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Milk Replacer for Puppies: When Life Hangs on a Drop

Milk replacer is a complete source of nutrition, specially formulated to mimic the nutritional profile of bitch milk. It is intended for puppies from birth up to approximately 3-4 weeks of age.

When is Milk Replacer Needed?

• **Orphaned puppies:** If the litter has been abandoned, the mother has passed away, or if she is unable to take care of her puppies.
• **Insufficient milk production:** The bitch may have too little milk, especially in the case of large litters, stress or illness. Milk replacer is then given as a supplement.
• **Sick mother bitch:** If the bitch is sick and is being medicated with drugs that can harm the puppies, or if she herself is too sick to nurse.
• **Weak or small puppies:** Puppies that are not gaining weight properly, or are particularly small, may need extra nutrition via milk replacer .

**Important things to consider when preparing and feeding:**

1. **Hygiene:** Always sterilize bottles, pacifiers and other equipment thoroughly.
2. **Temperature:** Warm the formula to body temperature (approximately 37-38°C). Never use a microwave.
3. **How to:** Feed the puppy lying on its stomach. Stimulate urination and defecation by gently massaging the puppy's stomach and anal area with a warm, damp cloth after each feeding.

Puppy Food: The Step Between Milk and Solid Food

Puppy kibble is a semi-solid, nutritious transitional food that is introduced when puppies begin to wean from milk, usually from around 3-4 weeks of age. It prepares puppies' digestive systems for solid food and helps them learn to eat from a bowl.

When Do You Start Puppy Kibble?

Puppies are ready for puppy food when:

• They are around 3-4 weeks old.
• The baby teeth are starting to break through.
• They show interest in their mother's food or food bowls.

**How to introduce puppy food:**

1. **Start Loose:** Start with a very loose, soup-like consistency and gradually increase the thickness over time by reducing the liquid.
2. **Serving:** Use a low bowl so that the puppies can easily lick the porridge.
3. **Gradual transition:** Gradually transition from gruel to soaked dry puppy food , and then to dry puppy food . The entire weaning process is usually complete around 6-8 weeks of age.

The Difference Between Milk Replacer and Puppy Formula

It is important to understand that milk replacer and puppy food have different functions:

• **Milk replacer:** Is a primary, complete source of nutrition in liquid form, intended to replace or supplement mother's milk for the very youngest puppies (0-3/4 weeks).
• **Puppy porridge:** Is a transitional food in semi-solid/porridge form, intended to accustom puppies (from 3-4 weeks) to solid food and prepare their digestive system for a more varied dog food .

At Zoostar.se we have carefully selected products that support puppy health at every stage. In addition to milk replacer and puppy porridge, you will find our full range of dog food and feed , including puppy food , dry dog food , wet dog food, veterinary dog food , food for senior dogs and grain-free dog food . We also have a large selection of dog treats and chews for rewards and stimulation.

Give your puppy the best possible start in life with the right nutrition from Zoostar.se!

Frequently asked questions about Milk Replacer & Puppy Formula

Here we answer some of the most frequent questions we receive regarding milk replacer and puppy food.

When do puppies need milk replacer and how do you prepare it?

Milk replacer for puppies is a vital product used when a puppy, for various reasons, cannot get enough breast milk from its mother. It is specially formulated to mimic the nutritional profile of bitch milk as closely as possible, and is crucial for the puppy's survival and healthy development in these cases. When is milk replacer needed? There are several scenarios where milk replacer is necessary: 1. Orphaned puppies: If the litter has been abandoned, the mother has passed away, or if she is unable to care for her puppies. 2. Insufficient milk production: The bitch may have too little milk, either due to illness, stress, malnutrition, or simply not producing enough for a large litter. In these cases, milk replacer can be given as a supplement to breast milk. 3. Disease of the mother bitch: If the bitch is sick and is being medicated with drugs that can harm the puppies, or if she herself is too sick to breastfeed. 4. Rejection of puppies: If the bitch rejects one or more puppies for any reason. 5. Weak or small puppies: Puppies that are weak, very small or not gaining weight properly may need extra nutrition through formula, even if the bitch is nursing. This ensures that they get enough energy to grow and develop. How to prepare formula? Preparing formula correctly is crucial for the health of the puppy. Incorrect mixing can lead to stomach upset or nutrient deficiencies. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, but here is a general guide: 1. Sterilize equipment: All equipment (bottles, teats, mixing bowls, whisks) must be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized to prevent bacterial infections. Boil them in water for at least 5 minutes before each use, or use a sterilization solution. 2. Water quality: Use boiled and cooled water, or sterile water (sold in stores for this purpose). Tap water can contain bacteria that are harmful to newborn puppies. 3. Measure carefully: Measure the powder and water exactly according to the instructions on the packaging. For maximum accuracy, use a kitchen scale to weigh the powder if the instructions state weight. 4. Mix thoroughly: Mix the powder with the water until it is completely dissolved and no lumps remain. Use a whisk or shake well in a sealed container. 5. Temperature: Warm the formula to body temperature, approximately 37-38°C. This can be done in a water bath. Test the temperature on your wrist – it should feel neither hot nor cold. Never use a microwave, as this can create hotspots that can burn the puppy’s mouth. 6. Portion and store: Mix only the amount needed for one feeding unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. Leftover, mixed formula must be stored in the refrigerator and discarded after 24 hours (or according to the manufacturer’s instructions). Never feed puppies cold formula. Feeding the puppy: Puppies should be fed lying on their stomachs, never on their backs, to prevent milk from getting into their lungs. Make sure the teat hole is not too large (so that the milk flows too quickly) or too small (so that the puppy becomes frustrated and does not get enough). After each feeding, gently massage the puppy's belly and anal area with a warm, damp cloth to stimulate urination and defecation - a function normally stimulated by the bitch. At Zoostar.se we have a selection of high-quality milk replacers and puppy porridge, as well as suitable bottles and teats for puppy feeding.

