| Weight of Dog | 6-12 Weeks | 8-12 Months |
|---|---|---|
| 3 – 5 lbs | 1 – 1 1/3 cup | 1/2 – 2/3 cups |
| 5 – 10 lbs | 1 1/3 – 2 1/2 cups | 2/3 – 1 cups |
| 10 – 20 lbs | 2 1/2 – 4 cups | 1 – 2 cups |
| 20 – 30 lbs | 4 – 5 3/4 cups | 2 – 2 3/4 cups |
Hello, I am rescuing my first puppy next Monday. She’ll be 11. When we get her, she will be 5 weeks old, and I have never had a dog that young. Her foster parents are giving her litter 3/4 cup twice daily.
She’s an Australian shepherd/great pyrenees/golden retriever mix. Concerning feeding them twice or three times a day, I keep reading conflicting information. Which do you recommend?.
I have an appointment with a vet on that Friday, but I wanted to ask you what you thought, hoping to get a response before I pick her up, and if it is three times a day, how much would you feed her each time, given that she’s almost three months old?
I’m really excited to take on this challenge, but it’s also a little nerve-wracking not knowing exactly how much to feed her. -Michele Solano
How often should I feed my puppy?
Puppies, like human babies, initially require numerous small meals a day of a food designed for their unique nutritional needs. Most, but not all, dogs finish meals quickly. Feed regularly, in regular amounts, and don’t let food sit down for longer than 10 to 20 minutes to reduce picky eating behaviors.
Both of these questions will benefit greatly from the advice your breeder and veterinarian can provide.
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 manufacturers make significant investments in product development and research, constantly modifying their recipes to stay competitive. Thus, consuming premium food puts you at the forefront of canine nutrition.
How Much Food Should I Feed My Puppy?
These amounts are for every 24 hours.
| Ideal Weight of Dog (At Maturity) | Weaning-12 Weeks | 4-5 Months | 6-8 Months | 9-11 Months | 1-2 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-12 lbs | 0.5-1 cup | 0.75-1 1/3 cups | 0.5-1.5 cups | Adult portion | Adult portion |
| 13-20 lbs | 0.5-1.25 cups | 1-2 cups | 9.75-1.25 cups | 1-1.5 cups | Adult Portion |
| 21-50 lbs | 0.5-1.5 cups | 1.5-2.75 cups | 1.25-2.25 cups | 2-3 cups | 2-4.25 cups |
| 51-75 lbs | 0.75-2.5 cups | 1.5-4 cups | 1.5-3.75 cups | 2.5-4.75 cups | 4.25-6.25 cups |
| 76-100 lbs | 1-2.5 cups | 2.75-3.75 cups | 2.75-6.25 cups | 4.75-7 cups | 6.25-11 cups |
| 101+ lbs | 2.5 cups + 1/3 cup for every 10lbs over 100 | 3.75cups + 1/3 cup for every 10lbs over 100 | 6.25 cups + 1/3 cup for every 10lbs over 100 | 7 cups + 1/3 cup for every 10lbs over 100 | 11 cups + 1/3 cup for every 10lbs over 100 |
FAQ
How often should you feed a large breed puppy?
Because excessive growth is often caused by overnutrition, it’s crucial to give them large breed puppy food designed specifically to meet their dietary requirements.
Do large breed puppies need large breed food?
Toy breeds should consume between 14 and 1 cup of water, small breeds should consume between 1 cup and 1 2/5 cup of water, medium breeds should consume between 2 cups and 2 2/3 cups of water, and large breeds should consume between 2 4/5 and 3 cups of water.
How much food should I feed my large breed dog?
Overeating promotes unfavorable, rapid bone growth in puppies of large and giant breeds. Excess calories can also result in weight gain, which puts additional strain on growing children’s skeletons.