Quick answer
Use the Beaphar Lactol Feeding Set to bottle feed a puppy by preparing the milk replacer at the correct temperature, holding the puppy in a natural feeding position, and allowing it to suckle at its own pace.
Why a dedicated feeding set matters
Newborn puppies have weak suckling reflexes and tiny mouths. A standard pet bottle often delivers milk too fast, risking aspiration. The Beaphar Lactol Feeding Set includes a specially designed bottle and teat that mimic the mother's nipple, giving you better control over flow and helping the puppy feed safely.
When to bottle feed vs. tube feed
Bottle feeding works for puppies that can suckle on their own. If the puppy is too weak to suckle, a veterinarian may recommend tube feeding instead. Always consult a vet before switching methods.
Step-by-step bottle feeding guide
- Prepare the milk replacer: Mix Lactol powder with warm water (not boiling) following the package ratio. Stir until fully dissolved and test the temperature on your wrist—it should feel warm, not hot. Too-hot milk can burn the puppy's mouth; too-cold milk can cause digestive upset.
- Assemble the feeding set: Screw the teat onto the Beaphar Lactol bottle and fill it with the prepared milk. Squeeze a drop onto the teat to ensure flow is steady but not a stream. If milk drips freely without squeezing, the teat hole is too large—replace it.
- Position the puppy correctly: Hold the puppy on its stomach, head slightly elevated, as if nursing from its mother. Never feed a puppy on its back—this can cause milk to enter the lungs. A flat or upside-down position is the most common cause of aspiration pneumonia.
- Offer the bottle: Gently place the teat in the puppy's mouth. Let the puppy suckle at its own rhythm—do not squeeze the bottle to force milk. Pause every 30 seconds to let the puppy swallow and breathe. Forcing milk overwhelms the puppy's swallowing reflex and leads to choking.
- Burp and clean up: After feeding, hold the puppy upright against your shoulder and gently rub its back until it burps. Wash the bottle and teat with hot soapy water immediately. Leftover milk residue breeds bacteria that can cause diarrhea in the next feed.
What you need
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Beaphar Lactol Feeding Set: The Beaphar Lactol Feeding Set contains everything you need to hand rear young animals in one box. You get a purpose-made bottle and teat that fit newborn puppies, so you don't have to improvise with equipment that could cause choking or overfeeding.
Beaphar Lactol Feeding Set
