Bringing home your puppy is an incredibly joyous experience, but you always want to make sure you’re giving them a good start. Diet is essential for puppies since it’s a crucial time in their life when they are growing and developing. You’re really putting building blocks in place for their lifelong health.
Even though your veterinarian will be able to go over puppy nutrition, it’s good to have a guideline. Let’s discuss exactly how much your puppy needs to eat, how long they need to eat puppy food, and what you can do to make sure they thrive.
Puppy Feeding
Your puppy is growing and developing at a rapid rate. Making sure that they have the appropriate levels of protein, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals is absolutely essential to the well-being of your dog. Puppies that don’t get adequate nutrition when they’re young can develop problems later in life.
Being aware of your individual little one’s needs is the first step to providing the proper diet for them at each stage of their development.
Puppies need these nutrients:
- Protein — puppies need the most protein after they are done weaning. Protein percentages will gradually decrease after that. However, protein is essential for building blocks regarding muscle, skin, and fur.
- Carbohydrates — puppies need a plentiful amount of carbohydrates to replenish their glycogen and keep their energy steady.
- Fat — a concentrated energy source that carries fat-soluble vitamins. However, you should monitor the amount because it can lead to developmental issues and obesity down the line.
- Fiber — this helps to regulate your puppy’s digestive system to keep their bodies regular.
- Calcium — helps your pups develop strong bone structures from an early age.
Puppies also need a plentiful number of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help their systems function and muscles grow.
Steer clear of these foods when your puppy is growing:
- Human food — letting your pup eat human food is a bad habit of starting, and it can be inadequate and possibly harmful for your pooch.
- Bones — because of choking hazards, it’s best to avoid raw or cooked bones.
- Rawhides — despite being made for dogs, rawhides are incredibly unhealthy for puppies.
Puppy Feeding Chart (By Weight & Age)
| Age | Weight of Puppy (lb) | Cups per Day |
| Up to 3 Months | 2 to 6.5 | ⅔ to 1⅔ |
| 6.5 to 11 | 1⅔ to 2⅔ | |
| 11 to 22 | 2⅓ to 4 | |
| 3 to 6 Months | 4.5 to 11 | 1 to 1¾ |
| 11 to 15 | 1¾ to 2⅓ | |
| 15 to 26 | 2⅓ to 3 ⅔ | |
| 26 to 33 | 3 ⅔ to 4⅓ | |
| 6 to 12 Months | 9 to 22 | 1 to 2 |
| 22 to 33 | 2 to 2⅔ | |
| 33 to 44 | 2 ⅔ to 3⅓ | |
| 44 to 55 | 3⅓ to 3¾ | |
| 55 to 65 | 3¾ to 4½ |
Source: Rosy and Rocky Pet Supply Co.
How Much and Often to Feed a Puppy
Because of a puppy’s fast metabolism, they need to be fed more frequently than adult dogs. Their age says a lot about the amount of food they will need—as does their weight.
Because puppies are in so quickly through calories, it is essential to have something in their bellies. It would help if you broke up feedings throughout the day, providing small portions often. His metabolism is incredibly high, so you need to keep up.
For the first 6 months of your pup’s life, you should feed them three times a day. After that, you can switch to twice-a-day feedings.
Does A Puppy Need an Expensive Food?
Puppies don’t need expensive food, but they need quality food that fits all dietary requirements. Some puppy foods have unnecessary fillers, artificial dyes, and unhealthy additives. These can actually have poor effects like your puppy’s growth, which could lead to health issues.
Many traditional commercial dog foods don’t work in the long run. You might pay a little higher price, but it’s worth it for the livelihood of your pooch. If you buy cheap food, you run into issues where it can trigger allergies and other problems.
Best Puppy Food: Dry Food or Wet Food?
It’s the age-old debate—wet or dry food? The short answer is that it’s ultimately up to you and your veterinarian. Let’s weigh some pros and cons of both.
Dry kibble provides your puppy with properties that keep their teeth clean, their muscles strong, and their body is growing. It fits the nutritional profiles necessary for all canines to grow as they should.
Wet food is incredibly delicious for your little pooch. They will delight in the savory taste which boosts appetite. Wet food also has a higher amount of protein and moisture which are both very essential to your growing puppy.
Dry Dog Food
- Keeps your puppies teeth clean and tartar free
- Provides a carefully crafted, well-balanced diet
- Dry kibble keeps longer than wet food
- There is less moisture in dry kibble
- Many dry kibble foods contain fillers, artificial flavors, and preservatives
Wet Dog Food
- It is typically higher in protein
- It has a high moisture content
- It tends to be more savory
- Does not clean teeth
- It can get more expensive
There is also semi-moist dry dog food to give your puppy the best of both worlds. Add some moisture with delicious flavor—reap the benefits.
When to Switch from Puppy Food to Adult Food
It’s probably no surprise that the range is a little bit wide for transition and your dog to adult dog food. It might be a little bit tricky, especially if you have a mixed breed. Larger and giant size breeds typically need extra nutrition longer than miniature and toy breeds.
Toy breeds — Toy, teacup, and tiny breeds are generally dogs that are under 12 pounds when fully grown. You should naturally transition them from puppy food to adult dog food between 6-7 months of age.
Small breeds — Small breeds are considered dogs that range between 12 and 25 pounds fully grown. You can usually begin their transition between 9 and 11 months of age.
Medium breeds — Medium breeds typically weigh under 50 pounds as adults. It is safe to transition them between 12 and 14 months of age.
Large breeds — Large breeds fall between the range of 50 and 75 pounds fully grown. You can transition them from puppy food between the ages of 15 to 18 months of age.
Giant breeds — Giant breeds need puppy food longer than most because their bodies take longer to develop. As adults, they are generally over 75 pounds. You can begin transitioning them between 18 and 24 months of age.
Activity levels also say a lot about when to transition your dog. For instance, a spunky, energetic dog might need to be on puppy food longer than a more relaxed, lackadaisical dog. These estimates are just guidelines to give you a general idea.
If you’re uncertain about your dog’s genetic makeup, regular veterinary appointments should be able to give you a good clue exactly how your dog should be growing. After an examination, your veterinarian can tell you an approximate weight you can expect for your pooch.
- Related Read: How to Change Dog Foods: Transitioning Your Dogs Diet
Conclusion: Puppy Feeding Chart
Giving your puppy a healthy start is the first step to a long, rewarding relationship. You want your dog to live their entire life with as few problems as possible. It would help if you gave them the appropriate building blocks to form a necessary foundation.
Remember, veterinary visits are so essential to let you know you’re the best pet parent you can be.
Featured Image Credit: demanescale, Shutterstock
