Puppy milk will ensure your little pup grows up as strong and healthy as they can be. Serving it to your pup before they start on some tasty and nutritious puppy food will significantly influence their development and ensure they get a head start in life, which is just what every pet owner could hope for.
Every milk is enriched with vitamins and vital nutrients essential to their growth, mimicking what would be provided from their mother's milk. That's why orphaned puppies must have a milk replacement to attain all the minerals and vitamins they require before moving on to more solid foods. Some puppy milk can be used as a supplement to complement your pooch's daily wet or dry puppy food intake to ensure they consume a nutritionally balanced diet.
The best puppy milk at a glance:
• Editor's choice: Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk - View on Amazon UK
• Best puppy milk with nutritional supplement: Petlife Welpi Milk Replacer - View on Amazon UK
• Best puppy milk for newborns: Royal Canin Baby Dog Powdered Milk - View on Amazon UK
• Best for orphaned puppies: Royal Canin Puppy Protech Puppy Milk - View on Amazon UK
From powders to cartons, there are a few options to choose from when it comes to puppy milk formulas, so that's why we've rounded up our favourites below to help you make your decision.
Best puppy milk
Best overall puppy milk

Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk works as a suitable replacement for dog breast milk. The formula is easy to digest and filled with minerals and vitamins to help support your puppy's growth and development. It is ideal for newborn pups and orphans and can be given to sick dogs to build up their strength or to wean puppies. It's made with easily digested whey products and closely resembles a mother's milk. It comes in powder form, which you add to warm water in order to mix. It can be easily fed using a bottle or syringe or mixed into wet food during weaning.
A customer comments that Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk was recommended by her vet and points out that it's good value for money. Also, it "can be stored in the fridge, so no waste." Also, the milk is superb at strenghtening lactating mothers, as a dog owner says, "it’s helped mum to get her condition and her coat back as she was certainly depleted from feeding."
Pros
- Good value for money
- Can be mixed easily with warm water
- Closely resembles a mother’s milk
- Ideal for newborns, orphans, sick dogs and weaning puppies
- Recommended by vets
- Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals
- Helps strengthen and restore lactating mothers
Cons
- Make sure to seal it well to ensure it stays fresh
Pack size: | 2kg |
Best puppy milk with nutritional supplement

The Petlife Welpi Milk Replacer and Nutritional Supplement for Dogs is suitable to give at any age as a supplement to accompany meals. It is similar to their mother's milk and can help to build natural defences and maintain good digestive health. Welpi is a good milk replacement for puppies and nursing dogs, as well as convalescing and ageing dogs.
It comes in powder form, and customers highly praise it for mixing smoothly and being extremely good quality, albeit a little expensive. It has some added fats, vitamins and minerals, which provide a valuable source of nutrients to weak dogs and pups who are being hand-reared. For breeds who are susceptible to sensitive digestion, such as pugs, owners say this formula does not cause any upset: "I’ve not observed any vomiting or constipation, and she loves it."
Pros
- Ideal for puppies, nursing, convalescing and ageing dogs
- Nutritious formula with added fats, vitamins and minerals
- Supports natural defences and digestive health
- Closely resembles a mother’s milk
- Mixes smoothly and easily
- Gentle on sensitive stomachs
Cons
- Some reviewers have reported the tub has a strong smell
Pack size: | 2kg |
Best puppy milk for newborns

Suitable to use from birth, this Royal Canin Baby Dog Powdered Milk is formulated for a puppy's first few months. It mimics the mother's milk, is DHA enriched, and is easy to prepare. As the puppy's nervous system develops after birth, the DHA in maternal milk helps support cognitive function, so this powder formula is an excellent choice for newborns. This formula is made with easy-to-digest proteins and has a lactose level similar to a mother’s milk. It’s gentle on a puppy’s stomach because it contains no starch, and added prebiotics (fructo-oligosaccharides) help support healthy digestion.
Customers comment that Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk is very good quality and closely resembles natural mother's milk. Having tried other products, this formula had a much better consistency and didn't smell overly sweet. Another bonus is that a bottle and accessories come with the powdered milk, on which a customer says: "Very easy to make up and the bottle and teets were very handy."
Pros
- Suitable from birth, mimics mother’s milk
- Enriched with DHA to support brain development
- Easy to prepare and mix
- Made with easily digestible proteins and no starch
- Supports healthy digestion with added prebiotics
- High-quality formula with a natural consistency and mild scent
- Comes with a bottle and accessories for convenient feeding
Cons
- Instruction leaflet could be more detailed
Pack size: | 400g, 2kg |
Best puppy milk for orphaned puppies

