Puppy Feeding Chart: How Much to Feed a Puppy
Bag charts are averages that err generous. This calculator uses the formula vets use, resting energy requirement (RER) with growth multipliers, to turn your puppy's actual weight and age into calories, cups and meals per day.
Puppy feeding chart (cups per day)
Reference chart at 400 kcal/cup: the same RER × growth-factor math as the calculator, by current weight. If your food differs, the calculator above adjusts for it.
| Current weight | 8–12 wk | 3–4 mo | 4–6 mo | 6–9 mo | 9–12 mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 lb | ½–¾ | ½–¾ | ½ | ½ | ¼–½ |
| 5 lb | ¾–1 | ¾–1 | ¾–1 | ½–¾ | ½–¾ |
| 10 lb | 1½–1¾ | 1½–1¾ | 1¼–1½ | 1–1¼ | 1 |
| 20 lb | 2½–3 | 2½–3 | 2–2½ | 1¾–2 | 1½–1¾ |
| 30 lb | 3¼–4 | 3¼–4 | 2¾–3½ | 2¼–2¾ | 2–2½ |
| 40 lb | 4¼–5 | 4¼–5 | 3½–4¼ | 2¾–3½ | 2½–3 |
| 60 lb | 5¾–7 | 5¾–7 | 4¾–5¾ | 3¾–4½ | 3½–4¼ |
| 80 lb | n/a | n/a | 5¾–7 | 4¾–5¾ | 4¼–5 |
How the math works
Resting energy requirement: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75 kcal/day, what a dog burns at rest. Growing puppies need a multiple of it: ~3× RER until about 4 months, then ~2–2.5× until they approach adult size, tapering toward the adult 1.6× as growth finishes. Cups = calories ÷ your bag's kcal/cup. That's the entire trick, and it's why a 10 lb puppy at 3 months eats more than a 10 lb adult dog.
Meals per day
- Under 3 months: 4 meals (small stomachs, blood-sugar risk in toy breeds)
- 3–6 months: 3 meals
- 6 months+: 2 meals, usually for life
Puppy feeding FAQ
How much should I feed my puppy?
Calculate RER (70 × kg0.75), multiply by ~3 under 4 months or ~2–2.5 up to maturity, divide by your food's kcal/cup. A 10 lb, 3-month-old: ~650 kcal ≈ 1.6 cups of 400 kcal/cup food, split into 3 meals. The calculator above does this for you.
Why does my bag say to feed more?
Bag charts average across breeds and activity levels and lean generous: a fed-to-the-bag puppy is often a chubby puppy. Use the calculated number as your start, then let weekly weigh-ins and body condition decide.
Is my puppy too fat or too thin?
Ribs should be easy to feel but not see; there should be a visible waist from above and a belly tuck from the side. Growing puppies should be lean: excess weight during growth stresses developing joints, especially in large breeds.
Do large-breed puppies really need special food?
Yes. Formulas with controlled calcium and energy reduce the risk of developmental orthopedic disease (hip and elbow dysplasia). Any breed maturing over ~50 lb should be on one until 12–18 months.
When do I switch to adult food?
At about 80–90% of adult size: ~9–10 months small breeds, ~12 months medium, 12–18 months large/giant. Transition over 7–10 days.
Can I free-feed my puppy?
Not recommended: it hides appetite changes (an early illness signal), makes house-training harder, and drives overweight puppies. Measured meals at set times win on every axis.
Feeding right is cheap: orthopedic surgery isn't
Cruciate repair or dysplasia surgery runs $3,000–$7,000 per joint. Puppy premiums are the cheapest they'll ever be, and nothing is pre-existing yet.
Compare pet insurance prices →Related dog calculators
Sources: NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs; WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee guidance; AAHA feeding and life-stage guidelines (RER formula and growth multipliers). Chart computed at 400 kcal/cup. Last reviewed August 2026.