Puppy Feeding Chart & Guide: How Much To Feed A Puppy

You bring a precious little puppy home and one of the first things you need to figure out is what will it eat. You enter a pet shop to browse your options and instantly feel overwhelmed as your eyes peruse through the dog food aisle. It is normal for first-time puppy owners to get confused with queries like, “how many times should a puppy eat?” and 'what to feed my puppy?”. After all, there is a wide variety of dog food available in the market today. A few years ago, puppy food guides were nothing to be confused about because food options were limited, and dog owners did not have an array of products to choose from.

Today, there are many different formulations of dog food available with high-quality ingredients and different specialisations to make sure every dog is taken care of. Here is a basic puppy feeding guide with information on the ideal puppy feeding times, so you know when, how and what to feed a puppy.

Puppy feeding schedule

Here’s a brief puppy feeding guide to give you an idea of what to feed your floof according to its age and how many times should I feed a puppy:

• 3-6 weeks:

  When a puppy is this young, ideally its mother should feed it. So, if the mother of your pup is around, you do not need to worry about its meals. However, if the puppy’s mother is not around, there are substitutes for its food. Puppies so young are usually fed milk with the help of a dropper or a sipper bottle. Consult your vet to know the right amount of milk your puppy needs every day.

• 6-12 weeks:

  A 6–12-week-old puppy must be fed food specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a growing dog. Your pup must be fed 4 times a day at this age. If your pup is a large breed, feed it unmoistened dry food when it turns around 10 weeks old. If you have a small dog breed, start doing the same once it turns 12-13 weeks old.

• 6-12 months:

  Start feeding your puppy twice every day once it turns 6-12 weeks old. If you decide to neuter or spay your pup, its energy requirement will decrease post the procedure. After the procedure, you can switch to adult dog food! Small breed dogs can switch to adult food at 7-9 months old and bigger breed dogs at 13-14 months old.

• After a year: 

  After your puppy has turned a year old, you can feed it two-half portions. You can also consult your vet to make sure you are providing your pooch with all the nutrition it needs.

Transitioning from puppy food to adult food requires a gradual approach to avoid digestive issues. Shift over a few days, slowly mixing adult food with puppy food. Consult your vet and breeder about the best timing, considering your puppy’s growth and breed specifics. 

How to bottle feed puppies?

When a puppy is orphaned or its mother is unable to nurse, bottle feeding becomes essential. Now that you know how many times should a puppy eat, here’s how to bottle feed them safely and effectively, ensuring your little one receives the nutrition it needs.

• Choose the right milk replacer:

  Opt for a milk replacer specifically designed for puppies, as it closely mimics a mother’s milk. Avoid cow's milk, which can upset your puppy's stomach.

• Prepare & warm the milk:

  Reconstitute the milk replacer according to the package instructions. Warm the bottle by placing it in a cup of hot water until it reaches body temperature. Always test the nipple to ensure milk drips slowly, preventing choking.

• Feeding technique: 

  Position the puppy belly-down on your lap or a towel. Insert the nipple gently into its mouth, tipping the bottle to keep air from entering. Feed until the puppy's suckling slows. If you’re wondering how many times a day should I feed a puppy, remember, newborns need to eat every 2 to 3 hours, but you can adjust puppy feeding times as they grow. A typical schedule involves feeding four to five meals a day.

Monitor your puppy’s weight and behaviour to ensure they are thriving. If you’re ever unsure about how many meals a day for puppy, consult your veterinarian.

How much should you feed a puppy?

There is no set puppy food guide that works for all dogs. Every dog is different and has its own individual needs. For instance, a small breed dog cannot stomach portion sizes of a large breed dog even if they are of the same age. In fact, two dogs of the same breed may need different portion sizes because of factors such as metabolism, energy levels, medical history, and more. If you notice that your dog is not finishing its food, maybe it's time to change the portion size since you might be serving it too much food. If you give your dog treats throughout the day, factoring that into its meal plan is also important.

The best way to take of your dog’s nutritional needs is to consult a vet. A vet can advise you on portion sizes and food content for your dog that will suit its bodily needs.

Puppy feeding chart

Ensure that your furry friend receives the correct nutrition with PEDIGREE at every stage of life. Take a look at our comprehensive puppy feeding chart:

Note:

• Should separately serve puppy 2-4 meals per day with the recommended daily amount.
• This feeding amount is for lactating dog that has 4 puppies.
• You can increase or decrease the daily amount according to your dog’s activity level. Always ensure fresh clean water is available.

Puppy feeding tips

Navigating the world of puppy nutrition can be a bit daunting for new pet parents. Beyond the basics of how many times should a puppy eat, here are some tips that can make a big difference in your puppy's health and happiness:

• When welcoming your new puppy home, avoid feeding immediately to prevent separation anxiety. Instead, engage in play or grooming.
• If your vet prescribes a special diet for health issues, follow it strictly. Prescription diets address conditions like digestive concerns and should not be given without professional advice. 
• Consistency is key in both puppy feeding times and puppy food. Sudden changes can upset their stomachs. So, decide on a formula and stick to it.
• Wondering how many times does a puppy eat? Generally, a puppy needs three to four meals daily, but adjust based on their individual needs. 
• Healthy treats like small carrot or apple pieces can be great snacks, balancing their diet without disrupting how many meals a day your puppy should have. You can also pick from the numerous healthy and tasty treat options available from us like Pedigree Rodeo, and Pedigree Tasty Bites.

What's best: Wet food or dry food?

Wondering what to feed your puppy? Dry kibble is the most popular puppy food but there are also many other options available. Upon visiting any pet store, you will instantly notice a wide range of puppy food with both dry and wet food options. As long as the formulation of your chosen brand is right, you can feed your puppy whatever it likes. Once you start feeding it, you will also learn its preference which will make things much easier for you! Kibble, canned food, semi-moist food, there are so many options for your pup to choose from. Once you know what it likes, you can stock up!

When a new puppy comes home, it is crucial that you feed it the right food according to its age, metabolism, and overall nutritional needs. And with this guide on what and how to feed a puppy, you can make sure your pooch receives all the nourishment it needs to lead a healthy life. Consult your vet to ensure that you are giving your floof the nutrition it deserves!