Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but figuring out how to feed them properly can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about puppy feeding, from the first day home through the transition to adult food.
Day One: What to Feed Your New Puppy
Stick with the Current Food (At First)
Your puppy's digestive system is sensitive, and the stress of a new environment is already challenging. For the first 1-2 weeks:
- Ask the breeder or shelter what food the puppy has been eating
- Get a small bag of the same food to take home
- Continue feeding it even if you plan to switch
- Avoid sudden changes that can cause diarrhea
If You Don't Know What They Were Eating
If the previous food is unknown or unavailable:
- Choose a high-quality puppy food appropriate for your puppy's expected adult size
- Start with small, frequent meals
- Watch for digestive upset
- Consider adding a probiotic to help with transition
Choosing the Right Puppy Food
Check the AAFCO Statement
Every puppy food should have an AAFCO statement indicating it's:
- "Complete and balanced for growth"
- "For all life stages" (also acceptable)
- Specifically for "large breed growth" if your puppy will be over 50 lbs as an adult
Size-Appropriate Formulas
| Puppy's Expected Adult Size | Food Type |
|---|---|
| Under 20 lbs | Small breed puppy |
| 20-50 lbs | Regular puppy or "all breeds" |
| 50-100 lbs | Large breed puppy |
| Over 100 lbs | Large/giant breed puppy |
Important: Large breed puppies need specially formulated food with controlled calcium levels. See our Large Breed Puppy Food Guide.
Our Top Puppy Food Picks
For detailed recommendations, see our existing Puppy Nutrition Guide.
Puppy Feeding Schedule by Age
8-12 Weeks: 4 Meals Daily
Puppies this age have small stomachs and high energy needs:
| Time | Meal |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 11:00 AM | Lunch |
| 3:00 PM | Afternoon |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner |
Tips:
- Keep meals small to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Especially important for small breed puppies
- Remove uneaten food after 15-20 minutes
3-6 Months: 3 Meals Daily
As your puppy grows, consolidate to three meals:
| Time | Meal |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
Tips:
- Gradually increase portion sizes
- Monitor body condition (should feel ribs easily)
- Growth is rapid during this period
6-12 Months: 2 Meals Daily
Most puppies can transition to twice-daily feeding:
| Time | Meal |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
Tips:
- Some puppies do fine on this schedule at 4-5 months
- Small breeds may need 3 meals longer
- Consistent timing helps with house training
12+ Months: Adult Schedule
Most dogs do well on 1-2 meals daily as adults. Many owners continue twice-daily feeding for life.
How Much to Feed Your Puppy
Start with Package Guidelines
Food packaging provides calorie-based recommendations. These are starting points — adjust based on your puppy's:
- Body condition
- Activity level
- Growth rate
Use Our Calculator
Our feeding calculator considers:
- Current weight
- Expected adult weight
- Age
- Activity level
This gives a more personalized recommendation than generic package guidelines.
Body Condition Monitoring
The best measure of correct portions is your puppy's body:
Ideal condition:
- Ribs easily felt with light pressure
- Visible waist when viewed from above
- Abdominal tuck when viewed from side
Underfed signs:
- Ribs, spine, hip bones visible
- No fat covering
- Low energy
Overfed signs:
- Can't feel ribs easily
- No visible waist
- Rounded belly
- Difficulty exercising
Adjustment Guidelines
| Observation | Action |
|---|---|
| Ribs very prominent | Increase food 10% |
| Ribs barely felt | Decrease food 10% |
| Puppy leaving food | May be overfeeding |
| Puppy acting hungry | Check body condition first |
Note: Puppies often act hungry even when properly fed. Go by body condition, not begging behavior.
Transitioning Foods Safely
Whether switching from breeder food or changing brands later, always transition gradually:
Standard 7-Day Transition
| Days | Old Food | New Food |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 75% | 25% |
| 3-4 | 50% | 50% |
| 5-6 | 25% | 75% |
| 7+ | 0% | 100% |
Extended Transition (Sensitive Puppies)
For puppies with sensitive stomachs, extend to 10-14 days:
| Days | Old Food | New Food |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | 75% | 25% |
| 4-6 | 60% | 40% |
| 7-9 | 40% | 60% |
| 10-12 | 25% | 75% |
| 13+ | 0% | 100% |
Signs of transition problems:
- Loose stool or diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Excessive gas
If these occur, slow the transition or return to the previous ratio until symptoms resolve.
For more details, see How to Switch Dog Food Safely.
Wet Food vs. Dry Food for Puppies
Dry Kibble (Most Common)
Pros:
- Convenient and affordable
- Better for dental health (mild abrasion)
- Easy to use for training treats
- Longer shelf life
Cons:
- Less palatable for picky puppies
- Lower moisture content
Wet/Canned Food
Pros:
- Highly palatable
- Higher moisture (good for hydration)
- Easier for teething puppies to eat
Cons:
- More expensive
- Spoils faster once opened
- Can be messier
- May encourage picky eating
Best Approach
Many puppy owners use a combination:
- Primarily dry food for convenience
- Wet food mixed in for palatability
- Wet food during teething discomfort
If mixing: Reduce dry food portion to account for wet food calories.
