I have 4 2 day old rat terrier puppies. They started yesterday morning crying more than usual and when I took them out they were trying to nurse anything. I have raised puppies before and to me their bellies feel full but I offered them a bottle with fresh goats milk(I raise Dairy Goats)and was surprised to have them all take it so fast. They are 8 to 9 0unces a piece and I have started giving them your formula useing 13oz of fresh GM in place of the evaporated and water is that right? Previously I have raised litters or part of a litter on straight GM. I love the idea of yogurt because I have used it in all my other animals when they are sick,stressed etc but did not know how to use it with young puppies always started when they started eating from a pan. Right now I am feeding them every 4hrs. I tried giving them just 3cc but such a small amount for the bottle so I am putting 6cc and sometimes they drink it right down and sometimes not. Can I overfeed? The mom just doesn't seem to have much milk this time. 2yrs ago she had plenty of milk for her 3 and they did great. She wasn't drinking well this time so I added chicken broth yesterday to her water after talking with your office..I think it was Stephanie. She has been drinking a lot now so hopefully her milk will increase. What do you reccomend? I just don't want to overfeed. I have a small diet scale and it is hard to do in grams but am trying to make sure they gain. They sure feel it. The mom is 14lbs.
Thanks for helping and so much for doing this site it is a God send.
Rachel,Munchkin and puppies!

See this article ...
http://www.leerburg.com/bottlefeeding.htm

also, see the "Working with Puppies" section in
http://www.leerburg.com/articles.htm
It's about halfway down the page.

Hi..Thanks for the links Charlie. I will make sure I read them all. I think I have read most of them but will go back. The pups seem to be doing great so I am just going to keep on feeding them every 4 hrs and see how they do. How long can the formula mixture be stored in the fridge. I made a whole batch and I only use 24cc every 4hrs. Anyone who has supplemented with this formula could you reply please and let me know how your pups did. How do you tell if you overfeed? Thanks Rachel

Rae, Mom's milk most likely hasn't "come down" just yet. I would take care to only supplement after the pups have nursed. The more they nurse the more milk mom will produce is the way nature is supposed to work. Just keep a close eye and walk a fine line for a few more days.

Regards,
Debbie

another thing to help - not for feeding but for a "boost" of calories and protein - is nutrical - it comes in a tube, and is great for giving newborns a boost of energy and get them back "on their feet". It can be given straight on the tongue from the tube, or mixed in with the formula you are feeding them.

molly

I have never feed pups that small but sometimes my bitch drops pups that cannt latch on to the nipple or if she has a bunch they get pushed away from the bigger pups.
I have always feed baby formula and milk or water. 24 hours in fridge is as long as I will let it sit. I use the puppies belly size to tell me when to stop feeding. I only feed for a couple of days then I let then latch onto mommy. MOTHERS milk best thing for them

I have never feed pups that small but sometimes my bitch drops pups that cannt latch on to the nipple or if she has a bunch they get pushed away from the bigger pups.
I have always feed baby formula and milk or water. 24 hours in fridge is as long as I will let it sit. I use the puppies belly size to tell me when to stop feeding. I only feed for a couple of days then I let then latch onto mommy. MOTHERS milk best thing for them

UPDATE! My pups are now 2 wks old. They are doing good I am still kinda confused as to what is going on because I am still giving them 6cc each every 5-6hrs. So Mom has to have some milk . I find 6hrs is best as they drink it all. They have tripled their birth weight..do u know if that's right? I went 8hrs yesterday cause I had to go into town and boy were they hungry when I got home and Mom was with them all the time. I was wondering at this age if I can let them such all they want? They are so Cute!

My English Bulldog has 6 puppies that are 2 weeks old. I Bring Annie, the mother, to feed them every 3 or 4 hours. I do not leave her with the puppies. When can I give up the middle of the night feeding? At what age can they sleep through the night?

Thanks for this great website of invaluable information!

Sheryl , why are you not letting the mother with her pups?
She needs to clean them on a moment basis, bowl stimulation is very important for their well being, and for many other reasons.

Rae congrats on your pups..