Esbilac 5 lb at a glance
| Product | PetAg Esbilac® Puppy Milk Replacer Powder, 5 lb |
| Manufacturer | PetAg, Inc. |
| Form | Powder. The same formula PetAg sells in 12 oz and 28 oz cans. |
| Best for | Breeders, kennels, rescues and anyone hand-raising more than one litter |
| For | Puppies newborn to 6 weeks; supplement for weaned puppies, pregnant and nursing mothers and adult dogs |
| Mixing | 1 part powder to 2 parts warm water. Mix no more than 24 hours' worth. |
| Puppy feeding rate | 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of mixed formula per 4 oz of body weight daily, every 3 to 4 hours |
| Opened powder | Room temperature up to 2 months, then refrigerated up to 1 more month; or frozen up to 6 months |
| Nutrition | Meets the AAFCO dog nutrient profiles for complete and balanced nutrition. 130,000 CFU of probiotics per gram. |
| Smaller sizes | 12 oz and 28 oz powder, 16 oz ready-to-feed liquid |
Why buy Esbilac in the 5 lb size
A single puppy drinks a few tablespoons of formula a day. A whole litter drinks cups. When you are bottle-feeding or supplementing several puppies, the small cans run out fast. The 5 lb size is the largest Esbilac powder size PetAg lists, and it is the same formula as the 12 oz and 28 oz cans, so your mixing and feeding directions do not change.
It is a good fit for:
- Breeders supplementing large litters or more than one litter at a time
- Kennels that keep milk replacer on hand for every whelping
- Rescues and foster networks raising orphaned puppies
- Owners of nursing mothers who top-dress Esbilac on the dam's food through pregnancy and lactation
If you are feeding one or two puppies for a short time, a 12 oz or 28 oz can will waste less.
How much formula does a litter need?
The label rate for newborn to 6-week-old puppies is 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of mixed formula per 4 oz of body weight per day. Per puppy, that works out to:
| Puppy weight | Formula per puppy per day |
| 4 oz | 2 tbsp (30 mL) |
| 8 oz | 4 tbsp (60 mL) |
| 12 oz | 6 tbsp (90 mL) |
| 16 oz (1 lb) | 8 tbsp (120 mL) |
| 24 oz (1.5 lb) | 12 tbsp (180 mL) |
| 32 oz (2 lb) | 16 tbsp (240 mL) |
For a whole litter, multiply by the number of puppies:
| Litter | Mixed formula per day |
| 6 puppies at 8 oz each | 24 tbsp (360 mL, about 1½ cups) |
| 8 puppies at 12 oz each | 48 tbsp (720 mL, about 3 cups) |
| 10 puppies at 1 lb each | 80 tbsp (1,200 mL, about 5 cups) |
These figures are calculated from the label rate and assume the puppies get all of their nutrition from formula. If they are also nursing, they will need less. Weigh puppies daily and adjust; individual puppies' needs vary. Divide each puppy's daily amount into equal feedings every 3 to 4 hours.
Mixing a day's batch
- Measure 1 part Esbilac powder to 2 parts warm water.
- Whisk or shake until fully dissolved, with no clumps. A shaker bottle works well for larger batches. Do not use a blender.
- Mix no more than the litter will drink in 24 hours.
- Refrigerate the batch and pour off each feeding as you go. Use mixed formula within 24 hours.
- Warm each feeding to room or body temperature before serving.
Storing a 5 lb package after opening
- Unopened: store in a cool, dry place and use before the best-by date stamped on the package.
- Opened, room temperature: up to 2 months.
- Then refrigerated: up to 1 additional month. After that, PetAg recommends no longer using the powder.
- Opened, frozen: up to 6 months to preserve freshness. If you will not use the whole package within about 3 months, freezing part of it is the way to keep it fresh.
- Mixed formula: refrigerate and use within 24 hours.
Supplementing nursing mothers and adult dogs
Esbilac powder can be top-dressed on a normal diet:
| Dog | Daily amount | Example: 50 lb dog |
| Pregnant and nursing mothers | 2 teaspoons (4 g) per 5 lb of body weight | 20 teaspoons (40 g) |
| Weaned puppies and adult dogs | 1 teaspoon (2 g) per 5 lb of body weight | 10 teaspoons (20 g) |
Supplementing a large dam through lactation uses far more powder than feeding a single orphan, which is where the 5 lb size makes sense.
Nutrition
PetAg states that Esbilac powder meets the AAFCO dog nutrient profiles for complete and balanced nutrition, provides a caloric pattern similar to a mother dog's milk in protein, fat and carbohydrates, and contains prebiotics and probiotics: Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Pediococcus acidilactici.
| Guaranteed analysis (powder) | Amount |
| Crude protein, min | 33.0% |
| Crude fat, min | 40.0% |
| Crude fiber, max | 0.5% |
| Moisture, max | 5.0% |
| Probiotics | 130,000 CFU per gram of powder |
| Calories (ME, calculated) | 5,098 kcal/kg; 31.6 kcal per tablespoon of powder; 13.2 kcal per tablespoon reconstituted 1:2 |
Shipping and returns
- The 5 lb size is in our FLAT shipping program. See our shipping policy for details.
- FLAT items ship by UPS Ground or the U.S. Postal Service and usually arrive in 3 to 7 business days. No cold shipping is needed.
- Returns follow our return policy. Items must be new and in resalable condition. Call 800-979-2869 for a return authorization.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 5 lb Esbilac the same formula as the 12 oz and 28 oz cans?
Yes. PetAg sells Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer Powder in 12 oz, 28 oz and 5 lb sizes. The mixing and feeding directions are the same for all three.
How long will an opened 5 lb package of Esbilac keep?
