A Portion-Perfect Guide To Feeding Your Puppy
Every pup parent (and their pup!) knows the obvious link between a pup’s diet and its development. From strong bones and teeth to a well-developed cognitive core and a healthy immune system, the benefits are well-documented.
On the other side of this is poor feeding. And given how easy it is to go from healthy feeding regimen to eating patterns that lead to obesity or imbalanced diets, a right sense of what portion size to serve your pup is needed. An age-appropriate diet would then require you to monitor portion sizes and gradually transition between diets to prevent digestive issues.
Very often, we’ve heard reports from new pup owners who get told by the pet shop that these darlings should be fed twice a day. At least officially, the jury is out on whether this is right or not (we disagree!). Puppies have unique nutritional needs from adult dogs, and knowing the right portion can be challenging for new pup owners.
In this guide, we’ll share pointers on how much you should be feeding your puppy, including age-specific needs, feeding schedules and everything you need to have them fed in the right proportion.
Understanding Puppy Nutritional Needs
Puppies grow fast and need extra care during this period, especially when it comes to nutrition. A diet rich in calories, protein, and essential nutrients goes a long way in meeting this need. The amount of food a puppy needs varies based on several factors:
Age: Puppies require different amounts of food as they grow.
Breed Size: Small, medium, large, and giant breeds have different caloric needs.
Activity Level: More active puppies may require additional calories.
From when you begin weaning them until about 4 to 6 months, pups require twice as many calories per pound as adult dogs, depending on the breed. They also need more nutrients to support their developing bodies.
Over time, we’ve learnt that the first food puppies are introduced to must offer complete and balanced nutrition. This ensures they grow properly, develop strong bones, muscles, and teeth, and maintain healthy vision and a shiny coat.
While growth starts to slow by six months, puppies still need more nutrients than adults. It’s important to continue feeding them puppy food tailored for growth, especially in large and giant breeds. Dogs like ‘Great Danes’ or ‘Saint Bernards’ may not mature until they’re around two years old. These breeds, or any puppy expected to weigh over 70 pounds, should be fed a large-breed-specific puppy formula throughout their growth phase.
General Guidelines for Feeding
As a general rule of thumb, puppies should consume around 5 - 6% of their estimated adult body weight in food daily. For instance, if your puppy weighs 50 lbs as an adult, it should eat approximately 2.5-3 lbs of food per day. This percentage will decrease as the puppy matures; adult dogs typically require only 2-3% of their body weight in food daily.
Nutrition also comes into play in general feeding requirements. By its very nature, puppy food is designed to meet the unique needs of growing dogs. Packed with more calories and nutrients than adult dog food, food gets puppies the essentials — e.g., Vitamins and Minerals to build strong immune systems & healthy bones.
In terms of nutrition, the true mark to help you confirm that puppy food is nutritionally complete and therefore ideal for your puppy is when the food has undergone certification by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Other common qualities of food that is nutritionally complete are:
They include organic and natural ingredients;
Top-quality resources; and
Most of them are human-grade food
Key Nutrients for Puppies
As we know, puppies need key nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Here are some of them outlined below:
Protein: Puppies need extra protein and amino acids to support their rapid growth. While some adult dog foods might have similar protein levels, they often lack the full range of nutrients puppies need.
Fat: High-energy puppies rely on fat as a major energy source. It also helps absorb vital vitamins, which is also why puppy food generally has a higher fat content than adult food.
Calcium: This nutrient strengthens bones and teeth. It's crucial to choose the right calcium levels based on your dog's breed, as large and small breeds have different needs.
Carbohydrates: A great source of energy, carbs help fuel your pup's body while also providing fibre for good digestive health.
Vitamins: The best vitamins for your puppy are fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamins A, D, E and K and water-soluble vitamins C and B-complex.
DHA: An omega-3 fatty acid essential for brain and vision development, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is first found in a mother’s milk but later sourced from diet, usually from fish or fish oil.
