Puppy food should be fed until a puppy stops growing, at which point they should transition to adult food.
In general, small breed pups mature faster than large or giant breeds, since they have less growing to do. A good rule of thumb for transitioning from puppy food to adult dog food is:
- 9-12 months old for small breeds (under 25 pounds expected adult weight)
- 10-12 months for medium breeds (25-50 pounds)
- 12-16 months for large breeds (50-100 pounds)
- 16-24 months for giant breeds (over 100 pounds)
FAQs
A good rule of thumb for transitioning from puppy food to adult dog food is: 9-12 months old for small breeds (under 25 pounds expected adult weight) 10-12 months for medium breeds (25-50 pounds) 12-16 months for large breeds (50-100 pounds)
When should I start feeding my puppy less food? ›
No more than three meals a day
Younger puppies (especially small breeds) between four and six months old, should eat three to four times a day. Once they're six months, you can move to two times a day or stick with three times if that's an easier routine.
How do I know if I'm feeding my puppy enough food? ›
How do I know if I am feeding my puppy enough? Puppies need to eat a lot- and not too much. You should be able to feel but not see their ribs, and they should have a visible waist when you look down at them. Body condition, not the amount eaten or left in the bowl, should determine portion sizes.
What age do you reduce puppy meals? ›
When and how often should I feed my puppy? From when you bring your puppy home at eight weeks until they are four months old, it's best to feed them four meals a day. At four months, reduce this to three meals a day and when they turn six months, reduce to two meals.
When should puppies switch to dry food? ›
What Age Can Puppies Eat Dry Food? – Key Takeaways. Generally speaking, your puppy will be ready to eat dry food by 8 to 10 weeks old (at the end of the four-week weaning process, which starts when the puppy is 4 to 5 weeks old). However, this will vary from dog to dog.
How long is a dog considered a puppy? ›
A dog is no longer a puppy between 12 to 18 months with some variation based on breed, size and personality. Smaller breeds tend to develop and reach maturity sooner, both physically and emotionally versus large to giant breeds that can take up to almost 24 months before reaching adulthood.
When should you wean puppies onto food? ›
After some weeks it is important that the puppies learn to eat solid food and rely less on their mother. When should you start to wean puppies? You should start weaning a puppy when they are around three to four weeks old when their teeth start to erupt. This process can continue until the seventh or eighth week.
At what age do puppies stop feeding? ›
They still nurse, and mothers continue to produce milk for up to 10 weeks. Some nursing is for nutrition, but it is also a comforting, bonding activity for the puppies. Most puppies are fully weaned to solid food between 7 and 10 weeks of age, although the transition can occur earlier.
What is a good puppy feeding schedule? ›
How Many Times a Day Should a Puppy Eat?
| Puppy Age | Number of Meals | Sample Feeding Schedule |
|---|
| Up to 3 months | 4-6 per day | 7 a.m. 11 a.m. 3 p.m. 7 p.m. |
| 3-6 months | 3 per day | 7 a.m. 12 p.m. 5 p.m. |
| 6-12 months | 2 per day | 7 a.m. 5 p.m. |
| 12+ months | 2 per day | 7 a.m. 5 p.m. |
We recommend feeding your puppy on a schedule. Free feeding at a young age is usually fine, but as your pup grows, having free access to food can lead to overeating. We recommend splitting their food into 2-3 meals per day, as doing so helps to set a good routine and ensures healthy growth.
Puppies should have access to water throughout the day
The exception is that, while you're potty training, you can take away your dog's water bowl around two hours before bedtime. Try to stick to a schedule when you're doing this, and make sure they can drink as much water as they want at other times.
What is the right amount of food for a puppy? ›
How much food does my pup need? Make sure you're feeding the right amount. A simple rule of thumb is to feed your puppy 20g per 1kg of body weight per day.
At what point do I stop feeding my dog puppy food? ›
A good rule of thumb for transitioning from puppy food to adult dog food is: 9-12 months old for small breeds (under 25 pounds expected adult weight) 10-12 months for medium breeds (25-50 pounds) 12-16 months for large breeds (50-100 pounds)
When should you switch from puppy food to regular food? ›
Once you know when your puppy will reach maturity, you can decide when to switch to adult food. If your puppy will be full grown at 12 months, you can start transitioning him to an adult formula around his first birthday. It can take 7 to 10 days to make the switch, so you'll want to plan for that before you start.
At what age do you stop soaking puppy food? ›
It is recommended that puppy food is soaked from the age of 3-4 weeks up to 12 weeks. However there is no set rule for this, some puppies or even older dogs will always prefer to eat dry food when soaked and it is providing your puppy or dog with more water intake, so certainly nothing wrong with that!
What happens if I feed my puppy adult dog food? ›
Puppies need a finely-tuned balance, which many adult dog foods don't necessarily provide. If you do choose to feed your pup adult dog food, then that's okay. Adult food won't necessarily make your puppy seriously ill – it's dog food, after all. They may, however, experience an upset stomach here and there.
Can a 1 year old dog eat puppy food? ›
While puppy food is generally safe for adult dogs, it may not be ideal or provide optimal nutrition for older life stages.
When should I switch my puppy from starter to food? ›
Give your puppies nutritious food till they become young, healthy dogs. When the puppies are 8 weeks of age, they should be offered puppy food, after which the feeding guides can be followed on the Pedigree puppy labels. They will need to continue with growth food until they reach adulthood.
When can a puppy eat human food? ›
At around 8 weeks of age, puppies can eat the same foods on the “safe for dogs” list; however, you'll want to reduce the portions or frequency to account for your puppy's smaller size. To ensure your puppy isn't eating too much human food, limit calories from these foods to no more than 10% of their overall diet.
