How much should I feed my puppy? A UK feeding guide by age and weight

"How much should I be feeding?" is the question we hear more than any other from new puppy owners. After around nine years of raising and training puppies at Puppy Steps, our answer is always the same: start with the feeding guide on the bag, then watch your puppy, not the scales alone. Here's how to get it right.

Why puppies need different amounts

Puppies grow astonishingly fast, and they need more energy and protein for their size than adult dogs do. How much they need depends on:

• Age: the youngest puppies need the most food for their body weight.

• Expected adult size: a puppy who'll be 5kg as an adult grows very differently from one who'll be 40kg.

• The food itself: recipes differ in energy, so always use the guide for the food you're feeding.

• Activity and temperament: a busy, bouncy puppy may need a little more than a laid-back one.

Puppy feeding chart

Here's the daily guide for our Grain Free Puppy Chicken with Turkey, Salmon, Sweet Potato & Carrot. Find your puppy's expected adult weight (your breeder or vet can help) and read across to their age.

Expected adult weight	2-4 months	4-6 months	6-12 months	12-15 months
1-4kg	45-70g	65-75g	65g - Adult	Adult
5-10kg	95-155g	140-165g	140g - Adult	Adult
11-20kg	145-260g	225-270g	215-270g	Adult
21-30kg	200-380g	325-390g	295-375g	310-320g
31-45kg	275-525g	445-530g	380-480g	405-480g

Grams per day. "Adult" means it's time to move on to an adult recipe. Every Dog's Life recipe has its own feeding guide on its product page, so if you feed a different recipe, use that one.

How many meals a day?

Little tummies cope best with little and often. As a rough guide:

• 8-12 weeks: four meals a day

• 3-6 months: three meals a day

• 6 months onwards: two meals a day, which most dogs keep for life

Divide the daily amount from the chart between the meals; don't give each meal the full daily amount.

Is my puppy the right weight?

Charts are a starting point. The best check is your puppy's body shape:

• You should be able to feel the ribs easily, with a light covering, but not see them sticking out.

• From above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs.

• From the side, the tummy should tuck up slightly.

If your puppy is getting podgy, trim portions back by around 10% and recheck after a week or two. If they look lean or are always ravenous, nudge them up. Your vet can weigh your puppy and check their condition at routine visits.

Treats count too

We use plenty of rewards in training, but they all add calories. Our favourite trick is to set aside part of the day's kibble and use it for training, so nothing is extra. If you use other treats, reduce the meal a little to compensate.

Small and large breed puppies

Small breed puppies have tiny mouths and high energy needs. Our Small Breed Puppy Turkey with Duck has a small 4mm x 8mm kibble and added glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to help support cartilage metabolism for healthy joint growth.

Large breed puppies grow for longer, often until 15-18 months, and benefit from steady, controlled growth. Our Large Breed Puppy/Junior Salmon recipe is designed for them.

When to move to adult food

Small breeds are usually ready for adult food at around 9-12 months, medium breeds at around 12 months, and large and giant breeds at 12-18 months. The chart above shows when to change for our puppy recipe. Whenever you change food, do it gradually over about two weeks; our guide to switching your puppy onto a new food explains how.

Frequently asked questions

How much should an 8-week-old puppy eat? It depends on their expected adult size. Use the 2-4 month column of the chart, split across four meals.

Should I leave food down all day? We'd recommend set mealtimes. Pick the bowl up after about 15-20 minutes. It helps with house training and lets you spot changes in appetite.

My puppy is always hungry. Should I feed more? Puppies are often enthusiastic eaters. Check body shape first; if they're a good shape, they're getting enough.

Do puppies need water with dry food? Yes. Always make sure fresh, clean water is available.

Can I feed adult food to a puppy? It's best to feed a complete puppy recipe until they're ready to move on. Puppy foods are formulated for growth.

This guide is for general information. If you're worried about your puppy's weight or growth, speak to your vet.