You should feed a puppy according to their age, with more frequent meals when they are very young and fewer as they grow:
- Puppies less than 6 months old generally need to be fed three times a day.
- Puppies from 6 months to 1 year old typically should be fed twice a day.
- Once a puppy has reached full maturity (often at 1 year, but can be 18 months to 2 years for large breeds), feeding can be reduced to once or twice a day , depending on what works best for you and your dog.
It's important to establish a consistent feeding schedule to support proper growth, aid in potty training, and maintain digestion. For very young puppies (around 2 months), feeding may be needed 4-6 times per day, gradually decreasing frequency as they age. Also, small breed puppies may require more frequent feeding (up to 4-6 meals per day initially) due to their higher metabolism, and large breed puppies may need smaller, more frequent meals to prevent issues like bloat. In summary:
Puppy Age| Number of Meals per Day
---|---
Weaning to ~2 months| 4 to 6 meals
2 to 6 months| 3 to 4 meals
6 months to 1 year| 2 meals
Over 1 year (mature)| 1 to 2 meals (depending on dog and owner preference)
Consistency, portion control based on puppy weight and breed, and following puppy food guidelines are key. Transition to adult food is recommended around full maturity to avoid excess calories.
