Bulldogs World

depends on how concentrated the ingredients are. changing the amount of water will change the calorie content per ounce and the ratio of some of the ingredients like calcium and phosphorus for example. Also percentages will be changed. When i worked infant RN use to see babies whose Mom's would double or triple the water in powdered formula to make it go farther--poor weight gain and blood work would be off--babies essentially starving.

It seems everyone who breeds has their own opinion as to what formula or milk replacer is best for pups and as long as the milk replacer is being used as a supplement and pups are actually getting the majority of their milk--and therefore nutrients--from Mom I don't think it really matters what you feed. I, personally, prefer a milk replacer that has been formulated expressly for pups. My reasoning is that the company has spent a great deal of money on research to make a replacer that fulfills the specific needs of the canine baby. I wouldn't feed the puppy replacer to my human baby so why feed human milk replacer to a puppy? Of course the basis for the replacer is either cow's milk or goat's milk--i mean, who is going to milk a dog?--but the essential vits and mins are added as to a canine's need.  Also I think the puppy replacer just agrees with them better--less chance of diarrhea or tummy upsets. So as to your question as which to use--there are many "homemade" formulas based on Carnation milk--my Mother's formula for me which I came across recently and was a million years old LOL was based on Carnation--and dilution can vary according to recipe. The more water, the less rich, the less chance of causing diarrhea. But also the fewer calories. I don't think Carnation on its own provides the necessary vit and min a puppy needs but the pup will fill full and depending on the calorie intake gain weight.

It seems everyone who breeds has their own opinion as to what formula or milk replacer is best for pups and as long as the milk replacer is being used as a supplement and pups are actually getting the majority of their milk--and therefore nutrients--from Mom I don't think it really matters what you feed. I, personally, prefer a milk replacer that has been formulated expressly for pups. My reasoning is that the company has spent a great deal of money on research to make a replacer that fulfills the specific needs of the canine baby. I wouldn't feed the puppy replacer to my human baby so why feed human milk replacer to a puppy? Of course the basis for the replacer is either cow's milk or goat's milk--i mean, who is going to milk a dog?--but the essential vits and mins are added as to a canine's need.  Also I think the puppy replacer just agrees with them better--less chance of diarrhea or tummy upsets. So as to your question as which to use--there are many "homemade" formulas based on Carnation milk--my Mother's formula for me which I came across recently and was a million years old LOL was based on Carnation--and dilution can vary according to recipe. The more water, the less rich, the less chance of causing diarrhea. But also the fewer calories. I don't think Carnation on its own provides the necessary vit and min a puppy needs but the pup will fill full and depending on the calorie intake gain weight.