I need to hand feed a nb puppy.is it better to use a droper or dog baby bottle?

Answers:
Go to the pet store and buy a baby bottle for small animals. The bottle will be able to meter out how much you're feeding, and can do it more efficiently (not to mention that it will satisfy the pup's natural urge to suckle).

---

a bottle. it takes forever with a dropper.

---

It depends on the puppy. Some puppys just won't drink from a puppy bottle. If the puppy will take a bottle, that is the best. Not only is it quicker but it's more like the mom and allows him/her to strengthen there sucking reflex.

---

The dog baby bottle would be better because it simulates the mothers nipple.

---

Use a bottle, they need to suck. The droper will feed ok but they do need to suck. If you don't let it now it will grow up sucking on all kinds of things.

Use a bottle.

---

It depends on the size of the dog. If it's tiny like a Chihuahua or a Yorkie then actually tube feeding is best. It's difficult, but much more effective than a bottle or a dropper as it makes sure the milk gets to their tummy. The little tiny ones often have trouble sucking and can dribble more than they swallow. I have done this myself with Chi pups and kittens.

If it's a bigger dog then a bottle should be fine. The puppies can suck much easier than the little ones and it comes more natural to them.

Newborns need feeding every 2 hours day and night so I hope someone is around to help you out.

I'm not a vet or a breeder, but I have done many rescues over the years.

Good luck with the hand raising. It's hard, but so rewarding when they make it.

---

Try the bottle first. Sometimes it takes puppies a little while to understand it. If that doesn't work, then move to the dropper. When the puppy starts to understand go back to the bottle.

---

hi,
i had to feed a whole litter of puppies and then not too long ago i had another puppy to feed. the vet said that puppies have a natural instinct to suck, so a bottle would be best. they also said that i could use goat milk, instead of puppy milk (powdered stuff from the store) which i did use the goat milk and it worked wonders. and its alot cheaper. my puppies grew so fast. also what i had to do was to "trick" the puppy into thinin it was still with its mother. i took a box and layered the bottom layer with newspaper, then a towel, on top of the towel i put a heating pad-set to low, and on the top just another towel. i also "hid" a ticking watch inside of the box between the layers. that way the puppy would hear the tick and think it was his mother heartbeat and feel the warmth from the heating pad and not "freakout" cuz he thought "mommy" was taken from him. there alot of puppies that die from the trauma of not being with their mothers when they are that young, but these tips from my vet worked wonders.
enjoy your puppy!

---

Use a bottle and dont get discouraged..it will finally eat..I raised 5 puppies on baby bottles..Good luck to you..

---

If it is a large breed puppy, you can go straight to the pet nurser kit (sold at pet stores) which have a variety of nipples that you can try on the pup to see which they will take the best. You will need to use a heated safety pin to enlarge the holes in the nipples or you won't get flow.
If it is a small breed puppy you may need to use an eyedropper at first. It is not unusual when starting to feed a newborn that they will seem to only get a few drops in the first few feedings. This is when an eye dropper can help to make sure they get something to start.
After each feeding it is very important that you massage the area where they go potty and maybe at first only some spotting will be noticed rather than pee until the pup has had a chance to eat a few times. I do this with a dampened slightly warm cottonball. This is what the mother dog does with their tongue because the pups cannot go to the bathroom by themselves, at least not sufficiently.
I keep mine in a box with a heating pad under a few layers of towels, set on low. Pet Stores also sell heating discs that can be microwaved, covered and set under the towel.
Ask the pet store to show you BENEBAC and how to use it. It's something that comes in a tube and provides essential "good" bacteria to your puppy. This will greatly help the pup since it is a newborn.
Your best bet is to get a commercially prepared puppy formula such as "Esbillac" or "Just Born". The powdered product costs less. Be sure to mix it right if that is what you go with.
You can make your own formula but since you are raising one puppy, the cost will likely not be prohibitive.

---

please don't forget that after feeding you will need to stimulate the pup to urinate and defecate

---

Hello, hopefully the puppy takes to the bottle %26 you have consulted with a VET, it's not good to force feed unless YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING or it can kill, if she won't take a bottle then it's VET TIME ONLY..unless you REALLY know what you're doing ...%26 fair warning..bottle feeding is 24/7..sometimes every hour for weeks ... until the puppy takes in more food..just like mama dogs would do..till about 4 weeks, then sometimes you can start adding moist, solid foods, plus you must also gently wipe it's butt with a warm cloth to make the puppy potty..again just as the mom does with her tongue or they will get sick !! Take Care :)

---

I also had to bottle feed a new born puppy it is hard work every few hours day and night but i found a babies bottle with a soft teat and also you can make it a bit bigger if needed a dropper would take to long and you would only be finished and you would be starting again