Puppy feeding is the highest-stakes nutrition window of a dog’s life: too little stunts, too much accelerates growth into joint problems. This chart gives starting amounts and the adjustment logic that matters more than any single number.
The Chart
Amounts assume a complete-and-balanced large-breed or regular growth formula at roughly 3,800–4,100 kcal/kg. Always cross-check the bag’s own chart, because calorie density varies.
| Age | Toy (<6 kg adult) | Medium (10–25 kg) | Large (>30 kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–12 wk | 4 meals, ~40–60 g/day | 3–4 meals, ~120–180 g/day | 3 meals, ~220–320 g/day |
| 3–4 mo | 3 meals, ~60–80 g/day | 3 meals, ~180–240 g/day | 3 meals, ~320–400 g/day |
| 5–6 mo | 2–3 meals, ~70–90 g/day | 2 meals, ~220–280 g/day | 2–3 meals, ~380–460 g/day |
| 7–12 mo | 2 meals, adult transition | 2 meals, ~260–320 g/day | 2 meals, large-breed formula to 14–18 mo |
Body Condition Beats the Chart
You should feel ribs under a thin fat layer and see a visible waist from above. If ribs disappear, cut 10%. If ribs and hip bones are sharp, add 10%. Reassess every two weeks — puppies change fast.
Large-Breed Puppies: The Calcium Rule
Large-breed growth formulas cap calcium (AAFCO max 1.8% dry matter for large-breed growth) and calories to slow growth to a joint-safe pace. Feeding an adult-maintenance or generic all-life-stages food to a Great Dane puppy is one of the most common and costly mistakes we see.
Transitioning Off Puppy Food
Switch when skeletal maturity approaches: 9–12 months for small breeds, 12–14 for medium, 14–18 for large, up to 24 for giants. Transition over 7 days: 25% new → 50% → 75% → 100%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I free-feed a puppy?
Measured meals are strongly preferred — free feeding hides appetite changes, the earliest sickness signal, and makes house-training harder.
How do I know the food is right?
Steady weight gain on the breed-size curve, firm stools, good energy, and a coat that improves rather than dulls over the first month.
Treats count?
Keep them under 10% of daily calories, and subtract from kibble on heavy treat days.
Grow slow, grow right
For big breeds especially, slower growth is healthier growth. The chart is your starting hypothesis — the body condition score is the verdict.
Keep reading: Breed feeding guides · Formula lab · Q&A desk