How many cups a day should an 8 week old puppy eat

How Much To Feed A Puppy By Weight And Puppy Feeding Chart

There are many elements to keeping your dog healthy. These include giving your dog enough exercise, playtime, and, of course, food. But do you know how much to feed a puppy? Are you wondering, How much food should I feed my puppy?

Lets discuss what a puppys diet should consist of, how much a puppy should eat, and how often a puppy should be fed. We hope our puppy feeding guide will help you provide the proper diet for your pup.

Puppy Feeding Chart: How Much To Feed A Puppy By Weight

Curious to know, How much should I feed my puppy? How much food to feed a puppy depends on age and weight. Most dog and puppy food packages have a feeding chart on the label, similar to our chart below. Be sure to check your puppys specific food bag for the label so you know how much to feed him. While this chart is a good baseline, we recommend double-checking with your vet, as all dogs dietary needs are unique.

How Much Food Should I Feed My Puppy?

These amounts are for every 24 hours.

How Often To Feed A Puppy

So now that you know how much to feed your puppy, you might be wondering, How many times a day should a puppy eat? Setting a routine for your puppys feeding schedule is critical so he can learn when to expect his food.

• 4-12 Weeks: Young puppies need three or more feedings per day to adequately meet their nutritional needs. So, according to the feeding guide that comes with their food or the chart above, divide that by three or more and give the food to them throughout the day.
• 3-12 Months: As your puppygets older, you can reduce the number of feedings to twice daily. Their energy level should be reduced; thus, they dont need as much food throughout the day.
• 12+ Months: Most adult dogs eat two meals per day. Youll want to divide their food requirement by two.

Puppy Feeding Schedule

A typical feeding schedule for puppies is 7 am, noon, and 5 pm. If you decide to do more than three feedings, you can adjust your schedule for puppy eating times as needed. Make sure to keep that last feeding around the 5 oclock mark. That way, your pup has ample time to digest the food and eliminate it one last time before bedtime.

Keep To The Feeding Schedule To Avoid Overeating

We know that it can be tempting to leave food out all day for your puppy to munch on, especially if you have a busy schedule. However, free-choice feeding encourages overeating, which can cause your pup to gain too much weight. Portion control is key to making sure your puppy eats the proper amount for his size and age. Learning how much to feed a puppy and choosing the best food and nutrition helps avoid overeating, which leads to obesity and ensures proper development.

Dog Feeding Schedule By Age

Heres a quick timeline of a puppys nutrition in the first few months of his life. You will find more details just below our how much to feed a puppy chart.

• 0-3 Weeks: Puppies should be with their mother and nurse as they please. The mothers milk has the nutrients necessary to provide proper nutrition and protect puppies from diseases. During this time, you dont need to worry about how much to feed puppies because their mother providesthem with nutrition.
• 3-4 Weeks: Puppies will begin developing teeth and will begin weaning off their mothers milk.The puppy caregiver can blend a 50:50 portion of canned wet puppy food with a milk replacer in a flat saucer, gradually reducing the amount of milk replacer until youre only giving them puppy food. One should not be concerned if the puppies dont like the new food right away. It may take a few days to adjust to the new formula. Rubbing fingers in the mixture and then gently on the puppys nose and mouth can make the transition smoother.
• 4-6 Weeks: By this time, puppies should be fully transitioned to puppy food.
• 6 Weeks-6 Months: Puppy food based on their size and breed.
• 6-12 Months: Gradually begin to switch your puppy to adult food. Small breeds can switch between 7-9 months, and larger breeds can switch around the 12-month mark. It doesnt hurt to keep him on puppy food longer than needed to make sure hes getting all the nutrients he needs as a developing dog but since puppy food has higher calories, be sure to watch for unnecessary weight gain. A balanced diet that also maintains a healthy body weight is important for an adult dog.

What Can Puppies Eat?

A dogs food needs differ as they age, and you uncover different dietary needs. Here is a guide to our top recommended items for several different canines.

Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food?

Puppies and adult dogs have different nutrient needs. To help puppies grow into adult dogs, they require more protein, micronutrients, and carbs. Protein provides them with amino acids and energy. Puppies need more fat as they use a significant amount of energy, and fats help them absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Puppy formulas always have more fat than adult foods.

