How do I know if my mother dog has milk? What to Know

Can a mother dog run out of milk?

Puppies usually nurse on their mothers until they are 3 to 5 weeks old. Unfortunately, some dogs run out of milk for their pups before that.

How to tell if a mother dog is producing milk

Can you milk a dog? Actually, yes, and its a helpful tool to see if your dog is producing healthy milk. To ensure your dog is lactating, gently press or draw down on a nipple to produce milk. The mammary glands should feel supple, warm, and soft. Hard or hot nipples may indicate mastitis. The puppies behavior also provides clues about whether the mother is lactating. They should be nursing quietly. If they are cold or crying, they may not be getting enough milk or the mother may have mastitis.

If a mother dog is not producing milk for her puppies it can be due to several potential complications including:

​Mastitis​, an inflammation or infection of the mammary glands, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Signs include swelling of the affected gland, heat, pain and abnormal milk, such as a greenish hue or tinged with blood.

​Agalactica​, insufficient or lack of milk production. If a dog isnt producing enough milk, it could be as simple as a change up of diet or increasing their caloric intake.

​Galactostasis ​in dogs is a collection of unexcreted milk in the mammary gland, resulting in swelling and inflammation.

Any sign that a dog is not lactating normally requires veterinary attention, for the mother and puppies health.

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# Food, food, and lots of food

A nursing momma may need up to three times as much food as normal to make enough milk for her pups! To help her get enough calories, its best to give her four or more smaller meals a day. Get her a dog food made for performance, full of high-quality calories. If you feed raw, make sure your pooch is getting lots of nutrients that are easy to digest during this period. A little bit of weight-loss is normal while your girl is nursing, but a noticeable drop could be a sign that she isnt getting enough food, so keep a close eye on her size.

Nursing takes a lot of moisture from your dog. Make sure that she is replacing her fluids regularly. Dehydration can decrease her milk supply fast. Give her fresh water multiple times throughout the day and make sure her dish is close so she doesnt have to leave the room to have a drink. Her water bowl must always be clean as well.

Certain products can help boost milk supply if your dog seems to be struggling. Milk thistle is one natural supplement known to help nursing mothers with their milk-making. Other dogs benefit from taking zinc while providing for their pups. In small doses, apricot can also increase milk production. Whatever you decide, its always best to run it by your vet before you begin supplementing. A misstep can be disastrous for the many baby dogs that depend on your girl.

Considering milk thistle for your dog? Most pet insurance companies offer wellness add-ons that cover the cost of natural supplements and preventative care. Start shopping around for pet insurance plans today to find the “pawfect” option for your fur-baby.

Mom Dog Has No Milk – What To Do?

Its not only human moms that have to worry about breastfeeding! Lady canines can suffer from the same supply issues as their owners. Especially at those tender early ages, its vital that your poochs pups are getting enough nutrients. And because dog mommies can have over ten babies at a time, a whole bunch of lives depend on that milk being top quality.

Here, we have some ways that you can help your girl produce lots of wonderful milk for her babies. Milk-making is a whole-body task, so it requires more than just what you put into your dog, although that is super important too!