How many times should a puppy eat a day

Puppy Feeding Fundamentals

Walk down the dog food aisle of any large pet-supply store, or peruse the shelves at a boutique pet-food shop, and you can quickly become overwhelmed. This is especially true for puppy owners, and probably even more so for first-time puppy owners. When did it get so complicated? Back in the day, dog food options were far more limited, and even responsible dog owners didnt worry too much about what went into their dogs dish.

The process may now be somewhat more involved, but thats a good thing. Higher quality ingredients with better sourcing and specialized diet formulas lead to overall better health for our puppies. And every bit as important as what to feed your puppy is having an understanding of his special nutritional needs.

All puppies are different, so if you have any concerns or questions about your puppys food, feeding schedule, or nutritional health, always consult your breeder or veterinarianthats what theyre there for.

Many puppy owners wonder, How long should I feed puppy food? Here is a general timeline for what your puppy needs at each stage of his first year of life.

Feeding YourPuppy: A First-Year Timeline

• 612 weeks: Growing pups should be fed puppy food, a diet specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs for normal development. Feeding adult food will rob your puppy of important nutrients. Four feedings a day are usually adequate to meet nutritional demands. Large breeds should be fed unmoistened dry food by 9 or 10 weeks; small dogs by 12 or 13 weeks.
• 36 months: Sometime during this period, decrease feedings from four to three a day. A pup should be losing her potbelly and pudginess by 12 weeks. If she is still roly-poly at this age, continue to feed puppy-size portions until body type matures.
• 612 months: Begin feeding twice daily. Spaying or neutering lowers energy requirements slightly; after the procedure, switch from nutrient-rich puppy food to adult maintenance food. Small breeds can make the switch at 7 to 9 months; bigger breeds at 12, 13, even 14 months. Err on the side of caution: Better to be on puppy food a little too long than not long enough.
• After age 1: Most owners feed adult dogs two half-portions a day.

How much food should I give my puppy?

Theres a saying in canine feeding: Watch the dog, not the dish. Body condition, not the amount eaten or left in the bowl, should determine portion sizes. Portion sizes depend on individual metabolism and body type, and nutritional requirements vary from dog to dog. If your puppy occasionally skips a meal or picks at food, dont worry. It could mean she is ready to eliminate a feeding or that you have given her too much, in which case simply reduce the quantity served.

Also, if you are doing treat-based training with your pup, adjust the amount you feed at mealtime accordingly. Whenever training with treats, keep the treat as small as possible.

How often should I feed my puppy?

Like human babies, puppies start out needing many small meals a day, of a food formulated for their special nutritional requirements. Most, but not all, dogs finish meals quickly. To discourage picky habits, feed at regular times in regular amounts and dont leave food down for more than 10 to 20 minutes.

Your breeder will be an excellent source of guidance for both of these questions, as will your vet.

Is it worth it to buy expensive puppy food?

Premium dog food has higher nutritional density, so you can feed your dog less to achieve the same results. Also, premium foods have stable ingredient profiles; the composition of bargain brands can vary from batch to batch.

The major dog-food companies invest heavily in product development and research, constantly upgrading formulas to keep up with their competitors. This means that feeding premium food puts you on the cutting edge of canine nutrition.

Dry food, wet food, or both?

Many pet-food companies have worked with canine-nutrition scientists to develop special formulas for both large- and small-breed puppies.

• Canned foodis the most expensive to feed, and dogs often find it most palatable. Be careful of all-meat claims, though. Your dog should have a complete, balanced diet to fulfill nutritional requirements. Meat alone may not do it.
• Semi-moist foodis available in one-serving packets. It is usually made to look like hamburger.
• Kibbleis the most economical, and the major makers offer a complete and balanced diet for dogs of all sizes and ages. Dry food can be fed exactly as it comes from the bag.

Some dog owners say there is an oral-hygiene advantage in hard kibble because the friction produced helps to keep the gums and teeth healthy. Kibble can be moistened, either with water or canned food. Although unnecessary, that addition may make food tastier.

