What Do Puppies Eat? How Should They Be Fed? Feeding Chart and Tips

Puppies, with a complete and balanced feeding program in the first months of their lives, are healthy and strong They can grow. During this process, it is critically important that all puppies receive the nutrients they need, are fed according to their growth rate, and avoid harmful foods.

When it comes to the nutritional needs of puppies, it is known that certain nutrient groups stand out: Protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are provided in appropriate amounts and in balance to support the growth period. Incorrect or insufficient nutrition can negatively affect the long-term health of the puppy.

Although quality nutrition is important for the health of puppies, sufficient water consumption should not be neglected. In order for nutrition to be complete and balanced, it is essential to consider water consumption, which is one of the most basic needs of the metabolism.

In this article, you can find information about the answers to the question "What do puppies eat?", as well as age-appropriate feeding schedules, determining the daily amount of food, meal frequency, and puppy feeding charts.

Warning: This text is for general information purposes only. The energy and nutritional needs of puppies can vary depending on their age, expected adult weight, growth rate, health status, and the energy density of the food used. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate amount of food and feeding plan.

The Importance of Puppy Nutrition

Ensuring that puppies receive all the nutrients they need during their growth period is one of the cornerstones of their healthy development. In this process, creating a balanced feeding program is extremely important not only for physical health but also for mental development.

Insufficient or unbalanced nutrition can lead to serious health problems in puppies, such as growth retardation, weakened immune system, and bone deformities. Failure to provide minerals such as calcium and phosphorus in appropriate proportions can negatively affect skeletal development, especially in large and giant breed puppies. At the same time, insufficient protein intake can negatively affect muscle development in puppies. This can cause your dog to not perform adequately in physical activities.

For your puppy to grow healthily, a complete and balanced food suitable for its developmental stage should be chosen. Even if the food is complete and balanced, giving more than necessary does not mean healthy growth. Vitamin or mineral supplements should not be added to the food unless recommended by a veterinarian.

Puppy nutrition can generally be considered in terms of breastfeeding, weaning transition, and the post-weaning solid food period. The feeding method, meal frequency, and energy needs change in each period.

How to Feed Newborn Puppies?

Proper nutrition is of great importance for the healthy growth and development of a strong immune system in newborn puppies. Firstly, mother's milk, especially colostrum received in the first 24-48 hours after birth, is the ideal source of nutrition for puppies. During this time, mother's milk provides all the nutrients the puppies need, and they should be fed every 2-3 hours. When mother's milk is not available, milk powders come into play. Dog milk powders offer a nutritional content similar to mother's milk. Instead of cow's milk, milk powders formulated for puppies should be used. The preparation ratio, daily amount, and feeding frequency should be determined according to the product instructions and the veterinarian's recommendation. Milk Powder Weaning usually begins at 3-4 weeks of age and progresses gradually up to 7-8 weeks. According to the guidelines published by the National Academies, puppy food can be introduced from approximately the fourth week, when mother's milk alone is no longer sufficient. Initially, puppy food can be softened with warm water or appropriate milk powder. As the puppy gets used to solid food, the amount of liquid added is reduced. Access to clean and fresh water should be provided during this period. Under normal circumstances, puppies are fed with mother's milk for the first 3-4 weeks after birth, or with puppy milk powder if they are deprived of mother's milk for any reason. From this point, the weaning period begins, and it is recommended that they eat wet food along with milk and a certain amount of dry food for approximately 3-4 weeks. Since dry food can be difficult to chew, it is recommended to moisten it with water during the transition period. What Do Puppies Eat?

When breast milk is unavailable, milk powders come into play. Dog milk powders offer a nutritional content similar to breast milk. Instead of cow's milk, milk powders formulated for puppies should be used. The preparation ratio, daily amount, and feeding frequency should be determined according to the product instructions and the veterinarian's recommendation. Milk Powder

Milk Powder

The weaning process usually begins at 3–4 weeks of age and progresses gradually until 7–8 weeks. Guidelines published by the National Academies state that puppy food can be introduced from approximately the fourth week, when mother's milk alone is no longer sufficient. Initially, puppy food can be softened with warm water or appropriate milk powder. As the puppy gets used to solid food, the amount of liquid added is reduced. Access to clean, fresh water should be provided during this period.

Under normal circumstances, puppies are fed mother's milk for the first 3-4 weeks after birth, or puppy milk powder if they are deprived of mother's milk for any reason. From this point, the weaning period begins, and it is recommended that they eat wet food along with some dry food for approximately 3-4 weeks. Since dry food can be difficult to chew, it is recommended to moisten it with water during the transition period.

What Do Puppies Eat?

