Our puppy feeding guide: How much, how often and when to feed a puppy

What to feed your puppy

As facultative carnivores (animals that eat non-animal food as well as animal food [1]), dogs’ primary source of nutrition should come from meat, but they can also digest and benefit from eating some plant material.

A raw diet reflects what dogs would eat in the wild: muscle, meat, organs, and bone. As a species-appropriate diet, raw food provides all the nutrients that support healthy, sustainable growth. This translates to well-formed bones, joints and tendons, and a happy developed brain.

The ideal puppy food you choose should be: 

• Calorie-appropriate: Puppies need food that is higher in calories than compared to  adult dog food because they are growing at a fast rate, are learning new things everyday, and are constantly moving
• High in protein: Protein provides the key amino acids that are needed for growing hair, skin, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Also, puppies are extremely active, so they need more protein to meet their energy needs. 
• Fresh: Fresh food is easier to digest, so the body is able to absorb more of the food’s nutrients  

• Formulated for bone development: Calcium is an important mineral, particularly for bone and teeth development. The appropriate amount of calcium is essential as too little could lead to fractures and too much to skeletal malformations and nutritional deficiencies 
• Digestible: Your puppy’s digestive system is still developing so their digestive tolerance is lower than an adult’s dogs. Giving them food that they can easily digest will help prevent stomach issues, like sickness and diarrhoea 

We have flavours to suit all tastes. Discover our full raw puppy food range.

Benefits of raw feeding for puppies

The top benefits of feeding your puppy raw food include: 

Glossier coat

We have lost count of the number of pet parents who report a glossier and softer coat after as little as 2 – 3 weeks of raw feeding.

Smaller, firmer poo

One of the most notable and easiest to spot improvements you will observe is your puppy’s poo! Bella & Duke pet parents report that their dogs’ number twos are smaller, more compact, and less smelly!

Our food is free from fillers and grains and is highly natural, digestible with enzymes in the food itself to help your pooch absorb as much goodness as possible.

Less wind

The “natural digestibility” of our feed means most owners report a very swift and welcome reduction in their puppies’ wind!

Other benefits include: 

• Digestion support
• Immune system support
• Balanced energy levels

How much raw food to feed your puppy by weight (kg)

The daily amount of food your puppy needs varies between 4%-10% of their body weight. The younger they are, the higher the percentage of their body weight they need as food. For example, an 8 week old puppy may need 10% of their body weight as food. Where, a 6 month old, may only need 4% of their body weight in food. 

Use this chart to understand the ideal daily amount of food in grams your pup needs of Bella+Duke raw puppy food. The amounts shown are based on puppies weight and age.

Puppy feed chart by weight and age

Please not that these amounts are guidelines only. For a more accurate estimation, enter your pup’s age and weight into our raw puppy food calculator to understand how much to feed them each day. Weigh your puppy weekly for accurate results.

What else influences your puppies daily food amount? 

As well as their age and weight, your pups size, breed, any known medical conditions, and lifestyle (how active they are) may affect how much food they should be given each day.

When you sign up and tell us more about your pup, we’ll take all these into account and give you a customised food plan.

Signs you are feeding the right amount 

The best way to know you are feeding your puppy the right amount is by checking their body condition score. This check is done through sight and touch. 

Your puppy should have a defined waist when you look from the side and above, and you should be able to feel their ribs as you run your hands along their chest. They will have adequate body fat to protect themselves, but never so much that they struggle to be active.

Chart showing the body composition of dogs:

Perhaps an easier way for you to assess body condition at home is to use the knuckle test:

Other signs to look out for that show your puppy is being fed the right amount of food, include:  

• Healthy coat and skin: A puppy that is being fed a balanced and complete diet in the right amount will have a shiny and soft coat and non-itchy skin
• No begging after meals: A puppy that has eaten an appropriately sized nutritious meal shouldn’t beg for more food/treats. However, some puppies just love their food, and will beg for more even though they’ve had the right amount
• Optimum weight: A puppy that is eating the right amount should be an optimum weight for their age, size, and breed. If they are losing weight or gaining too much weight, they may be eating too little or too much

How much raw to feed by breed

Charts are helpful to understand how much to feed your puppy based on weight and age. You can also look at their breed classification to understand their feeding needs: 

Toy breeds (e.g. Chihuahua, Pomeranian)

• Reach maturity around 9 months 
• Peak growth happens around 4 months. At this age they need 3-4 meals a day 
• Around 6-7 months they may go off their food. This is a sign that their appetite has naturally decreased, and they need fewer meals
• Be careful not to overfeed

Small breeds (e.g. Pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) 

• They take longer to reach maturity than toy breeds
• Need 3-4 meals a day until around 6 months
• After 6 months their calorie needs dip but only slightly
• Most only need 2 meals by 12 months 

Small/medium breeds (e.g. Beagle, French Bulldog) 

• Reach maturity between 12-15 months
• Need more calories than smaller breeds through their entire life
• Calorie needs are consistent for first 12 months as they have more growing to do
• Once mature, they need calories to build muscle and to fill out 

Medium/large breeds (e.g. Springer Spaniel, Border Collie) 

• Reach maturity between 12-18 months
• Growth rate in first 12 months is fast
• Need a nutrient dense and calorie rich, complete and balanced diet to support their growth 

Large breeds (e.g. Labrador, German Shepherd)

• Reach maturity around 18 months
• Require puppy food that is high in protein to support their growth
• Around 12 months, muscles are forming so they need a nutrient dense, balanced and complete diet 

Giant breeds (e.g. Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound)

• Reach maturity around 18 months +
• Need a nutrient dense, balanced and complete diet to support their growth 
• Require a calcium rich diet to support the growth of bones and teeth
• Need carbohydrates to provide energy for playing/training

How much should a puppy weigh?

