How to transition a puppy from 4 to 3 meals

When to Switch a Puppy to 2 Meals a Day

Raising a puppy can be a fun and exciting time. Between training, playing, walking and bonding theres lots to do. Feeding your puppy correctly is a very important part of raising them as its vital for their development and growth.

Theres a lot of information out there about puppy nutrition and it can be overwhelming to know whats correct and whats not. When it comes to choosing a good quality puppy food, weve got you covered and well explain how often to feed them based on their age and when to switch a puppy to 2 meals a day.

Choosing a Good Quality Puppy Food

The first thing that we need to do is choose what to feed our puppies. This is super important as there are lots of food choices out there and not all of them are necessarily good for our pups. Any food that we choose should be approved by AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Their statement will appear on your dogs food label and state what the essential nutrients are. It will also state what life stage the food is for. It ensures that the food is nutritionally complete and balanced which is important for all growing puppies.

Another thing to check is the ingredient list. A long list of unfamiliar ingredients is a potential red flag as the food might contain lots of additives and preservatives. For this reason, the food should have a limited ingredient list and clearly state each ingredient.

The food should contain a good quality protein source (such as chicken, pork or beef) with adequate amounts for a growing puppy. AAFCO-approved food ensures that the food meets the nutritional needs of the pup. This is particularly important for rapidly growing large breed puppies that could be 70lb or more as an adult. They will require more nutrients to promote healthy growth.

There should be no preservatives in your puppys food. You can imagine that these wouldnt be good for us, so why would we feed them to our dogs? Find a food that doesnt contain preservatives.

The food should contain a good quality protein source with adequate amounts for a growing puppy.

How Often Should You Feed Your Puppy

Now that you know what your puppy should be eating, the next question is how often should they be fed. As a general rule, young puppies should be fed three times a day (in some cases even four!) until theyre six months old.

Feeding young puppies regular small meals is important for a few reasons. Firstly, it prevents their tummies from getting overloaded with food and bloated. Their tummies are quite small at this age so its important that we feed them smaller amounts that they can digest easily.

Another reason for feeding regular meals is to prevent your puppy from getting low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is common in young puppies and it can be very dangerous if not corrected quickly. Feeding your puppy high-quality food at regular intervals helps prevent the blood sugar from getting low.

Be sure to feed your puppy at similar times every day. This will help to develop a routine and provide consistency which is important for puppies.

When Can You Switch Your Puppy to 2 Meals a Day?

The common rule is that puppies can switch from three to two meals a day from six months of age. The meals should be 12 hours apart and the change from three to two meals should be gradual. This can be done by reducing the third meal (usually the middle of the day meal) down bit by bit over the course of a week until you leave out the third meal completely.

This is a broad guideline and it wont apply to all pups. It depends on your puppys breed, weight and if there are any underlying conditions. Remember that there are variations amongst all dogs and just like humans, the same guidelines wont suit everyone.

Switching from three to two meals at six months old is likely to be ok for most small breed dogs as they finish growing sooner than large breeds. Large breed pups can continue growing up until 12-16 months of age and for this reason, they might need to continue three times daily feeding until then.

The weight of your puppy might also affect your decision to reduce the feeds. If your puppy is underweight (prominent ribs) it might be a good idea to continue three times daily feeding for a while longer. On the other hand, if your puppy is a bit chubby it might be a good time to reduce the feeds to twice daily from six months of age.

Its a good idea to keep in contact with your veterinarian and seek advice from them if youre unsure. Six months of age might suit some puppies but likewise many will require more regular feeding for a longer period. Every puppy is different!

The meals should be 12 hours apart and the change from three to two meals should be gradual.

What If You Continue to Feed Your Puppy Three Times a Day?

Even though its important to continue three times daily feeding if your puppy requires it, its also vital not to continue this for too long. Feeding them three times daily permanently (unless advised by your veterinarian or canine nutritionist), can lead to them eating too much. Overfeeding can result in obesity which can predispose to diabetes, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. In large breed dogs, it can increase the chance of joint problems e.g. hip dysplasia.

When Can You Walk Your Puppy After Eating?