It is known that there are various alternatives when planning the feeding of puppies. Common answers to the question "What do puppies eat?" can be listed as follows:

Puppy Foods

Puppy foods recommended by veterinarians and formulated according to the needs of puppies ensure the healthy and balanced growth of puppies. Their prominent feature is that they are formulated to contain all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients necessary for the development of puppies.

A good puppy food should be appropriate for your dog's age, expected adult size and health status. The product description should be checked to indicate that the food offers complete and balanced nutrition for the growth period. Digestibility, energy density and kibble size should also be evaluated during selection.

Puppy food is offered in dry and wet forms. Whether the food is dry or wet is not an indicator of quality alone. The chosen product must be suitable for puppies, complete and balanced. Wet food can be considered for puppies who have poor appetite or have difficulty chewing dry food. If dry and wet food are to be given together, the total daily amount should be adjusted taking into account the energy provided by both foods.

Things to Consider When Choosing Puppy Food

The things to consider when choosing puppy food can be listed as follows:

Suitability for Life Stage: The product description should state that the food is formulated for puppies or the growth period. The food should provide complete and balanced nutrition for this period.

Expected Adult Size: Small, medium, large, and giant breed puppies do not have the same growth rate. Especially for large and giant breeds, food specifically formulated for these groups should be considered.

Energy Density and Feeding Chart: Two foods of the same weight may provide different amounts of energy. The feeding chart on the packaging should be evaluated together with the energy value of the food and the expected adult weight of the puppy.

Manufacturer and Quality Control: Small Door Veterinary emphasizes that the ingredient list alone is not a sufficient criterion for evaluation. The manufacturer's quality control processes, collaboration with nutritionists, and ability to provide detailed nutritional information about the product should also be considered.

Ingredients List: The ingredients list can be reviewed, but the quality of the food should not be determined by a single ingredient or the protein source at the top of the list. The presence of grains in the food does not automatically mean that the product is of low quality or harmful.

Puppy's Adaptation to the Food: After consuming the food, appetite, stool consistency, weight gain, and body condition should be monitored. If recurrent vomiting, diarrhea, significant itching, or problems with weight gain occur, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Veterinary Assessment: Food selection for puppies with health problems, those not growing at the expected rate, or those with special nutritional needs should be done in consultation with a veterinarian.

What Can Puppies Eat Besides Food?

Before going into details, it is generally not recommended to feed pets with homemade food. There are several reasons for this. It is difficult to ensure that they receive all nutrients completely at home, and moreover, it is quite laborious to make this sustainable. In addition, it is known that costs can increase. Nevertheless, it is possible to offer puppies a variety of foods in addition to dry and wet food as treats or snacks. Here are some safe foods puppies can consume in addition to their regular food: Meat and Protein Sources: Chicken: Boiled, skinless, and boneless chicken can be a good protein source for puppies. Spices and oil should not be added during cooking. It is important not to give raw chicken. For details, you can read our article "Is Eating Raw Chicken Safe for Dogs?". Turkey: Boiled turkey meat can be given without fat and spices. Fish: Fish such as salmon or sardines, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can be given boneless and cooked. However, it should not be given in excess. Eggs: Boiled eggs provide high-quality protein. Raw eggs should not be given, as there is a risk of salmonella. Vegetables: Carrots: Carrots, cooked or raw and cut into small pieces, are a healthy snack for puppies. They are rich in fiber and support dental health. Peas: Cooked peas can be given as a low-calorie snack; they are rich in vitamins. Pumpkin: Boiled pumpkin is easily digestible and rich in fiber. It can help with digestive problems such as constipation. Spinach: Small amounts of cooked spinach can provide vitamin and mineral support.

Meat and Protein Sources:

• Chicken: Boiled, skinless, and boneless chicken can be a good protein source for puppies. Spices and oil should not be added during cooking. It is important not to give raw chicken. For details, you can read our article "Is Eating Raw Chicken Safe for Dogs?".
• Turkey: Boiled turkey meat can be given without fat and spices.
• Fish: Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon or sardines, can be given boneless and cooked. However, it should not be given in excess.
• Eggs: Boiled eggs provide high-quality protein. Raw eggs should not be given because of the risk of salmonella.

Sebzeler:

• Carrots: Cooked or raw carrots cut into small pieces are a healthy snack for puppies. They are rich in fiber and support dental health.
• Peas: Cooked peas can be given as a low-calorie snack; they are rich in vitamins.
• Zucchini: Boiled zucchini is easily digestible and rich in fiber. It can help with digestive problems such as constipation.
• Spinach: Small amounts of cooked spinach can provide vitamin and mineral support.