Treats and Training Rewards
The 10% Rule
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your puppy's daily calories.
Example: If your puppy needs 500 calories/day:
- 450 calories from regular food
- 50 calories max from treats
Best Training Treats
- Small pieces of kibble (count against daily total)
- Tiny soft treats (look for low-calorie options)
- Small bits of cooked chicken or cheese
- Baby carrots or apple pieces (supervision required)
Treats to Avoid
- Large biscuits (too many calories)
- Rawhide (choking hazard for puppies)
- Bones (splintering risk)
- Human food with toxic ingredients (onion, garlic, xylitol, chocolate, grapes)
Water: The Forgotten Nutrient
Always Available
Fresh, clean water should be available at all times except:
- During house training at night (remove 2 hours before bed)
- Very young puppies may need supervision to prevent overdrinking
How Much Should Puppies Drink?
Puppies typically need about 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily.
Example: 10 lb puppy = 5-10 oz water/day
Signs of Dehydration
- Dry gums
- Sunken eyes
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Lethargy
If you suspect dehydration, contact your vet immediately.
Common Puppy Feeding Mistakes
1. Free-Feeding
Leaving food out all day:
- Makes portion control impossible
- Encourages overeating
- Interferes with house training
- Makes it hard to notice appetite changes
Solution: Feed scheduled meals and remove uneaten food after 15-20 minutes.
2. Feeding Adult Food
Puppies have different nutritional needs than adults:
- Higher protein requirements
- Different calcium/phosphorus needs
- More calories per pound of body weight
Solution: Always use food labeled for puppies or "all life stages."
3. Overfeeding
"But he's always hungry!" Puppies will eat well beyond their needs.
- Leads to obesity
- Causes skeletal problems in large breeds
- Creates lifelong overeating habits
Solution: Feed according to body condition, not appetite.
4. Supplementing Without Need
Adding vitamins, calcium, or other supplements to complete puppy food:
- Can cause nutritional imbalances
- Excess calcium is dangerous for large breed puppies
- Complete foods are already balanced
Solution: Only supplement if recommended by your veterinarian for a specific deficiency.
5. Too Many Treats
Using treats liberally during training without adjusting meals:
- Adds significant calories
- Can unbalance nutrition
- Encourages picky eating
Solution: Use kibble as training treats, or reduce meal portions to account for treat calories.
When to Switch to Adult Food
The transition to adult food depends on your dog's expected adult size:
| Expected Adult Size | Switch to Adult |
|---|---|
| Small (<20 lbs) | 9-12 months |
| Medium (20-50 lbs) | 12 months |
| Large (50-100 lbs) | 12-18 months |
| Giant (100+ lbs) | 18-24 months |
Signs your puppy is ready:
- Growth has slowed or stopped
- Approaching adult weight
- Vet confirms skeletal development complete
How to Transition to Adult Food
Use the same gradual transition process:
- 7-14 days mixing old and new
- Monitor for digestive upset
- Choose adult food appropriate for your dog's size
Warning Signs: When to Call the Vet
Contact your veterinarian if your puppy:
- Won't eat for more than 24 hours — Young puppies can become hypoglycemic
- Has persistent vomiting or diarrhea — Dehydration risk is high
- Shows bloating or abdominal pain — Could indicate obstruction
- Is losing weight despite eating — May indicate parasites or other issues
- Eats non-food items repeatedly — Pica can indicate deficiency or behavioral issue
- Has blood in stool or vomit — Requires immediate attention
Frequently Asked Questions
My puppy won't eat. What should I do?
First, rule out illness (lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea). If healthy:
- The food may not be palatable — try warming it or adding water
- The environment may be stressful — feed in a quiet location
- You may be overfeeding — hungry puppies eat
- Wait it out — healthy puppies won't starve themselves
Can I give my puppy milk?
Most puppies are lactose intolerant after weaning. Cow's milk can cause diarrhea. If you want to give a milk treat, use lactose-free milk or milk formulated for dogs in small amounts.
Should I add water to dry food?
Adding water is fine and can:
- Make food more palatable
- Help with hydration
- Soften food for teething puppies
- Slow down fast eaters
Use warm (not hot) water and serve immediately to prevent bacterial growth.
How do I know if my puppy has a food allergy?
Signs include:
- Itchy skin, especially ears and paws
- Chronic ear infections
- Digestive upset that doesn't resolve
- Poor coat condition
Food allergies require an elimination diet to diagnose. See Best Dog Food for Allergies.
Is it bad to change my puppy's food frequently?
Frequent switching without transition can cause digestive upset. However, some nutritionists recommend rotation feeding (switching proteins periodically) to:
- Prevent the development of allergies
- Provide nutritional variety
- Prevent picky eating
If rotating, still transition gradually between foods.