Each puppy is an individual and their weight will fluctuate depending on things like season, stress levels, activity, and medical conditions. To find out the average weight range for your puppy’s breed type, see our guide ‘How heavy should my dog be?’. Here, you’ll find a table listing most of the dog breeds along with a range of their average weight.

However, checking their body composition with the above guidance can be a better way to decide if your puppy is a healthy size. 

How often to feed your puppy

Here is a guide to help you understand how many times a day you should feed your puppy and how this changes as they grow: 

Puppies – 8 to 16 weeks

We advise feeding your puppy 4 meals a day, splitting their raw food daily quota equally between each meal.

Puppies – 16 weeks to 12 months

For puppies moving through to adolescence, we advise feeding them 3 raw meals a day, splitting their daily quota accordingly.

Moving into adulthood  – 12 to 18 months

Depending on the size of your puppy and your preference, feed 2 meals a day.

When is a puppy an adult?

We advise you to keep your puppy on raw puppy food until they are approximately 12 months old before you switch to our adult raw dog food.

The best puppy feeding times 

This table shows the average number of times a day a puppy should be fed based on their age band, and suggests times during the day these meals can be given: 

This schedule is a guide and your puppy needs may differ from this. Toy and smaller breeds under 4 months may need 5 meals a day as they have a faster metabolism. Monitor what works for your puppy and adjust the schedule accordingly!

Ideal feeding schedule for puppies on 3 meals a day 

Most puppies benefit from a routine and it’s easier for you as well to schedule feeding times. 

Here is a suggested feeding schedule for a puppy on 3 meals a day: 

Ideal feeding schedule for puppies on 2 meals a day 

When transitioning your puppy from 3 meals a day to 2, do it gradually and at your puppies pace.

How to introduce raw food to a puppy 

Here are 3 key things to keep in mind when beginning to feed your puppy raw food: 

1. Keep feeding times relaxed: When you are relaxed, your puppy will be relaxed too! 
2. Avoid processed food and carbohydrates: These can promote excessive growth and lead to chronic inflammation. Discover the difference between raw dog food vs kibble
3. Monitor your puppy’s growth regularly:  How much and often your pup needs to eat them will change quickly as they grow up

If your puppy has been weaned onto a processed diet, whether kibble, tinned, or other foods, you can transition them onto raw puppy food in a single step.

Feed your puppy their final meal of their current food the night before, whilst your puppy’s new food defrosts overnight. Begin feeding their new raw puppy food in the morning.

99% of puppies will transition smoothly with a straight swap. For some dogs, with sensitive stomachs or health dispositions, a gradual transition approach over 4 days may be better. 

Bella+Duke raw puppy food

Our raw puppy food is designed to provide your puppy with all the nutrients they require to flourish and thrive. All of our ingredients are chosen because they bring a benefit to your pup.

We deliver an easily digestible spectrum of protein, macronutrients, and healthy fats, along with the required vitamins and minerals. These are found within the meat, offal, bone, vegetables, and select mixed berries (for their super-food qualities).

• Natural, nutrient dense raw protein for healthy muscle growth
• The correct balance of calcium and phosphorus for their bone and joint development
• All the required vitamins, minerals, and amino acids

What makes raw puppy food different?

Raw puppy food contains a greater amount of calcium and phosphorus from natural healthy bones to ensure strong, sustained, and measured skeletal development. Raw puppy food is also finely minced to make it easier for those tiny mouths.

Important note about the calcium to phosphorus ratio

Calcium and phosphorous are required in greater amounts for a puppy than a fully grown adult dog, and are essential for bone formation. How much puppies need is not an exact science, however, you can be confident that our puppy meals fall within all of the healthy encouraged guidelines.

Top tips on feeding puppies on a raw diet 

If you’re a new puppy parent or are new to raw feeding, here are our tip tips for feeding a puppy raw food: 

• It’s recommended you don’t make your own raw food, instead choose a provider that offers balanced and complete raw puppy food 
• Work out how much your puppy needs. Our puppy food calculator provides a guide of the amount of food your puppy needs each day. As your puppy grows the amount they need will change, so remember to regularly check your puppy’s details
• Split their daily amount equally by the number of meals they need each day
• Don’t be alarmed if your puppy doesn’t eat a meal you’ve put down for them. Healthy puppies won’t starve themselves. If the meal goes untouched, take it away, and try again at the next meal time  
• Provide a quiet, peaceful place for them to eat
• Provide access to water. Don’t be worried if your puppy drinks less water as they are getting hydration from their raw food 
• Hygiene is very important to stop cross-contamination. Wash your hands with soak before preparing your puppy’s meals and after picking up their bowl once they’ve finished

References

1. Digestive systems, Libretexts Biology: https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A_General_Biology_(Boundless)/34%3A_Animal_Nutrition_and_the_Digestive_System/34.02%3A_Digestive_Systems_-_Herbivores_Omnivores_and_Carnivores#:~:text=Facultative%20carnivores%20are%20those%20that,would%20be%20considered%20facultative%20carnivores.