Meyveler:

• Apples: Small amounts of pitted apples are a healthy snack for dogs. They are rich in vitamin C and fiber.
• Bananas: Small amounts of bananas can provide potassium and vitamin support. Avoid overconsumption as they contain a lot of sugar.
• Blueberries: Rich in antioxidants, blueberries can be a healthy snack for your puppy. However, avoid overconsumption.

Grains:

• Rice: Boiled white or brown rice is easy to digest and can be beneficial for puppies with stomach problems.
• Oats: Cooked oatmeal is a fiber-rich and easily digestible food. It should be unsweetened and plain.
• Barley: Cooked barley can be a carbohydrate source that provides energy for your puppy.

Dairy Products (Caution Required):

• Yogurt: Unsweetened, plain yogurt can be given in small amounts. It contains probiotics and can aid digestion. However, some puppies may have lactose intolerance, so caution should be exercised.
• Cheese: Low-fat cheeses can be given in small amounts as a treat. However, due to their lactose content, they should not be given excessively.

Special Foods:

• Sweet Potatoes: Boiled sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins and fiber and are easy to digest.
• Pumpkin: Cooked pumpkin supports digestion and can help with stomach problems. It can be used in cases of constipation or diarrhea.

Important Note: If homemade meals are planned to form the basis of a puppy's diet, the recipe should be expertly prepared. PetMD recommends consulting a veterinary nutritionist when evaluating homemade or customized diets. It can be difficult to meet the energy, protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral needs of puppies during their growth period in a balanced way with randomly prepared recipes.

Harmful Foods for Puppies

Chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, caffeine, alcohol, and products containing xylitol, also known as xylitol, can be toxic to puppies. These foods can lead to serious poisoning and, in some cases, death.

Theobromine in chocolate can cause serious symptoms related to the digestive system, nervous system, and heart. Onions and garlic can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia. Consumption of grapes and raisins can result in acute kidney damage in some dogs. These foods should be kept out of reach of puppies. Important: If you suspect your puppy has consumed a harmful food, contact your veterinarian immediately upon noticing any symptoms. If possible, share the packaging, estimated quantity, and time of consumption of the product. Do not attempt to induce vomiting or give a homemade mixture without veterinary advice. Puppies can develop allergic reactions to certain foods. Chicken, beef, and dairy products can be triggers for food allergies in some dogs. However, not every puppy that consumes these foods will develop allergies. Symptoms of allergies in dogs may include itching, recurring skin or ear problems, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Important: If you suspect your puppy has consumed a harmful food, contact your veterinarian immediately before any symptoms appear. If possible, share the packaging of the product consumed, the estimated quantity, and the time of consumption. Do not attempt to induce vomiting or give a homemade mixture without veterinary advice.

Puppies may develop allergic reactions to some foods. Chicken, beef, and dairy products can be triggers for food allergies in some dogs. However, not every puppy that consumes these foods will develop allergies. Allergy symptoms in dogs may include itching, recurring skin or ear problems, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Puppy Feeding Chart: Amount of Food and Number of Meals According to Age

The daily amount of food to be given to a puppy cannot be determined solely by its current weight. Age, expected adult weight, growth rate, body condition, and the energy density of the food should be considered together.

The FEDIAF 2025 Feeding Guidelines calculate the energy requirement for puppies from 8 weeks to 1 year based on the puppy's current weight and expected adult weight. When the formula in the guidelines is calculated as an example for dry food with an energy density of 4 kcal/g, the following approximate daily amounts are obtained.

A puppy weighing 1 kg can consume approximately 40–55 g of food per day, a 3 kg puppy 85–125 g, and a 5 kg puppy 130–185 g. The daily amount may be approximately 215–310 g for puppies weighing 10 kg and 360–520 g for those weighing 20 kg. Important: These values ​​are calculated assuming the puppy's current weight is between 25–75% of its expected adult weight. The energy density of the food, growth rate, and body condition may alter the actual portion size. Puppy's age Basic nutrition General feeding schedule How to determine the daily amount?

Important: These values ​​are calculated assuming the puppy's current weight is between 25–75% of its expected adult weight. The energy density of the food, growth rate, and body condition can alter the actual portion size.

Puppy's age	Basic nutrition	General feeding schedule	How to determine daily amount?
Birth–3/4 weeks	Mother's milk or puppy milk powder	With mother's milk or according to veterinary plan	If milk powder is used, product instructions, puppy's age and weight are taken into account
3/4–8 hafta	Softened puppy food in addition to mother's milk	Usually 4 small meals	Product recommendation for weaning period is divided into small portions
2–3 months	Full and balanced puppy food	Generally 4 meals	Daily gram amount in the package is divided into four
3–6 months	Complete and balanced puppy food	Generally 3 meals	Daily gram amount in the package is divided into three
6–12 months	Puppy food suitable for breed size	Generally 2 meals	Daily gram amount in the package is divided into two Divided
12 months – physical maturity	Suitable puppy food for large and giant breeds that are still developing	Generally 2 meals	Product chart, weight gain and veterinary evaluation are used

How to Calculate Portion Size for Puppies?

