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If you’re bringing home a new puppy, get ready for lots of fun, affection…and food. Puppies grow fast, and they need steady, balanced nutrition to keep them active and healthy. Although it may seem easier to fill your puppy’s bowl with food and let them graze all day, it’s advisable to set up a puppy feeding schedule. Consistent meal times are better for your puppy’s digestion, help with potty training, and let you monitor your puppy’s appetite and health.
The best puppy feeding schedule will consider your dog’s age and your daily routine. We turn to the experts for advice on how to schedule puppy meals—and why you’d want to. We’ll also offer tips for solving some common snags along the way.
How Many Times a Day Should a Puppy Eat?
When planning your puppy’s mealtimes, consider their age and activity level. Younger puppies and highly active dogs may need more frequent feedings to keep up their energy levels. As they get older, you can transition your puppy to two feedings a day.
| Puppy Age | Number of Meals | Interval between Meals | Sample Feeding Schedule |
| Up to 3 months | 4-6 per day | 3-4 hours | 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. |
| 3-6 months | 3 per day | 5-6 hours | 7 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m. |
| 6-12 months | 2 per day | 8-12 hours | 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. |
| 12+ months | 2 per day | 8-12 hours | 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. |
Your puppy’s feeding schedule will also depend on your own routine. Consistency is important, so it’s helpful to time your puppy’s meals around your own availability. Consider what time you wake up and when you get home in the evening, and work around that.
Considerations for breed sizes
Small-breed puppies may need up to four to six meals a day. Small breeds are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if they don’t eat often enough. “This approach ensures a consistent glucose supply, vital for their higher metabolic rates and lower fat reserves,” says Dr. Brad Hinsperger, DVM, director of Kingsdale Animal Hospital.
Large-breed puppies, like Great Danes, may also need to eat smaller meals more often to prevent bloat.
Puppy Feeding Schedule at 3 Months
At this stage, puppies are growing fast! After being weaned from their mothers and sent to their new homes (around 8 weeks), puppies need to eat several times throughout the day—typically, around 4 to 6 times, says Dr. Hinsperger.
“Meals should be evenly spaced throughout the day to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need for growth without overloading their small stomachs.” Ideally, puppies in this age group will eat every 3 to 4 hours.
Feeding Schedule For 3–6 Months Old Puppies
By the time they’re around three or four months old, your pup will likely lose their puppy pudge. Their activity level will ramp up, too. Consult your vet if you believe your puppy is over- or under-weight, and adjust food quantities accordingly.
During this stage of your puppy’s growth, you can drop from four feedings a day down to three. “As puppies grow, their stomach capacity increases, allowing for fewer meals,” explains Dr. Hinsperger. Try to keep meals evenly spaced: every 5-6 hours is a good goal at this stage.
Switch to Two Meals a Day Around 6 Months Old
At six months, your puppy is turning into an adolescent! Around six months is when you can stop feeding a puppy three times a day. Take your time to transition to them to two meals a day. “This reduction in meal frequency helps accommodate their slowing growth rate and larger stomach capacity,” says Dr. Hinsperger.
The time between meals can be stretched to 8-12 hours. If you work a regular 9-5 job, you can feed your puppy breakfast when you wake up in the morning. Dinner can be offered when you get home from work in the evening.
Puppy Feeding Schedule After 1 Year of Age
Most dogs will continue to be fed twice daily at this stage, says Hinsperger. “However, the exact timing can depend on the dog’s breed, size, and energy requirements.” Meal intervals of 8-12 hours are still appropriate at this point.
Some puppies may also be ready to switch to adult food around this age. Observe your puppy’s eating habits, chart their growth, and if you have any questions or concerns about your puppy’s food intake, talk to your veterinarian.
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Benefits of Feeding a Puppy On a Schedule
It may take slightly more effort, but feeding your puppy on a set schedule rather than free feeding comes with significant benefits.
Dr. Hinsperger explains that sticking to a feeding schedule can help:
- regulate digestion
- prevent obesity
- ensure puppies are getting the right nutrient levels
- maintain consistent energy levels
- facilitate a healthy metabolism
- catch early signs of health issues
There are also many behavioral benefits for puppies who eat on a consistent feeding schedule, such as:
- Faster and easier potty training. Most puppies will need to go potty 15-30 minutes after eating. With timed meals, you can anticipate this need and take them outside before an accident happens.
- Crate and sleep training benefits. You can also plan early meals to help your puppy sleep through the night without needing to go out.
- Increased feelings of safety. Establishing a feeding schedule builds trust and reduces anxiety around food. It can also encourage discipline and curb tendencies to beg for food in between meals.
- Training opportunities. You can use scheduled meal time as a training opportunity, says Zoie Keast, CPTD-KA, head dog trainer at Not A Bully Dog Training.
- Enrichment. Try offering meals with a puzzle feeder to keep your puppy mentally stimulated. This has the double benefit of preventing stomach upset or diarrhea from eating too fast.
“Remember, every meal is a big reward for your puppy,” says Keast. “So it’s a great chance to work on the basics like sitting, coming when called, or simply understanding that their name means it’s time to pay attention.”
Troubleshooting Puppy Feeding Schedules
Getting your puppy on a set schedule can be hard! Here are some solutions to common pitfalls and advice for making it work.
What can I do if my puppy isn’t eating during their scheduled mealtimes?
If your puppy isn’t eating during their set times, Dr. Hinsperger advises first consulting your veterinarian to rule out an underlying health issue. If health issues are not the cause, he recommends trying the following:
- Make sure the food is fresh and appealing
- Limit treats between meals
- Reduce distractions at meals
- Be consistent with your routine
You could also try adding a savory meal topper or wet food to make meals more appealing. Also consider how early in their transition stage your puppies is with being comfortable at home. Puppies can take a few days before they feel comfortable eating.
How can I stick to a consistent schedule when I’m away from home?
Working full-time outside the home can make it tough to maintain a schedule—but there are ways to work around this! If you work nearby and you’re able to swing by during lunch, you can feed your puppy their midday meal.
Alternatively, you can hire a dog sitter to drop in and feed your puppy. Finally, consider enlisting the help of a neighbor, friend, or family member to keep your pup’s meal schedule on track.
Where should I feed my puppy?
Ideally, you’ll feed your puppy in a quiet, out-of-the-way spot without a lot of foot traffic or distractions. It’s also helpful if this area is easy to clean (e.g., a tiled or laminate floor vs. carpet). A lot of pet parents also feed their puppies in their crates, which aids in crate training.
Pro-Tip: If your puppy boards with a sitter while you’re away from home, let the caretaker know of your dog’s typical feeding routine and habits.
