Best Puppy Milk Replacers (2023 Reviews)

There are times when our pups don’t have a mother dog that can feed them. Even older dogs may require special nutrition to help them recover from certain conditions.

Luckily, milk replacers sold in the market already offer all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help ups and older dogs alike get the nutrition they need.

5 Best Puppy Milk Replacers in 2023

• Best Overall: PetAg Petlac Milk Powder for Puppies
• Runner-Up: Sav a Caf Puppy Milk Replacer
• Pet Parent’s Favorite: Royal Canin Babydog Milk
• Best Goat’s Milk Replacer: PetAg Goat’s Milk Replacer for Puppies
• Best Value: Esbilac Liquid Milk Replacer for Puppies

Best Overall: PetAg Petlac Milk Powder for Puppies

Key Features:

• Minimum fat: 28%
• Maximum fiber: 0.5%
• Maximum moisture: 5%
• Minimum protein: 29%
• 858 kilocalories per kg
• With probiotics and prebiotics
• Contains Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids
• First five ingredients are casein, dicalcium phosphate, dried skim milk, soy protein isolate, and vegetable oil

Newer pups and older dogs that require easily digestible nutrients will surely benefit from PetAg Petlac Milk Powder for Puppies. This milk powder for pups contains probiotics and prebiotics and is already fortified with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

These are what undernourished dogs and pups need to foster proper development.

Rejected and orphaned pups aged six weeks and younger will no longer feel neglected when we feed these this milk replacer.

This can also act as a good transition food for weaning pups. Bother sick and elder adults enjoy this milk replacer that can serve as their supplement food.

Runner-Up: Sav a Caf Puppy Milk Replacer

Key Features:

• Minimum fat: 24%
• Maximum fiber: 0.15%
• Minimum protein: 24%
• Contains Vitamins and Minerals
• First five ingredients are animal fat, dried whey, dried whey product, dried whey protein concentrate, and dried skim milk
• Comes in 2 sizes

If we are after a milk replacer that is high in calories and very nutritious, we can be confident with Sav a Caf Puppy Milk Replacer.

It contains up to 24% protein made solely from milk proteins. This is perfect if our aim is to help our pooch with his muscle development.

The best thing about this milk replacer is that we can use it not only for dogs.

This can also be a great substitute for baby pigs, lambs, and calves needing a nutritious supplement. This is one reason why it is the go-to choice of multi-pet households.

Pet Parent’s Favorite: Royal Canin Babydog Milk

Key Features:

• Protein: 31%
• Fat: 37%
• With DHA and fish oil
• With Vitamins and Minerals
• Suitable for pups up to 2 months

Dog owners with tiny pups would often choose Royal Canin Babydog Milk. One thing that sets this milk replacer apart from other puppy milk in the market is that it contains DHA.

This is perfect if we are after our pup’s brain development, among many others.

This formula is super-tasty, making it the favorite of many pups. This can be a go-to choice for weaning pups.

We can use this for newborn pups to baby dogs up to 2 months of age.

Best Goat’s Milk Replacer: PetAg Goat’s Milk Replacer for Puppies

Key Features:

• Minimum fat: 40%
• Maximum fiber: 0%
• Maximum moisture: 5%
• Minimum protein: 33%
• 900 kilocalories per kg
• Contains Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids
• First five ingredients are casein, dried whey protein concentrate dried whole goat milk powder, dried goat milk protein, soy bean oil
• Comes in 2 sizes

PetAg Goat’s Milk Replacer for Puppies is the best choice if we are after an all-natural milk replacer. It is free from preservatives and very easy to digest. Newborn pups will grow strong and happy with this delicious puppy formula.

It comes enriched with vitamins and minerals, making it the complete meal for pups. Even older dogs having a hard time digesting regular dog food can enjoy this milk replacer thanks to its highly digestible nutrients.

This means we can use it for our senior fur buddy who needs supplemental feeding.

Best Value: Esbilac Liquid Milk Replacer for Puppies

Key Features:

• Protein: 4.5%
• Fat: 6%
• With Vitamins and Minerals
• Sold by cases of 6, 12, and 24

Many pet owners like the Esbilac Liquid Milk Replacer for Puppies for its convenience.

It requires no mixing, making it the perfect choice for pet owners who are always busy and on the go. The formula is highly palatable and very easy to digest.

This is perfect for newborn pups to 6 weeks. This can also be a good supplement for sick dogs who cannot eat and recently had surgery.

This is delicious, gentle on the tummy, and very simple to use which makes it a favorite among pet owners.

