How Much Food Should I Feed My Puppy: Age-Appropriate Portions Explained

Determining the correct amount of food for your puppy is crucial for their health and development. During the early months of life, puppies require the right balance of nutrients to support their rapid growth and high energy levels. The amount of food your puppy needs is guided by their age, breed, size, and individual metabolism. It’s also influenced by the type of food you're feeding them, as some foods are more energy- and nutrient-dense than others. As a responsible pet owner, measuring the appropriate portion size can prevent overfeeding, which is a common issue that can lead to obesity and related health problems. Feeding a puppy the wrong amount of food can also determine deficiencies or excesses of key minerals and imbalances in the calcium:phosphorus ratio, with potentially severe consequences in the development of the skeleton, as well as joint health issues.

As puppies grow, their nutritional requirements change, making it important to adjust their diet accordingly. Your pup's developmental stage will dictate their caloric needs: the younger the puppy, the more calories per pound of body weight they need. Different breeds mature at varying rates; thus, small breed dogs typically reach adulthood faster than larger breeds, which can remain in their puppy phase longer. Taking the time to understand these stages and seek guidance on portion sizes can help you provide the best care for your growing puppy. Monitoring your puppy's weight and body condition is a convenient way to ensure that they are receiving the correct amount of food.

Key Takeaways

• Proper portion size for a puppy depends on age, breed, size, and metabolism.
• Puppies' dietary needs change as they grow, requiring adjustments to their food intake.
• Regular monitoring of weight and body condition helps ensure puppies are fed appropriately.
  

Developmental Stages of a Puppy

When you're feeding your puppy, it's essential to consider their developmental stage. Each stage may require different nutritional needs to support their growth and overall health.

• Newborn to 2 months: Puppies are considered neonates from birth to two months old. During this period, they rely entirely on their mother's milk or a suitable milk replacer for nutrients. Weaning can start at the 4-5 week and it is usually completed by the 6-8 week of the puppies’ life.

• 2 to 4 months:  During this phase puppies grow particularly fast and therefore require a lot of energy and nutrients; for this reason, it is important to adopt small, frequent meals, ideally 4 or 5 times a day.
• 4 to 6 months:. The growth is still really fast during the juvenile stage, but you can start to feed bigger meal sizes and reduce frequency to three times daily.
• 6 to 12 months: As your puppy enters adolescence, growth rates slow down. Continue with three meals a day, tailoring portions to the puppy's breed and anticipated adult size.

Ensure you’re providing food that is suitable for puppies.

Davide Stefanutti, DVM, PhD, explains “Compared to a food formulated only for adult dogs, a food for puppies will have:

• Higher total protein content;
• Higher amino acids content;
• Higher fat content;
• It will contain fatty acids essential for puppies that may be lacking in adult dog food (arachidonic acid and the omega-3 ALA, EPA and DHA);
• Higher calcium and phosphorus and a more controlled calcium-phosphorus ratio;
• Higher content of many trace elements and vitamins”.

Marleybones meals respect all the above prerequisites and that’s why they can be fed successfully to both puppies and adult dogs - what will vary is the portion size.

Always consult with a veterinarian to tailor your puppy's diet to their specific needs as they grow. Additionally, fresh water should be available at all times to keep your puppy hydrated.

Feeding Your Puppy

Providing the right amount and type of food is crucial for your puppy's growth and health. It's essential to cater to their size, establish a regular feeding schedule, and follow some key tips to optimise their nutrition.

Based on Their Size

Puppies vary in size, which significantly influences the amount of food they require. Generally, puppies need up to twice the amount of food per pound of body weight compared to an adult dog. Refer to the feeding guidelines based on the puppy’s current weight and expected adult size.

Feeding Schedule

Puppies require structured feeding times. Maintain a consistent schedule by feeding them four or five times a day up to four months of age and three times a day after that until they are adults.You can reduce feeding to twice daily once they are adult - or if it’s more convenient, potentially you could make this change any time after the 6 months of age, especially for small-sized puppies. Larger puppies take longer time to reach their adult weight and require higher volumes of food, therefore if possible it is preferred to keep the three daily meals until they are at least one year old.

When feeding three times a day, there should be 5-6 hours between meals, while when feeding two times a day, you should leave 10-12 hours between meals.

 

Tips for Feeding Your Puppy

There are a few key tips you should consider when feeding your puppy:

• Monitor Portion Sizes: Use a standard measuring cup to ensure proper portions or weigh the food.
• Observe Your Puppy's Body Condition: Adjust food amounts if your puppy appears underweight or overweight.
• Choose High-Quality Puppy Food: Select food that meets all nutritional needs for growth, like Marleybones’ slow-cooked meals.
• Avoid Human Food: Stick to puppy-specific food to prevent upset stomachs and nutritional imbalances.
• Fresh Water: Ensure your puppy has constant access to clean water.
• Regular vet check-ups: These are essential to ensure the health and wellbeing of your puppy during the growth phase. The vet will also be able to tell you if your puppy is growing at the right rate and if you should increase or decrease the amount of food provided.