Feeding
How much should I feed my puppy?
The bag tells you a range built for a hypothetical dog. Body condition tells you the truth about yours.
How this was built: compiled from published veterinary guidance, manufacturer specifications and current retailer listings — not hands-on tested. Sponsored links earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Start with the bag, then adjust to the dog
Every complete food carries a feeding guide by weight and age. Use it as a starting point, then adjust based on body condition over two to three weeks. Puppies are growing targets, so the amount changes roughly monthly.
Frequency by age
| Age | Meals per day | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | 4 | Small stomachs; keep gaps even |
| 3–6 months | 3 | Drop the fourth meal gradually |
| 6–12 months | 2 | Most dogs stay at two for life |
| 12 months+ | 2 | Switch to adult food per your vet's guidance |
Judge body condition, not the scale
Run your hands along the ribs. You should feel them easily under a thin layer, like the knuckles of a closed fist. Look from above: a visible waist behind the ribs. From the side: a tucked belly line.
- Ribs hard to feel — reduce by about 10% and re-check in two weeks.
- Ribs sharp, spine prominent — increase by about 10%.
- Large-breed puppy growing very fast — talk to your vet before increasing. Overfeeding a large-breed puppy is linked to joint problems.
Don't free-feed a puppy you're house-training. You lose all control over when it needs to go out. Scheduled meals make predictions possible, which is half of house-training.
Treats count
Treats should stay under about 10% of daily calories. In training-heavy weeks, weigh out part of the daily ration and use that as the treat — the dog works for its dinner instead of additional food.
Questions people ask
How much should I feed my puppy?
Start with the bag's guide for its weight and age, then adjust by body condition over two to three weeks. You should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer.
How many times a day should a puppy eat?
Four meals at 8–12 weeks, three at 3–6 months, two from 6 months onward. Scheduled meals are essential for house-training.
Should I free-feed my puppy?
Not while house-training. Free-feeding removes your ability to predict when the puppy needs to go out.
How much of the diet should be treats?
Under about 10% of daily calories. In heavy training weeks, take the treats out of the meal ration rather than adding them.