How much to feed your puppy, in three questions

The questions of the first weeks

How much should I feed my puppy?

A puppy under 4 months needs around 3 times their resting energy, and from 4 months to adult, around 2 times. Resting energy comes from their weight, so the portion changes every time they grow. That is why the calculator asks for today’s weight and not last week’s.

How many meals a day does a puppy need?

Four meals up to 4 months, three from 4 to 6, and two after that. Dogs who will pass 55 lb (25 kg) as adults never drop below two: a single large meal a day is a known risk factor for gastric dilatation.

How often should I take a puppy out?

It is a list of moments rather than a number: the moment they wake up, after every meal, every half hour during rough play, every one to two hours while awake, and every four even when settled. Until five months old they also need one outing at night.

How long can I socialize my puppy?

The window closes around 14 weeks. It does not come back: after that, a dog who has not explored new places will not start doing it on their own. Classes can begin at 7 or 8 weeks with one set of vaccines given at least 7 days before.

Why are you not giving me my puppy’s percentile?

For one of three reasons, and we name each one. If they are under 12 weeks old, the published curves have not started yet: they begin between 12 and 14 weeks depending on size, so come back then. Without their expected adult weight there is no curve to compare against. And if they will pass 88 lb (40 kg) there is none either: the curves stop there because giant breeds grow too variably for a standard. We would rather give you no number than an invented one.