Whether you’re a first-time breeder or thinking of taking a pup home, there’s many factors that can influence the rate your puppy is gaining weight. Here’s our guide and what to look out for to ensure your pup / litter are gaining weight healthily…
Have you just welcomed a fuzzy little bundle of joy into your home? If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself staring at your puppy wondering, “Is my pup growing fast enough?” I totally get it! As a dog lover who’s raised several puppies, I’ve spent countless nights Googling growth charts and weight guidelines.
The truth is, puppies do gain weight pretty darn fast—but exactly how fast depends on several factors. Let’s dig into the fascinating world of puppy growth patterns so you can make sure your little fluffball is on the right track!
How Quickly Do Puppies Actually Grow?
Puppies grow at an incredible pace, especially during their first few weeks. It’s literally like watching a time-lapse video in real life! But here’s the thing—not all puppies bulk up at the same rate.
The speed of weight gain varies dramatically based on breed size Here’s a breakdown of what you can typically expect
- Tiny breeds (under 10 lbs as adults): 1-5 ounces per week
- Small breeds (10-25 lbs as adults): 5-10 ounces per week
- Medium breeds (25-50 lbs as adults): 1-2 pounds per week
- Large breeds (50-100 lbs as adults): 2-3 pounds per week
- Giant breeds (100+ lbs as adults): 3-5 pounds per week
So if you have a Chihuahua puppy gaining 3 ounces weekly, that’s perfect! But if your Great Dane is only putting on that much, you might need to chat with your vet.
Normal Growth Patterns (Spoiler: They’re Not Always Steady!)
Something I wish I’d known with my first puppy is that growth isn’t always perfectly consistent. Some weeks, your pup might seem to explode in size, while other weeks they might not change much at all.
Most puppies don’t gain weight at a perfectly steady rate—they often have quick bursts of growth followed by slower periods. As long as they continue progressing toward a healthy adult weight, these minor fluctuations are totally normal and nothing to lose sleep over.
Factors That Affect How Fast Your Puppy Gains Weight
There’s a bunch of stuff that influences your puppy’s growth rate. Some are built-in factors you can’t change, while others are totally within your control.
Internal Factors (The Stuff You Can’t Control)
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Breed Size: Your Golden Retriever will naturally gain weight faster than your neighbor’s Yorkie. That’s just biology!
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Genetics: If your puppy’s parents were on the smaller side of the breed standard, your pup might be too. Family history plays a huge role.
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Body Type: Different breeds mature at different rates – some reach adult size by 6 months, while others take up to 2 years to fully fill out.
External Factors (The Stuff You Can Influence)
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Diet Quality: This is HUGE! Premium puppy food with quality ingredients supports better growth than cheap fillers.
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Activity Level: The right amount of exercise builds strong muscles without overexertion. Too much exercise can actually burn calories needed for growth.
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Feeding Schedule: Regular mealtimes with appropriate portions help prevent growth hiccups.
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Home Environment: A stable, low-stress living situation encourages healthy eating habits and proper digestion.
Is My Puppy Too Skinny? How to Tell
I remember panicking when I could feel my Lab puppy’s ribs. Turns out, that was completely normal! Here’s how to check if your puppy is actually underweight:
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You should be able to feel their ribs with gentle pressure (like pressing on the back of your knuckles), but they shouldn’t be visibly sticking out.
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Their tummy should tuck up slightly when viewed from the side, but not be severely concave.
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When looking down at them from above, you should see a slight waist between their ribs and hips—not an exaggerated hourglass shape.
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They should have bright eyes, a soft shiny coat, and plenty of energy for playtime.
Certain breeds naturally look leaner. For example, sighthounds like Whippets and Italian Greyhounds are supposed to be slim, while breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs typically have a stockier build.
8 Effective Ways to Help Your Puppy Gain Weight Safely
If your vet has confirmed your puppy is underweight, here are some strategies I’ve used successfully to help puppies bulk up:
1. Adjust Their Diet
If your puppy is thin but otherwise healthy, try increasing their food portion by 10-25%. But don’t go crazy with portions—sudden increases can cause tummy troubles!
