Breeder Question; Is there anything I can safely feed a female with puppies to increase her milk output?

She won't drink water and relies on the canned dog food suppliment for all her needs.
We are hand feeding one pup after loosing 2 others. (She had 5)
Her water is fresh and clean, and measured, so we know she's drinking almost no water.
Can I add a bit of salt safely to her food to get her to drink more water?
Answers:
If she's drinking almost no water she needs to get to the vet to find out what's wrong with her. She also shouldn't be on canned food, which has very little nutrients. She needs to be on a good quality dry dog food, given vitamins and things like cottage cheese, yogurt, some chicken or hamburger and rice. But I'd be seriously concerned about her not drinking - something's wrong!

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I don;t know how to help you, but would def. recommned asking your vet. they can prob. answer this over the phone! Just wanted to say Good Luck!

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think about it.. horses make milk from eating grass, bears make milk from eating fish, goats make milk from eating trees, humans make milk from eating anything. so fead it food with nutrition things in it and the dog will make the milk.

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What kind of dog, how old, first litter? Has she been eating a good quality puppy food for most of her pregnancy?

Is the water close to where her pups are?

If she is not drinking water, she may need to see her vet. She can eat canned and dry puppy food, as these both have enough protein and calcium to help her make milk. You can try adding a bit of low sodium chicken broth to her water, to see if she will drink, but do this very minimally.

I suggest you call her vet, for advice specific to her health considerations.

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If she isnt drinking enough water go see a vet. Canned dog food is bad for the teeth. It increases build up. And no dont add salt. Increased food and water is what produces milk (other way around for weaning time)

This is being a breeder. Some dogs just arent fit mothers. Or some never wanted to be. Hand feed them. I know someone at ended up feeding 6 because they were unfit breeders with a dog that really wasn't being a mother. Its a fact of life.

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1/2 can of beer will kick in her milk production. You also need to be feeding her a quality puppy food. Give her an appropriate proportion twice a day. AT one feeding put a raw egg over her food and at the other feeding put evaporated milk over her food. She will quickly start producing enough milk to help her out.