Feeding newborn puppies can be a difficult undertaking. Their mum usually feeds them and they shouldn’t need much human intervention. However, this isn’t always the case. Puppies can be rejected by their mother or orphaned, which requires the human caregiver to step in and bottle feed the puppies. Bottle-feeding puppies needs to be done regularly and the amount that you feed them is very important as overfeeding or underfeeding can be detrimental to their health.
How Much Food Should Puppies Be Fed?
The amount that puppies are bottle-fed is very important. Underfeeding a puppy may lead to stunting and underdevelopment while overfeeding may cause diarrhea, vomiting, and dangerous bloating. On average, puppies need 15 mls of milk per 2 oz body weight per day. The formula should be specially formulated for puppies and be from a good, reputable brand or recommended by your vet. The amount of food will increase as the puppy grows in size so it’s important to monitor their weight at home. This should be done daily if possible during the first few weeks and can be done less frequently once they’re over 4-5 weeks of age. If you have any concerns about your puppy’s weight, you should schedule a veterinary visit.
How Often Should Newborn Puppies be Fed?
If your newborn puppy is looking for food more frequently or less frequently, get advice from your vet and double-check the amount of milk you’re giving your puppy.
Newborn puppies are initially fed every 2 hours as their stomachs are small and can’t hold large amounts. They also get dehydrated easily so regular feeds are important to prevent this. The time between feeds increases as your puppy grows. In general, after 1 week of age, 1 hour gets added to the time between feeds every 2 weeks.
This roughly equates to the frequency guidelines in the newborn puppy feeding chart below;
| Age | Frequency of Feeding |
| 1 week old | Every 2 hours |
| 2 weeks old | Every 3 hours |
| 3 weeks old | Every 4 hours |
| 4-6 weeks old | Every 5-6 hours |
| 6-8 weeks old | Every 6 hours |
However, every puppy develops differently and there will be individual differences. If your newborn puppy is looking for food more frequently or less frequently, get advice from your vet and double-check the amount of milk you’re giving your puppy. If they’re being fed too much or too little this will affect their feeding times.
Puppy Feeding Chart
Puppies come in all shapes and sizes as they may be a large breed like a St. Bernard or a small breed like a Pomeranian. If you find yourself having to bottle feed a puppy, it’s vital to know what weight they are. Their breed and development will determine their birth weight and you need this to calculate how much milk formula they need. In general, puppies need 15 mls per 2 oz per day divided into smaller feeds throughout the day. The frequency depends on their age.
The feeding chart below provides a guideline on what to feed your puppy;
| Weight of Puppy | Amount of formula to be fed daily |
| 4 oz (113g) | 30 mls |
| 6 oz (170g) | 45 mls |
| 8 oz (227g) | 60 mls |
| 10 oz (283g) | 75 mls |
| 12 oz (340g) | 90 mls |
| 14 oz (397g) | 105 mls |
| 16 oz (454g) | 120 mls |
| 18 oz (510g) | 135 mls |
| 20 oz (567g) | 150 mls |
| 22 oz (624g) | 175 mls |
| 24 oz (680g) | 190 mls |
| 26 oz (737g) | 205 mls |
| 28 oz (794g) | 215 mls |
| 30 oz (850g) | 230 mls |
| 32 oz (907g) | 245 mls |
| 3 lbs (1.36kg) | 350 mls |
| 4 lbs (1.81kg) | 450 mls |
| 5 lbs (2.2kg) | 550 mls |
| 6 lbs (2.72kg) | 650 mls |
| 7 lbs (3.18kg) | 750 mls |
| 8 lbs (3.63kg) | 850 mls |
The daily amounts need to be divided down into multiple feeds per day as per the chart in the previous paragraph. This is only a guideline, some puppies may want to eat slightly more and some may want to eat slightly less. It’s important to seek advice when bottle feeding puppies as the position you hold them in, type of bottle, bottle top (which affects milk flow), and type of formula are very important when it comes to the puppy accepting feeds.
Feeding Issues with Bottle-Fed Puppies
One of the most important things when bottle feeding a puppy is to monitor your puppy’s weight regularly and their stool consistency and color.
Overfeeding is the main issue with bottle feeding. People may think that the puppy is still hungry and feed it more. It’s important to stick to the guidelines as overfeeding can be detrimental to your pup. Overfeeding can cause vomiting or diarrhea but also regurgitation and bloating. Regurgitation can lead to aspiration, mainly aspiration pneumonia which can be fatal.
You should monitor your puppy’s weight regularly and their stool consistency and color. If they’re refusing feeds or if their gums feel sticky and dry, they may be dehydrated. Contact your vet if you’re at all worried about your puppy. It’s important to stick to the guidelines and advice from professionals when it comes to bottle feeding and ensure that you buy a high-quality puppy formula.
When to Wean Your Bottle-Fed Puppy
After this 7-9 week period, your puppy should be eating the new food only. If they develop diarrhea or vomiting, contact your veterinarian for advice.
Most puppies will start the weaning process around 3-4 weeks of age. They’ll begin by lapping small amounts of liquidized puppy food and the amount of this will gradually increase over the following weeks. Once they’re fully weaned they can start their puppy food and it’s important to feed a food that’s formulated specifically for puppies. When you start feeding your puppy a new diet, you need to make this change slowly and gradually.
Follow these helpful transition guidelines;
Day 1 – 3: Serve your previous food with 25% of the new food.
Day 4 – 6: Serve your previous food with 50% of the serving being the new food.
Day 7 – 9: Serve your previous food with 75% of the serving being the new food.
After this 7-9 week period, your puppy should be eating the new food only. If they develop diarrhea or vomiting, contact your veterinarian for advice.
Conclusion
Bottle-feeding puppies is a rewarding yet challenging task. Puppies need to be fed the appropriate amounts at the right intervals and should be fed a high-quality puppy formula. Overfeeding and underfeeding can cause harmful side effects so contact your vet if you’re unsure and stick to the guidelines based on your puppy’s weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I feed my newborn puppy?
Newborn puppies need approximately 15 mls per 2 oz of body weight in a 24 hour period. This amount needs to be divided into regular feeds as puppies can’t eat large amounts at one time. Weighing them regularly is very important.
How often should a newborn puppy be fed?
Newborn puppies need to be fed every 2 hours and this interval increases by 1 hour every 2 weeks of life. It’s important not to miss feeds and not to overfeed.
How many ml should a newborn puppy drink?
A newborn puppy will drink 15 mLs per 2oz of body weight in 24 hours. This needs to be divided into frequent feeds depending on your puppy’s age and weighing them daily is important.
How do you know if newborn puppies are getting enough milk?
Newborn puppies that are well-fed will be gaining adequate weight each week and thriving. They shouldn’t be experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, or regurgitation.
