How Much to Feed
Most vets and breeders agree puppies can be moved to adult foods after 12 months of age, depending on the breed, size, and current physical development.
Several factors will play into the amount of food you feed your puppy. This includes the dogs age, current weight, anticipated adult weight, her breed, the environment she’s in (including the climate), and activity level.
Puppies eat much more for their weight than adult dogs, and young puppies actually eat quite a bit more than older puppies.
Young puppies should be fed three times a day, whereas older puppies often do well with twice- daily feedings.
The feeding guidelines on the back of a dog food bag can give you some guidelines on portions to feed, but remember those are only general guidelines. There's no one-size-fits-all amount that every puppy should be fed. It can also change depending on what type of food you choose.
Raw-fed puppies need a larger volume of food than kibble-fed puppies, because raw food contains less fat and calories per ounce.
Another common feeding guideline is to allow your pup to eat at her own pace for about 10-15 minutes three times a day. Monitor your puppy’s feeding time closely and possibly separate her from other dogs to avoid the older dogs taking her food. We highly recommend to start desensitizing or training away food aggression while feeding your puppy. This should begin the first week you bring your puppy home. It is something that an adult to should do. Simply hand feed your puppy a couple of kibble pieces. Then place your hand in the food bowl while your puppy is eating as well as touching the outside of the bowl and near the food. Always positively reward the puppy for good behavior. We do suggest that you do NOT just reach into the bowl and take the food away.
​
We highly recommend feeding your puppy soaked kibble until at least 12 weeks of age. Why do we recommend this? For starters, Puppies do not chew their food very well. Add that to the fact that puppies have a lot more mucus in their mouths and throats than an adult dog. This makes it harder for them to properly swallow. This means they have a much higher risk of choking. Soaking kibble is also something that greatly reduces the risk of bloat in dogs. Many breeders and dog owners actually feed soaked kibble throughout their dog's lifetime for this reason. Another benefit to soaking kibble is it reduces risk of UTI's.This is because puppies are constantly getting lots of water.
To soak kibble, simply place the kibble in the dog bowl and add warm or cold water. I always fill to just above the food. Then let it sit for about 20-30 minutes or until it isn’t soupy. Time may depend on the humidity in your home.
​
Remember, there is no one size fits all plan for every puppy. So you should discuss your own puppy’s caloric needs with your vet.
​
