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Two main factors can influence canine lactation: the nutrition of the dam and the underlying hormonal mechanisms that take place at the time of parturition. To stimulation lactation in the bitch, it is therefore recommended to start feeding the bitch with a growth diet and stimulate milk production using anti-dopaminergic drugs.
Canine milk is very different from large animal and human milk. It is more energy-dense, which makes sense considering that the growth period in canines is much shorter overall. Large animals' milk contains more lactose than canine milk, and human milk frequently contains starch which newborn puppies cannot digest, that's why these milks are not good alternatives for newborn puppies. Therefore, it is important that pet owners have a dedicated canine milk replacer.
It is important to properly educate pet owners to avoid some common mistakes, such as:
1. The puppy placement: the puppy should be placed in sternal position. The position of the teat is also important: it should be aligned directly in the mouth, so that the newborn creates a seal with its tongue when suckling.
2. The dilution of the milk powder: it has a direct impact on the osmolality of the solution and mistakes at this level can lead to diarrhea or constipation. This is why it is important to strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
3. The amount of milk dispensed: The manufacturer's recommendations take into account nutritional requirements and the limited capacity of the newborn's stomach. It is usually recommended to give 8 meals per day during the first week of life, six meals per day during the second week and four meals per day in the third week of life.
4. After a bottle-feeding session with newborns, always remember to stimulate the defecation. Just moisten a tissue with warm water and massage the newborn's perineal region. That should be enough to induce the defecation reflex.
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