Deworming a Nursing Pitbull and Boosting Her Milk Supply: Vet Advice

Is Deworming Safe for a Dog Still Nursing 10-Day-Old Pups?

"Can I deworm my mommy pitbull while she's feeding her 10-day-old puppies? Also, what dog food can I get for her to help her produce more milk?" —Lynet

The Most Suitable Dewormer for a Mother Dog Nursing Puppies

For a dog that is still nursing puppies of that age, pyrantel pamoate, also sold as Nemex, is the safest deworming option. You can find it at pet supply stores or purchase it through Amazon.

When to Start Deworming the Puppies

The puppies will need deworming as well, beginning when they are 2 weeks old. If you buy the liquid form for the mother, the same product can be used for them.

Dietary Options to Support a Nursing Mother

If the mother is producing some milk but not enough, the usual advice is to offer supplemental fresh food during nursing rather than simply increasing dry dog food.

Chicken Skin: When you eat chicken, remove the skin before cooking and give that to her.
Eggs: Feeding a couple of scrambled eggs each day works well, since she is using a lot of protein to produce milk for her puppies.
Plain Pasta: Pasta cooked only in water — no sauce or onions — can provide many nursing dogs with the extra calories they require.

If you prefer to buy dog food for her, choose a product labeled for puppies, as it contains more calories. Bully Max is a brand with more fat and protein than most foods, but if it is not sold where you live or costs more than you want to spend, any puppy-labeled food is a better choice in this situation than adult food.

Ways to Encourage Greater Milk Production

Some dogs simply do not produce enough milk for a large litter. A separate article on helping a dog produce more milk for her puppies includes a recipe for making milk replacer at home.

This article is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from your veterinarian. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.