What is puppy food and when should you start giving it?

Puppy kibble is a semi-solid, nutritious food that acts as a transitional food for puppies as they begin to wean from milk (either mother's milk or formula) and are gradually introduced to solid food. It is an important part of the process of transitioning to dry or wet food. What is puppy kibble? Puppy kibble usually consists of finely ground dry puppy food, mixed with warm water or formula to create an easily digestible, porridge-like consistency. It is formulated to be nutritionally complete for the growing puppy and easy for little mouths to swallow. When to start feeding puppy kibble? Puppies usually start eating puppy kibble when they are between 3-4 weeks old. At this age, their baby teeth start to erupt, and your dog may start showing signs of wanting to wean them (e.g. by not sleeping with them as much or growling a little if they try to nurse for too long). This is the natural time to introduce solid food. Signs that it's time: - The puppies are about 3-4 weeks old. - They are starting to get baby teeth. - They are showing interest in their mother's food. - They can walk and explore a little more independently. How to introduce puppy porridge? 1. Start gradually: Initially, the puppy porridge should be very loose, almost soup-like. You can start by offering it in a shallow bowl or dish, so that the puppies can lick it up. 2. Consistency: Over time, you can gradually thicken the porridge by reducing the amount of liquid and increasing the amount of dry food powder. The goal is to gradually transition to a consistency similar to soaked dry food, and then finally to completely dry puppy food. 3. Number of meals: Start with 2-3 small meals per day, and gradually increase the number and amount as the puppies accept the food and reduce their sucking. 4. Cleanliness: Pay attention to hygiene. Replace the food often so that it does not go bad and wash the food bowl thoroughly after each meal. Puppies can get quite messy when eating porridge, so keep their eating area clean. Benefits of puppy porridge: - Provides extra nutrition: Especially important for large litters or puppies that need extra growth support. - Prepares for solid food: Teaches puppies to eat from a bowl and gets them used to new textures and flavors. - Relieves the bitch: Gives the bitch a break from nursing, which is especially important if she has a large litter or is tired. Transition to dry food: After puppy porridge, the puppies are transitioned to soaked dry food and then gradually to dry puppy food. This process is usually complete when the puppies are about 6-8 weeks old, which coincides with the time when they are usually ready to move to their new homes. At Zoostar.se you will find ready-made puppy porridges and puppy foods that are perfect for the transition to solid food, as well as milk replacers for the very youngest.

How do milk replacer and puppy formula differ from each other?

Although both milk replacer and puppy formula are intended for puppies and play a critical role in their early nutrition, they have completely different purposes and are used during different stages of the puppy’s development. Understanding the difference is crucial to providing the right nutrition to your puppy at the right time. Puppy Milk Replacer: - Purpose: Milk replacer is intended to partially or completely replace mother’s milk. Its primary function is to provide complete nutrition to puppies that are unable to nurse from their mother, or when the mother’s milk production is inadequate. - Target group: Newborn puppies, usually from birth up to 3-4 weeks of age. - Consistency: Liquid, like milk. It is fed by bottle or syringe. - Nutritional profile: Carefully formulated to mimic the composition of mother’s milk with a high content of fat, protein, lactose, vitamins and minerals for rapid growth and development of the puppies’ internal organs and immune system. - Use: Emergency food for orphaned puppies, supplement for large litters or sick bitches, or for weak puppies that need extra nutrition. - Example of use: A litter whose mother has passed away, or a puppy that is the smallest in the litter and is not getting enough milk. Puppy Gruel/Weaning Food: - Purpose: Puppy Gruel is a transitional food that introduces puppies to solid food during the weaning period. It helps puppies gradually adapt from a liquid diet (milk) to a solid diet (dry food/wet food). - Target group: Puppies that are between 3-4 weeks old and up, when they start to get baby teeth and show interest in other foods. - Consistency: Semi-solid, like a porridge or puree. It is served in a shallow bowl. - Nutritional profile: Still nutrient-dense and adapted for puppy growth, but with a lower fat and lactose content than milk replacer. It contains a higher proportion of carbohydrates and fibre from solid ingredients, similar to dry food but in a more digestible form. - Use: To facilitate the weaning process and prepare the puppies' digestive system for dry food. - Example of use cases: Puppies that are ready to start eating something other than just milk and should be trained to eat from a bowl. The main differences summarized: - Age: Milk replacer for newborns (0-3/4 weeks); Puppy porridge for older puppies (3-4 weeks and up). - Consistency: Milk replacer is liquid; Puppy porridge is semi-solid/porridge-like. - Purpose: Milk replacer is a primary source of nutrition that replaces milk; Puppy porridge is a transitional food to solid food. In many cases, puppies will first need milk replacer (if they are unable to nurse their mother), and then they will switch to puppy porridge when they are ready for more solid food. After the gruel, the next step is to introduce soaked puppy dry food, and then gradually dry food. At Zoostar.se you will find both milk replacer and puppy gruel to support the puppies' development during these critical stages.