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From the moment you lay eyes on your puppy, you want to do what’s best for them—and that starts with what you put in their bowl. Choosing the puppy food can be confusing for first-time pet parents, especially with so many new options hitting the market.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about puppy nutrition. We’ll lay out:
- criteria for choosing the best puppy food
- the standards that puppy food needs to meet
- the different types of food available
- how to determine portion sizes
Finally, we’ll help you understand when it’s okay to deviate, supplement, or transition your puppy to another food.
How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?
Pet parents need to know not only what to feed their puppy but also how much to feed and when to feed their puppy as they grow. The amount of food your puppy needs will depend on a few factors, including:
- The type of food
- Their age
- Their weight
- Body condition score
- Activity level
Feeding amounts will change over time, and puppies will need fewer calories as they get bigger. Most dog food packages include a feeding chart on the back that is based on your puppy’s age and weight. This is a good place to start. Additionally, you can consult your vet to verify portions are appropriate.
Here’s a sample feeding chart for puppies based on their age and weight:
| Dog’s Weight | Age: Less than 4 months | Age: 4 to 9 months | Age: 10 to 12 months |
| 2 lb | ½ cup | ⅜ cup | ⅓ cup |
| 5 lb | 1 cup | ⅞ cup | ⅔ cup |
| 8 lb | 1⅜ cups | 1⅛ cups | ⅞ cup |
| 10 lb | 1⅔ cups | 1⅜ cups | 1 ⅛ cups |
| 20 lb | 2¾ cups | 2⅓ cups | 1 ¾ cups |
| 40 lb | 4⅔ cups | 4 cups | 3¼ cups |
| 60 lb | 6⅓ cups | 5⅓ cups | 4¼ cups |
| 80 lb | 8 cups | 6½ cups | 5¼ cups |
| 100 lb | 9⅓ cups | 7¾ cups | 6¼ cups |
| 120 lbs | 10⅔ cups | 9 cups | 7¼ cups |
How To Pick the Right Puppy Food & Nutrition
Choosing a good puppy food doesn’t have to be a gamble. In general, feeding puppy food that is labeled puppy food, “growth stage”, or “all life stages” will fit meet your puppy’s nutrition needs. However, with many options on the market, you’ll also want to look out for these extra details:
- Food that follows Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for the “growth” stage. Food that’s formulated specifically for puppies ensures their unique nutritional needs are met. Foods labeled for “All Life Stages” are also acceptable.
- Size-specific food. These will take into account the different dietary needs of small and large-breed puppies while adjusting kibble size accordingly.
- Special health considerations. If your puppy has a sensitive stomach, allergies, or weight concerns, your vet may recommend a food that addresses the issue.
Approach with caution:
- Boutique or exotic foods. All too often, small boutique companies or brands that showcase unusual ingredients don’t adhere to AAFCO guidelines. These foods should be avoided, as they may not perform research or follow guidelines approved by veterinary nutritionists.
- Grain-free diets. More research is needed, but experts point to a possible link between grain-free diets and heart problems in dogs. Unless your puppy has a grain allergy (which is rare), grain-inclusive diets are usually best.
- High calcium levels. Excessive calcium can cause growth issues in large-breed puppies. Guardians of bigger pups should look for foods with calcium levels under 1.5%.
Nutritional Requirements for Puppies
During this period of growth, puppies need more protein, fat, and calories than adult dogs for their developing bodies. Most dogs will be fully grown by the time they’re one year old. Larger breeds, however, may take up to two years to reach physical maturity.
Per the AAFCO guidelines, puppy food should contain the following:
- Protein to support optimal growth: A minimum of 22% on a dry matter basis.
- Fat to provide essential fatty acids and energy: A minimum of 8% on a dry matter basis.
- Carbohydrates to fuel your puppy: No specific amount has been identified as optimal by the AAFCO. Generally, 20% on a dry matter basis is suggested.
