A simple age-and-weight chart to get portions right from week one, plus how to tell if you’re overfeeding.
Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but figuring out exactly how much to feed them can feel like guesswork. Too little and they won’t grow properly. Too much and you’re setting them up for joint problems and obesity down the line. Here’s how to get it right.
Why Puppy Portions Are Different From Adult Dogs
Puppies are growing fast, which means their calorie and nutrient needs per pound of body weight are much higher than an adult dog’s. But their stomachs are small, so instead of two big meals, most puppies do better on smaller, more frequent meals spread across the day.
A General Age-and-Weight Feeding Guide
These are starting points — always check the feeding chart on your specific puppy food bag, since calorie density varies by brand.
- 8–12 weeks: 4 meals a day. Roughly 4–6% of current body weight in food per day, split across meals.
- 3–6 months: 3 meals a day. Portions increase as the puppy grows, but percentage of body weight starts to drop slightly.
- 6–12 months: 2 meals a day. Most puppies are transitioning toward adult portion sizes during this stage.
- 12 months+ (varies by breed size): Move to adult feeding schedule — typically 2 meals a day for life.
Large-breed puppies (think Labradors, German Shepherds, Great Danes) need a large-breed-specific puppy food. Growing too fast on regular puppy food can actually increase the risk of joint issues later.
Signs You’re Overfeeding
- You can’t feel the ribs at all when running your hand along the puppy’s side
- No visible waist when looking down at them from above
- Loose stools or frequent vomiting after meals
- Rapid weight gain between vet visits
Signs You’re Underfeeding
- Ribs, spine, or hip bones are sharply visible
- Low energy or excessive begging between meals
- Slow or stalled growth compared to breed norms
The Rib Check
A quick way to judge if portions are right: run your hands gently along your puppy’s sides. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, but not see them clearly. That’s the sweet spot between too thin and too heavy.
When to Talk to Your Vet
Every puppy is different — breed, activity level, and metabolism all play a role. If you’re ever unsure, your vet can weigh your puppy and recommend an exact daily calorie target based on their growth curve. Regular weigh-ins during the first year are one of the easiest ways to catch problems early, before they become habits that are harder to break in adulthood.