Food for Big Puppies & Little Puppies

There are differences between the nutritional needs of small-breed and large-breed dogs, and that is especially true for puppies. Adult dogs who weigh less than 20 pounds are considered small-breed dogs. These puppies grow quickly and may reach adulthood by 9 months. Large-breed puppies (20 pounds and up), grow more slowlyit takes anywhere from 15 to 24 months to reach full size and maturity.

Chart Your Puppys Weight and Growth

• There are growth-and-weight charts available in print and online. Weigh the puppy weekly and record his progress, comparing him to breed-appropriate weight charts. Adjust his food intake to achieve an average rate of growth.
• Weighing a dog, even a squirming puppy, is easy. Just weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the puppy. Subtract the differencethats the puppys weight. Voila!
• Dont worry about an ounce or two either way; no two dogs, even within breeds, are built exactly alike.
• A young dog carrying too much weight has an increased risk of orthopedic problems, due to stress on immature joints. Obesity can also lead to diabetes, diseases of the heart and other organs, and general lethargy.

My puppy is begging! Should I feed him people food or table scraps?

One little French fry will invariably lead to another, and another. Before long, an obese dog will be crowding you off the love seat. Also, a steady diet of table scraps can create a nutritional imbalance, and certain ingredients and spices in your favorite dishes can cause upset stomach in dogs.

The pleading gaze of a begging dog can be irresistible. This is no accident. During his long partnership with man, the dog has perfected cunning methods of exploiting the human habit of associating food with affection. In prehistoric times semi-domesticated canines first cultivated human beings as a food provider. As the two species grew closer, dogs modified begging behaviors to maximize results: The more pathetic a dog seemed, the more scraps were tossed his way. Dogs have since refined this approach into a low-risk, high-reward hunting technique.

But dont be fooled: Begging is not an emotional crisis or a test of your love. Its what scientists might call an evolutionary survival strategy, or what the rest of us might call a scam. Allowing your dog to guilt you into overfeeding him, or serving him a steady diet of table scraps in a misguided show of affection, can have harmful or even fatal results.

Puppy Feeding Tidbits

• Feeding your pup the moment you get home may encourage puppy separation anxiety. Play or grooming is a more positive way to say hello.
• When medically necessary, you can purchase canned or dry prescription diets from veterinarians to feed dogs with kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions. These foods should never be fed without a prescription.
• Some vitamin or mineral supplements, when utilized incorrectly (such as extra calcium given to a large-breed dog on a good diet), will do more harm than good.
• Before making a major change in your dogs diet, consult with your veterinarian and, when possible, the breeder. Once the formula is chosen, stick with it. Sudden changes in food may cause digestion problems.
• Small portions of carrot or apple chunks are healthful low-calorie snacks most dogs love.
• Fresh water should be available at all times. During the summer months, consider setting up multiple indoor/outdoor water stations. To avoid a buildup of bacteria, wash the water bowl daily.

How to Switch from Puppy Food to Adult Food

When switching from puppy food to adult food, you should make the switch gradually over a period of a few days. A sudden change in your dogs diet may cause stomach upset. Talk to your veterinarian about the best food for your puppy.

Puppy Feeding Advice

Make sure everyone gets with the program

Your entire household must be committed to your dogs feeding regimen. If theres a soft touch for a handout in your family, your dog will find it and exploit it, thus undoing the good you are trying to do. Keeping a dog trim takes a conscious effort from everyone on your team.

Give a dog a bone? Careful!

Our best advice here is caution. Poultry and pork bones, or cooked bones of any kind, are strictly forbidden. They splinter into shards that can cause choking and serious damage to the dogs mouth, throat, or intestines. Any bone, in fact, once chewed into small pieces, can block the intestines and lead to a nasty bout of constipation, can cause lacerations of the mouth and internal organs, or can lodge in the throat with fatal results. It is important to note that bones have little if any nutritional value.

There are other ways to satisfy a dogs craving to chew. Commercially available chew toys and simulated bones are made for dogs of all sizes.

As the famous food writer M.F.K. Fisher wrote, First we eat. Then we do everything else. This is true for our pups, too.

Need help with your adorable new puppy? Training your dog can be challenging without expert help. Thats why were here to help you virtually, through AKC GoodDog! Helpline. This live telephone service connects you with a professional trainer who will offer unlimited, individualized advice on everything from house-training to behavioral issues.

