How Much and How Often to Feed Your Puppy
This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian, and last updated by .
New puppy owners often find themselves overwhelmed with the myriad of responsibilities that come with their new pet. One of the most pressing concerns is ensuring their puppy gets the right amount of nutrition.
Feeding a puppy too little can hinder its growth and development, while overfeeding can lead to obesity and health issues. With so many different breeds, sizes, and individual needs, it's easy to feel lost in the maze of feeding guidelines.
In addition, what your puppy eats in the first year of life has a direct effect on their growth, skeletal development and immune system. It also influences their risk of developing obesity later in life.
In this article, we will discuss what to feed your puppy, as well as provide clear and concise guidelines on how much and often to feed your puppy based on age, weight, and activity level, ensuring they grow up healthy and strong.
For info about puppy desexing, diets, worming, and more, check out Dr. Teagan's Complete New Puppy Guide.
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Skip to a section:
The importance of specific nutrition for puppies
How much to feed a puppy
How often to feed a puppy
When to transition to adult food
How to introduce a new food to your puppy
What is the best bowl for a puppy?
What is the best treat for a puppy?
Special considerations
FAQs
The Importance of Puppy Nutrition
Feeding Puppies From Birth To Weaning
Feeding puppies from birth to weaning is a critical stage that sets the foundation for their future health and development. During the first few weeks of life, their mother's milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help puppies grow and develop. It's crucial for newborn puppies to nurse frequently, as their tiny stomachs can only hold a small amount of milk at a time.
For orphaned or supplemented puppies, bottle-feeding is necessary, using a specialised puppy milk replacer like DiVetelact or Wombaroo and following the specific product's guidelines for feeding frequency and quantity based on their age and weight. Daily weight monitoring is essential during this stage, as it helps ensure that puppies are gaining weight steadily, which is a sign of healthy growth.
For more information on feeding puppies from birth through to weaning, read through our Newborn Puppy Care Guide.
Feeding Your Pup After Weaning
Puppies can start being introduced to foods other than their mothers milk from as early as 3 weeks. It is best to start puppies on a wet food diet with a soft, mousse-like texture to make the transition onto solid food easier. When introducing wet food for the first time it is best to mix with your puppy's regular milk. Whenever dry food is first introduced, it is best to soak dry food in warm water, or puppy milk replacer, to allow the kibble to soften and make it easier for pups to eat.
Puppies may be unsure of new foods at first, and will generally not eat sufficient amounts of solid foods to sustain themselves until around 6-8 weeks of age, so puppies will continue to feed off their mother's milk during this time. 6-8 weeks of age is considered the minimum acceptable age for puppies to removed from their mother.
What your puppy eats in the first year of life has a direct effect on their growth, skeletal development and immune system:
Overfeeding nutrients can lead to obesity, joint problems, and skeletal abnormalities such as hip dysplasia.
Underfeeding can lead to malnourishment, stunted growth, weak bones, poor immune system, and developmental problems.
Premium puppy food has the optimal balance of energy, protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus to help your puppy grow and develop at the right rate. It is also highly digestible which is good for a sensitive stomach. Depending on your puppy's breed and size they will need to stay on puppy food from 10 to 24 months of age.
Check out our Vet's recommended foods for different breed sizes in our Best Puppy Food Guide.
What is the difference between 'puppy' and 'adult dog' food?
Puppy diets are specifically formulated with a higher concentration of protein, fat, and energy than 'adult dog' varieties, to support rapid growth. They also have higher levels of calcium and phosphorus, although these nutrients are lower for large breed pups to reduce the risk of skeletal abnormalities.
1. Energy needs are greater for puppies, as they are growing every day. This means that calorie content is higher in puppy food. The optimal calorie content for your puppy varies based on breed, size, and activity level - for instance, large breed puppy food contains a lower calorie content than small breed puppy food to ensure a slower, steadier growth rate that allows their larger bones to develop properly.
2. Protein is also higher in puppy food. A puppy's need for protein is highest immediately after weaning, and decreases slowly after this. AAFCO recommends puppy food contain a minimum of 22.5% crude protein on a dry matter basis, or 56.3 grams per 1000kcal, whereas adult dogs only require a minimum of 18% on a dry matter basis, or 45 grams per 1000kcal.1
3. Fat is also higher in puppy food than adult food. Fat is a source of essential fatty acids and is a concentrated source of energy, although too much can lead to obesity and developmental orthopaedic disease. AAFCO recommends puppy food contain a minimum of 8.5% crude fat on a dry matter basis, or 21.3 grams per 1000kcal, whereas adult dogs only require a minimum of 5.5% on a dry matter basis, or 13.8 grams per 1000kcal. Puppies also have a higher requirement of certain fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, EPA and DHA. 1
4. Vitamin & Mineral requirements are different for puppies compared to adults. Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important, and required in higher quantities than adults. However the need for these nutrients differs greatly between large and small breed puppies. Large breed puppies are extremely sensitive to over-feeding calcium and can develop skeletal abnormalities if this occurs. Thus, AAFCO has established a 'minimum' calcium level of 1.2% on a dry matter basis for puppies and 0.5% for adults, as well as a 'maximum' level - large breed puppy food should not exceed 1.8% calcium, whereas small and medium breed puppy food should not exceed 2.5%.
