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Puppy Feeding Guidelines

Puppy Nutrition: Feeding Your Puppy

Puppy feeding guidelines

When you welcome a new puppy into your home, you want to do everything necessary to care for their wellbeing. A big part of this revolves around providing the right nutrition to keep your puppy healthy and growing strong.

With a wide variety of dog foods available on the market, it can be challenging to know what to feed your puppy, how much food they need to eat and how frequently to feed them. We'll cover everything you need to know about feeding a growing pup in this guide.

Why your puppy needs specialized nutrition

Feeding your puppy the right balanced nutrition is key for their growth and long-term health. As Dr. Travis Arndt, assistant medical director at the Animal Medical Center of Mid-America, points out, "Puppies have different requirements for amino acids, vitamins and minerals than adult dogs do, specifically calcium and phosphorus. And puppies need more calories to fuel their higher energy level."

Before your puppy arrived in your home, they received all the necessary nutrition from their mother's milk. Now that they are weaned off this milk, they will need puppy-specific food to ensure they still receive the special nutrients necessary to grow into a healthy adult dog.

What food to feed your puppy

Two forms of puppy food typically come to mind—kibble (or dry food) and canned (or wet) food. However, there are now several other healthy options available, including dehydrated and fresh or frozen food. 

Canned and fresh food options typically have a higher moisture content than kibble or dehydrated food, which can make it easier for puppies who are still using baby teeth to chew and swallow their food. If you want to stick to kibble, it helps to moisten the food with water before your young puppy begins eating. 

In regards to nutrition, the most important thing to ensure is that your puppy gets a suitable mix of protein, fat, calcium and calories. Since puppies have different caloric and nutritional needs than adult dogs, a diet specially formulated for puppies is often the clearest option. However, there are also "all-life stages" dog food formulas that provide a well-balanced meal for dogs of all ages and can be fed from puppyhood into adulthood. 

Be sure to also ask your veterinarian about puppy food designed for specific breeds. Key differences among breed-based diets for puppies come down to calorie density and calcium content. 

"Large-breed growth diets are typically lower in calcium and are less energy-dense in order to reduce the risk of overfeeding, which will lead to obesity," says Dr. Arndt. "All puppies should be kept lean throughout growth and beyond to promote health and longevity." 

Lastly, before deciding on the best food for your puppy, it's important to research and understand what your puppy was eating before joining your family. If they are on a specific diet and your veterinarian recommends switching them to a different option, make sure to slowly introduce the new food to ease any potential digestive trouble. 

Of course, the best way to pick the right food is by talking to your vet. Our trained Petco store partners are happy to guide you on the right path based on your vet’s recommendations. Anytime you stop by your nearest Petco location, be sure to ask for their help. 

Shop puppy food at Petco

Dry puppy food

Wet puppy food

Raw puppy food

Understanding industry guidelines for food

The FDA requires that all dog nutrition labels, including puppy nutrition, display a list of ingredients on the packaging so that pet parents can easily compare ingredients. One specific thing to keep an eye out for on the food label is a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

While this organization does not regulate, test, approve or certify pet food, it does establish model nutritional standards and language regarding the manufacturing, distribution and sale of animal nutrition to provide safe, nutritious options for your pet.

For puppy food specifically, AAFCO guidelines state that no fewer than 37 nutrients must be present, including 10 amino acids, 12 minerals and 11 vitamins. AAFCO also recommends that puppy nutrition contain 25–30% protein.

How much to feed your puppy

When determining how much to feed your pup, it's important to take into consideration your puppy's size and breed.

"The larger the puppy, the more food is required," says Dr. Arndt. "Because each puppy is an individual and activity levels vary by breed, it is difficult to give a one-size-fits-all recommendation on how much to feed your puppy."

While you should always consult your veterinarian on proper portion control, there are some general dog food portion guidelines to follow:

  • Check the packaging of your puppy's food. Most product packages provide feeding guidelines based on your puppy's age and weight. 
  • Pay attention to whether your puppy is leaving food in their bowl. If so, slightly reduce the amount of food offered at each meal until you find the proper portion. Alternatively, if your puppy devours each meal and still seems hungry, talk to your veterinarian about increasing the amount to keep your puppy satisfied. If your puppy is leaving food and not gaining weight, seek veterinary care right away to check for any underlying health issues.
  • Be cautious when increasing food amounts. Some dogs will eat every bite no matter how full they are.

When to feed your puppy

It’s important to monitor your puppy's eating and establish a set feeding schedule early on. Creating consistency will help your puppy establish a routine, which is key for their training and helps them transition to living in your home. This routine will also help promote consistency in healthy eating habits throughout all stages of life.

Most puppies should finish their food within 15-20 minutes. To help keep them on schedule, Dr. Arndt recommends avoiding lots of treats and picking up uneaten food 30 minutes after it has been offered. 

Dr. Arndt also recommends that most puppies be fed two to three meals per day. "By 12 weeks of age, that can be tapered back to two meals," he says. "Some toy breeds may still require three meals as they are at risk for becoming hypoglycemic."

In general, scheduled feedings tend to lead to more regular bowel movements, which can make housetraining easier for you and your pup. You'll also be able to monitor your puppy's caloric intake more easily. 

If you are considering a "free-feeding" model—where food is left out for puppies at all times—make sure you speak with a veterinarian first.

Many veterinarians warn against free-feeding because it can lead to obesity, bone growth problems (caused by consuming too many calories too soon) and food aggression (if there are multiple dogs in the house). It can also make it more difficult to monitor any changes in your pup’s eating habits. 

Your puppy will also need a separate food and water dish. Both bowls should be washed and dried daily to prevent the growth of bacteria. Your puppy should have access to fresh water at all times. To help establish proper housetraining habits, take your puppy outside after every meal.

Puppy Feeding Frequency: First-Year Timeline

< 8 weeks ˇ

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Puppies are generally weaned off milk by the time they are 8 weeks old. At this point, you can switch to a puppy food formula targeted to their age and breed size. If your puppy has not yet been fully weaned, mixing in puppy milk replacer can help ease the transition to puppy food.

8+ weeks ˇ

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After 8 weeks, you can feed your pup up to three times a day. Continue to feed the same brand of puppy food as before—sudden changes in food can cause an upset tummy. If you want to change foods, do so gradually.

6–12 months ˇ

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While most vets recommend feeding your dog twice a day in this age range, it's best to consult with your veterinarian to receive guidance on how often and how much to feed your puppy as they continue to grow. Many small breeds will need to continue to feed at least three times a day to avoid low blood sugar events.

How to incorporate treats into your puppy's diet

In addition to providing high-quality daily nutrition, show your puppy a little extra love with a healthy snack. Just remember, dog treats should not exceed 10% of your puppy's daily caloric intake. This is particularly important to keep in mind if you have enrolled your puppy in a training class based on treat rewards or if you are using treats to train at home.

When picking out treats for your pup, choose healthy treats that are formulated especially for puppies or adult treats that are safe for puppies. You can break treats into smaller pieces to help decrease their total intake and avoid any choking risk. Once you've hit your pup's daily limit for treats, there are still plenty of ways to show them you care. Extra playtime, lots of belly rubs and puppy-safe chew toys are all excellent ways to avoid unnecessary calories while still providing an extra special treat.

Establishing healthy eating habits early on with your puppy is one of the best ways to show them your love. These habits will stick with them for life and can contribute to their long-term wellbeing.

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