Dealing with a Dog Postpartum Without Milk: Solutions!

After a dog mother gives birth, one of the most common issues faced is a lack of milk or insufficient milk supply. Milk is the best nutritional source for newborn puppies, and if they do not receive enough milk, their immune system and various skills will suffer. This means that milk is crucial for the healthy growth of newborn puppies.

There are numerous reasons why a dog mother might have no milk or insufficient milk. These can include underdeveloped mammary glands, infections, endocrine disorders, or if the mother is naturally thin, overweight, or suffering from severe illness, all of which can lead to insufficient milk production. Additionally, if the dog mother is a firsttime mother and is extremely stressed, this can also cause a lack of milk or insufficient supply.

If the dog mother experiences a shortage of milk during the postpartum period, pet owners need to be attentive to stimulate milk production and ensure they have readymade milk formula for the newborns.

When addressing the issue of insufficient milk in a dog mother, here are some steps to consider:

1. Improve the Dog Mother's Diet: It's not just important to focus on the postpartum period; the diet should be monitored throughout the entire pregnancy and birthing process. After the mother has given birth, feeding her with nutrientrich foods or soups can help stimulate milk production. For mothers who are nutritionally deficient postpartum, calcium supplements can be given to replenish calcium, trace elements, and vitamins, thereby balancing her nutritional intake and promoting milk production.

2. Warm Compresses and Massages: Applying warm compresses or massaging the breasts can stimulate mammary gland function and aid in milk production. This should be done 23 times a day.

3. Medications for Milk Production: If the dog mother's milk supply is still insufficient, lactation syrup or lactation tablets can be administered. Alternatively, traditional Chinese medicine can be used: a mixture of 25 grams of notoginseng, 10 grams each of malachite, musk, and atractylodes, 12 grams each of white peony, angelica, astragalus, and codonopsis, which can be ground into a powder and mixed with her food.

For dog mothers who are healthy but have underdeveloped mammary glands due to weight loss or malnutrition, it's best to stimulate milk production through food. Foods like fish, shrimp, and pork knuckles can quickly help increase milk supply. If, after these efforts, the dog mother still has insufficient milk or none at all, it may be necessary to bottlefeed the newborn puppies.