There’s a lot to plan for a puppy’s arrival. How much to feed a puppy is at the top of the list. Your puppy’s portions depend on his breed, weight, and age. Create a consistent, nutritionally-balanced, and energy-satisfying puppy feeding schedule in advance.
Food for Big Puppies & Little Puppies
The nutritional requirements of small- and large-breed dogs differ, and this is particularly true for puppies. Small-breed dogs are adult dogs weighing less than 20 pounds. These puppies mature quickly and might do so in just nine months. Large-breed puppies (weighing 20 pounds or more) mature more slowly, taking between 15 and 24 months to reach their full size and maturity.
How much food should I give my puppy?
There’s 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, don’t 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.
Additionally, if you train your dog using treats, be sure to adjust how much you feed him at mealtime. When using rewards for training, make sure the rewards are as small as possible.
How Old Is Your Puppy?
How frequently your adorable puppy eats depends greatly on their age. Newborn puppies should nurse as frequently as mom will allow. But if their mother’s milk is scarce or insufficient, you’ll need to assist them in getting enough nutrition by frequently giving them bottle feedings.
Once the puppy is approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age, they can begin transitioning to puppy food. To help them transition, it’s helpful to offer small amounts of puppy food that’s been softened with a puppy milk replacer (or warm water) four times per day.
Most puppies do well on 4 meals of puppy food a day by the age of 6 to 8 weeks (the smallest puppies may need up to 5). Puppies can typically eat three times per day by the age of 12 to 16 weeks.
FAQ
How much should 6 week old puppy eat?
How Often to Feed a PuppyToy Breeds4 to 5 meals per day3 to 4 meals per daySmall and Medium Breeds3 meals per day2 meals per dayLarge and Giant Breeds3 meals per day2 to 3 meals per day6 Weeks to 4 MonthsAround 4 Months
HOW LONG CAN 6 week old puppies go between feedings?
Your puppy can begin being weaned onto solid food once they are six to eight weeks old. They should eat four to five times per day at this point. They are capable of going up to eight hours without eating at night.
Can I feed my 6 week old puppy 3 times a day?
Puppies Younger Than Six Months Most puppies fully wean themselves from their mothers between six and eight weeks. Once weaned, puppies should get three scheduled feedings a day. Assuming you are aware of his daily caloric requirements based on weight, divide that amount among the three feedings.
Can I feed my 6 month old puppy 3 times a day?
Very young puppies require three to four meals a day of high-quality puppy food. Puppies are fed 3 times per day when they are 3 to 6 months old, and 2 times per day when they are 6 to 12 months old.