How are Marleybones' meals made?

We only use high quality, freshly prepared ingredients, which are sealed raw in their aseptic packaging and slow-cooked, reaching temperatures of over 100°c for just a few minutes. This method not only locks in essential nutrients, moisture and natural flavours, but also keeps our meals as fresh as possible without the need for preservatives or freezing. Marleybones is the easiest way to feed healthy!

Is Marleybones suitable for puppies?

All our meals have been specially formulated for all life stages, taking the issue out of having to switch your dog's food as they grow. Our quiz algorithm adjusts so that puppies between the ages of 2-12 months receive extra nutrition to ensure they grow strong and healthy!

Do I need to freeze the food?

One of the benefits of Marleybones meals, is that you don't need to clear your freezer of ice-cream and just need to store them in a cool, dry place. As a bonus, they take up much less space than traditional food, and they're easy to stack and store. At Marleybones, we are proud to offer pantry fresh meals that remain fresh for up to 18 months when stored in a cupboard. Unlike other products that use preservatives, additives, or other undesirable ingredients that compromise the nutritional balance of the food, our innovative packaging and cooking methods help us achieve a shelf-stable product without sacrificing quality.

Can I easily stop my subscription?

Marleybones subscription service is easy to manage. You can both push your delivery date or stop your subscription altogether. You're of course welcome back anytime.

How Much Should You Feed a Puppy?

Puppies need to be fed based on their expected adult weight, current age, and the calorie density of their food — there is no single universal amount. Most puppy feeding guides break portions into daily totals divided across multiple meals, reducing in frequency as your puppy grows. Getting portions right from the start supports healthy growth without putting strain on developing bones and joints.

Marleybones , Team

May 1, 2026

At a glance

Puppy portions are based on expected adult weight and age — not current weight alone
Most puppies need 3–4 meals a day up to 6 months, then 2–3 meals until adulthood
Overfeeding in puppyhood puts excess strain on developing joints and increases adult obesity risk
Always follow the feeding guide on your specific food — calorie density varies significantly between formats
Weigh your puppy regularly and adjust portions as they grow

How do you work out the right amount to feed a puppy?

Puppy portions are calculated from expected adult weight, not the weight your puppy is right now. This matters because a 3-month-old Labrador and a 3-month-old Chihuahua can weigh the same but need completely different amounts of food. The target is to support steady, healthy growth — not maximum growth speed.

Every complete puppy food carries a feeding guide on the packaging. This is your starting point. The guide will usually show a daily portion in grams based on weight band and age. Divide that daily total across the number of meals you are feeding, and weigh portions on kitchen scales rather than guessing by eye.

Calorie density varies a lot between food formats. A gram of fresh food is not the same as a gram of dry kibble. This is why you cannot transfer portion sizes from one food type to another — the difference in moisture and energy content makes a direct gram-for-gram comparison meaningless when moving between formats.

How many meals a day does a puppy need?

Puppies have small stomachs and fast metabolisms. Spreading their daily food allowance across multiple meals keeps energy levels stable and reduces the risk of digestive upset.

8 weeks to 4 months: 4 meals a day
4 to 6 months: 3 meals a day
6 to 12 months: 2–3 meals a day
12 months and over (small breeds): can move to 2 meals a day
12 to 18 months (large and giant breeds): continue 3 meals until fully grown

Large and giant breeds take longer to reach physical maturity — often 18 to 24 months. They stay on puppy-appropriate feeding patterns for longer, and their portions need to be managed carefully. Rapid growth in large breeds is linked to joint and skeletal problems, so the goal is steady, controlled development rather than fast weight gain.

If your puppy is regularly leaving food behind or wolfing everything down and seeming desperate for more, those are signals to reassess the portion. A puppy at the right weight should have a visible waist when viewed from above and ribs you can feel easily but not see.

Does the type of food change how much you should feed?

Yes, significantly. The feeding guide on your food is the only reliable source of portion information for that specific product. Do not apply another brand's feeding guide to a different food.

Fresh food tends to have higher moisture content than kibble, which means the portion in grams looks larger but the calorie load is different. When switching foods, follow the new food's feeding guide from day one rather than matching the old portion size in grams.

Marleybones Pantry Fresh meals are complete for all life stages, including puppies. The recipes are vet-developed and FEDIAF compliant, meaning they meet the nutritional standards required for a complete puppy diet. The packaging carries clear feeding guidelines based on adult weight and age, which takes the guesswork out of portioning. If you are unsure where to start, the Marleybones feeding quiz gives you a personalised recommendation based on your puppy's details.

When changing your puppy's food, introduce the new food gradually over 7 to 10 days. Transitioning too quickly is one of the most common causes of loose stools and digestive upset in puppies.

What if your puppy is not eating the right amount?

Some variation day to day is normal. Puppies go through growth spurts, teething phases, and the occasional off day. A puppy skipping one meal is not a crisis.

If your puppy consistently refuses food, eats dramatically less than the guide suggests, or shows other symptoms like lethargy or vomiting, speak to your vet. Persistent refusal to eat in a young puppy warrants a proper check rather than a wait-and-see approach.

Fussiness is a separate issue. Many puppies go through phases of being selective, and the solution is rarely to increase variety dramatically or swap foods constantly. There are straightforward strategies for dealing with a puppy that refuses to eat without reinforcing the behaviour.

Treats count toward daily calories. If you are training heavily with treats, reduce the main meal portion slightly to compensate. A rough guide is that treats should not exceed 10% of total daily calorie intake.

Marleybones air-dried treats are single-ingredient and low in calories, which makes them easy to account for without disrupting your puppy's overall diet.

Weigh your puppy every two weeks while they are growing and adjust portions accordingly. The feeding guide is a starting point — your puppy's body condition tells you whether it is working.

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FAQs

How much should I feed my puppy per day in grams?

There is no single answer because it depends on your puppy's expected adult weight, current age, and the calorie density of the food you are using. Check the feeding guide on your specific food and use your puppy's expected adult weight, not current weight, to find the right daily total.

Can I overfeed a puppy?

Yes. Overfeeding a puppy, particularly a large or giant breed, puts excessive load on developing joints and bones and increases the risk of obesity in adult life. Follow the feeding guide and monitor your puppy's body condition regularly rather than feeding to appetite.

When do I switch from puppy food to adult food?

Small breeds typically move to adult portions at around 12 months. Medium breeds at 12 to 15 months. Large and giant breeds often continue on puppy-appropriate feeding until 18 to 24 months. If your food is complete for all life stages, as Marleybones meals are, the transition is about adjusting portions rather than changing the product entirely.

Should I free-feed my puppy or stick to set mealtimes?

Set mealtimes are better for puppies. Free-feeding makes it impossible to monitor how much your puppy is eating and disrupts house training. It also makes early signs of illness, such as reduced appetite, much harder to spot.

How do I know if my puppy is the right weight?

You should be able to feel your puppy's ribs easily without pressing hard, but not see them clearly. Viewed from above, your puppy should have a visible waist. If the ribs are hard to find or there is no waist definition, the portions are likely too large. If ribs are very prominent, increase the portion slightly and weigh your puppy again in two weeks.

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About the author Marleybones , Team

Marleybones is a team of passionate dog lovers on a mission to transform the way we feed and care for our dogs. Every article we create is rooted in science-backed research, expert insight, and real-life experience - whether it's from our in-house team or trusted partners. We believe in a holistic approach to canine wellbeing, combining high-quality nutrition with behavioural support to help dogs thrive at every stage of life. Our content is designed to educate, empower, and support pet parents in making informed, confident choices for their four-legged family members.

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