Methods and compositions are provided for increasing the feed intake of lactating animals. Incorporation of sodium sulfate decahydrate (glauber salts) into animal feed enhances the feed intake of lactating animals. Glauber salts are particularly effective as feed intake enhancers when the lactating animals are under heat stress conditions. Lactating animals provided with a diet supplemented with glauber salts in the farrowing crate until weaning show an increase in the average daily feed intake compared to animals without glauber salts in their diet.