Calcium is vital to developing healthy bones and teeth. Puppies need more calcium than adults. However, larger breeds need than smaller breeds due to their rapid rate of growth. It is healthier to feed your puppy food that is formulated for their specific breed size to ensure they get the right amounts of essential nutrients like calcium.

DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is vital to puppy growth and is very important to brain and vision development. t is found in their mothers milk but is added to puppy food in the form of fish protein or fish oils.

Puppies also require a high amount of calories to help them grow, so its essential to purchase a high-quality food brand for your puppy. You want them to have a balanced diet to ensure healthy growth and development, and adult dog food will not meet their needs.

A puppys mouth is smaller than an adult dogs mouth, which helps explain why their food is not as big as adult kibble. Feeding puppies adult dog food can be dangerous because the kibble is larger, and the texture is harder to chew. Giving a puppy adult dog food can cause damage to their teeth, jaws, and overall health.

The same can be said for puppy treats. Treats made for adult dogs are often larger and harder to chew. Puppy treats ingredients also tend to be more suitable for them than those made for adult dogs. If you can, stick to treats that specifically say they are safe for puppies.

If youre looking for high-quality food for your little friend, perhaps you could try The Farmers Dog, one of our top picks for fresh dog food. Its a healthy solution for dogs of all ages. Learn more in our The Farmers Dog review.

How Long Do Puppies Eat Puppy Food?

For many breeds, puppies will need to eat a puppy-specific recipe until they reach a year or 12 months old. Smaller breeds may make the transition between 7 and 9 months old. Larger breeds, like the Great Dane, stay on puppy formulas for longer, some even until 18 months old.

How long your pup needs to stay on puppy food will depend on breed, health, and size. It is always better to stay on puppy food a little too long than to switch too early. Switching too soon can deprive them of vital nutrients needed to reach full development and can lead to health issues later in life. Discuss this change with your vet before making the switch.

Dont overlook the importance of planning and allowing for a transitional process when changing dog food. Imagine eating the same meals every day. Then, suddenly, you switch to something completely different. Youll probably experience a tummy ache orother gastrointestinal problems.

The same thing goes for your puppy. Remember that its a process that should take a minimum of six days and sometimes longer (up to several weeks).Do not try out too many different new foods at a time, as this can lead to digestive upset and stomach pain. It can also lead to body weight issues if your pup isnt eating enough. You want to keep your dog on a consistent feeding schedule and feed the appropriate amount for their age.

Puppyhood Is The Best Time To Consider Pet Insurance

As a puppy, your dog has probably not shown any significant health concerns at a young age. Since pet insurance companies dont cover pre-existing conditions, the younger your dog is when you sign up, the better coverage you will likely receive throughout his lifetime.

Pet insurance can help support you financially during the unpredictable puppy years when dogs are more likely to chew on things they shouldnt and run into dangerous situations. Check out our pet insurance guide to learn more and to determine whether pet insurance is worth it for your puppy. You can also use our free tool below to get instant pet insurance quotes.

Your Best Puppy And Dog Food Options (And Other Tips)

Remember, having a dog who has his dietary needs met will be happier and healthier as a result. Not eating enough can lead to malnutrition, and overeating makes your pup obese (read our tips to help your dog lose weight). You do not want your puppy to become a picky eater, or develop a sensitive stomach, so stick to puppy formulas. If you have any concerns about how much to feed a puppy, are worried your puppy is not eating enough, or need help ensuring they are on the right diet, reach out to your vet. This is a perfect topic to bring up at a puppy checkup.

Are you looking for more dog food articles? Weve got plenty of resources on various dog diets and nutrition, including our recommended foods for any age, diet type, and health concern, the best dog food delivery services for puppies and adult dogs, and homemade dog food recipes.

Puppy Feeding Schedule by Age, Chart + 11 Feeding Tips | Pupford

Establishing a puppy feeding schedule will benefit you and your new pet for months and years to come. Not only will it help you keep on track with how much and how often they are eating, but it can even help avoid picky eating and other potential problem behaviors.

