Puppy owners usually have a hard time determining how much should a puppy eat. There are so many questions, and it can be confusing. But a balanced diet is very important. If you overfeed a puppy, he will gain excess weight, and if you give him not enough food, it will have a negative impact on the development of the growing body.
To help you out, I made a puppy feeding chart that shows the amount of food for puppies of different ages and the number of meals. I hope you enjoy this chart!
Contents
How much should a puppy eat?
The answer to “how much food to give your puppy” depends on the breed and age. So immediately determine the average weight of an adult dog of a particular breed. Then look up that value in the chart.
Example: You have a 4-month-old Labrador boy. In adulthood, they reach 30-35 kg. Then he needs to eat 350-420 g of dry food per day. This amount of food should be divided into 3 meals. You can wet the food with water or gravy.
Important: If you give your puppy treats during training, subtract this from the total amount.
Feeding Schedule
Another question puppy owners often worry about is, “When is the best time to feed a puppy?” A sample feeding schedule might look like this:
Keep in mind that the last meal should be about 3-4 hours before bedtime so that the food has time to digest.
Veterinarians recommend feeding dogs exactly on a schedule, rather than leaving lots of food for free-feeding (because free-feeding often leads to overweight).
If you're looking for good dog food, I recommend checking out Chippin food. It is made from natural products and recipes are developed under the guidance of veterinarians. Check out their menu.
FAQ
How do I know if my puppy is eating enough?
Be guided by your dog’s needs. For example, if he’s not eating the whole meal, the portions are too big. Also, keep an eye on your puppy’s development by checking his weight weekly. If he’s putting on too much weight, you’re overfeeding him.
At what age should I start feeding my puppy solid food?
Large-breed puppies begin to eat unmoistened dry food at 10 weeks of age, smaller dogs at 12 weeks.
When should I transition my puppy to adult food?
Small breeds reach mature growth at 7-9 months, so you can switch to adult food at this time. Larger breeds take longer to mature. You can give them adult dog food at 12 months.
Should I choose dry or wet food?
Either one is good. Take your puppy’s preferences into account. You can also alternate between dry and wet food.
A few helpful tips in conclusion
- Don’t leave food in the bowl for more than 10-15 minutes.
- Don’t feed your puppy food from your table. Some foods that are safe for people can be dangerous for dogs.
- Make sure the puppy always has access to water.
- Don’t change your puppy’s diet suddenly. It can have a bad effect on digestion.
- Do you still have questions? Write them in the comments to get an answer.
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Sources
- https://www.cesarsway.com/puppy-feeding-guidelines/#:~:text=Puppies%20should%20be%20fed%20three,cup%20three%20times%20a%20day.
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-feeding-fundamentals/
- https://www.purina.com/articles/puppy/feeding/how-much-to-feed-a-puppy-chart
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