You're probably thinking that calculating exactly how much of each nutrient your puppy needs sounds rather complicated. The good news is, with commercial pet food, the hard work has already been done for you. Every pet diet comes with feeding guidelines printed on the packaging. Read more about this below.
How Much to Feed a Puppy?
Follow the feeding guidelines
When determining how much food to give your little one, it's important to realise that not every puppy food is the same. Different diets can vary in their energy density, bioavailability of ingredients, or water content, which means that you might need to feed more or less than other diets depending on the brand.
This is why it's so important to follow individual feeding guidelines. Every commercial pet diet should have a feeding guideline printed on the packaging, so all you have to do is feed the amount recommended for your puppy's age and expected weight.
What is a feeding guideline?
Feeding guidelines are typically presented as easy-to-read tables printed on the back of pet food. To accommodate for puppies of different breed sizes, the table typically marries up your pet's age with their expected adult weight.
Let's take the following feeding guideline, taken from ADVANCE Medium Puppy Dry Food:
This feeding guideline shows how many cups of dry food per day you should feed, based on how old your puppy is (indicated by the top row) and how heavy they are expected to be as an adult (indicated by the left column). To help show you how this table works, let's look at the following examples:
Example 1: Cavoodle. Let's say your puppy is an 8 week (2 month) old medium sized Cavoodle. You were told by their breeder that their mother and father weighed approximately 10kg, so you are expecting them to weigh the same. Based on this table, your puppy should have 1 cup per day. When they are 6 months old, you should increase this to 1 and 2/3rds per day.
Example 2: Golden Retriever. For another example, let's pretend your puppy is a 16 week (4 month) old female Golden Retriever. You aren't sure about the parents, but know that your puppy is 'average' sized for a female Golden Retriever and your vet has advised they will be around 25kg as an adult. Based on this table, you should be feeding 3 cups per day.
What if I don't know my dog's expected adult weight?
Unfortunately, most feeding guidelines for puppies work off the 'expected weight' they will be as an adult. But in many cases, it is not possible to know this. If your dog was a rescue puppy, an unknown breed mix, or you never saw their parents, it can be very hard to predict what their expected adult weight will be. There are a number of ways you can do this:
1. Look up their breed online. If you know your dog's breed, look up their expected adult weight online. Of course, there is a lot of variation in size within one breed, but at least it is a good place to start.
2. Use a 'dog size' calculator. This is a good option if you don't know your dog's breed. Many dog size calculators are available online, and use your puppy's current weight and age to estimate their full-grown size.
3. Ask your vet for guidance if you still aren't sure, or if you don't know how old your puppy is. Your vet will know how to age your pup, and should be able to give you an estimate of their expected adult weight. (And they can even find out your dog's breed mix with a DNA test if you want!)
What size cup should I use to measure puppy food?
Different dog food brands use different cup sizes.
Most people use 'cups' to measure their dog's food, because weighing food can be tricky - plus, many pet food brands give their feeding guide recommendations based on 'cups per day'. Most feeding guidelines outline how many grams of pet food make up '1 cup' (see the Advance example above!)
However, not every puppy food brand uses the same measuring cup size. Pet stores and veterinary clinics may be able to provide you with a brand specific cup (for example a 'Royal Canin' cup), but of course this can be hard to source.
This means you may need to use kitchen scales to weigh the first 'cup' and determine how many grams this translates to, in order to properly interpret feeding guidelines.
What if I feed a mixture of wet and dry food?
Feeding both wet and dry food is a great idea - it can help keep your dog's diet varied, promotes hydration, and helps keep them interested in the food.
The easiest way to work out how much food your puppy needs if you are feeding both wet and dry is to halve the daily recommended amount of each. Half of each 'recommended' amount for two different diets means you will feed one 'complete' daily meal. This can also be done with other fractions to make it 'one complete daily amount' - for example, 1/3rd wet and 2/3rds dry, or 1/4 wet and 3/4 dry, etc.
How Often to Feed a Puppy
Now that you know what type of food and how much to feed your puppy per day, the question is: how many 'meals per day' should you divide this into?
