5 wk old boxer puppy

Question
QUESTION: My 5 wk old male boxer puppy was abandoned from his mother early so he is now at home with me and my large female boxer.  He sleeps a lot, eats great, he's playful but he is only 2-3 lbs.  5 out of 9 of his litter mates dies of malnutrition.  Is that an unhealthy weight from my puppy, what can I do to insure his health.  He is currently on puppy formula and food specifically for weaning puppies.  he has a vet appointment in two days but I am worried about my little guy.

ANSWER: I recommend the following homemade formula specifically designed for orphaned puppies (my female just had a litter and not enough milk so I am using this formula to supplement and my puppies are thriving and love it. My runt is now fat)


10 oz. evaporated milk (I said "evaporated") It comes in 12 oz. cans so you can adjust the water accordingly...

3 oz. sterlized water or use bottled water ( with 12 oz. of evap milk I use 6 oz. water)

1 cup PLAIN YOGURT (NO fat free, no skimmed, no flavored) This comes in a 32oz. carton-- I bought Goat's Milk Plain Yogurt)

1teaspoon Kayro syrup (plain clear Kayro syrup- not the one that says "pancake syrup") I use 1 1/2 because I use 12 oz. evap milk and 5-6 ounces water)


Blend the 10-12 ounces of evaporated milk, 3-6 ounces sterlized/bottled water, 1 cup plain unflavored yogurt, and the 1-1 1/2 teaspoons Kayro syrup IN A BLENDER. Blend- do not froth it.

Pour in a container with a tight lid (sterilized-clean container) and keep refrigerated.

What ever baby bottle or pet nurser you use, feed them this homemade formula, and when they start refusing it, and tonguing the nipple out of their mouths-- hold them in your hand and gently pat the back tummy area to burp them- or hold them up to your shoulder/neck area to bump as you would a baby.

Once they've burped, offer them the formula again. Most the time they will continue to feed once burped allowing room for more.

My puppies are thriving on this. When I feed one, I have a bolster pillow I made with a rolled towel that I prop their front legs up on as I feed and they "knead" (I call it "working it") the bolster as they drink. They need this kneading satisfied as they need mom's tit while suckling. My female, Roxxie, is in complete harmony with me and understands I am helping her on her inadequency of milk supply and comes behind the puppy I'm feeding and licks and stimulates their peeing and pooping and waits until the next puppy. It works well!

Boxer babies are born in at a pound and more. They will loose an ounce or so the first 24 hours- after that they gain. They should be fat and round and roly-poly healthy.


This homemade formula is inexpensive compared to canine replacement milk, and MUCH, MUCH healthier supplying EVERYTHING they need to flourish.

When feeding puppy mash: use a all natural (no bi-products, no corn and no corn meal) puppy food soaked in this formula. Mash it thoroughly with fork and spoon until a "mash." The pup will love it and flourish.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your imput and baby blend, I look forward to seeing what he thinks.  :)  The puppy "Ollie" is actually doing good eating food and milk out of a bowl but I guess I am more worried about his weight and if he is way behind in his development.  You stated that they are usually born at 1lb plus so I'm thinking he's pretty behind in his growth. With him starting out so small does he still have a chance to grow to be a regular size boxer or if they start small do they usually stay small?

Answer
Don't feed Ollie any cow's milk. Dogs are lactose (and cats to believe it or not) intolerant. The only milk he can drink is the canine replacement milk which doesn't offer enough vitamins and minerals, proteins and calories, and goat's milk which is fine and recommended, and evaporated milk with the added ingredients.

I DID FORGET TO ADD 1EGG TO THAT RECIPE!!!!THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR PROTEIN!  I'm so glad you commented so I could catch that.

Yes, Ollie has a great chance catching up. I would mix this formula for him and give it to him in a bowl, and I would make his puppy mash out of it and a all natural high protein puppy food. Nothing else.

If he doesn't gain a pound within 2 weeks- get him to a vet.

This is a high protein formula and with a high protein all natural puppy food- he should develop well!