Specifically, how much you need to feed your puppy will depend on their age, breed, weight, and of course, the puppy food you choose to feed them.

DO PUPPIES NEED A FEEDING SCHEDULE?

You may be wondering if you actually need a puppy feeding schedule and the answer, in most cases, is yes. Dogs (and puppies) are creatures of habit and helping them establish a routine with their feeding (and all parts of their life generally) will help them to become more consistent in their potty time.

That in turn, will help make potty training much easier and faster! Who doesnt want that?!

PS- we offer a 100% free and comprehensive online puppy training class, led by YouTubes #1 dog trainer Zak George. You can sign up for free here.

Related Reading: How Much Time Should I Spend With My Puppy?

PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULES BY AGE

While each puppy is different, it can be helpful to get a general idea of a feeding schedule according to your dog's age. The guidelines change by age because as your puppy ages, you will end up feeding him or her less often!

So, let's check out different schedules starting with 8 week old puppies! These breakdowns will help you make sense of how many times you should feed your puppy.

8 WEEK OLD - 12 WEEK OLD PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULE CHART

Once your puppy has been weaned off of their mothers milk (around 8 weeks), you can start feeding them soft or wet puppy foods like canned or dehydrated dog foods (if you aren't sure what that is, read our complete dehydrated dog food guide here). You wont want to start feeding your pup any dry foods until they are at least 9-10 weeks old. If you decide to use hard foods, be sure to soften the food with some water.

At such a young stage in their life, puppies are growing like crazy! In this early stage of their life, youll want to feed them 3-4 times per day. These tiny puppies have just as tiny of stomachs, so smaller meals throughout the day will help their little bodies digest the food!

Below is an example of a puppy feeding chart and schedule for 8-12 week old pups. Not only will this schedule help with creating a feeding routine, but it will help you work on crate and potty training.

 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering biting, leash walking, potty training & feeding and more! Sign up for free here! 

You can also click here to access a free printable version of this puppy feeding chart to stick on your fridge or mirror!

As mentioned above, 8 week old puppies should eat anywhere from 3-4 times per day.

They can stick with that same schedule until they are about 3 months old.

3-6 MONTH OLD PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULE

Once your pup hits 3 months old, you will for sure want to reduce to feeding 3 times per day (if you were doing 4 times at a younger age). By this time your pup should be used to their feeding schedule. Be sure to stay consistent and do your best to feed your pup at the same times each day. The printable schedule above is still applicable for a 3 to 6 month old puppy.

During this stage, your puppy should start becoming less round and start shaping more into a more normal dog figure. If you have any worries that your pup is overweight you should contact your vet.

6-12 MONTH OLD PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULE

Once your pup hits 6 months old you can decrease feeding time to only twice per day. But remember that each pup is different, so monitor their energy levels and stools and find what works best for your pup!

You would want to apply a similar feeding schedule as shown above for the 3-6 months old but just eliminate the lunchtime meal. Also, aim for consistency in your feeding time to help establish a routine in your pups life.

Be sure to work with your vet to determine when to start feeding adult food, as there are many factors that can influence this decision.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU FEED A PUPPY?

When choosing how much to feed a puppy, you should keep a few things in mind.

First, every puppy is different! Factors that can influence how much a puppy should eat can include (but arent limited to) age, breed, current weight status (overweight, underweight, etc.), activity levels, and of course, the food you will be feeding.

Related Reading: How Much Water Should My Dog Drink a Day?

All foods should have feeding guidelines that give you a general range for your pup based on their age and weight. If your pup seems disinterested in their puppy food or leaves too much in the bowl, that may be a sign that your pup is being overfed or it can also be a sign your pup just might not love their food yikes!As you try out any new food, be sure to monitor your pups weight and energy levels in the beginning stages of the transition.

Another thing to remember about your pups caloric intake is that treats shouldnt make up more than 10% of their daily food intake. So that means if you are training your pup (hopefully you are if not, weve got a free class you can sign up for here) you should only use very small-sized treats or rewards as to not overfeed your pup.

Remember, healthy pups that get the right levels of nutrition, are happy pups!

 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering biting, leash walking, potty training & feeding and more! Sign up for free here!  