Due to their small tummies but high metabolic rate, puppies need small meals fed frequently, rather than large meals spaced apart. Big meals in little tummies can result in bloating, slow digestion, and discomfort. As your puppy ages, the number of meals per day can gradually be decreased.
How many times a day should you feed a puppy?
- Weaning to 3 months of age: feed 4 times per day
- 3-6 months of age: feed 3 times per day
- 6-12 months of age: feed twice per day
- 12 months of age onwards: continue feeding twice per day
What time of day should you feed a puppy?
Ideally you should feed your puppy between the hours of 7am and 6pm. Ensuring their final meal is around 6pm means that they will have time to fully digest the food before bedtime, and may also reduce the incidence of nighttime accidents.
Why is a consistent routine important?
A consistent mealtime routine is important for a number of reasons:
1. Digestive health: Regular feeding times aid in digestion and bowel regularity. Small meals fed frequently can help reduce bloating and discomfort that can result from large meals.
2. Mental and behavioural benefits: dogs thrive on routine, and are less likely to suffer from anxiety if they have a stable, consistent schedule. This means that regular predictable mealtimes can help reduce anxiety and problem behaviours.
3. Avoids overfeeding or underfeeding: Staying on top of a consistent mealtime schedule can help you monitor your pup's food intake, and ultimately makes it easier to ensure they receive the correct amount of nutrition per day.
When should I transition my puppy onto adult food?
Typically, pets reach their full growth and should transition onto an 'adult' variety food around the following ages:
| Pet | Approx Fully Grown At |
|---|---|
| Cats | 7-12 months |
| Large Breed Cats (such as Maine Coon) | 12-15 months |
| Small Breed Dogs | 7-12 months |
| Medium Breed Dogs | 10-12 months |
| Large Breed Dogs | 15-18 months |
| Giant Breed Dogs | 18-24 months |
How To Introduce a Puppy to a New Food
When you first bring your puppy home, it is best to start feeding them the food that they were eating at their previous home. Sudden changes in diet can result in tummy upsets leading to diarrhoea or vomiting, and should be avoided if possible.
Once your puppy has settled into their new home, they can be transitioned to the puppy diet of your choice, over a 1 week period.
How to transition your puppy from one diet to another:
Day 1-2: Mix 25% of the new food with 75% of the old food
Day 3-4: Mix 50% of the new food with 50% of the old food
Day 5-6: Mix 75% of the new food with 25% of the old food
Day 7 onwards: 100% new food
Looking for more information? Read our veterinary written article How to introduce a new food to your pet
What is the Best Food Bowl for Puppies?
While it may be tempting to use any old container that you have at home, it is best to invest in a safe, pet approved bowl. This is especially important if you have a puppy in the house as cheap plastic can easily break and can be dangerous if swallowed.
Choosing the right bowl for your pet is more than picking out your favourite colour. Factors like material, design or functionality are important too!
Ceramic Bowls are heavy and offer greater stability than a plastic or stainless steel bowl however be careful not to drop this one! If your pet has a habit of tipping over their bowl or has difficulty keeping it still, this could be the solution you're looking for. Try to avoid purchasing an unglazed ceramic bowl as it is highly porous and will require regular scrubbing to get rid of any nasty bacteria.
Stainless Steel Bowls have earned the title of "vet favourite" as they are easy to keep clean and disinfect. Stainless Steel bowls are sturdy, durable and safe to use around teething pups.
Plastic Bowls are generally a more cost effective option than ceramic or stainless steel. High quality plastic is quite durable however can be difficult to keep clean as scratches from general wear and tear can become a breeding ground for nasty bacteria. It's best to avoid plastic bowls if you have chewing puppies in the house.
Anti Gulp Feeder Bowls have a unique maze-like structure of internal ridges which helps slow down meal time for pups that are natural gluttons. Eating or drinking too quickly can cause painful or improper digestion and may lead to bloat, a life threatening condition.
Interactive Dog Toys: Consider ditching the bowl and go for an interactive toy instead. Toys such as the KONG Wobbler dispense food while providing environmental enrichment, to help keep your pup mentally stimulated and avoid boredom.
What is the Best Puppy Treat?
Treats are a great way to bond with your puppy and are an essential tool in teaching basic obedience and manners.
A good puppy treat should be:
- Delicious! Make sure it's something extra special that your pup doesn't normally eat
- Soft and easy to chew; baby teeth are not as strong as adult teeth, plus teething can make crunchy treats uncomfortable for some pups
- Mild on sensitive little tummies
Check out our Vets recommendations for the Best Puppy Treats.
Special Considerations
There may be some instances where a puppy has unique feeding requirements and the above guidance may not apply. Illnesses, allergies, and infections may change the feeding requirements of your puppy.
