How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?
Short answer: a puppy under 4 months needs about 3 times its resting energy (RER) a day, and an older puppy about 2 times. A 10 lb puppy at 12 weeks needs about 650 kcal, which is about 1.7 cups of a 380 kcal per cup puppy food.
The formula vets use
Puppy under 4 months: daily calories = 3 × RER
Puppy 4 months to adult size: daily calories = 2 × RER
Cups = calories ÷ kcal per cup on the bag
The puppy's current weight is used, and you recalculate every couple of weeks as it grows.
Daily calories by puppy weight
| Puppy weight | RER | Under 4 months (× 3) | 4 months and older (× 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | 129 kcal | 388 kcal | 259 kcal |
| 10 lb | 218 kcal | 653 kcal | 435 kcal |
| 20 lb | 366 kcal | 1,098 kcal | 732 kcal |
| 30 lb | 496 kcal | 1,488 kcal | 992 kcal |
| 40 lb | 615 kcal | 1,846 kcal | 1,231 kcal |
| 60 lb | 834 kcal | - | 1,668 kcal |
Cups per day (380 kcal per cup puppy food)
| Puppy weight | Under 4 months | 4 months and older |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | 1 cup | 0.7 cup |
| 10 lb | 1.7 cups | 1.1 cups |
| 20 lb | 2.9 cups | 1.9 cups |
| 30 lb | 3.9 cups | 2.6 cups |
| 40 lb | 4.9 cups | 3.2 cups |
| 60 lb | - | 4.4 cups |
Your bag may have more or fewer calories per cup: enter the real number in the calculator below. If you give treats, take them out of the total.
How many meals a day
| Age | Meals per day |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 weeks | 4 |
| 3 to 6 months | 3 |
| 6 months to adult | 2 |
When to switch to adult food
When the puppy reaches about 80% to 90% of its adult weight: around 9 to 12 months for small breeds, 12 months for medium breeds and 12 to 18 months for large and giant breeds. Large and giant breeds should eat a food made for large-breed puppies, which controls calcium and calories so the bones grow at a safe pace. Estimate the adult weight with the puppy weight calculator.
Is my puppy eating the right amount?
Look and feel rather than only weigh: you should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, and see a waist from above. A round puppy is not a healthy puppy, especially in large breeds where extra weight strains growing joints. Ask your vet to check body condition at each vaccine visit.
Sources: RER and growth factors as used in WSAVA and Pet Nutrition Alliance feeding guidance. Individual puppies vary; follow your vet's advice.
Try the dog food calculator
Enter your own numbers below, or open the full dog food calculator with the formula and more examples.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your pet may differ: ask your vet. Terms
Frequently asked questions
How much should a 10 week old puppy eat?
About 3 times its resting energy requirement. A 10 lb puppy needs about 650 kcal a day, roughly 1.7 cups of a 380 kcal per cup food, split into 4 meals.
How many cups of food should a puppy eat?
Divide the daily calories by the kcal per cup on the bag. A 20 lb puppy older than 4 months needs about 730 kcal, or about 1.9 cups of a 380 kcal food.
Can I overfeed my puppy?
Yes. Overfeeding makes puppies grow too fast and gain fat, which is especially harmful to the joints of large breeds. Measure each meal and watch the body shape.
How many times a day should a puppy eat?
Four meals at 8 to 12 weeks, three from 3 to 6 months, and two from 6 months on.
When should a puppy switch to adult food?
At about 80% to 90% of adult weight: 9 to 12 months for small breeds and 12 to 18 months for large and giant breeds.