Building a feeding schedule for a new puppy
Free-feeding (food available all day) leads to obesity, picky eating, and difficulty house-training. A scheduled feeding routine is one of the highest-impact things you can do for a puppy.
Frequency by age
- 8–12 weeks: 4 meals/day.
- 3–6 months: 3 meals/day.
- 6–12 months: 2 meals/day.
- 12+ months: 2 meals/day for most breeds.
Portion sizing
Follow the bag's chart for your puppy's expected adult weight, not current weight. Adjust by 10% up or down based on body condition score (you should be able to feel ribs without pressing).
Common mistakes
- Mixing wet and dry without adjusting total kcals — leads to obesity.
- Topping with table scraps — teaches begging, unbalances nutrition.
- Switching brands abruptly — causes GI upset. Always transition over 7 days.
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