Allergies and food sensitivities
Food allergies are responsible for approximately 10% of allergy cases in dogs, ranked third after flea allergy and atopic dermatitis. Food allergies may present as pruritis (severe itching of the skin), and/or gastrointestinal signs such as diarrhoea, flatulence, vomiting and colitis. When a true food allergy is present, the most common causal allergens have been demonstrated to be beef (34% of food allergies), dairy (17%), chicken (15%), wheat (13%), and lamb (14.5%).2
If you are curious if your puppy has a food allergy, read our guide to How to Tell if Your Pet has a Food Allergy, and talk to your vet about completing an elimination diet or swapping to a 'sensitive' puppy food.
Dogs at risk of GDV and Bloat
Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV), also know as 'bloat', refers to a life-threatening condition in which the stomach fills up with gas, fluid, or food, and becomes enlarged and dilated. Large breed puppies with deep chests such as the Great Dane, German Shepherd, and Dobermann are particularly prone to GDV.
Dogs at a high risk of developing GDV, or who have experienced it in the past, may need to be fed slowly, in small portions. No more guzzling big bowls of food in one go! Puzzle feeders and slow feeding bowls can work incredibly well to not only slow down your dog's eating but also keep them occupied.
Read more in our guide to Bloat and GDV in Dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Feed a Puppy with Diarrhoea?
Puppies are very prone to tummy upsets, which may present as loose stool, gas, or vomiting. Causes of an upset stomach are commonly caused by a change in diet, eating raw meat or bones, or dietary indescretion (ie, eating something they shouldn't have!). More serious causes of tummy upsets include bacterial infections, parasites such as hookworm and coccidia, and viruses such as parvovirus.
If your puppy has an upset tummy, you should call your vet for advice. Mild symptoms such as a soft stool or gas might benefit from a strict 'puppy food only' regime for a few days with no raw food, diet changes, or treats, or a bland diet such as poached chicken and white rice, or steamed fish and potato. More serious symptoms such as vomiting, watery diarrhoea, blood in the stool or inappetence require immediate veterinary attention.
Why is my Puppy Not Eating?
There could be several reasons why your puppy is not eating. It's important to first rule out any medical issues by consulting with your veterinarian. Some common reasons for a puppy not eating include:
1. Illness or Pain: If your puppy is sick or in pain, they may lose their appetite. Dental issues, gastrointestinal problems, infections, or other health issues could be the cause.
2. Stress or Anxiety: Changes in environment, routine, or new experiences can cause stress in puppies, leading to a decreased appetite. Loud noises, other pets, or disruptions during meal times can make your puppy reluctant to eat. Read our guide to How to Calm an Anxious Pet for more information.
3. Dislike of the food: Your puppy may not like the food you're offering. Some puppies will cleverly wait and not eat the food that's offered if they learn that something more enticing will be offered - rest assured that if a puppy is healthy and has no underlying health problems, they will eat the food that's offered when they are hungry.
4. Sudden change in diet: Your puppy may have an upset stomach from a sudden change in diet. We recommend feeding your puppy the same food as the breeder or shelter was feeding previously in the first 1-2 weeks while your puppy adjusts to their new environment. Then, you can gradually change their diet if you wish, following the guidelines in our guide to How to Introduce a New Food to Your Pet.
5. Puppy Teething: Puppies go through teething, which can make their gums sore and reduce their interest in eating.
6. Overfeeding: If your puppy is being overfed, they may not be hungry at regular meal times.
If your puppy is not eating, it's best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and get appropriate treatment.
How much water should a puppy drink?
Puppies should have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Water intake varies greatly between different dogs, and is dependent on a number of factors including body size, diet, activity levels, environmental temperature and humidity and individual thirst drive. In general, a range between 20-70mL per kilogram of bodyweight per day is considered average. If you notice your puppy drinking significantly more or less than usual, it's a good idea to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.
Can puppies eat adult dog food?
As described above, puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, so it's crucial to feed them a puppy-specific formula until they reach adulthood. Puppy food is specially formulated to provide the higher levels of nutrients, calories, and protein that growing puppies need for proper development. Adult dog food may not provide these specific requirements, which can lead to deficiencies or excesses that may harm a growing puppy's health.
Further Reading
How Much Should You Feed Your Pet
What is the Best Puppy Food (Wet / Dry / Freeze-Dried)
Raw Dog Food: The Risks & Benefits
References
1. AAFCO METHODS FOR SUBSTANTIATING NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY OF DOG AND CAT FOODS. www.aafco.org. (2012).
2. Mueller, R.S., Olivry, T. & Prélaud, P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals: common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res 12, 9 (2016).
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