How to Tell if Your Dog Is Producing Enough Milk

Newborn puppies depend on their mother's milk for nutrition and early immunity, yet some dams simply don't produce enough. You can judge supply by the puppies' round, content bellies, the dam's full and slightly sagging breasts, her calm willingness to nurse, and whether milk can be expressed by hand. When supply runs short, warm compresses, gentle udder massage, and a protein-rich diet help stimulate lactation, though mastitis requires a vet.