Premier Pups > Breed Insights > Puppy Feeding 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Raising a Healthy Pup
Published Monday, January 23, 2023 by Elena R.
As a new puppy parent, you may be wondering how much food your furry friend needs to grow up healthy and strong. It's important to feed your puppy the right amount of food to ensure they get the calories and nutrients they need to develop properly.
But how do you know how much to feed your puppy? It can be confusing, especially with so many different types and brands of dog food on the market. In this blog, we'll provide a simple and easy-to-follow guide on how much to feed a puppy based on their size and age.
Feeding your puppy the right amount of food is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. It's not just about making sure they have enough to eat, but also about providing them with the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. By following our tips and guidelines, you can help ensure that your puppy gets the best possible start in life.
Table of Contents
How Much Should I Feed a Puppy Based on His Weight?
The amount of food a puppy needs depends on their size and age. To figure out how much food your puppy needs, you can use their weight as a guide. A good rule of thumb is to feed your puppy about 2% to 3% of their body weight per day, split into two or three meals.
For example, if your puppy weighs 15 pounds, you should feed them about 0.3 to 0.45 pounds of food per day. This is about 4 to 6 ounces of food. You can divide this amount into two or three meals depending on your puppy's age and how much they can eat at once.
It's important to choose a high-quality puppy food that is appropriate for their age and size. Puppy food has more calories and nutrients than adult dog food, which is important for their growing bodies.
Remember to always follow the feeding guidelines on the back of the dog food bag and talk to your veterinarian for specific recommendations. They can help you determine the right amount of food for your puppy based on their size, age, and activity level.
Here are some things you should also keep in mind when you feed your puppy.
- It's important to follow a consistent feeding schedule for your puppy. This helps them get used to a routine and ensures that they are getting the right amount of food at the right times.
- It's okay to switch between different types of puppy food but do it gradually. Mixing the old and new food together and gradually increasing the amount of new food over a week or so can help prevent digestive upset.
- Don't be tempted to overfeed your puppy. While it's important to make sure they are getting enough to eat, it's also important to avoid overfeeding, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.
- Make sure to always have fresh water available for your puppy. They need plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially when they are eating dry puppy food.
RELATED: How Big Will My Puppy Get?
How Much Should I Feed a Puppy Based on His Age
1-3 months old: At this age, puppies are still developing and growing rapidly, so they need a lot of calories and nutrients to support their growth. It's generally recommended to feed puppies at this age about 4 times per day, with each meal consisting of about 2-4 tablespoons of puppy food.
3-6 months old: As your puppy gets older, they will start to slow down a bit in their growth and development. They will still need a lot of calories and nutrients, but they may not need as many as they did when they were younger. It's generally recommended to feed puppies at this age about 3 times per day, with each meal consisting of about 4-6 tablespoons of puppy food.
6-12 months old: By this age, your puppy should be close to their adult size and will not need as many calories and nutrients as they did when they were younger. It's generally recommended to feed puppies at this age about 2 times per day, with each meal consisting of about 6-8 tablespoons of puppy food.
Again, these are just general guidelines, and the actual amount of food your puppy needs may be different. It's always a good idea to follow the feeding guidelines on the back of the dog food bag and talk to your veterinarian for specific recommendations.
RELATED: Week One with A New Puppy: See What to Expect
How Often Should I Feed My Puppy?
A general guideline is to feed puppies several times a day, rather than just once or twice. This is because puppies have small stomachs and can't eat very much at once, so they need to eat more frequently to get the calories and nutrients they need. Here is a rough guide for how often to feed a puppy based on their age:
- 1-3 months old, feed your puppy about 4 times per day
- 3-6 months old, feed your puppy about 3 times per day
- 6-12 months old, feed your puppy about 2 times per day
Remember, every puppy is different and may have different nutritional needs. It's always a good idea to pay attention to your puppy's behavior and overall health and to consult with a veterinarian if you have any concerns. With the right amount and type of food and a consistent feeding schedule, you can help ensure that your puppy grows up healthy and strong.
RELATED: 11 Human Foods You Can Feed Your Dog
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's important to feed your puppy the right amount of food to ensure they get the calories and nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. The amount of food a puppy needs depends on their size and age, with smaller puppies needing to eat more frequently than larger puppies. It's a good idea to follow the feeding guidelines on the back of the dog food bag and talk to your veterinarian for specific recommendations on the right amount and type of food for your puppy.
Remember to choose a high-quality puppy food that is appropriate for their age and size, and to stick to a consistent feeding schedule to help your puppy get used to a routine. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your puppy gets the best possible start in life.
Scroll down to see FAQs about puppy feeding!
Elena R.
About The Author
Elena is a leading expert in the field of dog behavior, care, and training, with over a decade of experience in writing about dogs. As a published writer and lifelong dog enthusiast, Elena currently shares her home with three beloved canine companions. She is dedicated to staying up to date on the latest advancements in dog care and training, ensuring that her articles provide readers with accurate and valuable insights. With her extensive knowledge and passion for all things canine, Elena's contributions to the Premier Pups community offer both expertise and authority on a wide range of dog-related topics.
What To Read Next
How to Treat Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety
Dogs have been around for thousands of years and before they embarked on the long journey to domestication, they lived their entire lives in packs. Members of a pack are always together. They are surrounded by their family 24/7 which means that they hunt, sleep,... Read More
Grooming your Dog at Home Guide
Creating good grooming habits and routines for your dog at home is essential for several reasons and you don’t have to be a professional dog groomer to do it right. By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the... Read More
Frequently Asked Questions
Do puppies need to be fed during the night? It is generally not necessary to feed puppies during the night. Puppies have small stomachs and should be fed several small meals throughout the day rather than one or two large meals. It is important to establish a consistent feeding schedule for your puppy during the day.
What to feed a puppy who won't eat? If your puppy is refusing to eat, try adjusting the temperature of the food, changing the food type, making mealtime more interactive, and checking for health issues. If the problem persists, consult with a veterinarian. You can also try adding some low-sodium chicken broth, or canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to the food
How to schedule puppy feeding? To schedule puppy feeding, it's best to feed them several small meals throughout the day rather than one or two large meals. Establish a consistent feeding schedule and stick to it. It is recommended to feed puppies 3-4 times per day. It's also important to consult with a veterinarian or professional trainer to determine the specific feeding schedule and amount based on your puppy's breed, size, and individual needs.
When should I start feeding my puppy more food? The amount of food your puppy needs will change as they grow and develop. As a general rule, puppies should be fed more food as they reach certain milestones in their growth. Puppies typically require more food as they move from the weaning stage to the growth stage. The growth stage typically lasts until the puppy reaches maturity (around 6-12 months depending on the breed). During this stage, it is important to monitor your puppy's weight and adjust their food intake as necessary.
When should you reduce puppy feeds? As puppies grow, their nutritional needs change and their feeding schedule may need to be adjusted accordingly. As your puppy reaches maturity, typically around 6-12 months of age (depending on the breed), their growth rate will slow down, and their food intake should be reduced to maintain a healthy weight.