How to Calculate Milk Feeds for Newborn Puppies - Neonate Puppy Care

Milk Feeding Calculation for Puppies

Learn how to calculate the right amount of milk to feed newborn puppies using the 1 mL per 30 g rule. 

How to Calculate Milk Feeds for Newborn Puppies

Knowing exactly how much milk to feed a newborn puppy is vital for their health and survival. Overfeeding can cause bloating and digestive upset, while underfeeding can lead to poor growth or even death.

One of the simplest and most effective methods to determine milk volume is by using the 1 mL per 30 g of body weight per feed guideline. Here’s how it works.

Why Precise Feeding Matters

In the early days, puppies rely entirely on milk for hydration and energy. If mum isn’t able to nurse, a high-quality puppy milk replacer such as those in our Neonate Nutrition supplies must be used and fed via Syringe, Bottle or Tube Feeding.

Newborns can't regulate their own feeding amounts, so you’ll need to monitor closely and calculate their feeds with care.

The 1 mL per 30 g Rule Explained

This guideline is a safe starting point for EACH INDIVIDUAL FEED, not the total daily amount. The stomach, which is just under the ribs should feel full but not distended.

Formula:
1 mL of milk per 30 g of body weight per feed

Examples of Milk Calculations by Weight in the first week of life

Puppy Weight    Milk per Feed    Feeds per Day
90 g                  3 mL                    8–12 feeds
150 g                5 mL                    8–12 feeds
180 g                6 mL                    8–12 feeds
240 g                8 mL                    8–12 feeds

Tip: Weigh puppies daily using an accurate digital kitchen scale. Weight gain should be gradual and consistent (5–10% per day).

Feeding Schedule Guidelines

0–7 days: Feed every 2–3 hours

8–14 days: Every 3 hours

3–4 weeks: Every 4–6 hours

Gradually reduce feeds as you begin to introduce solid food at 3–4 weeks.

Signs of Proper Feeding Volume

• Puppy is content and quiet after feeding
  
• No bloating or discomfort
  
• Steady weight gain
  
• Normal stool consistency

Extra Tips for Feeding Success

• Always warm milk replacer to body temperature (around 38°C)
• Never force milk — let the puppy suck naturally
• Burp puppies gently after feeding
• Toilet puppies before and after each feed.
• Clean feeding tools thoroughly after each use

Final Thougts

Calculating the right amount of milk is essential for newborn puppies’ health and growth. Using the 1 mL per 30 g of body weight per feed rule provides a simple, safe guideline for each feeding. Monitor puppies closely, weigh them daily, and adjust volumes as needed to ensure steady weight gain.