How much to feed a puppy depends on their age, expected adult weight, breed size and activity level, and the best place to start is the feeding guide on the bag. Most young puppies do best on three to four small meals a day, with portions adjusted as they grow. If you're standing over a new bowl and a wriggly pup wondering whether it's enough, you're not alone. We'll walk you through how much and how often to feed, how to read a feeding guide and how to tell when to adjust, using ACANA™ Puppy and ORIJEN™ Puppy as our examples.
What affects how much a puppy needs to eat?
No two puppies eat exactly the same amount, because their needs change as they grow. These are the main things that decide how much goes in the bowl:
- Age. Young puppies are growing at a rapid rate, so they need more food for their weight than adult dogs do.
- Expected adult weight. A pup who will grow into a 5kg dog and one who will grow into a 35kg dog need very different amounts, even at the same age and current weight.
- Breed size. Small and large breed puppies grow at different speeds and for different lengths of time, which is why there are recipes made for each.
- Activity level. A pup who spends the day zooming around the farm will burn more energy than a calm couch companion.
- The food itself. Calories and nutrients vary between foods, so the amount that suits one recipe won't necessarily suit another. Always check the feeding guide for the food you're using.
How often should you feed a puppy?
Most young puppies do best on three to four small meals a day, moving to fewer meals as they get older. Little and often is easier on a tiny tummy and helps keep their energy steady. Use this as a general guide, and remember every puppy is a little different.
|
Puppy's age |
Meals per day |
|---|---|
|
8 to 12 weeks |
4 |
|
3 to 6 months |
3 |
|
6 months and older |
2 |
The daily amount on the feeding guide is the total for the whole day, so divide it between meals rather than serving it all at once. Try to keep meal times consistent, and always have fresh, clean water available. If you're not sure what suits your pup, your vet can help.
How to use the feeding guide on your puppy's food bag
The feeding guide on the bag is the best place to start, because it's written for that exact recipe. ACANA™ and ORIJEN™ both recommend starting with the guide on the pack, then monitoring your puppy's weight and adjusting portions as needed. Here's how to use it:
- Weigh your puppy. Use your kitchen scales or pop into your vet clinic for a quick weigh-in.
- Work out their expected adult weight. This depends on their breed. For mixed breed or rescue pups, your vet can give you a good estimate. Not sure if your pup counts as a large breed? Our large breed puppy guide can help.
- Find the daily amount. Match your puppy's current weight and expected adult weight on the chart.
- Measure it out. Use a standard 250ml/120g measuring cup, or weigh the food on scales for the most accurate portion.
- Split it into meals. Divide the daily amount across your puppy's meals for the day.
- Check back regularly. Puppies grow quickly, so reweigh them often and update their portions as they go.
Dry food can be served as it is or lightly moistened. Whichever you choose, keep fresh, clean water available and see your vet regularly.
Feeding ACANA™ Puppy and ORIJEN™ Puppy
Because ACANA™ Puppy and ORIJEN™ Puppy are rich in animal ingredients, every cup is nutrient-dense, so it pays to measure rather than guess. Both recipes deliver more calories from protein and fat and fewer from carbohydrates than conventional foods, which supports healthy growth and conditioning.
The amount your puppy needs also depends on the recipe you choose, because the calories in each cup differ:
|
All-breed recipe |
Quality animal ingredients |
Crude protein |
Calories per 250ml/120g cup |
|---|---|---|---|
|
70% |
33% |
439 kcal |
|
|
85% |
38% |
520 kcal |
A cup of ORIJEN™ Puppy has around 18% more calories than a cup of ACANA™ Puppy. That's why you should never swap foods cup for cup. When you change recipes, go back to the new food's own feeding guide.
If your puppy is on the smaller or larger side, there's a recipe made for them too:
- Small breed puppies: ACANA™ Puppy Small Breed and ORIJEN™ Small Breed Puppy
- Large breed puppies: ACANA™ Puppy Large Breed and ORIJEN™ Puppy Large Breed
New to a recipe? Switch gradually, moving from 25% new food to 100% over a few steps, so your puppy's tummy has time to adjust.
How to tell if your puppy is getting the right amount
A healthy puppy is lean, energetic and growing steadily, and the best way to check is to look at their body shape and track their weight. Try this simple body check every couple of weeks:
- Feel the ribs. You should be able to feel them easily under a thin layer of fat, without seeing them clearly.
- Look from above. A healthy puppy has a visible waist behind the ribs.
- Look from the side. Their tummy should tuck up slightly rather than hang or bulge.
If your puppy is carrying too much weight, reduce the daily amount slightly and check how many treats they're getting. If they look lean and are always on the go, they may need a little more. Adjusting portions by up to 10% at a time is a gentle way to fine-tune things, and your vet can guide you if you're unsure.
Remember that puppies change fast. The amount that's right this month may not be right next month, so keep weighing and adjusting as they grow.
Common puppy feeding mistakes to avoid
Most feeding mistakes come from good intentions, and they're easy to fix once you know what to look for.
- Guessing portions. A scoop that looks about right can be well off the mark. Measure with a cup or scales.
- Forgetting the treats. Training treats, chews and table scraps all count towards your puppy's daily food.
- Swapping foods cup for cup. Different recipes have different calories, so always follow the new food's own feeding guide.
- Switching too quickly. Sudden changes can upset a puppy's tummy, so change foods gradually.
- Never updating the amount. Puppies grow fast, so portions need regular check-ins.
- Moving to adult food too soon. Large breeds in particular need puppy food for longer. See when to switch from puppy food to adult dog food.
For more, read our guide to 7 common dog feeding mistakes (and how to avoid them).
Puppy feeding FAQs
How much should I feed my puppy?
The right amount depends on your puppy's age, current weight, expected adult weight and the food you're feeding. Start with the feeding guide on the bag, then adjust based on their weight and body shape.
How many times a day should I feed my puppy?
Most young puppies do best on three to four small meals a day, moving to two meals as they get older. Divide the daily amount from the feeding guide across those meals.
How much should an 8-week-old puppy eat?
It depends on their expected adult weight, so there's no single number for every puppy. Check the feeding guide on your puppy's food bag, and divide the daily amount across four small meals.
How many cups of food should a puppy eat a day?
That depends on the recipe, as calories per cup differ between foods. ACANA™ Puppy has 439 kcal per 250ml/120g cup and ORIJEN™ Puppy has 520 kcal, so always use the feeding guide for the food you're feeding.
How do I know if I'm overfeeding my puppy?
If you can't feel your puppy's ribs easily, or they have no visible waist, they may be carrying too much weight. Check treats and portions, and chat to your vet.
Is ACANA™ or ORIJEN™ better for puppies?
Both are made with quality animal ingredients and come in all-breed, small breed and large breed recipes. ORIJEN™ Puppy has 85% quality animal ingredients and ACANA™ Puppy has 70%. Read our guide to the best puppy food in NZ to compare them.
When should I stop feeding puppy food?
Small breeds can move to an adult recipe at around 9 to 10 months, medium breeds at 12 to 14 months and large breeds at 16 to 24 months. Our guide on when to switch from puppy food to adult dog food explains how.
Feed with confidence
Getting your puppy's portions right doesn't need to be complicated. Start with the feeding guide on the bag, split the daily amount into small meals, keep an eye on their body shape and adjust as they grow. Whether you choose ACANA™ Puppy or ORIJEN™ Puppy, a little measuring goes a long way.
Ready to find the right fit? Browse our puppy food range, find your nearest stockist, or visit the Puppy Portal for more early-life advice. For the full picture of puppy care, see our ultimate guide to raising a healthy puppy.
