Guide: What to Feed Puppies Throughout Their First Year

Are you feeding your puppy enough food to ensure they’re growing up into a strong, healthy dog? Perhaps more importantly, are you feeding them the right kinds of food? Whether it’s your first puppy, or you have decades of experience being a ‘dog parent,’ one of the biggest challenges of welcoming a new pet home is knowing what and how much food to feed a puppy as they’re rapidly changing and growing into an adult dog.

While it’s important to consult with your pet’s veterinarian regarding their specific breed and health needs, there are some general guidelines you can follow. We’ll get into the exact amounts of food a puppy needs in just a bit, but it’s first important to understand your new pet’s different stages of growth and how their nutritional requirements change over time. After all, you'll need to know how much to feed a puppy by both age and weight in order to ensure they're getting the nutrition they need. 

Puppy growth stages: nutrition needs

Just like human babies, puppies go through distinct phases, and their dietary needs evolve as they grow. If you’re used to having a full-grown dog in your home, you can’t just rely on the same feeding routine that you use for an adult canine. Puppies have very specific nutritional needs, and it’s important to feed them according to their current growth stage.

Of course, it's not quite so simple as knowing how much food to feed a puppy by age. So, before you decide to start adding or subtracting kibble, know that as your pet grows and changes, so too does the type of food they need. 

Newborn puppy (0-2 weeks)

For the first couple of weeks following birth, puppies rely entirely on their mother's milk. The natural substance is rich with the necessary nutrients and antibodies for new puppies’ survival. If the mother dog isn’t available, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately for an appropriate milk replacement (puppy formula). Cow milk is not recommended for puppies at any age because it lacks the nutrients they need and is not easily digested.

Weaning (3-6 weeks)

In the four weeks that follow, puppies begin transitioning away from their mother’s milk and toward more solid foods. This is a critical window of time. You’ll want to introduce high-quality puppy food that’s easy on the tummy and can be digested easily. It’s often a good idea to mix this food with a little bit of water to create a mushy consistency that’s easy to swallow and digest.

Puppy (7-12 weeks)

This is that quintessential stage that many people think of when they hear “puppy.” At this point, your puppy has become fully weaned and is ready for a regular diet. There are tons of different food formulas on the market, but you should choose one that meets the specific nutritional requirements for your breed. Make sure it’s free of any artificial additives, and look for blends with essential nutrients like vitamins, protein, and fat (all of which help your puppy grow and develop).

Adolescent dog (3-6 months)

As your puppy continues to grow, their dietary needs evolve. You can adjust their portion sizes accordingly, but avoid making any drastic changes (see ‘how much should I feed my puppy?’ section further down). This stage is critical for their bone development, so don’t skimp on the quality of the food you’re buying! Scroll down for some tips on how to find nutritious, protein-rich food that can help your pet grow and thrive.

Young adult dog (7-12 months)

It may be difficult to believe, but at 7-12 months, your (now much larger) puppy is now clearly transitioning into a young adult dog. At this point, you need to consult with your veterinarian for help on how to properly shift to the right dog food. This will depend on factors like the dog’s size, breed, and overall health.

Your pet’s dietary needs may change further over time due to illness or different health conditions. Like humans, dogs can also develop allergies to different ingredients. Keep up with regular veterinary checkups and monitor your pet’s eating habits and reactions for life.

Tips for what to feed a puppy

Bear in mind that not all puppy foods are created equal, and many brands are full of filler ingredients that don’t actually contribute to your pet’s growth and wellbeing. A good rule of thumb is to look for the following things when shopping for healthy puppy food:

• Puppy-specific food: Make sure you select puppy food that is specifically formulated for your dog’s age and size. A proper blend of nutrients is needed in order to ensure they develop at a normal rate. A lack of nutrients can stunt a puppy’s growth, including the development of vital organs. Likewise, too much of certain nutrients can cause gastrointestinal issues, among other problems.
• Protein-rich: Puppies need more protein than adult dogs to support muscle growth and development. The recommended protein range for a puppy is 22 to 32 percent on a dry matter basis.
• Balanced fat: Fat is an essential energy source for puppies. Your puppy needs a diet with a minimum of 8 percent fat content. This helps them maintain a healthy coat and skin. A lack of proper fat consumption can lead to dry and flaky skin, as well as other issues.
• Wholesome ingredients: Read the label to ensure the food contains natural and wholesome ingredients. Avoid artificial additives, colors, and preservatives.

Dry or wet food?

Both wet and dry dog food can have various benefits as well as disadvantages. Wet food can be more filling and, depending on the brand, may offer a more natural, balanced diet for your pet. However, it can also stick more easily to puppy teeth and lead to dental issues earlier. Dry food can meanwhile help with teeth cleaning, but it may not offer the same nutritional value and can be less filling. Your vet can provide guidance on the best food for your specific puppy, so always speak with them before committing to a specific type of food or diet.