CAN I "FREE FEED" MY PUPPY?

Although some people choose to free feed their dogs (everyone can make their own decisions, but you knew that right?), we recommend sticking to your puppy feeding schedule for your dog and heres why.

1. Consistent meal times help creates consistent potty times! If your pup is eating at a specific time each day, theyre going to need to go potty at roughly the same time each day. Not only is this a positive routine for your pup, but it will help make potty and crate training SO much easier for you and your pup.
2. Being able to monitor your pups appetite can help you notice any changes that might be caused by health problems. Sometimes when a pup gets sick or contracts some type of disease, their appetite will change. If they are free feeding, it can be difficult to monitor and notice these changes.
3. Meal manners are important for multi-dog homes or if you ever wanna have other pups visit. Whether you have a multi-dog home or not, your dog learning not to be protective of their food is a vital skill for them to possess. If you ever have another dog come to visit (or you visit another dogs home with your pup), youll want your pup to understand how feeding time and boundaries work!
4. Helps to keep away ants, mice, or other unwanted pests. When dog food (like human food) is left out for an extended period of time, it can attract unwanted pests and insects. No one wants that, period.
5. Mealtime can double as training time! One of the best times to train your pup is when they are hungry and therefore more food driven and willing to listen so they can receive that food reward. When giving your dog a meal it can be a great time to practice a sit, leave it, and a whole host of other behaviors.

Although free feeding your pup may not be the end of the world, the benefits above are extremely valuable and will help your dog in so many ways throughout their life.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU FEED A PUPPY?

Similar to the sections above, how often you feed your pup will depend on their age.

With that being said, here's a general breakdown of how often to feed your growing puppy

• 8 weeks old until about 12 weeks old should eat either 3 or 4 times per day Morning, mid-morning, early-afternoon, and evening times
• 3 month old until about 6 months old puppies should eat 3 times per day Morning, lunch, and evening times
• 6 month old puppies (and beyond) can drop down to 2 feedings per day Morning and evening times

While it's not a perfect science, sticking to the outlined feeding frequencies is best for most puppies!

THE BEST PUPPY FEEDING TIMES

Deciding the best time to feed your puppy will largely depend on your specific schedule!

For example, if you won't be around long enough to make sure your pup doesn't have an accident, then you shouldn't feed your puppy at that time. Feeding schedules can and should be adjusted to fit your household's schedules.

Generally speaking though, there are some times that are better than others for feeding puppies.

• Feeding in the morning, as soon as your pup wakes up (but after a potty break)
• Feeding at lunchtime as this is often when you may be home from work and/or eating lunch as well
• Feeding in the evening, preferably 2-3 hours before bedtime to give your puppy enough time to digest all the food and go potty before sleeping for the night

Above all, be consistent! A consistent feeding frequency will lead to more consistent potty breaks, which is VITAL for puppy potty training!

PUPPY FEEDING TIPS

Ready for some extra puppy feeding tips? Here are 11 tips and tricks that will make feeding time more enjoyable and successful for you and your pup!

1. DON'T FREE FEED

Like was mentioned above, free feeding can bring about some unwanted consequences. Those unwanted consequences can include unwanted pests, difficulty in monitoring change in appetite, and more. Decide on a puppy feeding schedule and stick to it. If your dog doesn't eat their food quickly, consider adding a food topper to your dog's mealtime for improved nutrition and taste.

2. INCORPORATE TRAINING AND BEHAVIORS INTO YOUR FEEDING TIME

One of the best times to train your pup is when their food drive is higher, as in when they are hungry. Using their food as an incentive can make your pup more likely to follow through with desired cues/skills.

3. DON'T FEED TABLE SCRAPS

Although this can be extremely tempting, feeding your pup tables scraps can lead to an overtake of calories. Another issue you run into is that your pup will be much more likely to beg while you eat your meals.

It's important to ensure you're feeding proper puppy food that will meet their nutritional needs.

Related Reading: Improving Dog's Gut Health & Digestion

4. MIND THE 10% RULE

The 10% rule states that treats should only make up 10% of your dogs daily caloric intake. Because treats arent a completely balanced meal, overfeeding treats can cause weight gain and ensuing health issues. So be sure to not overdo it with treats, and find one that's a healthy, low-calorie treat.

