How Much To Feed A Puppy

Puppyhood comes with a lot of perks. The high energy and curious personalities of newborn pups can put a smile on just about anyone’s face. However, it’s no secret that puppies also require a lot of care. In particular, owners are responsible for ensuring their puppies get the daily nutrients they need to keep up with their rapid growth rates. 

Can young dogs eat fresh-cooked or freeze-dried diets? And when can you feed your puppy raw dog food? These are just some of the questions puppy owners often ask.

Many new owners make the mistake of searching “how much to feed a puppy chart” without accounting for the fact that maturing puppies have unique needs. A large breed puppy like a German Shepherd puppy or Golden Retriever puppy will not require the same caloric and nutritional needs as a small breed Yorkshire Terrier. In fact, a common phrase among vets is “watch the dog, not the food,” as needs are closely dependent on weight, breed, and any additional health considerations. 

So, whether you’re stocking up for those early days or curious to confirm best practices, this puppy feeding guide will help you understand how much to feed a puppy by exploring important factors like anatomy, weight, calories requirement, and nutrition. 

Anatomy Considerations

A puppy’s internal systems are surprisingly similar to that of humans, particularly when it comes to digestion. Understanding their anatomy can help you develop an optimal feeding routine. 

Similarities include:

• Omnivore-centric diets – Like humans, dogs are omnivores. This means they can consume both vegetables and meat, giving them plenty of delicious food options.
• Monogastric systems – Dogs have a monogastric digestive system—in other words, a one-stomach system. This means that food is absorbed as it moves through a singular tract. 
• Intestines that grow – Because puppies experience rapid growth of their intestines, their capacity to absorb food will increase consistently as they mature. This means they’ll start off with smaller portions and gradually transition to larger portions.  That said, dog’s stomachs produce more acid than humans, meaning they can better break down certain foods, including raw meat. Additionally, some evidence suggests that raw doggy diets have increased digestibility, largely due to the high fiber content.

Along with these similarities, there are also features unique to a puppy’s digestive system. These include:

• Lack of enzymes – Unlike humans, dogs and puppies don’t possess amylase—the enzyme in spit that kick-starts chemical breakdown in the mouth. Instead, food must enter the stomach to begin breakdown, slowing the digestive process. 
• Teeth changes – Puppies have fewer teeth than humans, with just 28 that come in around the 3–6 week mark. That said, once their teeth grow in, puppies can be weaned off their mother’s milk and fed high-quality food 3–4 times a day until they’re 4 months old, when their adult teeth start to grow in and they can begin to eat a raw diet. 

Weight Considerations

Big, small, toy-sized, or average, a puppy’s size and weight has an impact on everything from its growth rate to its digestive processes. 

• Small breed puppies – A small breed puppy, like a Chihuahua, and a medium dog like a Terrier or Dalmatian, can become adult size in just 9 months. These breeds also tend to have smaller jaws and mouths, limiting the amount of food that can be consumed at one time.
• Large breed puppies – A large breed puppy, like a Great Dane or German Shepherd, grows more slowly, taking about 15–24 months to reach full size. Like small dogs, their puppy jaw size can initially be limited, though eventually, they’ll be able to accommodate larger portions. 

In terms of how much to feed each breed, a good rule of thumb is this: the larger the breed, the more food your puppy needs. This is because larger breeds require more energy to support their daily activity and achieve growth to their proper size. 

While portion sizes will flux between small and large breeds, both will decrease slowly as puppies develop. However, the American Kennel Club recommends that food amounts remain consistent from 4–12 months of age, commensurate with the needs of each puppy’s breed. 

Weight Concerns

A puppy’s growth is often related to how much they’re fed. To that end, overfeeding can result in obese puppies, and unfortunately, obesity can also lead to a host of future health problems. So although it can be tempting to sneak extra treats to your precious pup here and there, those treats can add up quickly.

Even treat training can increase a pup’s diet to an unhealthy level if not done properly. That’s why it’s important to limit how many treats you’re training with per day. To avoid overfeeding, make sure treats are commensurate with meals and do not dramatically change calorie counts. 

Nutrition Considerations 

Knowing what to feed a puppy is equally as essential as knowing how much to feed a puppy. In other words, it’s important to understand the nutritional content of your puppy’s food. Ten treats, for example, can’t make up for the value of a serving of food packed with essential vitamins and minerals. 

The Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO, regulates the sale and distribution of animal products. Though they don’t certify particular foods, they do publish lists of nutrient percentages they find necessary for well-balanced food intake. 

The following are listed as AAFCO’s top nutrition priorities for puppies. These nutrients also continue to be important for mature dogs, albeit in lesser quantity:

• Calcium – Just as it does for humans, calcium helps puppies build bone density. This is particularly important in the early development stages when your pup’s teeth and skeletal structure are still growing and forming.
• Protein – In their early days, puppies need high amounts of protein to help build up body tissues. AAFCO recommends that a growing dog’s diet comprise at least 22–30% protein. 
• Water – Luckily, there are many high-moisture puppy foods, making it a convenient way to keep your pup hydrated. When it’s time for your pup to transition to dry food, consider adding a fourth cup of filtered water to their food bowl to aid in digestion.
• Carbohydrates – Carbohydrates supply your puppy with the seemingly endless amounts of energy they need to play, learn, and grow. While there are no official requirements for carbs, nearly all dog foods will supply this sugar compound. 
• Fats – Fats are another essential energy source for young pups. In fact, the Kennel Club indicates that dogs who eat high-fat foods have higher performance capabilities due to their ability to burn fatty acids. General recommendations list a fat ratio at 10–25% of total daily food intake, not including water content.