To find the portion size, divide the recommended daily amount of food on the packaging by the number of daily meals for your puppy. Using a kitchen scale instead of a standard cup will give more consistent results.

The following values ​​are mathematical examples showing how to divide the daily amount of food into meals. They are not a daily food recommendation for your puppy.

Daily amount in packaging	4 servings per meal	3 servings per meal	2 servings per meal
120 g	30 g	40 g	60 g
180 g	45 g	60 g	90 g
240 g	60 g	80 g	120 g

For example, if the product packaging recommends 180 g per day, a 2-3 month old puppy can be given 45 g of food in four meals. When switching to three meals, the same daily amount is divided into 60 g each. The total daily amount should not be increased automatically when the number of meals decreases.

Water Consumption of Puppy Dogs

Your puppy should always have access to clean, fresh water. Water is vital for all biological processes in your puppy's body. Dehydration can quickly lead to serious problems in puppies. Particular attention should be paid to water intake, especially in hot weather or when they are very active. The cleanliness of the water bowl and the freshness of the water should be checked regularly. Any sudden change in your puppy's water intake may be a sign of a health problem; therefore, you should not ignore it.

You can find detailed information on this topic in our article "How Much Water Should Dogs Drink?".

Common Mistakes in Puppy Feeding

Common mistakes in puppy feeding include overfeeding, using the same portion for each puppy, and not taking into account calories outside of meals. These mistakes can negatively affect the puppy's growth rate and body condition.

Feeding without measuring: Just because a puppy is in its growth phase doesn't mean it should consume unlimited amounts of food. Excessive energy intake can lead to rapid growth and fat accumulation.

Leaving the food bowl full all day: VCA Animal Hospitals states that free feeding can increase the risk of overweight. In large and giant breed puppies, uncontrolled energy intake can contribute to problems with skeletal development.

Using the same gram amount for every puppy: Two puppies of the same age and weight may have different expected adult weights or energy needs. The energy density of the food also affects the daily gram amount.

Consider treats separate from daily portion: Treats, training foods, and other snacks are included in the daily energy intake. The total of these foods should not exceed 10 percent of the daily calories.

Switching to adult food on a fixed date: Small and medium breeds generally reach physical maturity earlier than large and giant breeds. The timing of switching to adult dog food should not be determined solely by the puppy's age.

Uncontrolled mineral supplementation for large breed puppies: Large and giant breed puppies require controlled calcium and phosphorus balance. Calcium or other mineral supplements should not be used without a veterinarian's recommendation.

Combining dry and wet food without changing the quantity: When two foods are given together, the total energy provided by both should be calculated. Otherwise, the puppy may be overfed without realizing it.

Ignoring water consumption: The puppy should have constant access to clean water. Significant and persistent changes in water consumption should be monitored.

Not monitoring weight development: The feeding chart on the packaging is an initial recommendation. The puppy's weight, growth rate, and body condition should be assessed regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a puppy's food be changed suddenly?

A puppy's food should not be changed suddenly if possible. The new food can be gradually increased while reducing the amount of the old food. If vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite develops, the transition should be stopped and a veterinarian should be consulted.

When should a puppy be taken to the vet if it is not eating?

If loss of appetite is accompanied by weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, or inability to drink water, a veterinarian should be consulted without delay. Puppies are more susceptible to prolonged nutrient and fluid loss than adult dogs.

Why does a puppy constantly act hungry?

Constantly appearing hungry doesn't always indicate insufficient food. Fast eating, learned behaviors, or the energy density of the food can create this appearance. If weight development is not appropriate or if hungry behavior becomes pronounced, a veterinary evaluation is necessary.

What can be done if a puppy eats its food too quickly?

Meals can be divided into smaller portions without changing the daily amount. A slow-feeding food bowl can be used, and the puppy can be fed in a quiet area. If frequent coughing, gagging, or vomiting occurs during feeding, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Should a puppy be fed at night?

Healthy puppies that have been weaned and are consuming sufficient amounts of their daily meals may not need extra feedings at night. This rule does not apply to newborns, orphaned puppies, or puppies with health problems. The feeding program for these puppies should be determined by a veterinarian.

Kaynaklar:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feeding-growing-puppies

https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/nutrition/dog-puppy-nutrition-101/

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/proper-puppy-nutrition-nourishes-rapid-growth/

https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_whats_in_a_balanced_dog_food

https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/10668/dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf

https://europeanpetfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FEDIAF-Nutritional-Guidelines_2025-ONLINE.pdf