5. WEIGH YOUR DOG

Weighing your dog frequently can help you keep an eye on sudden changes that may be related to health issues. Even if you weigh once or twice a month, this will help you stay alert to changes in their health and weight. You should also check their body condition score once 4 months or older.

Your puppy's weight and how it compares to their growth is a factor that should be considered!

Related Reading: Obese & Overweight Dogs Guide

6. CLEAN FOOD BOWL FREQUENTLY

Although your dogs bowl may look clean (especially if they lick it clean when they eat), bacteria can easily build up and cause potential problems! Its recommended to wash your pups bowl at least a couple of times a week. I typically just throw mine in the dishwasher whenever Im gonna run a load.

7. ADJUST SEASONALLY (due to exercise)

Depending on where you live, some seasons might constitute more or less exercise. Our play time slows down slightly during Utah winters, so we typically feed a touch less to compensate for the lack of burned calories. Just keep an eye on your pup to know if this is necessary or not.

 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering biting, leash walking, potty training & feeding and more! Sign up for free here! 

8. MEASURE THEIR FOOD

Dog & puppy foods come with feeding guidelines. Instead of just eye-balling what you think a cup is, get an actual measuring cup when scooping out your pups meals. This will help ensure that your little buddy is getting just the right amount of food. Also, if changes need to be made feeding proportions youll know exactly what your baseline was when you make the change! :)

9. STICK TO A SCHEDULE

As was mentioned before, sticking to a feeding schedule will help your pup also maintain a more normal and consistent potty schedule. A consistent potty schedule is good for everyone, especially your floors! ;)

10. CHOOSE YOUR FEEDING SPOT WISELY (easy to clean, not a lot of foot traffic, etc.)

Just like with a puppy feeding schedule, having a consistent feeding spot will help your pup associate that time and location in a positive way. When starting to crate train, many people will feed their pup inside the crate and then continue that habit even once the dog is fully crate and potty trained. The main idea is to stay consistent and to choose a spot thats easy to clean and doesnt get lots of foot traffic.

11. MONITOR STOOLS

Keeping an eye on your pups stools (or poop if you prefer that term) will help you monitor any potential health changes. One of my pups developed a stomach problem that we maybe wouldnt have caught if we werent aware of his poop habits. No need to dissect it or anything like that, just keep an eye on it.

Additional Reading: We break down a comparison of kibble vs dehydrated vs raw dog food here.

USING SLOW FEEDERS TO FEED YOUR DOG

Whether your pup, scarfs down their food in a matter of seconds, and/or you want to find ways to add more mental enrichment into your dog's day, slow feeders are a great addition to your dog's feeding times.

Snuffle mats are great to redirect problem behaviors and redirect them to foraging. You get to encourage your dog's food drive in a way that works their brain. Simply scatter your dog's food throughout the snuffle mat, then let them go to town. When first introducing one of these mats, make sure to keep a lot of the food visible so they know what the point of the mat is.

Enrichment toys like these, are great to use as a slow feeder option as well, as they make your dog work to get the food out of the toy.

Using a slow feeder or puzzle toy also helps to avoid bloat!

Related Reading: My Dog Eats Too Fast! Here's How to Slow Down a Dog Eating

RECAP OF PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULES

Sticking to a consistent feeding schedule will help your puppy to establish routines that will benefit them (and you) as they age! Consistent eating time equals consistent potty time.

While there are recommended best feeding times, frequency, and routines, remember to find what works best for your puppy!

And to make mealtime even better for your dog, sprinkle a meal topper over their food. Spice up your pups meals with Over the Topper Meal Enhancers! It turns your pup's meals from repetitive and boring to exciting and tasty.

Over the Topper Meal Enhancers are made with simple, minimal ingredients, made and sourced in the USA, natural, easy to use, freeze-dried, and rich in protein. Shop Meal Toppers here!

PS- If you missed it earlier, click here for a printable feeding schedule.

 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering biting, leash walking, potty training & feeding and more! Sign up for free here!