- Calcium for developing bones and teeth: Balance is key here, as too little calcium can lead to weak bones, and too much can result in skeletal abnormalities. Large-breed puppies should avoid foods with calcium levels over 1.5%.
For healthy brain and eye development, puppy food should also include Omega-3 fatty acids (aka DHA).
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Dietary differences of small and large breed puppies
Another consideration is your puppy’s size. Small-breed puppies (22 pounds or less at full adult weight) will have different dietary needs than large-breed puppies (over 50 pounds at full adult weight). For one, pint-sized pups have speedier metabolisms, which means they need energy-dense food with more calories per pound of body weight than large breeds.
With large-breed puppies, achieving a controlled, steady rate of growth is the goal. If these puppies grow too fast, it can lead to skeletal malformations. This is why food for large-breed puppies will have a lower caloric density and limit calcium to 1.5%. Large-breed puppies will also benefit from at least 30% protein on a dry matter basis.
Keep an eye on kibble size, too. Smaller pieces will be easier for tiny jaws to chew. For large-breed puppies, bigger morsels encourage chewing to prevent digestive issues and bloat.
Nutritionally complete vs. supplemental foods
It’s important to choose a food that is labeled “complete and balanced,” meaning it contains all the necessary nutrients your puppy needs and is intended to be their sole diet. To be labeled as such, puppy food must meet the nutrient requirements established by the AAFCO and be supported by feeding studies.
You can also feed your puppy treats and toppers as a complement to their regular food. These foods will be classified as for “intermittent or supplementary” feeding and should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s daily caloric intake.
Stephan Kuhn via iStock
When Should I Feed My Puppy?
Getting your puppy on a regular feeding schedule can prevent picky eating habits and help with potty training. The number of meals your puppy needs will change as they get older:
- 6-12 weeks: give four meals at even intervals
- 3-6 months: give three meals
- 6-12 months: you can drop down to 2 meals per day
Your puppy’s feeding schedule can be tailored to make sense with your own work hours and responsibilities. For most pet parents, it will coincide with their own breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
To see what that might look like, here’s a sample three-meal schedule for puppies:
- 7:00 am: Feed breakfast
- 7:30 am: Quick walk/exercise
- 12:00 pm: feed lunch
- 12:30 pm: outdoor walk and playtime
- 5:30 pm: feed dinner
- 6:00 pm: walk and playtime
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Feeding puppies up to 4 weeks
Baby puppies need their mother’s milk to fulfill their nutritional needs. Not only does it help them develop a strong immune system, but it also has all the proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that growing pups need. However, if a young puppy can no longer access their mother’s milk, a substitute formula can take its place (regular cow’s milk won’t do).
At around four weeks, puppies will start getting their first set of teeth, and the weaning process can begin. During this time, puppies should be removed from their mother for an hour a few times a day and given solid food, slowly increasing the amount over time. By around seven or eight weeks of age, they should have fully transitioned to solid foods, and the puppies can leave their mom.
Does the Kind of Puppy Food Matter?
New pet parents will encounter a sea of food types, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. All these food types can offer adequate nutrition, so for the most part, deciding what kind you’d like to feed is a matter of personal choice—but it’s a good idea to run your selection by your vet first so they can flag any health concerns specific to your dog.
| Type of Food | Storage | Nutrition | Serving | Cost |
| Dry Kibble | Store in a cool, dry place (<80°F) | May be more digestible, good for dental health | Easy to pour, portion, and clean | Most economical |
| Wet Food (Canned) | Store in a cool, dry place (<80°F) | High in moisture, usually contains more protein and fewer carbs | Can be messy (especially with long-haired puppies) & has a stronger smell | Usually pricier than dry kibble |
| Fresh Food | Must be refrigerated or frozen | Often made with limited ingredients, good for allergies and picky eaters | Can be messy & trickier to portion | Expensive |
| Raw Food (freeze-dried, frozen, & high-pressure pasteurized) | Unopened freeze-dried food can be kept in cool, dark place for 2-3 years. Frozen raw can last in the freezer for 3-4 months. | May be more digestible, may retain more nutrients | May need to be thawed or rehydrated with broth or water | Expensive |
Dry puppy food has a lower moisture content (between 8% and 12%) compared to wet puppy food, which means that extra care should be taken to ensure your puppy is hydrated. Typically, dry food has a higher carbohydrate content than wet food when compared on a dry matter basis.