Puppy Feeding Schedule by Age, Chart + 11 Feeding Tips | Pupford

Establishing a puppy feeding schedule will benefit you and your new pet for months and years to come. Not only will it help you keep on track with how much and how often they are eating, but it can even help avoid picky eating and other potential problem behaviors.

Specifically, how much you need to feed your puppy will depend on their age, breed, weight, and of course, the puppy food you choose to feed them.

DO PUPPIES NEED A FEEDING SCHEDULE?

You may be wondering if you actually need a puppy feeding schedule and the answer, in most cases, is yes. Dogs (and puppies) are creatures of habit and helping them establish a routine with their feeding (and all parts of their life generally) will help them to become more consistent in their potty time.

That in turn, will help make potty training much easier and faster! Who doesnt want that?!

PS- we offer a 100% free and comprehensive online puppy training class, led by YouTubes #1 dog trainer Zak George. You can sign up for free here.

Related Reading: How Much Time Should I Spend With My Puppy?

PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULES BY AGE

While each puppy is different, it can be helpful to get a general idea of a feeding schedule according to your dog's age. The guidelines change by age because as your puppy ages, you will end up feeding him or her less often!

So, let's check out different schedules starting with 8 week old puppies! These breakdowns will help you make sense of how many times you should feed your puppy.

8 WEEK OLD - 12 WEEK OLD PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULE CHART

Once your puppy has been weaned off of their mothers milk (around 8 weeks), you can start feeding them soft or wet puppy foods like canned or dehydrated dog foods (if you aren't sure what that is, read our complete dehydrated dog food guide here). You wont want to start feeding your pup any dry foods until they are at least 9-10 weeks old. If you decide to use hard foods, be sure to soften the food with some water.

At such a young stage in their life, puppies are growing like crazy! In this early stage of their life, youll want to feed them 3-4 times per day. These tiny puppies have just as tiny of stomachs, so smaller meals throughout the day will help their little bodies digest the food!

Below is an example of a puppy feeding chart and schedule for 8-12 week old pups. Not only will this schedule help with creating a feeding routine, but it will help you work on crate and potty training.

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You can also click here to access a free printable version of this puppy feeding chart to stick on your fridge or mirror!

As mentioned above, 8 week old puppies should eat anywhere from 3-4 times per day.

They can stick with that same schedule until they are about 3 months old.

3-6 MONTH OLD PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULE

Once your pup hits 3 months old, you will for sure want to reduce to feeding 3 times per day (if you were doing 4 times at a younger age). By this time your pup should be used to their feeding schedule. Be sure to stay consistent and do your best to feed your pup at the same times each day. The printable schedule above is still applicable for a 3 to 6 month old puppy.

During this stage, your puppy should start becoming less round and start shaping more into a more normal dog figure. If you have any worries that your pup is overweight you should contact your vet.

6-12 MONTH OLD PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULE

Once your pup hits 6 months old you can decrease feeding time to only twice per day. But remember that each pup is different, so monitor their energy levels and stools and find what works best for your pup!

You would want to apply a similar feeding schedule as shown above for the 3-6 months old but just eliminate the lunchtime meal. Also, aim for consistency in your feeding time to help establish a routine in your pups life.

Be sure to work with your vet to determine when to start feeding adult food, as there are many factors that can influence this decision.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU FEED A PUPPY?

When choosing how much to feed a puppy, you should keep a few things in mind.

First, every puppy is different! Factors that can influence how much a puppy should eat can include (but arent limited to) age, breed, current weight status (overweight, underweight, etc.), activity levels, and of course, the food you will be feeding.

Related Reading: How Much Water Should My Dog Drink a Day?

All foods should have feeding guidelines that give you a general range for your pup based on their age and weight. If your pup seems disinterested in their puppy food or leaves too much in the bowl, that may be a sign that your pup is being overfed or it can also be a sign your pup just might not love their food yikes!As you try out any new food, be sure to monitor your pups weight and energy levels in the beginning stages of the transition.

Another thing to remember about your pups caloric intake is that treats shouldnt make up more than 10% of their daily food intake. So that means if you are training your pup (hopefully you are if not, weve got a free class you can sign up for here) you should only use very small-sized treats or rewards as to not overfeed your pup.

