How Much to Feed a Puppy
Short answer. PetMD, written by veterinary nutritionist Dr Amanda Ardente, says puppies under 3 months may need three to four meals a day, and from 6 to 12 months two. Its calorie charts are averages for a puppy's ideal weight, and it says an individual puppy can need up to 50% more or less, so your vet, your puppy's weight and its body condition decide the actual amount. Not veterinary advice.
On this page (5 sections)
Meals a day by age
| Age | Meals a day (PetMD) |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | Three to four |
| 3 to 6 months | Three (down from four) |
| 6 to 12 months | Two |
PetMD suggests measured meals at the same times each day. Source: PetMD, How much to feed a puppy (Amanda Ardente DVM PhD, reviewed by Tara Hansen DVM, updated 25 June 2025).
Average calories by ideal weight
These are PetMD's published averages per day. They are not a feeding amount for your puppy: PetMD says individual needs can vary by up to 50% either way.
| Ideal weight | Under 4 months, kcal a day |
|---|---|
| 1 lb | 125 |
| 2.5 lb | 226 |
| 5 lb | 392 |
| 7.5 lb | 526 |
| 10 lb | 649 |
| 20 lb | 1,100 |
| 25 lb | 1,294 |
| 30 lb | 1,487 |
| 40 lb | 1,843 |
| 45 lb | 2,016 |
| Ideal weight | Over 4 months, kcal a day |
|---|---|
| 5 lb | 261 |
| 10 lb | 433 |
| 15 lb | 590 |
| 20 lb | 734 |
| 30 lb | 991 |
| 40 lb | 1,229 |
| 50 lb | 1,456 |
| 60 lb | 1,667 |
| 80 lb | 2,070 |
| 100 lb | 2,449 |
Source: PetMD, How much to feed a puppy (Amanda Ardente DVM PhD, reviewed by Tara Hansen DVM, updated 25 June 2025). The calories in your puppy food are printed on the bag or tin.
Getting the amount right
PetMD says the feeding chart on the bag is often not the most accurate guide because it ignores the individual puppy, recommends asking your vet, and says the amount depends on current weight and body condition, with the aim of avoiding fast growth and obesity. If a puppy is gaining too much, it suggests cutting the daily amount, keeping the same schedule and adding gentle exercise. Source: PetMD, How much to feed a puppy (Amanda Ardente DVM PhD, reviewed by Tara Hansen DVM, updated 25 June 2025). Our tools: puppy weight predictor and dog food calculator.
When to switch to adult food
| Adult size | Switch at about (PetMD) |
|---|---|
| Small, under 25 lb | 10 to 12 months |
| Medium, 25 to 50 lb | 12 to 15 months |
| Large, 50 lb and up | 15 to 24 months |
PetMD's rule of thumb is to switch at about 80% of expected adult size. Source: PetMD, How much to feed a puppy (Amanda Ardente DVM PhD, reviewed by Tara Hansen DVM, updated 25 June 2025).
Sources
- PetMD, How much to feed a puppy (Amanda Ardente DVM PhD, reviewed by Tara Hansen DVM, updated 25 June 2025), read 7 November 2026.
Related pages
New puppy: the first 30 days, new puppy checklist, puppy first-year costs and human foods dogs can eat.