Feeding your puppy the correct amount of food is one of the most important responsibilities of pet parenthood. Puppies grow fast, and their nutritional needs change weekly, making portion control essential for their health and development.
In this comprehensive feeding guide, we cover:
✔ How to portion meals based on puppy weight and breed size
✔ Ideal feeding schedules by age
✔ Differences in small, medium, and large breed puppy food
✔ High-quality food options available from LuluSpot to support each growth stage
Why Puppy Meal Portioning Is Critical
A growing puppy needs a careful balance of calories, protein, calcium, and other nutrients to ensure proper development of bones, joints, muscles, and organs.
Poor meal portioning can lead to:
- Overfeeding: Causes obesity, orthopedic disorders (especially in large breeds), and digestive distress
- Underfeeding: Results in stunted growth, low energy, weak immunity, and behavioral issues
- Nutrient imbalance: Too much calcium or phosphorus can negatively affect skeletal growth
Remember: Portion sizes aren’t one-size-fits-all—they depend on age, breed, expected adult size, and activity level.
General Puppy Feeding Schedule by Age
| Age | Meals per Day | Notes |
| 6–12 weeks | 4 meals | Frequent small meals are best |
| 3–6 months | 3 meals | Increase volume slowly |
| 6–12 months | 2 meals | Transitioning toward adult routine |
| 12+ months | 1–2 meals | Switch to adult dog food (based on vet advice) |
Meal Portioning by Puppy Size & Breed Weight
1. Toy & Small Breed Puppies (Under 20 lbs adult weight)
Examples: Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Miniature Dachshund, Shih Tzu
✅ These breeds have fast metabolisms and small stomachs. They require calorie-dense meals split into frequent feedings.
| Age Range | Portion (per meal) | Total per day |
| 8–12 weeks | ¼ – ½ cup | 1 – 2 cups |
| 3–6 months | ½ – ¾ cup | 1.5 – 2.5 cups |
| 6–12 months | ¾ – 1 cup | 2 – 3 cups |
At LuluSpot, we offer the NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Feed (5lb)—a fantastic option for toy and small breed puppies. It’s packed with animal protein, essential DHA, and is made in kibble sizes that are easy for tiny mouths to chew. If you’re feeding a small breed long-term, the larger size bag is also available.
2. Medium Breed Puppies (20–50 lbs adult weight)
Examples: Cocker Spaniel, Mini Goldendoodle, French Bulldog, Beagle
| Age Range | Portion (per meal) | Total per day |
| 8–12 weeks | ¾ – 1¼ cups | 3 – 5 cups |
| 3–6 months | 1 – 1½ cups | 3 – 4.5 cups |
| 6–12 months | 1½ – 2¼ cups | 3 – 4.5 cups |
Medium breeds typically need balanced nutrition that promotes lean muscle growth without packing on excess fat. The NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Feed available at LuluSpot is tailored to these needs, offering digestibility, energy support, and healthy fats for growing dogs in this weight range.
3. Large & Giant Breed Puppies (50+ lbs adult weight)
Examples: Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Bernedoodle, Great Dane
❗ Important: Large breeds grow quickly but need steady, controlled calorie intake to avoid joint and skeletal issues.
| Age Range | Portion (per meal) | Total per day |
| 8–12 weeks | 1¼ – 2 cups | 5 – 6 cups |
| 3–6 months | 2 – 3 cups | 6 – 8 cups |
| 6–12 months | 3 – 4½ cups | 6 – 9 cups |
For large breed puppies, LuluSpot carries two excellent options:
- The NutriSource Large Breed Puppy Food (Grain Inclusive) is ideal for steady bone growth and joint support.
- If your puppy has sensitivities, the grain-free version offers the same balanced nutrition without common allergens.
Wet vs. Dry Puppy Food: Which Is Better?
| Type | Pros | Cons |
| Dry Food | Easier to portion, promotes dental health | Less moisture content |
| Wet Food | More palatable, hydrating | Can spoil quickly, costs more |
| Combo | Best of both worlds | Requires careful calorie tracking |
Many LuluSpot customers start with dry food and mix in small amounts of warm water or wet food to boost taste and hydrationespecially for picky eaters.
How to Calculate Exact Portion Size
Let’s say your food provides 400 kcal per cup, and your puppy needs 1,000 kcal/day based on age and size:
1,000 ÷ 400 = 2.5 cups/day
Split this into 2–4 meals depending on their age.
Be sure to adjust:
- After growth spurts
- If energy levels drop or pick up
- As advised by your vet
🚫 Common Puppy Feeding Mistakes
- Guessing portions instead of measuring
- Feeding adult food too early
- Using food as a pacifier or training crutch
- Ignoring stool changes (a sign of over/underfeeding)
Bonus Tip: Keep It Consistent
Stick with a single high-quality food for at least 2–3 months unless your vet suggests a change. Puppies thrive with routine, not variety. Healthy growth starts with smart nutrition. With the right feeding plan and trusted products from LuluSpot, you’re giving your pup the best foundation for a strong, happy life.