Picking the Most Nutritious Food for Your Pup

Once your puppy can eat solids, you can feed them a fresh-cooked or freeze-dried diet. If you choose to homecook your puppy’s first meals, ensure that they’re well-balanced with protein, fatty acids, carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins.

At 4 months old, you can then transition your pup over to a raw diet. 

That said, your puppy’s transition to solid food will depend on their breed and size: 

• Smaller breeds – Solid food ready after 9–10 weeks
• Larger breeds – Solid food ready after 12–13 weeks 

If you’re venturing into the wide world of solid dog food options, ensure you’re treating your pet to the most nutritious food possibly by keeping these helpful tips in mind:

• Prioritize transparency – Quality companies will list their ingredients openly, so reading dog food labels can be the best way to confirm if a food is made with fresh ingredients (rather than filler) and full of the nutrients your dog needs. To decode dog labels, you’ll want to pay special attention to the information panel, which verifies that the food contains six essential elements—water, protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. It will also detail potential allergens for dogs with food sensitivities. 
• Consider your breed – Because breed can impact nutrient intake, consider consulting a vet to develop a specific meal plan for your pup. 
• Switch it up – Switching between different food types can offer your pup a more broad array of nutrients. For instance, you can choose a chicken-based food one week and a lamb-based food the next. You can even mix half portions of each!

Puppy Feeding Schedules 

Regarding the ideal dog feeding schedule, dividing the total amount of food your dog needs into 2–3 portions is standard practice. However, puppies require more oversight and care to ensure a smooth physical transition from a mother’s nutrients to solid food. 

The American Kennel Club recommends smaller portions and higher frequencies to accommodate growing frames, so consider following this standardized regimen:

• 0–3 months – Space out your food throughout the day into three or more separate meals. For toy breeds, it’s recommended food is separated into 4–6 meals. This accommodates smaller puppy bodies and prevents their few soft teeth from getting overworked. 
• 4–5 months – Small dogs will almost be adult size, and large dogs will be about halfway to fully grown at this stage. Puppies can transition to three meals daily while maintaining the same daily portion.
• 6–12 months – At this stage, your pup can move to 2 meals a day since they should be almost fully grown. This means their body should be able to handle the slightly larger portions. However, it’s important to note that spaying or neutering (which occurs around this age) can temporarily lower energy levels and needs.

Feed Your Puppy the Nutrients They Deserve with Darwin Pets 

Aside from love, attention, and care, there’s no doubt that a diet of quality natural dog food will set your puppy up for success, ensuring they grow to its full potential and maintain peak health well into the future. And once your pup has reached the adorable age of 4 months, you can safely transition them from high-quality solids to a raw diet.

That’s where Darwin’s Natural Pet Products comes in. We only offer premium raw pet food and feed options. As animal lovers ourselves, we put pet well-being front and center with minimally processed raw food options that are full of human-quality meats that meet or exceed USDA standards. 

Talk with our in-house consultants today about tailoring a meal plan specific to your pup to ensure long-term health and wellness.

For cat feeding and schedule, visit our How Much To Feed A Cat Chart and Feeding Schedule For Cats blogs for more information.

Sources: 

Pet MD. Why Large Breeds Have Poorer Food Digestion. https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/ken-tudor/2015/june/why-large-breed-dogs-have-poorer-food

VCA Hospitals. Retained Deciduous Teeth Baby Teeth in Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/retained-deciduous-teeth-baby-teeth-in-dogs

American Kennel Club. What to Feed Your Puppy Based on Their Breed. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/what-to-feed-puppy-based-on-breed/ 

American Kennel Club. Feeding Your Dog: How Often Should Your Dog Eat? https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-many-times-a-day-should-a-dog-eat/   

Association of American Feed Control Officers. AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. https://www.aafco.org/Portals/0/SiteContent/Regulatory/Committees/Pet-Food/Reports/Pet_Food_Report_2013_Midyear-Proposed_Revisions_to_AAFCO_Nutrient_Profiles.pdf 

VCA Hospitals. Nutritional Requirements of Large and Giant Breed Puppies. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutritional-requirements-of-large-and-giant-breed-puppies  

American Kennel Club. Puppy Feeding Fundamentals. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-feeding-fundamentals/ 

 UC Davis Veterinary Medicine. Nutrition Support Service. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk491/files/inline-files/FAQs-NSS-2022.pdf 

 PubMed. Comparison of gastrointestinal pH in dogs and humans: implications on the use of the beagle dog as a model for oral absorption in humans. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3701609/ 

VCA Hospitals. Teeth, Teething and Chewing in Puppies. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/teeth-teething-and-chewing-in-puppies