Congratulations on your new furry family member! Bringing home a puppy is absolutely paw-some, but we know it can feel a bit overwhelming too, especially when it comes to nutrition. After all, getting the right amount of food is so important for your pup’s healthy development.
If you're wondering how much food to feed a puppy, you’re in the right place! Read on to explore everything you need to know about proper puppy portions, including how automatic feeders can help.
Puppy nutrition: the basics
Choosing the right puppy food is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. A good puppy food should contain high-quality protein to support muscle development (at least 20-25% based on dry matter), fats for brain growth and coat condition, plus essential vitamins and minerals for strong bones and teeth.
Whether you choose wet food or dry kibble, make sure it’s a ‘complete’ food – this means it provides all the nutrients your growing puppy needs. Just remember to measure portions carefully, especially if you’re planning to offer a mix of wet and dry. Wet food contains more moisture, so it requires larger serving sizes to deliver the same nutritional value.
How much to feed a puppy
The right amount to feed your puppy depends on two main factors: their current age and their expected adult weight.
Initially, as your puppy gets bigger, they’ll need to eat more to fuel their growing body. However, when they reach adolescence (typically around six to eight months), their growth rate will begin to slow, so their caloric needs will actually decrease.
Size and breed also matter – larger dog breeds need to eat more, even when young! For mixed breeds, the weight of the parents is usually a good guide. If you’re not sure, your vet should be able to estimate your puppy’s likely adult size.
Puppy feeding guide by age
Different puppy foods vary in energy density, so always follow the feeding directions on the packaging. These guidelines are formulated specifically for that product's nutritional content, so they should always be your starting point.
For a rough idea, see our handy guide below. These figures are estimates based on a typical dry kibble diet.
Two to three months
When you first bring your puppy home, they’ll benefit from frequent, small meals. At two to three months of age, mini breeds (puppies destined to weigh up to 10kg as adults) need around 50-170g dry kibble per day. Medium breeds (11-25kg adult weight) need 150-300g, and large breed puppies (25kg+ adult weight) may require upwards of 270-400g per day.
Divide this into four meals throughout the day, as their tiny stomachs can't handle large portions yet.
Four to five months
At four to five months of age, your puppy's stomach is getting bigger, so you can cut down to three meals per day while increasing portion sizes.
Small breeds need 55-190g daily, medium breeds require 190-350g, and large breeds should have 350-550g per day. This is often when puppies experience their biggest growth spurts, so don't be surprised if they seem constantly hungry!
Six to eight months
By six to eight months, most puppies’ growth and caloric needs begin to slow down (especially for smaller breeds). You can now begin to transition to twice-daily meals.
At this age, mini breeds need around 50g-150g daily, medium pups should have 200-330g, and large breeds require 400-600g per day.
Nine to 11 months
Depending on their breed, your puppy should now be approaching their adult weight. Small breeds will need 40-130g of food each day, medium breeds 140-260g, and large breeds 350-480g.
Two meals per day is standard for pups aged nine months and older.
12 to 15 months
Small and medium dogs can typically transition to adult food and feeding amounts from their first birthday. They’re now considered all grown up!
However, larger breeds (25kg+ adult weight) will continue growing for another few months, so keep them on puppy food for now. They’ll need approximately 290g-430g per day. At 16 months, you can switch to feeding guidelines for adult dogs.
Building healthy feeding habits
Getting into a solid feeding routine is the key to a happy, healthy pup. We know it's tempting to eyeball those servings, but using a food scale makes all the difference in preventing overfeeding. Your pooch will thrive with regular meal times and properly measured portions.
Remember – every puppy is wonderfully unique! Some might need more or less food than our guidelines suggest. As your puppy grows, keep an eye on their body condition by feeling their ribs (they should be easily felt, but not visible). If you have any concerns, your vet is always the best person to chat with for tailored advice.
How Closer Pets can help
We know life gets busy, and keeping up with consistent feeding schedules can be tricky! Our automatic wet and dry dog feeders are designed to deliver perfectly measured portions exactly when your pup needs them, whether you’re working late or out with the kids for the day.
Browse our fantastic range of dog products today, or head to our blog for more helpful tips and guides. We're here to help you and your four-legged friend live your best lives together!