Puppy food is said to be "complete" when it contains all nutrients (except water, which should always be available). But to be truly "balanced," these nutrients must also be in the right proportions.
You can tell if a food meets these standards by checking the label for a statement that it offers "complete and balanced nutrition" for growing puppies. While protein, fat, and calcium get a lot of attention, every essential nutrient helps in a puppy's growth. For this reason, missing any key nutrient can negatively affect a puppy's short- and long-term health.
Here’s why getting the ‘right balance’ matters:
Low zinc can weaken your puppy's immune system and lead to skin issues;
Not enough protein can interfere with growth, weaken immunity, and make puppies more vulnerable to illness; and
For large breeds, getting the right balance of calcium and phosphorus is vital. Too much or too little of these minerals can cause skeletal problems.
How much to feed my puppy (6 Months and Younger)
In the first eight weeks of life, let your puppy eat whenever they want. It’s a time of rapid growth, so keeping food available at all times works best. By weeks 10 to 12, switch to three or four meals a day. Make sure you're offering high-quality puppy food that supports their early development.
Don’t stress about how much your puppy eats in one sitting. Instead, focus on the quality. Leave the food out for about 30 minutes, then remove anything left uneaten. As they grow, start feeding two meals a day around the four-to-six-month mark. You'll also notice your puppy losing that chubby belly as they begin to grow into an adult shape. At this point, you can introduce wet food.
How much to feed my puppy (6 Months and Older)
At six months, stick to feeding twice a day—morning and evening. By nine to twelve months, it’s time to transition from puppy food to adult food. Whether you choose kibble or canned food depends on what works best for your puppy. When they reach their first birthday, the switch to adult food should be complete, and you should maintain the twice-a-day routine. Keep an eye on their body condition to make sure they’re getting the right amount of food.
Feeding Chart (by Age and Size)
While different pup breeds come with their feeding requirements, we’ve outlined a rough chart for what is an average feeding schedule based on age and weight factors:
Age (Months)
Small Breeds (up to 30 lbs)
Medium Breeds (30-60 lbs)
Large Breeds (60lbs-100lbs)
Giant Breeds (100+ lbs)
1-2
1/2 - 1 cup
1/2 - 1 1/4 cups
1 - 2 cups
2 - 3 cups
3-4
1/2 - 1 cup
1 - 2 cups
2 - 3 cups
3 - 4 cups
5-6
1 - 1 1/4 cups
2 - 3 cups
3 - 4 cups
4 - 5 cups
7-12
Feed as Adult
Feed as Adult
Feed as Adult
Feed as Adult
N.B.: These amounts are approximate and should be adjusted based on the specific puppy's needs and the recommendations on the food packaging.
Signs of Underfeeding and Overfeeding
Age, breed size, and activity levels are all markers that help you know how much your pup needs to eat. As such, it may be wise to gauge your pup’s needs by keeping an eye on their body condition. By around six months, your puppy’s body should resemble that of a healthy adult dog.
If your puppy seems a bit chubby, they might be overeating. Obesity can sneak up even in young pups, so if your six-month-old looks a little rounder than they should, it’s worth checking with your vet to see if it’s time to adjust their food intake.
On the other hand, if your puppy seems unusually lazy or sluggish, that could also be a sign of overfeeding. While it's normal for puppies to nap a lot, they should be lively when they’re awake. If they aren't, it’s best to rule out health concerns with your vet. If all looks good, it may be time to cut back on their food.
Lastly, if your puppy’s ribs are visible, they may not be eating enough. Ideally, you should be able to feel the ribs easily without seeing them. If the ribs are showing, you’ll want to increase their food to promote healthy growth.
Wrap Up
Feeding your puppy goes beyond stuffing food into their mouths. It requires attentive detail in their unique nutritional needs, which depend on age, breed size, and activity level. When you follow established guidelines and keep a close eye on your puppy's health, you can ensure they receive the right amount of food for healthy growth and development.
If you ever have concerns about your puppy’s diet or health, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian!