Remember, healthy pups that get the right levels of nutrition, are happy pups!

 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering biting, leash walking, potty training & feeding and more! Sign up for free here!  

CAN I "FREE FEED" MY PUPPY?

Although some people choose to free feed their dogs (everyone can make their own decisions, but you knew that right?), we recommend sticking to your puppy feeding schedule for your dog and heres why.

1. Consistent meal times help creates consistent potty times! If your pup is eating at a specific time each day, theyre going to need to go potty at roughly the same time each day. Not only is this a positive routine for your pup, but it will help make potty and crate training SO much easier for you and your pup.
2. Being able to monitor your pups appetite can help you notice any changes that might be caused by health problems. Sometimes when a pup gets sick or contracts some type of disease, their appetite will change. If they are free feeding, it can be difficult to monitor and notice these changes.
3. Meal manners are important for multi-dog homes or if you ever wanna have other pups visit. Whether you have a multi-dog home or not, your dog learning not to be protective of their food is a vital skill for them to possess. If you ever have another dog come to visit (or you visit another dogs home with your pup), youll want your pup to understand how feeding time and boundaries work!
4. Helps to keep away ants, mice, or other unwanted pests. When dog food (like human food) is left out for an extended period of time, it can attract unwanted pests and insects. No one wants that, period.
5. Mealtime can double as training time! One of the best times to train your pup is when they are hungry and therefore more food driven and willing to listen so they can receive that food reward. When giving your dog a meal it can be a great time to practice a sit, leave it, and a whole host of other behaviors.

Although free feeding your pup may not be the end of the world, the benefits above are extremely valuable and will help your dog in so many ways throughout their life.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU FEED A PUPPY?

Similar to the sections above, how often you feed your pup will depend on their age.

With that being said, here's a general breakdown of how often to feed your growing puppy

• 8 weeks old until about 12 weeks old should eat either 3 or 4 times per day Morning, mid-morning, early-afternoon, and evening times
• 3 month old until about 6 months old puppies should eat 3 times per day Morning, lunch, and evening times
• 6 month old puppies (and beyond) can drop down to 2 feedings per day Morning and evening times

While it's not a perfect science, sticking to the outlined feeding frequencies is best for most puppies!

THE BEST PUPPY FEEDING TIMES

Deciding the best time to feed your puppy will largely depend on your specific schedule!

For example, if you won't be around long enough to make sure your pup doesn't have an accident, then you shouldn't feed your puppy at that time. Feeding schedules can and should be adjusted to fit your household's schedules.

Generally speaking though, there are some times that are better than others for feeding puppies.

• Feeding in the morning, as soon as your pup wakes up (but after a potty break)
• Feeding at lunchtime as this is often when you may be home from work and/or eating lunch as well
• Feeding in the evening, preferably 2-3 hours before bedtime to give your puppy enough time to digest all the food and go potty before sleeping for the night

Above all, be consistent! A consistent feeding frequency will lead to more consistent potty breaks, which is VITAL for puppy potty training!

PUPPY FEEDING TIPS

Ready for some extra puppy feeding tips? Here are 11 tips and tricks that will make feeding time more enjoyable and successful for you and your pup!

1. DON'T FREE FEED

Like was mentioned above, free feeding can bring about some unwanted consequences. Those unwanted consequences can include unwanted pests, difficulty in monitoring change in appetite, and more. Decide on a puppy feeding schedule and stick to it. If your dog doesn't eat their food quickly, consider adding a food topper to your dog's mealtime for improved nutrition and taste.

2. INCORPORATE TRAINING AND BEHAVIORS INTO YOUR FEEDING TIME

One of the best times to train your pup is when their food drive is higher, as in when they are hungry. Using their food as an incentive can make your pup more likely to follow through with desired cues/skills.

3. DON'T FEED TABLE SCRAPS

Although this can be extremely tempting, feeding your pup tables scraps can lead to an overtake of calories. Another issue you run into is that your pup will be much more likely to beg while you eat your meals.

It's important to ensure you're feeding proper puppy food that will meet their nutritional needs.

