You probably know that dogs have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. It’s important to feed your puppy the appropriate food when they are growing, and the appropriate amounts.
How much your puppy should eat depends on a few factors, with their weight being the most important factor. Let’s take a look at how much you should feed your puppy at 9 weeks and beyond.
How much to feed a 9 week old puppy
How much to feed your 9 week old puppy will depend on their size. It’s a great idea to speak with your vet about your puppy’s specific needs. However, there are some general guidelines for feeding your pup.
General Feeding Guidelines by Weight
It’s important to note that the feeding guidelines will vary based on the brand of food that you feed your pup. To determine how much you should be feeding them, follow the directions listed on the package.
These guidelines are for dry food only. Wet food will be fed in different amounts.
The guidelines for dogs 6-12 weeks old are:
- 3-5 lbs: 1 cup – 1 1/3 cups
- 5-10 lbs: 1 1/3 cups – 2 1/2 cups
- 10-20 lbs: 2 1/2 cups – 4 cups
- 20-30 lbs: 4 cups – 5 3/4 cups
- 30-40 lbs: 5 3/4 – 7 cups
The guidelines for puppies 3 to 4 months old are:
- 3-5 lbs: 3/4 cup – 1 cup
- 5-10 lbs: 1 cup – 2 cups
- 10-20 lbs: 2 cups – 3 1/2 cups
- 20-30 lbs: 3 1/3 cups -4 1/2 cups
- 30-40 lbs: 4 1/2 cups – 5 2/3 cups
Determining Exact Feeding Amount
The best way to determine exactly how much food your dog needs is to speak with your veterinarian. The amount of food needed each day can vary significantly from pup to pup.
Your vet can take into account factors like your pups’ breed and activity level. They will also determine if your puppy is under or over weight, and adjust their feeding amount accordingly. Determing Exact Feeding Amount
How often to feed a 9 week old puppy?
Nine week old puppies should be fed 4 times a day. You should continue feeding them 4 times a day until they are 3 months or 12 weeks old. You can then transition them to 3 times a day.
It’s important to feed them at the same time each day. This ensures they are getting adequate nutrition, and helps them maintain a routine.
What to feed a 9 week old puppy?
9 weeks is a transitional period for puppies. They typically complete the weaning process around this time. It’s important to be sure that your puppy is getting the right nutrition. This is essential for proper growth.
The Weaning Process
Weaning begins at 3-4 weeks old. You’ll need to feed them puppy food combined with milk replacer or water for the first few weeks. By 7 or 8 weeks, the puppy should be fully weaned.
Transitioning to Dry Food
During the weaning process, and shortly after, your puppy’s food should be moistened with milk replacer or warm water. Eventually, it’s time to transition them to only puppy food.
Large breed puppies are ready for dry puppy food by 9 to 10 weeks of age. Small breed puppies should be fed moistened food until 12 to 13 weeks.
Different Nutritional Needs for Puppies and Adult Dogs
Puppy foods are all formulated to meet the nutritional needs of puppies. However, it’s still a good idea to understand the differences between them.
Adult dogs need at least 18% of their calories to come from protein. Some experts recommend a higher amount, ranging from 20-30% based on the dogs breed, age, and activity level.
Puppies have a higher need for protein to sustain their rapid growth. Puppy food should contain at least 22% protein. Just like adult dogs, this recommendation can vary based on activity level and size or breed.
22% is the minimum requirement, but some puppies may need a higher level of protein.
They also need more amino acids than adult dogs. Again, this is because they are growing quickly.
Lastly, puppies need more fat in their diet than adult dogs. The minimum requirement for adult dogs is 5% of their calories from fat. Puppies need at least 8% of their calories from fat. Just like protein, higher amounts of fat can be recommended for both puppies and adult dogs.
Choosing a Puppy Food
Not all puppy foods are created equal. Different breeds of puppies have different nutritional needs. These are related to size. Large breed puppies and small breed puppies each have their own unique requirements.
When choosing puppy food, you should choose one that’s designed for the size of your puppy. Large breeds, particularly, should be fed a large breed puppy food. This ensures that their body gets the nutrition needed to grow properly.
Small breed puppies can also benefit from a puppy food designed for them. Medium breed pups can do well on a standard or small breed puppy food, but there are also formulas specifically for medium sized breeds.
Wet vs. Dry Puppy Food
Both wet and dry puppy foods have their pros and cons. Either is a valid option for your puppy. You can also choose to feed them a mix of wet and dry food.
Wet Food Pros
Wet foods are typically preferred by dogs of all ages, and are easier for puppies to eat.
They are also easier to digest. They typically have protein in a more natural state, and have a higher protein content than dry kibble. They also have a higher moisture content, which can help ensure your pup gets adequate water each day.
This isn’t a substitute for providing clean drinking water at all times, but it does add to your pups’ overall water intake.
Cons of Wet Food
One con of wet food is its expense. It is more expensive than dry food per calorie. It’s also less convenient. Unused portions must be refrigerated, and wet food has a shelf life of a few days once it’s been opened and kept in the fridge.
It must not be left out in your pups bowl. After a few hours, the wet food can begin to grow dangerous bacteria. It’s also a good idea to rinse your pups bowl after feeding, and avoid putting it out in sunlight.
Pros of Dry Food
Dry food is more convenient than wet food, which can be messy. It requires less clean up as well. It also has a much longer shelf life once it’s opened. It’s also significantly cheaper than wet food.
Dry food is sometimes higher in Omega 3s and amino acids than wet food. Some vets also believe it’s helpful for cleaning your puppies’ teeth, and the teething process.
Cons of Dry Food
Dry food is more likely to contain artificial colors or preservatives. It can be difficult for young puppies to chew. Most dogs don’t like the taste of dry food as well as wet food. This can make the weaning process a bit more difficult.