How Many Times a Day Should a Puppy Eat?

A puppy should eat specialized kibble or dry food once they transition from milk. Commercial pet food manufacturers produce various solid food options to meet the nutritional requirements of different dog breeds and age groups.

Inspect solid food labels to find the best food to fit your puppy’s diet—look for food meant for young dogs. Additionally, consult your doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) to determine the best feeding guidelines, meal times, and potty training schedule for your pet.

Learn more about the different life stages of early canine development so you can tailor your puppy feeding schedule accordingly:

• Newborn to four months of age: A new puppy will satisfy most of its nutritional needs from its mother’s milk until they are about four to six weeks of age. If a puppy’s mother does not feed them enough to meet their nutritional needs, you might need a bottle, warm water, and formula supplements. At six weeks, however, you can begin weaning young puppies off milk and start adding more quality puppy food to their diet to supplement their nutrition. An average puppy needs three to four small servings of puppy food per day.
• Four months to six months: The next stage in your puppy feeding chart begins when your dog has reached three to four months of age. If you were feeding your puppy four times a day, reduce their meals to three per day at this stage. Small breeds, such as spaniels and toy poodles, require smaller food portions than large-breed dogs, such as golden retrievers and Great Danes. Small breeds, however, require more servings—on account of their high metabolisms—than large breeds. For instance, a typical chihuahua puppy might eat four to five meals daily until they reach the four-month mark.
• Six months to adult: Smaller breeds will often reach their full size by six months old. A large-breed puppy might require one to two full years to reach their maximum height and weight. Gradually transition your pup to adult dog food and reduce their number of meals to twice a day. Monitor your pet as you introduce a new food into their diet, but don’t be afraid to try different food brands until you find the one your dog prefers.

It’s possible to determine how much to feed a puppy by gauging your dog’s body condition, mood, and daily activity level throughout the day. For example, if a dog with normally high energy begins to act sluggish, it could mean they are not receiving enough food or the proper nutrition. Discuss this or any other symptoms with your vet before increasing or decreasing your dog’s portion sizes.

Age will also significantly affect proper puppy nutrition. Young puppies will have a much higher body fat percentage than adolescent canines, but dogs should lean out considerably once they reach adulthood. If your dog has visible signs of excess body fat, you might want to reduce their portions. Additionally, exercise them often to help them shed weight since overfeeding could lead to your pet developing poor mobility and other weight-related health issues.

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