My 4-week-old orphaned puppy is weak. How can I help him gain weight?

I am attaching an article here which will give you detailed information on caring for orphaned puppies: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=576 This includes a recipe for formula, though feeding them a commercial formula made specifically for dogs, such as esbilac, is best. They need feeding every few hours. If you feel like he is very weak, then I would recommend an exam by a veterinarian to be sure there isn't a medical cause for his weakness. They can look him over and be sure he is healthy, and help show you how to feed him and stimulate him to go to the bathroom if that is a problem for him.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor baby! I would have Billy dewormed and a stool checked for parasites. At 7-8 weeks you need to start his puppy vaccines (DHPP). At this time he should eat canned puppy food and you can add puppy formula for a week or 2. I do not think he needs to be bottle fed at 4 weeks. Good luck

Considering the puppy is losing weight and failing to thrive, I would bring him into your local vet for an exam to check for any physical deformities that may be affecting his ability to nurse properly and eat, and for any potential illnesses or issues that could be causing him to not do as well. If he is able to eat with a bottle, I'd also recommend increasing his feedings if he still seems hungry, to try and keep weight on him and get him back up to speed.

I would be concerned that there is a functional issue such as a cleft palate or other problem that is preventing him from being able to suckle, or that may be causing him discomfort. If he is losing weight, unable to suckle and has the symptoms of pneumonia, then it is best to seek out veterinary care immediately as dehydration and lack of nutrition can quickly kill a puppy. Once he has been checked out by a vet, you can return to trying to bottle feed him. Keeping him on his belly may help with aspiration if he has a hard time, however your vet can recommend additional options depending on their exam. Most puppy formulations will also have feeding instructions on the can so you know how much to give and how often (usually every few hours until they are older, and then decreasing as they transition to food around 4-6 weeks of age.)

Puppies get weaned between 4 and 6 weeks, so it is probably just time! I recommend mixing water with canned puppy food (or dry puppy food) to make it really wet and mushy. The puppies will often play in it and then lick it off their paws. Here is a helpful article: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2108&aid=887

If she is only 4 weeks old she needs to be drinking milk replacer formula. https://www.petsworld.in/royal-canin-baby-dog-milk-400-grams.html You can also start offering some wet food: https://www.petsworld.in/royal-canin-starter-mousse-mother-baby-dog-195-gm.html

If she is truly only four weeks old then she probably got separated from her mom a little early. You may have to try some soft canned food or even a little dog milk replacement in order to encourage her to eat. It is very normal for these guys to sleep a lot and play a little and as they get older they will start playing more and more. If it any point she is not eating at all or playing then I would have her checked out by your bed. When she become six weeks old she will need her first set of shots and to be dewormed by your vet as well. I hope this helps!