Whether you feed your puppy three or two times daily, you shouldnt walk them directly after eating. You should wait 2-3 hours after feeding before bringing them for a walk.

This is for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it can be uncomfortable. Imagine exercising with a full stomach of food. It doesnt sound comfortable and its likely to cause a sore tummy for your puppy.

Another more dangerous reason is that exercising with a full stomach can lead to bloat. Bloat is a dilated stomach filled with food, fluid, and air. A bloated stomach can twist which is called a GDV (gastric dilation-volvulus). This is a true emergency and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Large, deep-chested breeds are particularly prone to this condition.

So avoid taking your puppy for walks after theyve eaten and continue this rule into their adulthood.

Whether you feed your puppy three or two times daily, you shouldnt walk them directly after eating.

When Can Puppies Start Eating Adult Food?

This can vary with different puppies but as a general rule, small breed puppies can start eating adult food at 12 months of age. Large breed puppies usually need puppy food between 12-18 months of age depending on their expected weight and breed.

Conclusion

As a general rule, puppies can switch from three times daily feeding to twice daily from six months of age. However, one size doesnt fit all and this is very true when it comes to puppy feeding. Puppy breed, weight, and any underlying health conditions can affect when we reduce their feeding times. Large breeds often need three times daily feeding until theyre 12-16 months of age. Consult with your veterinarian if youre in doubt.

FAQ

How do you transition a puppy from 3 to 2 meals a day?

Gradually reduce their middle meal over the course of a week until you remove it completely.

When should I switch my puppy to eating 2 times a day?

Generally, puppies can switch to 2 times a day from 6 months of age. This wont be the case with all puppies however and will depend on their breed, weight, and any underlying health conditions.

Can I feed my puppy 2 times a day instead of 3?

No, puppies need regular feeding to prevent bloat and low blood sugar. They need feeding 3-4 times daily.

How long do puppies need feeding 3 times a day?

They need 3 times daily feeding until at least 6 months of age, large breeds often need this for much longer.

When to Switch a Puppy to 2 Meals a Day from 3

As you will already know, puppies develop very quickly and need to take on a lot of food at regular intervals to grow healthy. You will have already been feeding your puppy 3 times or more daily, but at what point do you switch a puppy from 3 to 2 meals a day?

Heres what you need to know about daily feeding amounts, with the short answer you came for first. Theres more to get right though so please do read on further.

When to switch puppy to 2 meals a day? You can move to 2 meals a day from 3 with most puppies from 6 months onwards. Prior to this, puppies will need feeding 3 or even 4 times a day to help aid health development. Its also important to keep them on puppy food until theyre at least one year old.

Switching your puppy to 2 meals a day

Read on to find out why you should change to feed your puppy two meals a day, when the best time to do it and how much you should be feeding your puppy twice daily. Ill also talk about when is a good time to change your fur baby from puppy food to adult food.

Why you should feed your puppy twice a day

Once your puppy reaches six months old, you can start feeding them 2 meals a day. For the first six months of your puppys life, hes been burning up calories like mad.

I dont think I need to remind you how active your puppy can be! But, if youre still new to puppy raising, be warned!

With so much growing, walking and playing your little one is naturally using up all his reserves. Which is why puppies are fed more often throughout the day.

By the time they reach six months they generally start to calm down and can be switched to 2 meals a day instead of 3. Im still not convinced by this though after witnessing my own puppy being a ball of fire way beyond six months old.

Having said that, your six-month-old puppy is ready to eat two meals a day. Youll notice hes not growing as fast as he was in his first six months. So, to avoid him becoming a pot belly pup, you need to cut down on his food quantity.

Always follow the guidelines on your puppy food packet to ensure shes getting the right quantity for her age despite cutting down to two meals daily.

If your gut feeling tells you that its not the right time or age to switch your puppy to 2 meals a day, then dont but talk to your vet for an expert opinion.

When are the best times to feed your puppy?

Its a good idea to split the two meals up. Most dog owners choose to feed their puppy in the morning and in the afternoon.

Pet feeding experts recommend giving your puppy their first meal at 7 am in the morning, soon after waking up. You can then take them for their walk or play a game with them. The last meal of the day should be at 5 pm. This is about the maximum time recommended to let them go without eating.

