We all know that puppies can be greedy and insatiable, despite their small size. Therefore, it is important to ensure they get the right amount of puppy food and treats, no matter whether you feed them raw, wet or dry. Too much or too little food can cause health problems and, sometimes, irreversible damage, so it is crucial to get it right the first time!
Our guide will explore the signs of overfeeding in puppies, the appropriate quantities, and the factors that can affect how much food a puppy should have, ensuring you give your pooch the best start in life.
- What are the Signs of Puppy Overfeeding?
Here’s how you can spot when your pup is eating too much
- What Quantities Are Appropriate for a Puppy?
Compare raw, wet, and dry puppy food quantities based on your dog’s weight and breed
- What Factors Affect How Much I Can Feed My Puppy?
All puppies are different, so make sure they’re getting the right diet for their particular needs
- How Can I Balance My Puppy’s Food with Their Treats?
Treats are essential when training, but try not to feed them too much!
- Frequently Asked Questions
We answer some common queries
What are the Signs of Puppy Overfeeding?
- Signs that you may be overfeeding your puppy include:
- Excessive weight gain: puppies grow rapidly in their first few weeks and months, so you will obviously notice some size changes. However, if they are being overfed, they can appear overweight. If you can’t tell by looking at them, you can weigh them, or a vet can tell you if you take them for a check-up or weigh-in.
- Lethargy and slow movements: overweight puppies will lack energy, and their movements may be slower.
- Whining for food: if they’re used to an excessive diet, they may complain if they aren’t getting their usual diet. Don’t give in!
- Overfeeding a puppy can cause a range of health issues, such as digestive problems, issues with their joints and muscles, and bloating. Sometimes, these issues can occur even when your puppy is eating a healthy diet, which may mean there is an underlying cause. Always consult a vet or specialist if you are concerned.
- Most puppy food options have feeding guidelines on the packaging; you can view our full collection of available puppy food here.
What Quantities Are Appropriate for a Puppy?
If you’re unsure about the appropriate quantity to feed your puppy, use our table below as a guide:
| Feeding Type | Typical Daily Quantity Guideline | How It’s Usually Measured |
| Raw food | Often around 8% of body weight daily for young puppies, reducing to 5–6% as they grow | Grams based on body weight |
| Wet food | Approx. 85g per 1–1.5kg body weight (varies by brand and calorie density) | Grams or pouches/trays |
| Dry food (kibble) | Often based on body weight and expected adult size (e.g. feeding charts by age and breed size; roughly 20g per kg body weight per day as a broad guideline) | Grams or cups (grams recommended for accuracy) |
| Mixed feeding (wet + dry) | Portion adjusted to maintain total daily calories (e.g. some feeding plans combine roughly 80% dry + 20% wet) | Adjusted proportionally |
What Factors Affect How Much I Can Feed My Puppy?
Not every puppy is the same, and the regular feeding guidelines may not apply. Before choosing portion sizes, consider the following factors:
- Type of food: some variations and brands of puppy food may include different amounts of calories. For instance, wet food is less energy-dense than dry food, meaning a higher volume is needed to match the requirements of dry food.
- Activity level: how active is your pup? Most puppies need plenty of exercise as they grow, but working breeds such as springer spaniels may be much more energetic than a pug or an English bulldog. Therefore, more active dogs may need more food to match their energy levels.
- Age: very young puppies who are just weaning from their mothers need more meals than a puppy who is older than six months to support their rapid growth.
- Breed: different breeds will grow to be different sizes when adults; smaller breeds may need more calories than larger breeds, as breeds such as Great Danes may be susceptible to joint issues if they are fed too much and grow too fast.
- Body and health condition: if your puppy has a specific health condition, their diet may need to be altered.
Before changing your puppy’s diet, consider a wellbeing consultation with a canine nutrition specialist to help you find the best diet for their breed and any special circumstances. For a broad measurement, check out our puppy feeding calculator below.
Puppy Feeding Calculator
How Can I Balance My Puppy’s Food with Their Treats?
Puppies tend to eat a lot of treats as they learn new things; who can resist that little face when they finally sit or shake? Although treats are great for positive reinforcement, there is such a thing as “too many treats,” especially if you don’t change their normal meal intake.
Treats should not make up more than 10% of your puppy’s daily calorie intake, however, it can be difficult to constantly work out these calories. If constant calorie counting isn’t doable and you’re using many treats during their training, try to opt for low-calorie choices, such as raw carrot or cucumber.
You could also use food from their meals as training treats, especially if you feed them dry food. Monitor your pup’s weight, and alter portion sizes accordingly.
Our puppy training page contains accessories and healthy treat options, such as the Zoe Licky snacks, for low-fat, tasty treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Beneficial to Have a Puppy Feeding Chart?
Using a puppy feeding chart can be incredibly beneficial in helping you keep track of your puppy’s calorie intake. It can ensure healthy growth, establish a consistent routine and prevent obesity.
Do Different Breeds of Puppies Need Different Food Amounts?
Yes, different breeds will need to be fed different amounts as puppies, as smaller breeds may need more calories than larger breeds. Their food should be matched to their predicted weight as an adult.
Should I Increase the Amount of Food as my Puppy Grows?
You must increase the amount of food your puppy eats as they grow; as puppies age, they won't need as many calories due to their growth rate slowing down. Puppies should transition from around four meals a day down to two when they are between six and 12 months old.
Are There Risks If I Feed My Puppy a Generic Amount of Food Rather Than an Amount Tailored to Their Breed?
Tailoring your puppy’s food intake to their breed rather than feeding them a generic puppy amount can lead to health issues such as skeletal and joint diseases, especially in larger breeds, and hypoglycaemia, seen in toy and small breeds. Puppies can also become obese, and may experience digestive upset.
What Should I Do If My Puppy Refuses the Recommended Amount of Food?
Try to establish a routine with your puppy so they know when to expect food, and remove the food bowl after around 20 minutes if they do not eat. Reduce treats if they are filling themselves up, or consider adding tasty toppers and extras such as plain boiled chicken to entice them. If their food bowl is in a high-traffic area, consider moving it somewhere quieter.
You should seek help from a vet if your puppy still won’t eat after making changes, or they are exhibiting other symptoms such as lethargy or vomiting, to rule out any underlying health problems.