FAQs

Our directions for feeding are based on the weight of the animal. It is important that you have an idea of how much your puppy or kitten weighs. It is best if you can obtain a kitchen or postage scale so that you can weigh the animal every three to four days. If a puppy or kitten is overfed, it can lead to intestinal upset problems. Do not let a puppy or kitten nurse until it stops. Watch its belly fill up, but don’t let it become stiff to the touch. A taut or tight belly means they have eaten too much. Break the feedings so you are feeding every 3 to 4 hours through the 24 hour period. Very young or weak animals may need to be fed smaller amounts more often. Be aware of the neonates condition and adjust accordingly.

If one or the other cannot be found, then you can use the alternate for a substitute until you can get the proper formula. However, be aware that if using the puppy for kittens you may need to feed more frequently to meet their energy requirements, and if feeding the kitten formula to puppies, you may want to dilute it slightly to prevent loose stools.

The age at which to begin teaching a kitten or puppy to lap from a dish is dependent upon its ability to stand up over the dish without toppling over.

A few tips for teaching to lap:

• Start each feeding with a session where you dip your fingers into the shallow dish and let the animal lick your finger. Repeat this several times, each time making the animal lean closer to the dish. Every animal is different, but it shouldn't take long for the animal to get the idea. Finish the feeding session with a bottle depending on the amount lapped from the bowl.
• Don't push the animal's nose into the dish. It might inhale the liquid into its lungs which can lead to pneumonia and only stresses the animal, making your task all the more difficult.
• Be patient.

For adult cats and dogs, milk replacers should be fed in small amounts as a treat, not a complete meal, due to possible lactose intolerance. Suggested adult pet feeding amounts are listed on the labels.

From the time after an animal is weaned and is no longer drinking milk, its body starts to lessen the production of lactase. Lactase is the enzyme needed to break down lactose, the simple sugar found in all dairy products.

Milk from a goat is designed by nature to raise a goat kid. Milk that is produced by a queen is designed by nature to feed a puppy or kitten. Tailspring puppy and kitten milk replacers have been formulated to closely match queens' or mothers' milk, as goat milk alone does not have sufficient fat and protein for kittens and puppies. Tailspring ensures the milk replacers meet the protein, fat, vitamins, lactose, and amino acids levels which are required for the proper development of puppies and kittens.

Any change in a puppy's or kitten's diet can cause intestinal upset, even when switching from our liquids to our powders. All diet changes need to be made gradually over the course of 4 or 5 days for best results. Start by mixing ¼ of the new diet with ¾ of the old diet, then move to ½ mixed with ½, then ¼ of the old diet with ¾ of the new diet. After the last step, it should be safe to feed the new diet without upset.

If your animal appears healthy except for loose stools, then decrease the amount being fed or further dilute the formula. Ensure you are leveling the measurements (i.e. a leveled tablespoon and not a heaping tablespoon). You might also try giving an animal probiotic mixed with the milk replacer. If you are unable to stop the diarrhea within 24 to 36 hours, you should take your neonate to the veterinarian. If you have any concerns, take your neonate to the veterinarian.

Not necessarily. Neonates may only have a bowel movement every other day or every second day. It just depends on the animal and diet. However, until it is up on its feet and walking you will need to massage the genital area with a warm wet cotton ball to stimulate it to urinate and defecate. This will imitate the cleaning of the mother's tongue. If it has not had a bowel movement and it looks bloated, you may increase the water in the formula a bit. If concerned, seek your veterinarian's opinion.

Transitions are best done gradually over 4 or 5 days, combining both products. Decrease the amount being fed for a few days to give digestive system a little less to work on. Start by mixing ¼ of the new diet with ¾ of the old diet, then move to ½ mixed with ½, then ¼ of the old diet with ¾ of the new diet. At this point, it should be safe to feed the new diet without upset.

A volume/measure/part is any measuring device you use. It can be a teaspoon, a tablespoon, or even a cup. The idea is that for every one volume/measure/part (teaspoon, tablespoon, cup) of powder you use, you need to mix in two volumes/measures/parts using the same measuring device of water. For example, if you want to make 2 tablespoons of liquid milk replacer, you would mix 1 tablespoon of powder with 2 tablespoons of water. Be sure your measurements are leveled.