Royal Canin Puppy Protech is the best milk for orphaned puppies or pups that can't feed off their mother because it closely mimics a mother’s milk. Crucially, it provides essential antibodies for protection and strong growth. Colostrum is the first milk produced by a mother after giving birth, and it is essential for newborn puppies. It is rich in antibodies, which help protect them from infections and diseases while their immune system is still developing. So, this formula is packed with energy, protein and easy-to-digest nutrients to support healthy development. With a lactose level similar to natural milk and added prebiotics for good digestion, it’s gentle on a puppy’s stomach and helps build a strong immune system.
Several customer reviews comment that they chose this product because it contains colostrum; as a review notes, it's "a massive benefit to newborns who can't feed off mum/need a little extra help." Because it's an intensive formula, it may appear a bit thicker than other puppy milks.
Pros
- Contains ultra-digestible proteins
- Very close to a dog's breast milk
Cons
- Some thought the formulation was quite thick
Pack size: | 300g |
Best puppy milk carton

If you're looking for convenient puppy milk that's already in liquid form, Toplife Formula Puppy Milk is a great option. It can be purchased in a two or six-pack. Each carton contains highly digestible goat's milk and includes vitamins C and E for immune system support. As it is already a liquid, you don't have to worry about measuring out the powdered formula to be convenient for both you and your pup.
Buying puppy milk in this form is not the best value for money, but it's great if you run out of milk or if you're travelling.
Pros
- Ready-to-use liquid formula, no mixing required
- Made with highly digestible goat’s milk
- Contains vitamins C and E for immune support
- Convenient for travel or emergencies
- Available in two or six-pack options
Cons
- Short shelf life and a more expensive way of feeding a puppy
Pack size: | 2x 200ml (6 x 200ml also available) |
Best goat's milk powder for puppies

Buddy & Lola Goats Milk Powder is a highly nutritious and easily digestible supplement for puppies, packed with essential nutrients to support overall health and strengthen the immune system. The powder mixes effortlessly with water, creating a delicious drink that encourages hydration, making it a great option for puppies who may not be drinking enough.
For pups with sensitive stomachs or lactose intolerance, this goat’s milk powder is a gentle alternative to cow’s milk. It’s easy to digest and won’t cause discomfort. Several customer reviews have commented on this goat's milk's soothing effect on upset tummies. A customer says: "Purchased as my dog has had a bad tummy. He loved the milk and it has helped to settle his tum."
Beyond digestion, it’s also rich in vital vitamins and minerals like calcium for strong bones, iron for healthy blood, and zinc for balanced hormones—helping your puppy grow strong from the inside out.
A healthy coat starts with the right nutrition, and this formula is packed with essential fatty acids that nourish the skin and promote a soft, glossy coat. It also provides a natural way to support healthy weight gain in underweight puppies, offering a nutrient-dense source of nourishment.
Although it is a more expensive product than others, it is of top quality and an option for puppies and dogs that cannot digest cow's milk. Plus, it’s ethically sourced from free-roaming goats in the UK, France, and Spain, ensuring high-quality and responsible farming practices.
Pros
- Highly nutritious and supports overall health
- Strengthens the immune system
- Mixes easily with water for a hydrating drink
- Gentle on sensitive stomachs and helps settle digestion
- Rich in essential vitamins and minerals for strong growth
- Promotes a healthy coat with essential fatty acids
- Aids healthy weight gain in underweight puppies
- Ethically sourced from free-roaming goats
Cons
- More expensive than other puppy milk powders
Pack size: | 120g |
How we chose the best puppy milk
All of these puppy milk products have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered quality, nutrition and vets-recommendation in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching the best puppy milk to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
Best puppy milk FAQs
What kind of milk can you give a puppy?
Cows milk and other dairy sources can cause undesirable effects on a puppy's delicate digestive system. Commercial puppy milk replacements are better than cow's milk for puppies. That is because the milk from a dog is richer in calories and essential proteins. It is also much easier for puppies to digest than dairy sources.
Do puppies need puppy milk after 8 weeks?
According to the RSPCA, puppies naturally wean off their mother's milk around eight to twelve weeks. However, weaning is typically completed when a puppy is roughly between six and seven weeks old.
Once weaning is done, puppies finally cease drinking their mother's milk and can move on to eating the dry or wet puppy food of your choosing.
How do you make homemade puppy milk?
Sometimes, mother dogs are unable to produce enough milk, or they have a health problem that prevents them from feeding their pups. Making a homemade puppy milk replacer is only for temporary use until a commercial milk replacer can be obtained:
We've listed the ingredients you'll need and some guidance on how to make it below, but for more details, take a look at the full instructions.
A homemade milk replacer for two puppies:
1/2 cup (120ml) cow's or goat's milk
1/2 cup (120ml) water
Two to four egg yolks
One to two teaspoons vegetable oil
1,000mg calcium carbonate, if available
Instructions:
Blend and warm to 95-100°F (approx. 35-40°C). Then refrigerate between uses. Discard any unused milk replacer 24 hours after mixing.
Check out our ultimate 'what to buy your new puppy' checklist for more advice and guidance.
Ellen Kinsey was a Senior Health and Wellness Product Writer and has been a part of Bauer Media since 2020. She has left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.