Why Does Your Dog Lick Its Paws?

Bringing a new furry friend into your home involves a lot of care and responsibility. Naturally, you want to give your puppy the best possible start in life—and one of the most important things to consider is how often you feed your puppy.

Feed Young Puppies 3–4 Times a Day

Young puppies should be fed around 3 to 4 times a day until they are about 4 to 5 months old. After that, you can gradually reduce the number of meals to 2–3 times a day.

Consider Your Puppy’s Digestive System

When you bring your puppy home—typically at around 8 weeks of age—they still have small stomachs and sensitive digestive systems. That’s why frequent feedings (3–4 times daily) are important in the first weeks.

For small breeds, you can reduce feedings to 2–3 times a day starting at 4 months old. For larger breeds, you should wait until about 6 months before transitioning to fewer meals.

During the growth phase, most dogs can do well with two meals a day—and eventually, even just one meal may suffice for some adult dogs.

Feeding Amounts Depend on the Food You Choose

The amount of food your puppy needs per meal depends on the brand and type of food you’re using. Feeding guidelines vary between products, so always check the instructions on the packaging.

Use those guidelines as a starting point—but always monitor your puppy. If your pup isn’t eating the full recommended portion, observe their weight and energy. If your puppy looks too thin or too chubby, adjust the portion size to better suit their specific needs.

What If Your Puppy Is a Picky Eater?

Some dogs love food no matter what—Labradors, for instance, are famously enthusiastic eaters. Others can be a bit more particular, especially if they get bored of the same food. Picky eating often starts with puppies who enjoy something new but quickly lose interest.

If your puppy refuses to eat, try removing the food bowl after 15 minutes and offering it again later. Avoid mixing in human food or treats to entice them—this can easily create a bad habit that’s hard to break later.

Let Your Puppy Eat in Peace

It’s important that your puppy has a quiet and safe space to eat. If you have kids, teach them not to disturb the puppy while it’s eating.

Also, make sure the puppy only eats from its designated food bowl—avoid hand-feeding or taking away the bowl mid-meal. Only remove the bowl once the puppy is finished.

To prevent begging at the table, be firm from the start. If you consistently ignore begging behavior, your puppy will quickly learn that it doesn’t lead to rewards.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.