How much kibble should you give a puppy?

A puppy needs noticeably more kibble per kilo of body weight than an adult dog, because they are growing fast: amounts gradually decrease between 2 months and adulthood, reached around 10 to 18 months depending on breed size. The brand's feeding table remains the reference for the kibble you are giving.

1. Why a puppy's needs change so fast

During the first months, a puppy builds their skeleton, muscles and immune system at a speed they will never have again afterwards. Relative to their weight, their energy and nutrient needs are therefore much higher than an adult dog's: it is often said that, proportionally, the energy need can be double that of an adult of the same weight. This is why "puppy" or "junior" kibble is formulated differently from adult dog kibble, with more protein, fat and minerals suited to bone growth.

Growth speed also depends a lot on the expected adult size: a small-breed puppy finishes growing much earlier (around 10-12 months) than a large-breed puppy (sometimes 18 months), which directly affects how long a specific puppy kibble should be used.

2. Indicative guidelines by age

The amounts below are very general orders of magnitude, for guidance only, for a medium-sized puppy: they vary a lot depending on expected adult weight and the kibble's energy density. The dosing table on the bag, which cross-references current weight and age, remains the reference to follow.

Puppy's age	Indicative guideline	Number of meals
2 months	small, frequent portions	4 meals a day
3 months	amount slightly increasing	3 to 4 meals a day
4 months	amount still increasing with weight	3 meals a day
6 months	portion close to the highest growth stage	2 to 3 meals a day

Over the months, the amount per meal increases with the puppy's weight, but the number of meals gradually decreases: you start with frequent, small rations and reach, around 6 months, a pace closer to that of an adult dog.

3. Adjusting the portion to the puppy's build

A small-breed puppy (like a chihuahua or a yorkshire terrier) and a large-breed puppy (like a labrador or a shepherd) do not grow at the same pace and do not have the same mineral needs, particularly for calcium and phosphorus. Growing too fast in a large-breed puppy can put stress on joint development, which is why specific formulas exist:

• ACANA Puppy Small Breed, for small-breed puppies.
• ACANA Puppy Large Breed, for large-breed puppies.
• ORIJEN Puppy, a meat-rich formula for puppies.
• ACANA Puppy & Junior, for puppies of any size.

4. How to weigh and split meals

• Always weigh the ration with a kitchen scale, since a puppy grows fast and needs change every week.
• Split the daily ration into several small meals: a puppy's stomach is small and digests small amounts more easily.
• Reassess the portion roughly every two weeks based on the puppy's actual weight, not only their age.
• Avoid leaving the bowl available at all times: a regular meal routine also helps with house-training.

5. Signs that should prompt a vet visit

Growth that seems too slow or, on the contrary, too fast, persistent diarrhoea, repeated lack of appetite or any other unusual sign should be examined by a veterinarian. This professional is best placed to track your puppy's growth curve at vaccination visits and to adjust their diet if necessary.

6. Moving to adult kibble

The switch from puppy kibble to adult kibble generally happens between 10 and 18 months depending on breed size, and should be done gradually over about ten days to go easy on the digestive system. Our article how to choose your puppy's kibble covers this choice from the first weeks, while our article how much kibble for a dog covers guidelines for an already adult dog.

7. What about water, treats and family meals?

A puppy needs permanent access to fresh water next to their kibble bowl; water is not part of the solid ration calculation. If you give treats during training, count them as a small part of the daily ration rather than as an extra, so as not to exceed the puppy's actual needs. Finally, avoid sharing meals from the family table: puppies learn habits very quickly, and it is easier to keep a clear routine from the start than to correct it later.

8. In short

Amounts for a puppy change fast, increasing in grams per meal but decreasing in number of meals per day, until the switch to adulthood. The manufacturer's table, cross-referenced with the puppy's actual weight, remains the best reference, and your veterinarian is best placed to confirm that growth is proceeding normally.

Not sure which kibble to choose for your puppy? Take our 2-minute quiz for a selection suited to their size and age: find the right kibble.