Tips for feeding with artificial milk to puppies of dogs and cats

The best food of any kind of mammals is breast milk, as it provides all the nutrients they need for adequate physical and cognitive development. However, in the case of dogs and cats, there are situations in which they cannot be breastfed and it is necessary to feed them with artificial milk, at least, the first month of life.

The most frequent reason to use this product is in animals that they were orphans, either for having been separated from their mother by their owners, who abandoned the young to their fate, shortly after birthor for having died that by accident or poisoning, when he went out to look for food, or lost and could not return to his litter.

Also, There are cases in which the mother dies during childbirth or cannot breastfeed because she is being administered pharmacological treatment Contraindicated for newborns, says Erick Rabanales, veterinarian and specialist in natural nutrition of minor species, of the cadejo diet.

They should not be given milk from other species, such as cow or goat, as these animals are herbivores and cats and dogs, carnivoresso their nutrient requirements are different, since the latter need more protein, explains Rabanals. The veterinary physician Ana Gabriela Suruy, a specialist in nutrition of dogs and cats, says that dogs and cats are lactose intolerant, lactose intolerant, which inflames the intestine and causes the death of beneficial bacteria, And that prevents them from absorbing nutrients. Gases, eruptions and diarrhea are generated, ”he adds. Likewise, they should not be given children’s formulas of humans.

There are milk manufactured the closest to breast milk for dogs and cats, which contain the appropriate amounts of protein and fat. There is a milk that is very similar to the calm, which is the milk of the first 48 to 96 hours produced by the female, and that gives it the greatest immune protection for the future.

It is important that artificial milk is rich in acids Omega 3 with DHA, fundamental for brain development; In prebiotics, to strengthen the immune system —70% of the defenses are in the small intestine – and in high digestibility animal protein, to prevent the puppy from suffering constipation, Suruy says. The puppy must be well nourished before it is vaccinated with fatal diseases such as parvovirus.

The first 8 to 10 days of life, they must be feed every two hours or when they ask, even at night. As the days go by, the frequency is spicing, three to five hours. It is important to follow the instructions on the artificial milk label in terms of the recommended portions, based on weight and age.

Weaning

Rabanales indicates that before first nine weeks of life the animal should not be separated from the mother, so that they do not subtract the possibility of learning to socialize.

Avoid giving them solid food, but feeding them with humid food, such as cans, for two weeks, and, Then, with a semi -solid diet, combining this with croquettes, preferably, rehydratable, or grind chicken or scrambled egg porridgeuntil a solid diet is completely adopted.

The puppies should be given the bottle face down, natural breastfeeding position. (Free Press Photo, Shuttersock)

Tips

• Use a bottle of veterinary use, and not humans. The animal should not make effort to feed.
• Only in case of emergency, use a 1 ml syringe, to which the needle is removed, in order to better dose the amount of milk.
• They should be given the bottle face down, position they maintain when they breastfeed, never, face up, which can cause aspiration pneumonia.
• After eating, making small soft massages, at the abdominal level to favor the intestinal movement.
• Stimulate the perianal area with a cotton with saline solution or wet wipe, placing gloves, to help them defecate, which replaces the mother’s lick.
• It is essential to keep them hot, at the same level as their body temperature, with blankets, infrared light or hot water bags; The latter should not be in direct contact with the animal.
• Avoid constantly touching newborns, as their immune system is still fragile.
• It is recommended to look for a nurse female who can breastfeed newborns who need it.
• Vaccinate and deworm them from 2 months of age.

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