How Much and How Often to Feed a Puppy

Key takeaways

• Use a complete puppy food and measure each meal.
• Most puppies need three to four meals at first.
• Shift gradually to two meals as your puppy matures.
• Adjust portions using growth and body condition.
• Ask your veterinarian about large-breed puppy nutrition.

How much should a puppy eat?

Start with the daily amount on the food label for your puppy’s current weight and age. Divide that total into the recommended number of meals rather than serving the full amount at once.

Feeding charts are starting points. Check your puppy’s weight and body condition regularly, then ask your veterinarian whether to adjust the total. Treats and training rewards should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.

• Measure food with a consistent cup or kitchen scale.
• Count treats as part of the daily total.
• Fresh water should always be available.
• Do not add supplements unless your veterinarian recommends them.

Birth to about 8 weeks

Newborn puppies should nurse from their mother whenever possible. If nursing is not possible or a puppy is not thriving, contact a veterinarian promptly for guidance on an appropriate puppy milk replacer and feeding plan.

Weaning usually begins around 3 to 4 weeks. Offer softened, complete puppy food in small meals, gradually reducing added water as the puppy becomes comfortable eating. Most puppies can eat puppy food by 7 to 8 weeks.

• Do not use cow’s milk as a substitute.
• Weaning puppies may need four small meals daily.
• Track weight gain during this rapid-growth stage.

About 8 weeks to 6 months

From about 8 weeks to 3 months, most puppies do well with three to four measured meals a day. Small or very young puppies may need more frequent meals based on veterinary advice.

From 3 to 6 months, many puppies can eat three meals daily. Keep meal times consistent and avoid leaving food out all day, since scheduled feeding makes intake easier to monitor.

• Divide the label’s daily amount among all meals.
• Increase or reduce food gradually as growth and body condition change.
• Use part of the measured meal for training rewards.

About 6 to 12 months and beyond

Most puppies can transition to two meals daily around 6 months. Toy and small breeds may reach adulthood around 9 to 12 months, while medium, large, and giant breeds may continue growing for 12 to 24 months.

Continue a complete growth diet until your veterinarian says your dog is ready for adult food. Large- and giant-breed puppies should eat a food formulated for controlled growth of large dogs.

• Keep feeding twice daily for most older puppies.
• Change foods gradually over about a week.
• Follow your veterinarian’s timing for switching to adult food.

How to tell whether portions are right

A puppy at a healthy weight usually has ribs that are easy to feel under a light fat covering, a visible waist when viewed from above, and an abdominal tuck from the side. You should not need to press firmly to feel the ribs.

Growth is not always smooth, so avoid making large changes based on a single day. Weigh your puppy regularly and discuss the growth trend at routine veterinary visits.

• Reduce extras before sharply cutting balanced meals.
• Increase food cautiously if your veterinarian confirms your puppy is too thin.
• Avoid free-feeding unless your veterinarian advises it.
• Never encourage faster growth in a large-breed puppy.

When to call the vet

• Call your veterinarian if your puppy refuses food, vomits repeatedly, has persistent diarrhea, seems weak or unusually sleepy, has a swollen or painful abdomen, or is not gaining weight. Very young and small puppies can decline quickly, so seek prompt advice if a meal is missed and the puppy seems unwell.

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