Both dry and wet foods can last for 2 to 3 years if unopened. Once opened, dry food starts to degrade between 3 to 45 days, while opened canned food must be refrigerated and consumed within 48-72 hours.
Gently cooked fresh foods are also available, which can be a great choice for pups with allergies as they often contain limited ingredients. Raw food, which can be freeze-dried, frozen, or high-pressure pasteurized, is also an option to consider. However, it is important to exercise caution with puppies since their immune systems are still developing.
Should Puppies Eat Wet or Dry Food?
As long as food is labeled “complete and balanced,” puppies can thrive on either wet or dry formulas—choosing between the two really comes down to personal preference. Serving a combination of wet and dry is another route for pet parents who want to implement the best of both worlds.
Key considerations for dry food:
- Contains 8-12% moisture
- Typically has a higher carbohydrate content (>35%) than wet food (when compared on a dry matter basis)
- Extrusion process can make grains more digestible
- Easy to serve and clean
Key considerations for wet food:
- Usually contains 75-78% moisture; can help puppies stay hydrated
- Tends to have lower carbohydrate content than dry foods
- Allow dogs to eat larger portions compared to kibble
- Many dogs find it more palatable: good for picky eaters
- Can be easier to chew and swallow
Liudmila Chernetska via iStock
Can I feed my puppy homemade dog food?
Food may be your love language, but it’s better to leave your puppy’s menu to commercially prepared diets. These are carefully formulated to incorporate all the vitamins and minerals your puppy needs. It’s incredibly difficult to achieve this in your own kitchen, which is why homemade diets tend to be imbalanced nutritionally.
If you’re determined to make your puppy’s food from scratch, whether it’s to appease a picky eater or limit the ingredients they’re exposed to, it’s critical to do so only in close partnership with your vet.
Alternatively, you can take a hybrid approach with fresh food brand JustFoodForDogs, which offers vet-formulated DIY kits for puppies. You supply the whole ingredients, and they provide a balanced nutrient blend and cooking instructions.
How To Know if Your Puppy Is Eating Properly
Unsure if your puppy is getting the nutrients they need? There are a few ways to ensure your puppy is eating right.
Indicators of successful feeding:
- Evaluate their body condition score (BCS). This system looks at your puppy’s silhouette to help determine if their weight is on track. A puppy’s belly should feel soft and squishy. It shouldn’t feel hard to the touch. However, it’s perfectly normal for puppy bellies to appear slightly distended after eating.
- Utilize growth and weight charts. Your vet can use these to work out whether your pup’s size is where it should be for their age.
- Observe their energy levels. Well-fed puppies will be playful and energetic.
- Assess their coat. Shiny, soft, healthy coats are a sign of good nutrition.
- Check their stool. Stools should be solid, brown, and well-formed.
Signs your puppy’s diet needs work:
- They’re lethargic or weak
- Coat is dull or flaky
- Skin is red, irritated, or flaky
- Stool is loose
- They’ve lost weight
For help assessing the success of your puppy’s current diet, always check in with your vet.
Can I Feed My Puppy Human Food?
Some human foods will be perfectly fine—beneficial even—for your puppy to eat. Frozen carrots, for instance, can be soothing on a teething puppy’s gums, and a small amount of blueberries provides a boost of fiber and Vitamin C.
Other foods, like grapes and raisins, are toxic to dogs and can even cause kidney failure. Choking is another concern, so pet parents should be careful with things like corn cobs or avocado pits. Some foods may not be toxic but can be difficult for puppies to digest, like milk and raw asparagus.
While it’s always a joy to treat your puppy, remember to implement the 10% rule: snacks and treats should make up no more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