Pro tip: Premium puppy foods are more digestible, meaning your pup absorbs more calories from each bite compared to cheap brands.2. Try Different Food Textures and Temperatures
Some puppies have strong preferences about their food! My friend’s picky Pomeranian wouldn’t touch cold food but devoured the same meal at room temperature. Experiment with:
- Dry kibble vs. wet food
- Room temperature vs. slightly warm food
- Adding a bit of warm water or low-sodium broth to kibble
- Different kibble sizes (some puppies prefer smaller or larger pieces)
3. Feed More Frequently
Instead of 2 large meals, try 3-6 smaller meals throughout the day. This approach can increase overall intake and be easier on your puppy’s digestive system, especially for toy breeds with tiny tummies.
4. Create a Calm Feeding Environment
Some puppies get too excited or distracted to eat properly. Try:
- Feeding in a quiet area away from household traffic
- Using an elevated dish for some breeds (consults your vet)
- Staying nearby while they eat for encouragement
- Avoiding exercise for an hour before and after meals
5. Add Safe Human Foods (In Moderation!)
You can boost calories by adding small amounts of certain human foods. Stick to these safer options:
| Food | Recommended Amount |
|---|---|
| Parmesan cheese | 1-3 teaspoons |
| Cooked chicken breast | 1/4-1/2 cup |
| Lean ground beef (90%) | 1/4-1/2 cup |
| Low-sodium chicken broth | 1/4-1/2 cup |
IMPORTANT: Don’t exceed 10% of your puppy’s diet with human foods, and avoid internet recipes that recommend peanut butter, coconut oil, or fatty meats, which can cause serious digestive issues!
6. Rule Out Medical Issues
Sometimes puppies stay skinny despite eating well because of underlying health problems. Common culprits include:
- Parasites (worms, giardia, coccidia)
- Digestive issues
- Post-parvovirus complications
- Congenital conditions like liver shunts
Always take an underweight puppy to the vet before trying home remedies. A fresh stool sample can help identify parasites that might be stealing your pup’s nutrients.
7. Try Interactive Feeding Toys
Some high-energy puppies eat better when they have to work for their food! Food-dispensing toys like the Orbee-Tuff Snoop ball can make mealtime fun and encourage better eating.
8. Be Patient With Special Cases
If you’ve adopted a rescue puppy who was previously undernourished, be patient. These pups might take 1-3 months to reach a healthy weight, even with excellent care.
Special Considerations for Large-Breed Puppies
If you’ve got a large or giant breed puppy like a Great Dane or Mastiff, you need to be extra careful about weight gain. While you do want them to reach a healthy weight, gaining too fast can actually cause orthopedic problems down the road.
For large breeds, NEVER exceed 1.5 times the normal recommended amount on food labels, even if they seem skinny. Instead:
- Choose puppy food specifically formulated for large breeds
- Focus on steady, controlled growth rather than rapid weight gain
- Consult your vet for personalized feeding guidelines
The Best Foods for Healthy Puppy Weight Gain
Not all puppy foods are created equal! For healthy weight gain, look for:
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Complete puppy formulas: Choose foods specifically labeled for “growth” or “all life stages”
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Quality brands with veterinary oversight: Premium brands like Royal Canin, Purina ONE, Science Diet, and Eukanuba employ veterinary nutritionists and conduct extensive testing
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Appropriate protein levels: Puppy food should contain at least 25-30% protein to support growth
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Digestible ingredients: Avoid foods with lots of plant-based ingredients like lentils, peas, or potatoes high on the ingredient list
For extremely underweight puppies, your vet might recommend high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods like Royal Canin Recovery, which requires a prescription.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen well-meaning puppy parents make these mistakes when trying to help their pups gain weight:
- Going overboard with treats: This can unbalance their diet and cause digestive issues
- Switching foods too quickly: Always transition gradually over 7-10 days
- Using internet weight-gain recipes: Many are nutritionally unbalanced and unsafe
- Ignoring potential medical issues: Always rule these out first
- Force-feeding: This creates negative associations with eating
Final Thoughts: Trust the Process
Remember, puppies are individuals! Growth patterns vary widely, even among littermates. As long as your puppy is energetic, playful, and gradually gaining weight, you’re probably doing just fine.
Keep regular vet appointments during this crucial growth period, take plenty of photos (they grow up so fast!), and enjoy this special time with your developing pup.
Have you found clever ways to encourage your puppy to eat better? Or do you have questions about your puppy’s growth? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult with your veterinarian about your puppy’s specific nutritional needs and health concerns.
What can hinder a puppy’s development?
