by around four weeks old.
What Kind Of Milk Is Best For Puppies? A Summary:
All of the products mentioned in this article are good choices if you have a puppy or puppies that, for whatever reason, cannot feed on their mother’s milk. Sometimes the other has died, or she cannot produce enough milk on her own. Sadly, sometimes mother dogs reject their offspring.
When looking for a good puppy milk replacer, your veterinarian can advise you. Most are powdered, but a few have a liquid formula, and many come in various sizes to suit your situation.
Look out for a product that mimics a mother dog’s milk, with the same formula of nutrients (i.e. fat, carbohydrates, and calories), vitamins and minerals, plus prebiotics and probiotics.
These products are suitable for newborns; it tastes good to them and they should readily accept it. These products are meant to be given up until six weeks of age.
A puppy that is not thriving – meaning that it lacks energy and looks thin, and has a reduced appetite – should be checked out by a veterinarian, to see what can be done to help them thrive.
Fingers crossed that they will be on solid puppy food before you know it!