Why Should You Buy Puppy Milk Replacers

Not all pups are nursed by their moms after birth. Some are abandoned by their birth mothers while others lose their doggy momma at such a young age. Adopted pups may not have a nursing dog mother present to keep them well-fed.

Milk replacers help puppies and older dogs who require better nutrition can benefit from milk replacers for puppies.

It is true that nothing can replace a mother’s milk. But this can be a good supplement to help canines grow strong and healthy.

Powder vs Liquid Formula: What’s the Difference?

Milk replacers for puppies come in powder and liquid formula. Aside from the convenience that liquid formulas have to offer, the main difference between the 2 lies in their long-term storage.

Powder Formulas

Powder Formulas don’t have any moisture, making them last longer than liquid formulas. This is perfect if the last thing needed is regular trips to the store.

This requires mixing with water and may need a little bit of experimentation in order to find the kind of formulation pups want.

Liquid Formulas

If we don’t like mixing powder formulas, then liquid formulas can be our next option.

But since this already contains water, it spoils easily. This means we need to serve the milk formula and use it all up quickly to avoid spoilage.

Ingredients to Look For When Buying

Before buying any milk replacer for dogs, keep in mind the reason why our canine buddy needs one in the first place.

In general, pups require a milk replacer with some vitamins and minerals, have a balanced amount of fat and carbohydrates, and contain lots of calories, among others.

These will help boost his immunity and musculoskeletal development.

Things to Consider When Buying the Best Puppy Milk Replacer

Balance of Nutrients

A good milk replacer for pups has a well-balanced amount of nutrients. Ideally, it needs up to 30% protein, 40% quality fats, and vitamins and minerals. Note that some dogs prefer watery formulas while others want more fatty formulas.

Calorie-dense Formulas

Milk replacers high in calorie content are perfect for pups and older dogs needing nutrition. This will help them gain the energy they need to grow stronger, happy and satiated.

Vitamins

Certain micronutrients help with promoting growth and health.

It is crucial that we read the labels to see the kinds of vitamins that are included in the formula. Here are some vitamins that are good to have in milk replacers for pups.

• Vitamin A – low levels for good vision, shiny coat, strong nerves and muscles, and healthy skin
• Vitamin B12 – for carbs and protein metabolism, better appetite, functioning nervous system, and appetite
• Vitamin E – for muscle development, call membrane protection, and stronger immune system
• Vitamin D3 – low levels for strong heart muscle and immune system

Minerals

Milk replacers need to have calcium, iron, iodine, zinc, and phosphorus. Essential fatty acids and amino acids are also a must-have. These play a huge role in the proper development of nerves, muscles, and tissues.

Real Ingredients

As much as possible, go for milk replacers with real ingredients and has as few artificial preservatives as possible. For best results, look for the following.

• Animal and vegetable fat
• Egg products
• Dried whey
• Dried whole milk
• Skimmed milk

What to Avoid

• Artificial fillers

Certain types of preservatives are never good for both humans and our canine buddies.

Artificial fillers like additives, colorings, and flavors are not advised since pups still have sensitive digestive systems and developing immune systems. Don’t forget that too much salt and sugar is also not advised.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of milk do you give newborn puppies?

Aside from nursing dogs’ milk, puppy milk formula is the go-to choice for newborn pups.

These are perfect for newborn pups all the way to 6 weeks. These already contain everything they might need to grow into strong and healthy canines.

How do you make homemade puppy milk?

One only needs to mix the following and heat the formula until it reaches room temperature to create homemade puppy milk.

• 1 cup of boiling water
• ½ cup of evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon of Karo syrup or corn oil
• 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt
• 1 drop of pediatric multivitamin
• 2 raw egg yolks

Is puppy milk replacer good for puppies?

Yes. This is since pups need special nutrition. Those who don’t have access to a healthy, nursing mother dog, their owners can simply invest in a milk replacer to helps them grow.

What nutrients do puppies need?

Pups need the following to grow and develop into healthy canines.

• Calorie-dense foods
• Balanced ration of fat, protein, and carbohydrates
• Amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals 

Can adult dogs drink puppy formula?

Yes. Puppy formulas are actually recommended for certain adult canines like the following.

• Pregnant and nursing dogs
• Stressed dogs need highly digestible diet for faster recovery
• Elder dogs who like wet food
• Thin dogs needing calorie-dense food

Conclusion

The best puppy formula contains all the micronutrients and macronutrients needed to help pups and certain older adults get the nutrition they need.

While nothing can replace a mother’s milk, certain circumstances push pet owners to turn to milk replacers.

Thankfully, specially formulated puppy formulas are made available to the market to provide dogs with the very nutrition they need.