Feeding your new puppy is one of the most important things you can do to make sure he gets off to a healthy start, and proper nutrition has a big effect on your puppy’s growth and development. But how often should you feed a puppy? It depends on how old your puppy is.

​

Feeding your puppy when he’s less than 6 months old

Most puppies are fully weaned at about six to eight weeks old, and once your puppy is weaned, you should feed him three scheduled feedings a day. It may be tempting to feed your puppy whenever he seems hungry, but establishing a feeding schedule is an important part of your puppy’s training, and it can give you a better sense of when your puppy will need to go outside.

​

Feeding your puppy when he’s 6 months to a year old

When your puppy is about six months old, you should change scheduled feedings to twice a day until your puppy is mature: once in the morning and once in the evening. Feeding your puppy scheduled meals can help you monitor how much he’s eating, which is an important way to help keep your puppy at an ideal weight.

​

Feeding your puppy when he’s more than a year old

Once your puppy reaches maturity, you can feed him once or twice a day. Most puppies reach maturity when they are about one year old, but large breed puppies take up to two years to reach maturity. Your puppy’s bag of food should have feeding instructions on the label, but if you’re not sure when to switch your puppy to an adult food, you can always ask your veterinarian.

​

No matter how old your puppy is, it’s important to stick to a schedule and feed your puppy at the same time every day. Establishing a routine can help keep his digestive system regular — and make house-training easier.

​

​

Source: Purina Pro Plan