Puppy Feeding Chart by Age & Weight

Getting portions right is one of the most common worries in a puppy’s first months — and the honest answer is that the routine changes as your puppy grows. This puppy feeding chart shows how often to feed by age, with general guidance by expected adult weight, so you can build a calm mealtime routine and confirm the exact amounts with your vet. It is part of our complete first-year guide for new owners.

How many times a day should you feed a puppy?

Most puppies move from four meals a day down to three, then to two, as they grow. As a general rule, feed four meals a day until about 12 weeks, three meals from roughly 3 to 6 months, and two meals from around 6 months onward.

Splitting the day’s food into several small meals keeps energy steady in a small body and is gentler on a young digestive system. As your puppy matures, their stomach grows and they can take more food in fewer sittings.

These are general starting points. Very small breeds, or puppies your vet is watching for low blood sugar, may need feeding more often — always follow the plan your vet gives you.

How much should you feed a puppy at each stage?

There is no single number that fits every puppy. The right amount depends on the feeding guide printed on your food’s packaging, your puppy’s age and current weight, and your vet’s advice. Start with the label, then adjust.

• Read the label first. Most puppy foods print a daily amount by weight and age. Find your puppy’s current weight, use the matching row, and divide that total across the day’s meals.
• Adjust to body condition, not just the chart. You should be able to feel your puppy’s ribs easily and see a gentle waist from above. If they are getting round, ease back a little; if ribs are sharp, offer a little more.
• Re-check as they grow. Puppies can gain weight fast, so the right portion this month is rarely the right portion next month. Weigh regularly and update the amount.
• Keep treats small. Treats and training rewards count toward the day’s total — aim to keep them to a small share of overall food.

How does expected adult weight change how much you feed?

A puppy’s expected adult weight is the biggest factor in how much food they need and how long they stay on puppy food. Smaller breeds eat less and mature faster, while large and giant breeds eat more and keep growing for longer.

• Small breeds (up to about 10 kg / 22 lb adult): mature quickly and often reach adult food by 9–12 months. Portions are modest, but their fast metabolism means regular meals matter.
• Medium breeds (about 10–25 kg / 22–55 lb): follow the classic pattern — three meals in the middle months, two meals from around 6 months, adult food near 12 months.
• Large and giant breeds (25 kg / 55 lb and up): eat more overall, grow for longer, and often stay on puppy or large-breed food until 18–24 months. A large-breed formula supports slow, steady growth, which is better for developing joints.

If you are unsure of your puppy’s expected adult size — common with mixed breeds — your vet can give you a good estimate to plan around.

When should you change meal frequency or switch foods?

Reduce from four meals to three at around 3 months, and from three to two at around 6 months. Most dogs move from puppy food to adult food between 12 and 24 months, depending on their size.

When you change either the number of meals or the food itself, do it gradually. For a food switch, mix a little of the new food into the old and increase it over about a week, which helps avoid an upset stomach. Keeping feeding times consistent also supports potty-training, since regular meals lead to more predictable bathroom breaks.

What should you track, and when should you call the vet?

Weigh your puppy regularly and note portions, appetite and stool quality — steady growth and firm stools are reassuring signs. Contact your vet promptly if your puppy repeatedly refuses food, vomits, has ongoing diarrhoea, or seems unusually tired.

Feeding rarely stands alone in the first year. It sits alongside vaccinations, deworming and regular weigh-ins, so it helps to keep everything in one place. Our puppy vaccination schedule shows how those visits line up month by month, and our guide to what to track in the first year covers the simplest way to record it all. You can also grab our free printable puppy checklist to start on the right foot.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Every puppy is different, so please confirm meal frequency, portions and food choices with your own vet.

Want one calm place to record feeding, weight and every milestone as your puppy grows? The Puppy Log Book gives you weekly feeding and weight charts, vet-visit pages and monthly milestone spreads — a keepsake you fill in and keep. Pair it with our free printable checklist to make those busy first weeks feel wonderfully simple.