How much food should I feed my puppy?

This may come as a surprise, but since puppies are growing so rapidly, they actually need more food than adult dogs do. Basically, puppies eat to grow whereas full-grown dogs eat for energy and to maintain their basic bodily functions. The amount a puppy needs to eat depends greatly on their breed and the average size they are expected to be when full-grown.

With this in mind, here's a handy guide on how much to feed a puppy by weight (listed below in both kg and lbs. for your convenience).

*Note* These amounts are a puppy’s average nutritional requirements per every day (24 hours). It is still vital that you consult with your veterinarian about the exact amounts of calories (usually between 900 and 1,000) your specific puppy needs during their development.

• >12 weeks — After weaning, feed puppies 0.5-1 cup of food.
• 4-5 months — 0.75 to 1.25 cups of food
• 6-8 months — 0.5 to 1.5 cups of food
• 9-12 months+ — Adult portion (2 to 3% of their body weight)

• >12 weeks — After weaning, feed puppies 0.5 to 1.25 cups of food.
• 4-5 months — 1 to 2 cups of food
• 6-8 months — 0.75 to 1.25 cups of food
• 9-12 months — 1 to 1.5 cups of food
• 12 months+ — Adult portion (2 to 3% of their body weight)

• >12 weeks — After weaning, feed puppies 0.5 to 1.5 cups of food.
• 4-5 months — 1.5 to 2.75 cups of food
• 6-8 months — 1.25 to 2.25 cups of food
• 9-12 months — 2 to 3 cups of food
• 1-2 years — 2 to 4.25 cups oz of food
• 2 years+ — Adult portion (2 to 3% of their body weight)

• >12 weeks — After weaning, feed puppies 0.75 to 2.5 cups of food.
• 4-5 months — 1.5 to 4 cups of food
• 6-8 months — 1.5 to 3.75 cups of food
• 9-12 months — 2.5 to 4.75 cups of food
• 1-2 years — 4.25 to 6.25 cups of food
• 2 years+ — Adult portion (2 to 3% of their body weight)

• >12 weeks — After weaning, feed puppies 1 to 2.5 cups of food.
• 4-5 months — 2.75 to 3.75 cups of food
• 6-8 months — 2.75 to 6.25 cups of food
• 9-12 months — 4.75 to 7 cups of food
• 1-2 years — 6.25 to 11 cups of food
• 2 years+ — Adult portion (2 to 3% of their body weight)

• >12 weeks — After weaning, feed puppies 2.5 cups of food*
• 4-5 months — 3.75 cups of food*
• 6-8 months — 6.25 cups of food*
• 9-12 months — 7 cups of food*
• 1-2 years — 11 cups of food*
• 2 years+ — Adult portion (2 to 3% of their body weight)

*Feed dogs an additional 1/3 cup of food for every 10 lbs above 100.

Avoid overfeeding (and underfeeding!)

Knowing how much to feed a puppy is a critical responsibility. Just as is the case with humans, both overfeeding and underfeeding can lead to adverse health consequences. Underfeeding can result in lack of nutrition, which can coincide with low bone density and stunted growth overall. Overfeeding can meanwhile lead to puppies becoming overweight or obese, which can lead to serious health complications later on.

4 tips for healthy puppy portions

1. Check food labels: Just like human food, puppy food packages will have labels that provide nutritional information. These labels also offer guidelines for how much to feed a puppy based on your dog’s weight and age.
2. Monitor your puppy’s weight: Keep a close watch on your puppy’s weight and body condition. Portion sizes can be increased or decreased if their weight isn’t tracking with where it should be. (In the first few weeks, you may want to weigh your dog up to twice per week.)
3. Divide meals: Puppies require multiple small meals throughout the day. It’s best to divide large meals up into smaller portions that are easier on their digestive system.
4. Avoid free-feeding: Because it’s more convenient for the owner, people often try to leave food out at all times and allow dogs to feed whenever they please. The problem with this is that dogs thrive on routine, and some pups will devour whatever is out even if they’re full. Other puppies will nibble throughout the day, which can disrupt their body’s natural rhythms and negatively affect their ability to adapt to future schedules. Controlling portions at specific times helps maintain healthy eating routines.

Give your puppy a head start

Raising a puppy is fun and rewarding, but it also comes with some responsibilities. Thankfully, knowing how much to feed a puppy clears up a lot of new pet owner confusion and helps you establish important rhythms. Ensuring your puppy is healthy, well-fed, and properly introduced to a balanced feeding schedule will allow them to thrive for years to come.

While you’re learning more about caring for your puppy and their health, now’s also a great time to look at dog insurance. Protecting your new pet while they are still young will help ensure that you get the most out of their coverage throughout their lifetime.