Nutrition for puppies is slightly different to nutrition for adult dogs. Puppies don’t yet have the ability to be able to regulate their own nutrients, and excrete them if there’s too much. In fact, they don’t have the full ability to regulate nutrients, such as calcium, until around 10 months of age; so, nutrition for them has to be pretty regulated. Luckily, small breed dogs are less vulnerable to the effects of poor nutrition compared to large and giant breeds, but that doesn’t mean we should be taking a risk with it.
Compared to adult dogs, developing puppies need:
The correct energy density and calories to provide enough energy to support growth, but not too much as to cause obesity and musculoskeletal disease.
The correct quantity of high-quality protein, as insufficient protein fails to promote optimal development.
The correct quantity of dietary fat to sustain their development and reduce the likelihood of obesity.
The correct quantity and ratio of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D to encourage proper musculoskeletal development. Inappropriate levels of these nutrients can cause growth retardation, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, and limb deformities among other long-term musculoskeletal problems.
The correct quantity of other nutrients, including copper, vitamin E, selenium and essential fatty acids, to ensure good skeletal development, retinal and neurological development, skin and coat health, and immunity.
So what should I be feeding my pup?
Ideally puppies between 8 weeks and 16 weeks should be on a nutritionally balanced puppy recipe. These recipes are formulated to contain the correct nutrients, fat and protein amounts to support growth and development, and are minced finer than adult formulas for littler mouths. In most cases, the ingredients in the puppy and adult raw formulas don't vary significantly. However, puppy ranges are often limited to a single or a few proteins, notably chicken, turkey and sometimes beef. As each recipe is nutritionally balanced, protein rotation isn't a huge concern but it can mean some puppies get bored of their food quickly. There are some great brands out there who provide a variety of recipes formulated for puppies or for all lifestages, so you can keep it interesting. Adult formulas can be introduced at 16 weeks; some brands may recommend keeping your puppy on puppy formulas until they are 12/18 months of age, but timing is less of a concern with fresh, raw food and adult formulas can be introduced sooner.
I would not recommend following a ratio diet or DIY diet for a young puppy (I discuss some of the reasons here), and if you wish to progress onto these styles of feeding, then it is advisable to wait until they are fully mature at 12 months. If you didn't want to opt for a specific puppy formula, then please ensure you choose something that is FEDIAF complaint (any of the ✓ green ticked brands and ranges here).
Raw Puppy Ranges
There are lots of good puppy recipes out there, from a variety of brands, and most are suitable from around 6-8 weeks of age. Here are some of our recommended brands, categorised into FEDIAF compliant brands and brands that aren't FEDIAF compliant, but are still good!
✓ FEDIAF Compliant Recipes:
Able Puppy
Able Thrive Puppy [these are the same recipes as the Able range, but are intended for pet dogs and are subject to VAT].
Benyfit Natural Puppy
Cotswold Puppy
Natural Instinct Puppy
Nutriment Puppy
Nutriwolds (all recipes are for all life stages!)
Poppy’s Picnic Puppy Power
ProDog Puppy
! Not FEDIAF Compliant, but still good!
Bella & Duke Premium Puppy
Bella & Duke Working Dog Puppy
Naked Dog Naked Pup
How much should I feed?
At 2 months (8 weeks) old, feed approximately 10% of current bodyweight per day. At 3 months (12 weeks) old, feed approximately 9% of current bodyweight per day. At 4 months (16 weeks) old, feed approximately 8% of current bodyweight per day. At 5 months (20 weeks) old, feed approximately 7% of current bodyweight per day. At 6 months (24 weeks) old, feed approximately 6% of current bodyweight per day. At 7 months (28 weeks) old, feed approximately 5% of current bodyweight per day. At 8 months (32 weeks) old, feed approximately 4% of current bodyweight per day. From 9 months (36 weeks)to 12 months (48 weeks), feed approximately 3% of current bodyweight per day. 12 months+ is adult maintenance, so feed 2-3% of current bodyweight per day.
Under 4 months , your puppy should be on 4 meals a day. Between 4 to 6 months, your puppy should be on 3 meals a day. At 6 months old, your puppy can be dropped to 2 meals a day, ideally a morning and evening feed. Most puppies will indicate to you that they are ready to drop a meal by showing no interest or eating a smaller amount, usually with the lunch time feed.
"The calculator on the brand's website advised a different amount?"
Manufacturers and suppliers often have their own feeding guidelines on the website or packing, or give you a feeding quantity after you input some information about your puppy. Some of these guidelines are good, but some can significantly overestimate or underestimate how much your puppy should be eating as their recommended allowance changes so often as they develop. It is worth checking the quantities you are feeding to ensure you are feeding enough based on their age and bodyweight, especially if you have a puppy that is still unsettled after meal times and is crying or searching for more food!
Common Questions & Answers
Q: When can I switch my puppy to raw food? A: Puppies can be weaned onto raw food, so there is no minimum age! If you have just brought your puppy home, I would advise giving them a few days to settle in before introducing a new food, in order to avoid stomach upset. You can read more about the types of food to feed here, and follow our puppy transition guide here when you're ready to make the switch.
Q: When can I switch my puppy to adult formulas? A: Most manufacturers recommend adult formulas are introduced at around 16 weeks (4 months), but only if these formulas are nutritionally balanced (choose ✓ green ticked brands from here). If you want to put together your own diet, either DIY or following an enhanced ratio diet, then it is best to wait until 12 months as there is little more leeway with adult dogs when it comes to nutrients in the diet.