Is it safe to give my dog CBD every day

If you’ve ever wondered whether 3-week-old puppies can drink regular milk, the answer is a clear no. Let me explain with a story from my friend in North Carolina who fostered a litter of abandoned beagle puppies last spring. She thought pouring a bowl of cow’s milk would help them, but within hours, the puppies started showing signs of discomfort—whimpering, diarrhea, and lethargy. It turns out, their tiny bodies aren’t equipped to handle regular milk, and here’s why.

A 3-week-old puppy’s digestive system is specifically designed to process their mother’s milk. This milk contains all the necessary nutrients, antibodies, and fats that support their rapid growth and protect them from infections. Regular cow’s milk, on the other hand, lacks these essential components and is high in lactose, a sugar that most puppies can’t digest properly. The beagle puppies in North Carolina suffered from lactose intolerance, which led to digestive upset. Their vet compared it to giving a human infant a glass of strong coffee—it’s simply not suited to their developing systems. The only safe alternatives are the mother’s milk or a veterinary-recommended puppy formula, which is formulated to match the nutritional needs of young puppies.

If the mother isn’t present, feeding the puppies requires some care. You’ll need to prepare the puppy formula according to the instructions on the package, ensuring it’s warmed to body temperature (test it on the inside of your wrist to avoid burning them). Use a small syringe or a specialized puppy feeding bottle to offer the formula, allowing the puppies to suckle at their own pace. The beagle puppies were hesitant at first, but with patience, they quickly learned to take the bottle. Feed them every 2–3 hours, including during the night, as their small stomachs can’t hold much food at once. It’s messy work—they’ll dribble formula everywhere—so placing a towel under their feeding area will make cleanup easier.

As the puppies grow, you’ll need to start thinking about their long-term health and compliance with local regulations. In most states, puppies require their first set of vaccinations between 6–8 weeks of age, and keeping accurate records is essential since rabies vaccinations are mandatory by law in all states. A nutritious diet during their early weeks helps build a strong immune system, making these vaccinations more effective. Once they’re old enough to go outside (after completing their vaccination schedule), remember to always carry poop bags. Cleaning up after your pet is not only a common courtesy but also a legal requirement in many areas, helping to maintain a positive relationship with your community.

Training and socialization should also start early, even with very young puppies. Speak to them in a calm, positive tone during feeding times, using phrases like “good job” to reinforce good behavior. This helps them associate human interaction with positive experiences, laying the foundation for trust and obedience as they grow. If you live in an apartment, creating a quiet, dedicated space for the puppies to eat and sleep will help minimize disruptions to your neighbors. Keeping their area clean and managing noise levels (like avoiding loud music near their sleeping space) shows respect for shared living environments.

In summary, regular milk is not suitable for 3-week-old puppies. Their delicate digestive systems require either their mother’s milk or a veterinary-approved puppy formula to thrive. By providing the right nutrition, following local regulations, and practicing positive reinforcement from an early age, you’ll help ensure the puppies grow into healthy, well-adjusted dogs. The beagle puppies from North Carolina are now lively, healthy, and well on their way to finding forever homes—proof that the right care in those early weeks makes all the difference.