Walking down the dog food aisle can be overwhelming, especially for new puppy owners. While dog food choices were once limited, the rise of specialized formulas and higher quality ingredients has made choosing the right food for your growing puppy more important than ever. Understanding your puppy’s unique nutritional needs is key to ensuring their healthy development.
All puppies are unique. If you have any concerns or questions about your puppy’s food, feeding schedule, or nutritional health, always consult your breeder or veterinarian. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is: “When Should Puppies Eat Puppy Food?” Here’s a comprehensive timeline to guide you through your puppy’s first year.
Puppy Feeding Timeline: A Year of Growth
- 6–12 Weeks: During this crucial period, puppies should exclusively eat puppy food. Puppy food is specifically formulated to provide the essential nutrients required for normal development. Feeding adult dog food to a puppy can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Typically, four feedings per day are sufficient to meet their nutritional demands. Large breed puppies should transition to unmoistened dry puppy food by 9 or 10 weeks, while small breed puppies can make the switch by 12 or 13 weeks.
- 3–6 Months: Gradually reduce feedings from four to three times a day during this period. By 12 weeks, a puppy should be losing their “potbelly” appearance. If they still appear overly round at this age, continue feeding puppy-sized portions until their body type matures.
- 6–12 Months: Transition to feeding your puppy twice daily. If your puppy is spayed or neutered during this time, remember that these procedures slightly reduce their energy requirements. If altered, it’s a good time to switch from nutrient-rich puppy food to adult maintenance dog food. Small breed puppies can transition to adult food around 7 to 9 months, while larger breeds may need puppy food until 12, 13, or even 14 months. It’s better to err on the side of caution and keep them on puppy food a little longer than not long enough.
- After Age 1: Most dog owners transition to feeding their adult dogs twice a day.
How Much Puppy Food is Enough?
A key piece of advice from dog experts is to focus on the dog’s body condition, rather than solely on the amount of food consumed. Portion sizes should be based on individual metabolism, body type, and specific nutritional needs. Don’t be overly concerned if your puppy occasionally skips a meal or seems picky. This might indicate they’re ready to reduce a feeding or that they’re being given too much food. In such cases, simply adjust portion sizes accordingly.
Also, remember to adjust mealtime portions if you’re using treats for training purposes. Always keep treats as small as possible during training sessions.
Feeding Frequency for Puppies
Similar to human babies, puppies thrive on frequent, small meals tailored to their unique nutritional requirements. A common guideline is to feed them four times a day. While most puppies finish their meals quickly, avoid encouraging picky eating habits by feeding them regular amounts at regular times and not leaving food out for more than 15 minutes.
Is Expensive Puppy Food Worth It?
High-quality “premium” or “super premium” puppy food offers higher nutritional density. While it may be more expensive per pound, you should be able to feed your puppy less to achieve the same results as a lower-cost brand. These foods should also have more consistent ingredient profiles, unlike some budget brands that can vary from batch to batch.
Major dog food companies invest heavily in research and development to improve their formulas continuously. Choosing a high-quality, premium puppy food puts you at the forefront of canine nutrition.
Dry vs. Wet Puppy Food
Many pet food companies have developed specialized puppy food formulas for both large and small breeds, considering their distinct nutritional needs.
Nutritional Needs of Different Breeds
Small-breed dogs and large-breed dogs have differing nutritional requirements, particularly during puppyhood. Small-breed dogs, typically weighing less than 20 pounds in adulthood, grow rapidly and may reach adulthood by 9 months. Large-breed puppies (20 pounds and up) grow more slowly, taking anywhere from 15 to 24 months to reach full size and maturity.
Monitoring Your Puppy’s Growth
Track your puppy’s weight and growth in a notebook or spreadsheet. Weigh your puppy weekly, recording their progress and comparing it to breed-appropriate weight charts. Adjust food intake to maintain a healthy rate of growth.
Weighing your puppy regularly is an essential tool for monitoring their growth. If you have a squirmy puppy, weigh yourself first, then weigh yourself holding the puppy and subtract the difference to determine the puppy’s weight.
Avoid worrying about minor weight fluctuations. Every dog is unique, even within the same breed. Excess weight in a young dog can increase the risk of orthopedic problems due to stress on developing joints. Obesity can also lead to diabetes, heart and organ diseases, and lethargy.
Avoiding Table Scraps and “People Food”
Your puppy will quickly learn to use their irresistible puppy dog eyes. However, giving in to their begging for table scraps can lead to an unbalanced diet and potential toxicity from certain ingredients. A steady diet of table scraps can also contribute to begging behavior and weight problems.
While it’s tempting to show affection through food, remember that dogs have evolved to exploit our association of food with affection. Instead, limit treats to training rewards and positive reinforcement.
Transitioning to Adult Dog Food
When switching from puppy food to adult dog food, do so gradually over several days to avoid stomach upset and diarrhea. Consult with your veterinarian and breeder to determine the best food for your puppy and the optimal time to make the transition, considering their growth progress and breed.
As the famous food writer M.F.K. Fisher wrote, “First we eat. Then we do everything else.” This holds true for our puppies as well!
