Puppy Feeding Chart by Breed Size: Toy to Giant

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

A Chihuahua and a Great Dane may both be puppies, but their nutritional needs are very different. Size shapes how fast a puppy grows, how many meals it needs and what kind of food suits it. This guide explains the differences and how to use feeding charts sensibly.

How to read a feeding chart

Puppy food labels give a daily amount based on your puppy's age and either current weight or expected adult weight. The chart is an average. Individual puppies vary in metabolism, activity and growth, so treat it as a starting point and adjust. Weigh your puppy regularly, and watch body condition rather than relying on numbers alone. Our feeding schedule guide explains meal timing.

Toy and small breeds

Toy and small puppies grow quickly to a small adult size, mature earlier and have fast metabolisms.

• Feed small, frequent meals, often four or more a day in the early months.
• Watch for low blood sugar, which can cause weakness, wobbliness or collapse. Call your vet at once if it occurs.
• Choose small kibble that is easy to chew.
• Keep treats tiny. A few extra treats can be a large part of a small puppy's daily calories.
• Transition to adult food earlier, often around nine to twelve months.

Medium breeds

Medium puppies usually follow standard patterns: three to four meals a day when young, down to two by about six months, with transition to adult food at about twelve months. Use a quality puppy food and monitor weight.

Large breeds

Large puppies need to grow steadily rather than quickly. Excess calories and unbalanced calcium can contribute to developmental orthopedic problems, so many vets recommend foods made for large-breed puppies. See our guide to hip dysplasia in dogs.

• Feed measured meals, rather than free feeding.
• Keep the puppy lean, with ribs easily felt.
• Avoid calcium supplements unless your vet prescribes them.
• Limit high-impact exercise. See our guide to exercise limits by age.
• Transition to adult food later, often at twelve to eighteen months.

Giant breeds

Giant puppies, such as Great Danes, Mastiffs and Saint Bernards, can gain a lot of weight in a short time, and they mature slowly.

• Use a food formulated for large or giant breed puppies.
• Keep meals measured, and consider three meals a day to help with digestion.
• Monitor weight and growth with your vet.
• Be especially careful about bloat risk, avoiding vigorous exercise around mealtime. See our guide to bloat in dogs.
• Keep puppy food for longer, often into the second year.

Adjusting for body condition

Use the same test for all sizes: ribs should be felt easily under a thin layer of fat, there should be a visible waist and the belly should tuck up. If your puppy is too thin or too heavy, adjust portions by about ten percent and recheck after a couple of weeks. See our growth chart guide for what to expect.

Choosing a food

Choose a complete and balanced puppy food that states it meets standards for growth, such as a nutritional adequacy statement from a recognized authority. For large breeds, look for a label stating it suits large-breed growth. Ask your vet about specific brands.

Homemade diets

Homemade diets can be risky for growing puppies because it is easy to get calcium and nutrient ratios wrong. If you want to feed fresh food, work with a veterinary nutritionist.

The takeaway

Size matters in puppy feeding. Match food, frequency and portions to your puppy's breed size, and adjust by watching body condition. Your vet can help fine-tune it. For a size forecast see how big will my puppy get.