By feeding your puppy at 5 pm you are giving her ample time to digest her food before going to sleep. You can also take her for an evening walk after her meal or play a game of ball.

Another advantage of feeding your puppy at 5 pm is less chances of your puppy making a mess in the middle of the night. Between 5 pm and 7 pm, your puppy will have more than enough opportunities to perform her bathroom routine.

Generally speaking, its not a good idea to feed a puppy late at night, and heres why.

How soon after feeding can I take my puppy walking?

Its essential you dont take your puppy walking directly after feeding them. Always give her at least an hour before walking or playing a game with her. Otherwise, you run the risk of your dog developing an abdominal bloat.

If you do choose to feed your puppy before walking, make sure you wait at least 15 minutes before feeding them on return from your walk.

If your puppy is hot and panting, she needs to calm down before taking in any food. Otherwise, shell gobble her food down and end up with bloat again.

Handy Hint: Heres my guide to feeding dogs before or after exercise, and what the consequences can be if you mess this up.

How much should puppies eat twice a day?

The amount of food you feed your puppy depends on their size and weight. Your dog breed plays a big role in how much your puppy should eat. Some dog breeds are more active than others.

It also depends on whether youre feeding your puppy wet or dry food. The following tips will help you gauge if youre overfeeding or underfeeding your pup:

• Your puppy starts to look a bit chubby. Weigh your puppy regularly. This is easy enough to do. Weigh yourself and then pick up your puppy and weigh both of you together. Find out what is the average weight for your dog breed at different ages and stick to that. Cut down on the quantities when your pup looks chubby or weights more than they should for their age and breed.
• Your puppys ribs are showing: This happens when youre underfeeding your pup. Its fine to feel the ribs but you dont want them sticking out. So, step up the quantities slightly until the ribs are not showing obviously.
• Read the feeding recommendations on the food package. This is the best way to ensure youre giving your dog the right quantity every day. Remember, if the package gives the total quantity per day to split it into two half-meal portions.

Dont let your puppy fool you into thinking shes still hungry after a meal. If your puppy loves to eat, shell try to get you to feed her more with puppy eyes.

This could lead to overfeeding your puppy. Another danger area is begging at the table. You may think your puppy is hungry but in fact, theyre simply hoping to join you in your tasty meal.

Switching from puppy to adult food twice a day

When is the right time to change your pooch from puppy kibble to adult food? Puppy food is full of extra nutrients and calories to meet your puppys growing needs. But as they mature, they need less of the rich stuff.

Handy Hint: Heres the age at which puppies will start to eat solid food and drink water instead of their mothers milk.

Its essential you dont switch your puppy too soon to adult food. Its also just as important you dont keep them on puppy food for too long. This could lead to obesity and other health issues.

Smaller dog breeds mature quicker than larger dog breeds. So, if your little Dachshund is 7 to 10 months old, you can start switching them to adult food.

Large breed dogs should reach 80 pounds before you start switching them to adult food. This can be anywhere between 12 and 16 months.

The switch over from puppy food to adult food should be done gradually. By introducing adult food to your puppys diet over one to two weeks, theyll adjust better and cope with the change with less stress. The gradual process might also help you deal with any problematic begging behavior. If it doesnt heres how to stop your dog begging and barking when you eat.

Once again, follow the feeding guidelines on the dog food package or can to ensure your puppy is getting the right quantities. You can also speak to your vet if youre still unsure about how much to feed your puppy when you move to adult formula.

Conclusion

Your puppy has become firmly part of the family ever since you brought them home at eight weeks old. Its been a joyride, chaotic at times especially when she discovered the pure ecstasy of chewing your favorite shoes.

One of the first items you purchased when you brought your puppy home was her special food bowl. Feeding your puppy correctly may have taken a lot of time researching (and reading articles like this one). You also spent a lot of time actually feeding the hungry pooch.

But there will come a time when you need to switch your puppy to 2 meals a day, and I hope that this guide has helped you make the decision on when that should be.

Other aspects of puppy development

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/golden-retriever-puppy-2706672/