A meal in the morning and a meal at night: sounds pretty simple, right? But pet parents quickly learn the truth about their hungry, hungry puppy. The reality is, puppies eat morning, noon, and night—and nearly every hour in between. Vets recommend feeding your puppy three to four times a day—and puppies recommend getting fed a lot more than that.
We asked pet parents who’ve been through the insatiable puppy gauntlet to get their take on every stage of puppy feeding.
5:00 am: First pee of the day
That sweet *whimper whimper* breaks through your dreams. Time to put on your robe and grab a healthy treat. Training starts early! And when it comes to “extra sleep” or “crack o’ dawn puppy playtime,” it’s no contest.
5:15 am: First breakfast
Thought you were set with those treats? Think again! Pup needs more Super Smarty Hearties. At only 5 calories each, they come in so-cute heart shapes and contain DHA and Omega 3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and brain development. It’s ok to have a few more than just one.
6:00 am: Second breakfast
When your puppy is ready for breakfast, they’ll let you know. Get movin’ with filler-free puppy kibble because pup has a LOT to do.
7:00 am: Crumbs on the floor = third breakfast
Ah ha, the true utility of a puppy unlocked: They’re excellent vacuums for absent-minded kids (and, um, grown-ups).
7:30 am: Leash training treats
Whether you’re coaching them toward the perfect “heel” or getting your pup to sit at every corner, a pouch full of dog treats is a great incentive. Up the ante with tasty jerky bites for extra motivation.
8:30 am: Eat, sleep, repeat
It’s still early, but your pup is likely ready for rest. Puppies need a lot of sleep for all that growing—and to get ready for their next meal.
10 am: Second walk
Don’t forget that treat pouch…believe it or not, your pup might be hungry again. You may also need some treats to coax your pup to come back inside.
10:30 am: Running errands means puppuccino time
You deserve your coffee break. Doesn’t your pup deserve some whipped cream, too? Bonus: That dab of cream on their nose is super Instagrammable.
11 am: Crate time chews
Back in the crate—the perfect moment for a tasty, healthy chew. It satisfies their teething and will wear them out. Probably.
12 pm: Lunchtime
You’re eating? Better get a goodie for your pup too. She’s starved!
12:15 pm: Potty break treats
Nothing coaxes a potty training pup better than a few more Super Smarty Hearties. Or five.
3:30 pm: Your afternoon snack…and mine. I am so, so good.
You thought you could resist those puppy dog eyes? Ha!
5 pm: Puppy Kindergarten
Time for a training class, and you know what that means: Another pocket full of Super Smarty Hearties for training. A handful of puppy kibble also works well. Puppy party!
6 pm: Dinner time. Wow, I earned this.
All that learning was hard work. Time for my tasty puppy kibble.
Good thing i and love and you has you covered.
7 pm: Cleaning under the dinner table
No scrap goes un-tasted.
9 pm: Watching a movie together
While you dig into the popcorn, give them a treat that’s gentle on their tummy and packed full of omega 3s and real meat. They’ll reward you with snuggles!
2 am: Psst…I really need a treat…I mean, to pee.
Don’t sleep too deeply. It’s time to start this training cycle again! The things we do for love…
The Bottom Line
With all this eating going on, there’s nothing more important than giving your puppy high-quality food and treats. Puppies eat up to twice the amount of adult dogs. Start them off right on the right foot (er, paw) with i and love and you—food that skips the junk and helps your pup thrive.
Here’s to years of playtime together!
About I and love and you
We’re a small employee-owned pet food company created by real (fun) pet people in Boulder, Colorado, where our pets work side-by-side with us to create naturally awesome and grain free food, chews, and treats. We make everything a well-rounded pet needs (minus a tummy rub).
