What to feed 3 week old puppies

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What to feed a puppy with coccidia?

A: Coccidiosis is an intestinal infection caused by a small single-celled organism called coccidia. Puppies infected with coccidia can show a range of clinical signs. Some are asymptomatic with infection discovered on a routine fecal exam. Others may be more severely affected, showing signs of diarrhea (sometimes with blood), inappetence, lethargy, abdominal pain and discomfort.

Treatment typically involves administration of a prescription antibiotic to rid the body of the organism. In severely affected puppies more intensive type care may be needed.

If the puppy is asymptomatic, they may continue to eat their normal puppy diet. Dietary changes may only be needed when the puppy has experienced significant digestive upset. In those cases, a bland low fat easily digestible diet, like Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food, may be recommended. If the puppy has lost weight a more calorie-dense diet may be used in the short term. The right diet will depend on how badly the puppy was infected and how their gut is recovering. Most puppies will be able to transition back to regular puppy food over time. —Dr. Christina Fernandez, DVM, DACVECC

Q: What to feed a puppy with upset stomach?

A: There are many potential causes for upset stomach in puppies. They love to explore their new environment through their mouths, which can lead to ingestion of non-food items causing stomach upset. Sudden vomiting and diarrhea may also be caused by a new food or treat, diet change, a blockage of the digestive tract, intestinal parasites, infections with bacteria or viruses, exposure to toxins, or disease affecting other organ systems. Some cases are mild while others can be severe to life threatening. It’s best to work with your veterinarian to determine the cause for stomach upset in your puppy.

In some cases, a bland diet lower in fat that is easily digestible diet may be recommended. (Try: Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food.) For sudden stomach upset due to simple causes this can often help. This may be a prescription diet from the vet, such as Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Puppy Dry Dog Food, offered in smaller more frequent meals for a few days. If digestive issues resolve a gradual transition back to the regular puppy food diet can usually happen. A probiotic is sometimes prescribed to aid in digestion. If your veterinarian suspects food intolerance as a cause for continued stomach upset (or other signs), they may suggest trying a hypoallergenic diet, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food, or a diet with limited ingredients. —Dr. Christina Fernandez, DVM, DACVECC

Q: What to feed a puppy with parvo?

A: Parvovirus infects the intestinal tract of puppies. It can lead to severe signs including vomiting, diarrhea with blood, lethargy, inappetence and abdominal discomfort. Most puppies affected with parvovirus require care intensive care in the hospital. Some may be amenable to outpatient care if their signs are mild. Keeping up with the puppy’s hydration and nutritional requirements are a key part to managing their disease and helping them recover. This may be done in one of several ways during a hospital stay. Nutrition may be given through a feeding tube and in some cases through an intravenous catheter (parenteral nutrition). Some puppies may be amenable to small frequent meals via syringe feeding. The puppy will likely be sent home with a prescription diet that is bland, low fat and easily digestible diet. Some may require a more calorie-dense critical care recovery diet, such as Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CN Critical Nutrition Formula Canned Dog & Cat Food. Once recovered, most can transition back to regular puppy food. —Dr. Christina Fernandez, DVM, DACVECC

If you have orphaned puppies, either because the mother is ill or refuses to nurse her babies, it's up to you to give them the nourishment they need to thrive. Puppies eat often, although the frequency slows a bit by the time puppies hit 3 weeks old. Still, be prepared to get up during the night to feed them all.

Timing

Newborn puppies need to eat about every two hours, but you get a bit of extra time between feedings when the puppies are 3 weeks old. At that age, they need to eat about every four hours. It only takes a few minutes to feed each puppy, but with litters that can sometimes be eight or more, block out at least an hour to mix and heat the formula and feed each puppy individually. With large litters, recruiting an assistant can help make the feedings go faster.

Amount of Food

The amount of food you give varies by the size and breed of your puppy, but a basic rule is to feed them a little less than they want. Their tummies should be full, but not bloated or distended. If you notice formula coming out of a puppy's nose, stop feeding him; he's had a bit too much. When their bellies are full, the formula can cross over into their lungs. When this happens too often, they can end up with dangerous pneumonia.

What to Feed Them

Puppies don't handle cow's milk like humans do, so don't give them milk or mix a powdered formula with milk. Cow's milk can upset their tummies, sometimes giving them serious diarrhea. Instead, use a canine milk replacer, which is available at pet supply stores or some veterinarian offices. You can buy the milk replacer in cans of ready-to-eat liquids or in powder form that must be mixed with water. Heating the formula slightly above room temperature is more natural for the puppies and helps them regulate their body temperatures.

How to Feed Them

Three-week-old puppies are almost ready for regular food, but not quite. You can put their formula in a shallow dish to give them an opportunity to learn to lap it up, but not all puppies of this age can quite get the hang of it. Bottle-feeding is still best for another couple of weeks. To feed a puppy, put him on a solid, level surface such as a table. He would normally have all his feet on the floor if he was nursing from his mom, so this is a comfortable position for him. Place the bottle's nipple in his mouth, pulling back slightly if he gets distracted from eating. The bottle should be tilted slightly up at an angle so only formula is in the nipple; any air that ends up in the nipple also ends up in the puppy's belly. When he's finished eating, hold him upright against your chest to burp him, just like you would a human baby.

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