How much should I feed my puppy?

Getting a new puppy is an exciting time, but it’s natural to feel a bit nervous too. You want to give your little ball of fluff everything they need to stay healthy and happy – that’s a lot to consider. Our Head Vet Sean and Nutritionist Samantha are here with some top tips to help you get your puppy’s diet off to the best start.

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What should I feed my puppy?

Puppies should have their mother’s milk for the first 6-8 weeks. After that, it’s time to wean them onto solid food. Food for puppies  needs to be easy to digest and gentle on small stomachs.

At tails.com we go even further. Our food is tailor-made, so every puppy gets all the nutrients they need, in exactly the right balance. We include growth-supporting nutrients like Omega-3, and essential amino acids, along with the beneficial ingredients nucleotides, prebiotics and beta-glucans, to help your puppy develop at the right pace.

How much should I feed my puppy?

Puppies use lots of energy for growing and playing, and their digestive system doesn’t absorb nutrients as efficiently as an adult dog – they need to eat more to make sure they get everything they need. Exactly how much changes over time. Things that affect how much you should feed your puppy include:

• Age
• Size
• Breed
• Activity level
• How much growing they’ve still got to do

Most puppy foods give a recommended serving size on the packet. This is a good starting point, but isn’t exact. You’ll need to adjust this if you think your dog’s metabolism is faster or slower than average. And you’ll need to keep a check on your puppy’s weight and body condition as they grow, so you can update their diet to match.

We factor this information into every tails.com feeding plan. Each puppy gets an online profile so you can update their vital statistics in just a few clicks. We work out what those changes mean for your pup’s nutritional needs, and adjust their feeding plan automatically. We also send young dogs a delivery every two weeks, so we can keep their recipe changing as fast as they do.

Things are just as easy at mealtimes thanks to our clever adjustable scoop. There’s no complicated weighing or measuring – just scoop and serve with 100% confidence you’re giving the right amount.

How often should I feed my puppy?

Smaller servings are easier for tiny tummies to digest, and regular meals keep energy levels from peaking and falling too much. For puppies up to four months old, we recommend four meals a day. After that most will manage a longer gap between meals, so three is usually enough.

There’s no single answer to the question ‘how often should puppies be fed?’ and this routine won’t be right for every dog. Most breeders will give you a feeding plan for the first few weeks – one that takes the specific needs of your dog’s breed into account. It’s a good idea to follow this at first, then look out for signs your young pup is getting too full, or too hungry, between meals. If they are, make an adjustment, and see if things improve.

When should I start giving my puppy adult food?

Once your puppy reaches maturity, they’ll need a diet that’s optimised for an adult dog. Their age at this point will depend on their breed – in general, smaller dogs reach adulthood more quickly. Regardless of age, a sudden switch can disrupt your dog’s routine, so it’s best to introduce new food over at least a week, preferably two.

With tails.com, there’s no need to consider when or how to adjust your dog’s diet for adulthood. That’s because we create a puppy feeding plan that evolves with your dog from day one  – by the time they’re fully grown, there are no big changes left to make. Just use your dog’s online profile to keep us updated on your little one’s growth, and we’ll make sure their feeding plan keeps up.

Find out more information about our Puppy Food

This individual attention also lets us factor in anything specific to your puppy’s breed – for example, encouraging slow, steady growth if they’re a large dog like a German Shepherd, or adjusting the mineral balance for the needs of smaller toy breeds.

Related blog: how much should I feed my dog?

We want you to enjoy every second of your dog’s puppy years, without having to worry about whether you’re meeting their nutritional needs. If you’ve got any questions about what, when or how you should be feeding your new addition, we’re here to help. Get in touch at hello@tails.com.