It’s important to check feeding guidelines as your puppy develops to ensure they are obtaining enough nutrition to support their growth. There are other factors aside from malnutrition that can stunt a puppy’s growth such as intestinal worm infections. Worms can steal calories from puppies, leading to signs such as an upset tummy, unhealthy coat, a pot belly, and a strong appetite whilst looking thin.
Spaying and neutering isn’t known to stunt your puppy’s growth, but it can impact joint growth in larger dogs. This is why it’s recommended to ensure larger dogs are fully-grown before neutering them too early on in their development. Smaller dogs are neutered/spayed at an average of 6-8 months. Each dog is different, so it’s always best to speak to your veterinarian if you are considering having your dog neutered/spayed.
Strenuous exercise can also influence the development of your dog’s growth plates. It’s advised to walk them at the recommended time, which is 5 minutes for every month of age, twice per day. For example, if your dog is 3 months old, they can have two 15-minute sessions of exercise, or one 30-minute session per day. It’s also important to try not to let your puppy jump up and down from higher surfaces, such as beds and sofas whilst their bones are developing. It’s easier said than done but try to pick them up as often as you can to prevent them from jumping. Avoid taking your pup for long runs until they’re fully-grown, remember that larger dogs take more time for their bones to develop.
Week by week, from birth to one year.
There’s no exact amount of weight that puppies should gain each week, but it’s on average around 10-15% of their weight each day, translating to 0.5 ounces per week for smaller breeds and 2.5 pounds a week for large dog breeds. Huge milestones are hit during the first 8 weeks of a pup’s life, such as being able to hear, see, crawl, walk, wag their tail and of course, their needle sharp puppy teeth will grow through.This consistent growth is aided by the rich nutrients the pups receive from mum’s milk until they are fully weaned at around 7-8 weeks of age.
How to Fatten a Dog Up Quickly : Dog Training & Basic Obedience
FAQ
How much weight do puppies gain per day?
Puppies gain an average of 5-10% of their body weight a day until they are about 6 to 8 weeks old. However, the amount of weight gained per day can vary between puppies due to their different sizes and breeds. For instance, a small breed might only gain 5 ounces a week, while a large dog could gain over 2 pounds in the same timeframe.
Can a puppy gain weight if he eats too much dog food?
Feed your puppy a complete and balanced dog food to ensure healthy weight gain. Excess weight gain can be caused by switching to adult dog food too early. If you have a hard time feeling your puppy’s ribs, they may be overweight. You’ve welcomed a new puppy into your home. Congratulations! Now what?
Can large breed puppies gain weight?
Large-breed puppies need controlled nutrition. To feed underweight large-breed puppies, it’s important to avoid rapid weight gain and overnutrition, which can lead to orthopedic problems later in life. Puppy diets formulated for large breeds can help with steady weight gain.
Why is my puppy gaining weight?
One common cause is internal parasites, which are prevalent in puppies. Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia can all lead to slow weight gain. It’s important to seek the appropriate treatment from a veterinarian since parasites can have long-lasting effects on a young pup.
Do puppies gain weight naturally after adoption?
Puppies from a large litter may gain weight naturally after adoption, as there’s less competition for food from their littermates. Additionally, the quality of their diet may improve after adoption. If your newly adopted pup has a good appetite, give them a couple of weeks to see if they can gain weight eating their normal puppy diet.
How much food should a puppy eat to gain weight?
Puppy diets formulated for large breeds can help with steady weight gain. It’s best to ask your vet for guidance on how much extra to feed an underweight large-breed puppy. As a rule of thumb, don’t exceed 1.5 times the normal amount recommended on the food label. (1) What are the best foods to help puppies gain weight?
How quickly should my puppy be gaining weight?
Why is my puppy gaining weight so fast?
If your puppy is gaining weight too fast, schedule a vet visit immediately to rule out medical issues like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease, and to check for fluid retention or other conditions. Common behavioral reasons include overfeeding, too many treats, a sedentary lifestyle, or feeding an adult dog food too soon. Your vet can help determine the best weight management plan, provide nutritional advice, and rule out underlying conditions.
Will a puppy stop eating when full?
What week do puppies grow the most?
Puppies grow most rapidly during their first eight weeks, doubling their birth weight in the first week and experiencing a rapid growth rate of 5-10% daily until eight weeks old. However, puppies go through spurts, and their overall development continues, with rapid growth often seen between three to six months. The exact age they stop growing depends on their breed size, with small breeds finishing around 6-8 months, medium breeds around 12-15 months, and large/giant breeds continuing to grow until 15-24 months.