Be sure your measurements are leveled. Use room temperature water to mix the powder.

You can mix the powder and water in a few ways:

• Put room temperature water and powder in a sealed container (like a glass jar with a lid) and shake vigorously.
• Use a blender on the "pulse" or “burst” setting. Only blend for a few seconds at a time until the powder is completely disbursed.
• Put room temperature water in a bowl first and mix with a whisk or fork.

The processing procedures for manufacturing each product are slightly different. By virtue of being a powdered product it is never going to mix up to look like the ready-to-feed liquid. For example, regular powdered goat milk never mixes up to quite the same consistency and appearance as the fluid goat milk you buy at the grocery store. A bit of grainy consistency after you have mixed the powder is perfectly normal.

Ideally, use warm tap water for single servings. If needed, it can be microwaved for a few seconds at a time. Do not let it get hot to the touch and be sure you check it on your wrist to make sure it is not too hot or you will burn the neonatal's tongue.

The powdered milk replacers are nitrogen flushed to prevent spoilage. Once they are opened, they are stable at room temperature for up to a month. If you are keeping it longer, it is best to put it in an airtight bag where the air has been evacuated, then freeze. Frozen powdered milk replacer should be stable for up to 6 months.

You may keep the reconstituted powder at room temperature up to 2 hours, and in the refrigerator up to 24 hours. It is best to mix up what you need for every feeding.

It is recommended that you pour the unused liquid into a clean container with a lid and store it for up to 72 hours. Neonates have sensitive stomachs and an undeveloped immune system, so using it beyond that timeframe could result in illness. You may freeze the liquid in single servings (an ice cube tray works well), once frozen remove the milk replacer ice cubes and store in a sealed plastic bag. The liquid will change color when frozen but will change back once it is thawed. Frozen properly, the product is good for 6 weeks. Do not overheat when thawing as you can damage the nutrient content.

The powders and liquid have a faint milky smell.

When you read the Guaranteed Analysis on a can of liquid milk replacer and a pouch of powdered milk replacer, you are reading values for the product in that particular can/pouch. The guarantees for powdered milk replacer are much higher because the numbers listed are without water added. For example, if you look at the values for moisture, you'll notice that the moisture level on the can of ready-to-feed liquid is much higher than on the pouch of powder. Once you have added the two parts of water to the powder, the fat and protein levels will match those in the liquid.

Orders made on our webstore at Tailspring.com are typically shipped within one (1) business day of submission and sent via FedEx Ground. We ship Monday through Friday. Orders placed after 9 a.m. (PST) on Friday will be shipped the following Monday (unless it’s a major holiday weekend, then it will be shipped on Tuesday).The shipment should arrive approximately 5-7 business days after leaving our facility. You will be provided with a confirmation email and a tracking number once the order ships.

If you would like to cancel your order from our webstore, please contact us at orders@tailspring.com or 1 (855) 601-1376. If the order has already left our facility, the cost of shipping the product back is the responsibility of the customer, and we will refund the value of the order to the same payment method within seven (7) days upon arrival of the unopened product.

We strive to deliver only the highest quality nutrition for your pet. If our product is not satisfactory or you find an issue with it, we would very much like to know about it. We will replace any product that is not satisfactory and will consider a monetary refund on a case-by-case basis. Please follow the process below:

Contact us at hello@tailspring.com or at 1 (855) 601-1376

To help us investigate, be ready to provide as much of the following information as possible:

• Product name
• Lot code #
• Location of purchase
• Date on which you experienced this concern
• Brief description of why you were not satisfied with the product
• Your shipping address & phone number
• Be prepared to provide your shipping receipt or invoice

Product replacements will be processed within approximately seven (7) business days via a free online coupon code and eligible refunds within thirty (30) days of receiving your product shipment. Refunds are limited to the cost of the eligible product and will be credited back to the same payment method used to make the original purchase on our webstore.

Depending on the nature of the issue we may request the product to be returned to us for evaluation. In these cases, we will provide a self-addressed shipping container and a full refund or product replacement. We reserve the right to deny any replacement or refund if we believe the return or refund is not made in good faith. The Return Policy is subject to change without notice.

If you purchased your Tailspring product from a third-party online store, distributor or retail outlet other than tailspring.com, please go to the original purchase location to request returns or exchanges.