3 signs a newborn puppy isn’t getting enough milk

Are you worried about whether your newborn puppies are feeding enough? You might have thought that once your litter arrived and mum was safely through the whelping that the worries and stress would disappear. But feeding and weaning puppies can be a concerning time if things are not going smoothly. 

Read on and discover what to do if your newborn pups are not feeding and how to increase mum’s milk supply so they can all get their fill. 

3 signs newborn puppies aren't getting enough milk

• Part of the daily routine for a breeder is weighing your puppies. This is a sure fire way to track and monitor their growth and development. Your puppies should gain weight daily. If they aren't, then it could be a sign that they are not getting enough milk. 
• Are your puppies noisey and unsettled? A content newborn puppy will nurse and then sleep soundly, perhaps with the odd squeak, but anything more than the odd squeak can be a sign of hunger. 
• Do your puppies look full? A newborn puppy who is feeding well will have a plump tummy, if the tummy looks empty or drawn in below the ribs cage then they may not be getting enough milk. 

How long can a newborn puppy go without nursing

A ‘normal’ nursing routine for a newborn litter during their first week of life will involve them nursing and sleeping 90% of the time.

During the first three days they may lose up to 10% of their birth weight, but after that you should record a daily gain of 5-10%. Many puppies will have doubled their birth weight by around day ten. 

At each feed puppies should nurse until satisfied and they should not go more than 2 hours without feeding. Newborn puppies will nurse somewhere between 40 to 50 minutes per feed, hence the rotation of eat, poo, sleep, eat, poop, sleep! 

What to do when a newborn puppy isn't feeding 

Puppies should be able to easily find the nipple, and suckle effectively and independently. If this is not the case for a puppy in your care then veterinary attention is required swiftly. Puppies deteriorate quickly, therefore time is of the essence!

Make sure the puppy is warm, cold puppies cannot feed or digest food. 
Make sure the puppy has no birth defects that are preventing suckling and swallowing.
Give the puppy an opportunity to feed without battling for a nipple. Remove the other puppies for a period of time to allow the weaker puppy to feed. 

Foods to increase your dog’s milk production

If the issue at play is mum’s milk supply, then there are natural and herbal supplements to assist milk production. Milk thistle, zinc, and apricot are all known to assist in milk production, alongside a plentiful and nutritious diet and free access to fresh water. 

Offer mum small feeds several times a day rather than larger meals and keep the flow of calories regular for her. A lactating bitch will require 2.5 times her normal calorie intake when she is feeding a litter of puppies. 

While you wait for this to take effect there are puppy milk and colostrum supplements available, and it is always advisable to have them on hand prior to whelping. Being able to act swiftly can make all the difference to a newborn litter who is not feeding well. 

This article is a guest post kindly contributed by Rebecca Walters of Pupstarts Breeders. 

Pupstarts Breeders provide the only nationally recognised qualification for dog breeders. The Level 3 in Dog Breeding, Litter Socialisation and Welfare will guide you through each stage of your breeding journey so you feel clued up and prepared whatever comes your way. Learn more at www.pupstartsbreeders.com