Up to 2 months at room temperature, then up to 1 more month in the refrigerator. Opened powder can also be frozen for up to 6 months. Never use it past the best-by date.
Can I freeze Esbilac powder?
Yes. PetAg says opened powder can be frozen for up to 6 months to preserve freshness.
How much Esbilac does a litter need per day?
Each puppy needs 2 tablespoons of mixed formula per 4 oz of body weight per day. For example, 6 puppies at 8 oz each need about 24 tablespoons (1½ cups) a day if they get all their nutrition from formula.
How do I mix a batch for the whole litter?
Whisk or shake 1 part powder into 2 parts warm water, mixing no more than the litter will drink in 24 hours. Do not use a blender. Refrigerate the batch and warm each feeding before serving.
How often should I feed the puppies?
PetAg's directions say every 3 to 4 hours, dividing each puppy's daily amount into equal feedings. Weigh puppies daily to make sure they are growing. Ask your veterinarian about tube feeding or puppies that won't nurse from a bottle.
Can I top-dress Esbilac on a nursing mother's food?
Yes. The label amount for pregnant and nursing mothers is 2 teaspoons (4 g) of powder per 5 lb of body weight daily, sprinkled on a normal diet.
Can weaned puppies and adult dogs have Esbilac?
Yes, as a supplement: 1 teaspoon (2 g) of powder per 5 lb of body weight daily, top-dressed on a normal diet.
Does Esbilac powder contain probiotics?
Yes. PetAg lists 130,000 colony forming units per gram of powder from seven probiotic strains, along with the prebiotic fructooligosaccharide.
How many calories are in Esbilac powder?
5,098 kcal/kg, which is 31.6 kcal per tablespoon of powder or 13.2 kcal per tablespoon after mixing 1:2 with water.
Does Esbilac replace colostrum?
No. Esbilac does not contain colostrum. PetAg recommends that puppies nurse from their mother for at least the first 2 days if possible.
Can I use Esbilac for kittens or other animals?
No. PetAg says its formulas are made for each species and are not interchangeable. Esbilac is for dogs.
Does the 5 lb size need cold shipping?
No. It ships by UPS Ground or the U.S. Postal Service under our FLAT shipping program and usually arrives in 3 to 7 business days.
Why buy Esbilac 5 lb from A to Z Vet Supply
- Every Esbilac size. The 5 lb bulk powder here, and 12 oz and 28 oz powder and 16 oz ready-to-feed liquid on their own page.
- A goat's milk formula, too. For puppies with sensitive digestive systems, see Esbilac Goat's Milk in 150 g, 12 oz and 5 lb powder and a 16 oz ready-to-feed liquid.
- Supplies for the whole whelping. Add PetAg nursing bottles to the same order.
- Real people on the phone. Call 800-979-2869, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Central.
- Based in Dresden, Tennessee. Our address is 9876 Hwy. 22, Dresden, TN 38225.
Label information
Esbilac powder directions, storage and ingredients, as published by PetAg:
Mixing directions: Whisk or shake 1 part powdered Esbilac into 2 parts warm water. Do not mix more Esbilac than can be consumed in 24 hours. Do not use a blender.
Directions for feeding: Esbilac can be fed as a complete diet for puppies up to 6 weeks old or as a nutritional supplement for weaned puppies, pregnant and nursing mothers, and adult dogs. Consult your veterinarian for additional advice. Not for human consumption.
Newborn to 6-week-old puppies: Feed puppies 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of reconstituted Esbilac per 4 ounces (115 g) of body weight daily. Puppies should be fed every 3-4 hours. The daily feeding amount should be divided into equal portions for each feeding. Individual puppies' needs may vary. Warm reconstituted Esbilac to room or body temperature before serving.
Pregnant and nursing mothers: Supplement 2 teaspoons (4 g) Esbilac powder per 5 lb (2.2 kg) body weight daily as a top dress onto a normal diet.
Weaned puppies and adult dogs: Supplement 1 teaspoon (2 g) Esbilac powder per 5 lb (2.2 kg) body weight daily as a top dress onto a normal diet.
Storage: Unopened container should be stored in a cool, dry place. Opened container can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 months and then must be refrigerated for up to 1 additional month. Opened container can be frozen for up to 6 months to preserve freshness. Use product before best by date stamped on container. Reconstituted liquid must be kept refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
Ingredients: Vegetable oil (with tocopherols and ascorbyl palmitate (preservatives), rosemary extract), casein, dried whey protein concentrate, dried corn syrup, cream, dried skimmed milk, maltodextrins, dicalcium phosphate, mono and diglycerides of edible fats or oils, guar gum, potassium chloride, fructooligosaccharide, powdered cellulose, dextrose, DL-methionine, L-arginine, magnesium sulfate, sodium aluminosilicate, lecithin, calcium silicate, choline chloride, potassium citrate, silicon dioxide, dipotassium phosphate, zinc sulfate, salt, iron amino acid chelate, tricalcium phosphate, taurine, niacin supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement (vitamin A palmitate, modified food starch, maltodextrins, medium chain triglycerides, BHT (a preservative), sucrose, sodium ascorbate (a preservative), silicon dioxide, disodium EDTA and mixed tocopherols (a preservative)), copper proteinate, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, manganese sulfate, vitamin E supplement (vitamin E, silicon dioxide), vitamin D3 supplement (vitamin D3, modified food starch, sucrose, maltodextrins, silicon dioxide), folic acid, calcium iodate, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried L. fermentum fermentation product, dried L. acidophilus fermentation product, dried L. plantarum fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation product, dried Pediococcus acidilactici fermentation product, sodium selenite, vitamin B12 supplement.
This page summarizes the manufacturer's label and published product information. Formulas can change; always read and follow the label on the product you receive, and consult your veterinarian about feeding orphaned or sick puppies.