When it comes to feeding your 3-month-old dog, there are a lot of things to consider. How much should they eat each day? What type of food is best for them? And how can you make sure that they’re getting the nutrients they need? In this blog post, we will answer all of those questions and more!
How Much Should a 3-Month-Old Dog Eat?
Your 3-month-old pup needs to have several small meals a day and it’s important to space them out evenly. A good rule of thumb is to feed them three to four times a day. So you would divide the total amount of food by three or four to get an accurate idea of each portion.
One more consideration you need to make when feeding your 3-month-old puppy is its weight. This will help you determine how many calories they need each day. Here is a helpful guide that will let you know how much food to serve each mealtime:
Puppy’s Weight | Overall Daily Serving | Serving Portion (x3 a Day) | Serving Portion (x4 a Day) |
3 to 5 pounds | 1.33 cups | .44 cups | .33 cups |
5 to 10 pounds | 2.5 cups | .83 cups | .63 cups |
10 to 20 pounds | 3 cups | 1 cup | .75 cups |
20 to 30 pounds | 4.5 cups | 1.5 cups | 1.13 cups |
Of course, this is a general guideline and there will be additional factors that affect how much you should feed your puppy, including the caloric content of the food and their activity level.
Referring to your puppy’s food packaging is the best way to get an accurate idea of how much to feed your pup. If you read the label and are still unsure, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for help. They will be able to give you specific recommendations for your pup’s diet.
What About Treats?
In addition to their regular meals, you can also give your puppy treats. But it’s important to be mindful of how many treats they’re getting and to make sure that they’re not overeating.
Training treats are a great idea for 3-month-old puppies because they are small and won’t overload your pup calorically. They also help to reinforce good behavior!
When it comes to giving your puppy table scraps, we recommend waiting until they are at least a year old (if you choose to do this at all). This is because their digestive system is still developing and they may have trouble digesting certain foods. Especially human foods with seasonings and ingredients that are irritable and even toxic to dogs, such as onion and garlic.
A good guideline is to give your puppy no more than ten percent of their total daily caloric intake from treats. So, if they are eating 400 calories a day, they can have up to 40 calories from treats.
What Type of Food is Best for a Puppy?
It is important to feed your puppy food that is made specifically for them. Puppy food has a higher calorie content than adult dog food to support their growth. Puppy food also has more protein and fat to help with their development.
When choosing a puppy food, look for one that is high in quality and made with real ingredients. You should avoid any foods that contain fillers or artificial preservatives. It is also important to choose a food that is appropriate for your
When it comes to what type of food is best for a puppy, experts recommend sticking with puppy food until they’re at least a year old. Puppy food is designed to meet their nutritional needs, which are different from an adult dog. So make sure not to skimp and purchase adult food for your young pup.
How Often to Feed a 3-Month-Old Puppy
As mentioned above, it’s best to feed your 3-month dog between 3 and 4 times a day. The reason that there are two different options is that the 3-month mark is often when a puppy transitions to 3 daily feedings. Your dog may or may not be ready to make this change, so it’s important to pay attention to its cues.
If your puppy is still acting hungry after eating its regular meals, it may still need that 4th extra feeding. On the other hand, if they seem uninterested in food or are leaving behind full bowls, they may not need as many feedings per day.
It can be challenging for a puppy owner’s schedule to accommodate multiple feedings, but it’s important to try to stick to this feeding schedule as closely as possible. Puppies need a consistent routine in order to avoid digestive problems and maintain a healthy appetite.
If you are having trouble fitting in all of your puppy’s meals, consider asking a neighbor to help out or hiring a dog walker to come during the day.
Feeding times are also aligned with potty training times. It’s important to take your puppy out after every meal to start to establish this routine.
Your dog can do down to 2 feedings a day by around six months old. Some people stick with 3 meals a day, but it isn’t necessary unless there are specific dietary needs suggested by your vet. By this time, your dog’s food portion may go up, and then you can simply split the portion in half two times each day.
It’s important to stay consistent with feeding times even after you’ve pulled back and only feed your pup twice a day. This will help your puppy know when to expect their meals and avoid digestive problems.
Should I Time My Puppy’s Water As Well?
Puppies need to drink a lot of water! They need about a half cup every 2 hours. But is it best to leave water out all the time or schedule specific times for them to drink?
The answer is that it’s best to do a little bit of both. You should always have water available for your puppy, but you can also give them scheduled “water breaks”, especially while potty training.
A good rule of thumb is to offer water around every mealtime and during any extended periods of play. If you want to pause at night so that there aren’t any accidents in the morning, that’s fine – just make sure to offer water as soon as they wake up.
Puppies can get dehydrated quickly, so it’s important to make sure they’re getting enough water throughout the day. Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, dry gums, lethargy, and lack of appetite. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
What Time of Day to Feed a 3-Month-Old Puppy?
The best time to feed a puppy is in the morning, right after they wake up. This way, they have all day to digest their food and burn off any excess energy.
If you’re feeding your puppy 3 times a day, the other two meals should be given around midday (around noon) and in the evening, about an hour before bedtime.
If you’re feeding your puppy 4 times a day, the additional meal can be given in the late afternoon, a couple of hours before dinnertime. You may also want to extend dinnertime by an hour or two.
The more consistently spaced your pup’s meals can be, the better. This will help their little tummies to better digest their food and avoid any accidents.