The Hows and Whats of Feeding Your Puppy

How Much Do Puppies Eat?

Puppies are supposed to eat a lot of food to support a growing body. How much food? Well, figure that from birth to about six months, he or she should eat two to four times as much as an adult dog. Puppies double their weight during their first week after birth. After that, depending on the breed, your puppy will gain one to two grams of its anticipated adult weight each day. This figure, of course, is somewhat hypothetical since you don’t always know how big the dog will get. This is especially true if you have a mixed-breed puppy.

Since you may not be sure of your dog’s adult size try the sensory approach. You should be able to feel but not see his or her ribs. Also, they should have a visible waist when you look down at them. This rule of thumb holds true for puppies of any breed, big, small, and in between.

The back of the dog food bag also provides guidelines to follow.

What Should You Feed Your Pup

Puppy chow is higher in protein and fortified with vitamins, minerals, and fats. All are required for growth. However if you check out the ingredient list, you will find that not all puppy food is created equally. The rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. Although there is a standard set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAAFCO), many manufacturers go above and beyond the standard to create a more nutritious product to support the puppy’s development.

Always buy puppy food for your growing pup because it will have the extra nutrients he or she needs. If you’re not entirely sure when to stop feeding it puppy food, ask your vet. Also, if available, take into consideration breed-formulated food. Large breed formulas help bigger puppies grow at a gradual rate which in turn builds strong bones and joints. Rapid or excelerated growth is not recommended under any circumstances. Small-breed formulas deliver the right amount of nutrients in small kibbles that are best suited for smaller pups. And, of course, there is a formula for medium sized dogs that’s somewhere in between the two.

How Much To Feed Your Pup

From about two to three months of age your puppy can eat three or four times a day. However, if your schedule does not allow for frequent meals, it’s okay to feed him or her the same amount of food divided into two servings. At about six months, you should start to reduce the amount of food you give him or her and if you’re doing three or four feedings a day, reduce it to two. The back of the dog food bag will give you the amount they should be getting. Always set a schedule for your dog by feeding it around the same times each day. Also, read up and know your breed. Some dogs are prone to being overweight and need a lower calorie diet.

Written by Irene Tirella

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