Related Reading: Improving Dog's Gut Health & Digestion

4. MIND THE 10% RULE

The 10% rule states that treats should only make up 10% of your dogs daily caloric intake. Because treats arent a completely balanced meal, overfeeding treats can cause weight gain and ensuing health issues. So be sure to not overdo it with treats, and find one that's a healthy, low-calorie treat.

5. WEIGH YOUR DOG

Weighing your dog frequently can help you keep an eye on sudden changes that may be related to health issues. Even if you weigh once or twice a month, this will help you stay alert to changes in their health and weight. You should also check their body condition score once 4 months or older.

Your puppy's weight and how it compares to their growth is a factor that should be considered!

Related Reading: Obese & Overweight Dogs Guide

6. CLEAN FOOD BOWL FREQUENTLY

Although your dogs bowl may look clean (especially if they lick it clean when they eat), bacteria can easily build up and cause potential problems! Its recommended to wash your pups bowl at least a couple of times a week. I typically just throw mine in the dishwasher whenever Im gonna run a load.

7. ADJUST SEASONALLY (due to exercise)

Depending on where you live, some seasons might constitute more or less exercise. Our play time slows down slightly during Utah winters, so we typically feed a touch less to compensate for the lack of burned calories. Just keep an eye on your pup to know if this is necessary or not.

 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering biting, leash walking, potty training & feeding and more! Sign up for free here! 

8. MEASURE THEIR FOOD

Dog & puppy foods come with feeding guidelines. Instead of just eye-balling what you think a cup is, get an actual measuring cup when scooping out your pups meals. This will help ensure that your little buddy is getting just the right amount of food. Also, if changes need to be made feeding proportions youll know exactly what your baseline was when you make the change! :)

9. STICK TO A SCHEDULE

As was mentioned before, sticking to a feeding schedule will help your pup also maintain a more normal and consistent potty schedule. A consistent potty schedule is good for everyone, especially your floors! ;)

10. CHOOSE YOUR FEEDING SPOT WISELY (easy to clean, not a lot of foot traffic, etc.)

Just like with a puppy feeding schedule, having a consistent feeding spot will help your pup associate that time and location in a positive way. When starting to crate train, many people will feed their pup inside the crate and then continue that habit even once the dog is fully crate and potty trained. The main idea is to stay consistent and to choose a spot thats easy to clean and doesnt get lots of foot traffic.

11. MONITOR STOOLS

Keeping an eye on your pups stools (or poop if you prefer that term) will help you monitor any potential health changes. One of my pups developed a stomach problem that we maybe wouldnt have caught if we werent aware of his poop habits. No need to dissect it or anything like that, just keep an eye on it.

Additional Reading: We break down a comparison of kibble vs dehydrated vs raw dog food here.

USING SLOW FEEDERS TO FEED YOUR DOG

Whether your pup, scarfs down their food in a matter of seconds, and/or you want to find ways to add more mental enrichment into your dog's day, slow feeders are a great addition to your dog's feeding times.

Snuffle mats are great to redirect problem behaviors and redirect them to foraging. You get to encourage your dog's food drive in a way that works their brain. Simply scatter your dog's food throughout the snuffle mat, then let them go to town. When first introducing one of these mats, make sure to keep a lot of the food visible so they know what the point of the mat is.

Enrichment toys like these, are great to use as a slow feeder option as well, as they make your dog work to get the food out of the toy.

Using a slow feeder or puzzle toy also helps to avoid bloat!

Related Reading: My Dog Eats Too Fast! Here's How to Slow Down a Dog Eating

RECAP OF PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULES

Sticking to a consistent feeding schedule will help your puppy to establish routines that will benefit them (and you) as they age! Consistent eating time equals consistent potty time.

While there are recommended best feeding times, frequency, and routines, remember to find what works best for your puppy!

And to make mealtime even better for your dog, sprinkle a meal topper over their food. Spice up your pups meals with Over the Topper Meal Enhancers! It turns your pup's meals from repetitive and boring to exciting and tasty.

Over the Topper Meal Enhancers are made with simple, minimal ingredients, made and sourced in the USA, natural, easy to use, freeze-dried, and rich in protein. Shop Meal Toppers here!

PS- If you missed it earlier, click here for a printable feeding schedule.

 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering biting, leash walking, potty training & feeding and more! Sign up for free here!