How much ID should I feed my puppy? A Step-by-Step Guide

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How Much to Feed a Puppy

Now you know what to feed your puppy, but just how much food does he need each day? Because puppies grow at such fast rates, they need to start eating a complete and balanced puppy food as soon as they’re weaned, usually between six and eight weeks.

The amount of food your puppy needs depends on how much he’ll weigh at maturity. A Labrador Retriever will weigh more at maturity than a Russell Terrier, for example. So, the larger dog requires more food as a puppy.

The chart below can help you determine how much dry food to feed your puppy. You should also review the specific feeding instructions on the back of his puppy food and consult with your veterinarian.

Weight at Maturity Weight at Maturity 1-1/2 – 3 Months 4 – 5 Months 6 – 8 Months 9 – 11 Months 1 – 2 Years
(lbs) (kg) (cups) (cups) (cups) (cups) (cups)
3 – 12 1.4 – 5.4 1/2 – 1 2/3 – 1-1/3 1/2 – 1-1/2 Feed as Adult Feed as Adult
13 – 20 5.9 – 9.1 1/2 – 1-1/4 1-1/8 – 2 3/4 – 1-1/3 1 – 1-1/2 Feed as Adult
21 – 50 9.5 – 22.7 1/2 – 1-1/2 1-1/2 – 2-3/4 1-1/8 – 2-1/3 2 – 3 2 – 4-1/4
51 – 75 23.1 – 34.0 5/8 – 2-1/3 1-1/2 – 4 1-1/2 – 3-3/4 2-1/2 – 4-3/4 2-5/8 – 6-1/4
76 – 100 34.5 – 45.4 1 – 2-2/3 2-7/8 – 3-3/4 2-7/8 – 6-1/3 3-7/8 -7 5-5/8 – 11
101 lbs and over Over 45.4 kg 2-2/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs 3-3/4 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs 6-1/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs 7 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs 11 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs

*These are generic recommendations only. Please check the package for product specific feeding recommendations.**Nestlé Purina Research indicates that avoiding overfeeding of puppies may help their development. Maintaining ideal body condition is key to encouraging proper growth in all puppies, especially large breeds. The indicated amounts are only a guideline. If your puppy becomes overweight, a reduction of your puppy’s daily food intake may be appropriate. As puppies near adulthood, their calorie needs may drop, and your puppy may begin leaving some food in the bowl. Dont misinterpret this as an indication of dislike for the food. Instead, begin offering less so your puppy doesnt overeat and stays in ideal body condition. You may wish to consult your veterinarian about a weight control program.

Our puppy feeding chart is a starting point to help you determine how much dry kibble to feed your puppy. Consult the puppy food package for more specific feeding instructions or talk with your veterinarian.

Once you know the daily feeding amount, you need to create a puppy feeding schedule. Take the total amount of food your puppy needs each day and divide that into two to three smaller meals. Give those smaller amounts to him at regular intervals each day.

An easy puppy feeding schedule to follow is to feed him when you eat—at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Remember to feed him early in the evenings so he has time to digest his food before bedtime. This can help prevent accidents inside. Consistency is key. Feeding puppies at consistent times each day helps them get used to the routine.

Puppy Feeding Chart: How Much To Feed A Puppy By Weight

Curious to know “how much should I feed my puppy”? How much food to feed a puppy depends on his age and weight. Most dog and puppy food packages have a feeding chart on the label, similar to our chart below. Be sure to check your puppy’s specific food bag for the label, so you know how much to feed him. While this chart is a good baseline, we recommend double-checking with your vet as all dogs’ dietary needs are unique.

How Often To Feed A Puppy

So now that you know how much to feed your puppy, you might be wondering, “How many times a day should a puppy eat?” Setting a routine for your puppy’s feeding schedule is critical so he can learn when to expect his food.

  • 4-12 Weeks: Young puppies need three or more feedings per day to adequately meet their nutritional needs. So, according to the feeding guide that comes with their food or the chart above, divide that by three or more and give the food to them throughout the day.
  • 3-12 Months: As your puppy gets older, you can reduce the number of feedings to twice daily. Their energy level should reduce; thus, they don’t need as much food throughout the day.
  • 12+ Months: Most adult dogs eat two meals per day. You’ll want to divide their food requirement by two.

    • A typical feeding schedule for puppies is 7am, noon, and 5pm. If you decide to do more than three feedings, you can adjust your schedule for puppy eating times as needed. Make sure to keep that last feeding around the 5 o’clock mark. That way, your pup has ample time to digest the food and eliminate it one last time before bedtime.

    We know that it can be tempting to leave food out all day for your puppy to munch on, especially if you have a busy schedule. However, free-choice feeding encourages overeating, which can cause your pup to gain too much weight. Portion control is key to making sure your puppy eats the proper amount for his size and age.

    Here’s a quick timeline of a puppy’s nutrition in the first few months of his life.

  • 0-3 Weeks: Puppies should be with their mother and nurse as they please. The mother’s milk has the nutrients necessary to provide proper nutrition and protect puppies from diseases. During this time, you don’t need to worry about how much to feed puppies because their mother provides them with nutrition.
  • 3-4 Weeks: Puppies will begin developing teeth and will begin weaning off their mother’s milk. The puppy caregiver can blend a 50:50 portion of canned wet puppy food with a milk replacer in a flat saucer, gradually reducing the amount of milk replacer until you’re only giving them puppy food. One should not be concerned if the puppies don’t like the new food right away. It may take a few days to adjust to the new formula. Rubbing fingers in the mixture and then gently on the puppy’s nose and mouth can make the transition smoother.
  • 4-6 Weeks: By this time, puppies should be fully transitioned to puppy food.
  • 6-12 Months: Gradually begin to switch your puppy to adult food. Small breeds can switch between 7-9 months and larger breeds around the 12-month mark. It doesn’t hurt to keep him on puppy food longer than needed to make sure he’s getting all the nutrients he needs as a developing dog.

    • How much food to feed your puppy? | Veterinary Approved