Can a puppy eat 2 meals a day

When to Switch Your Puppy to 2 Meals a Day

Our Vets Puppy Food Advice

As your new puppy grows you want to make sure theyre getting everything they need from their diet to develop into a healthy and happy adult.

Understandably, there is a lot of confusion around puppy nutrition and what should be happening at the right time.

This article will answer the commonly asked question when to switch your puppy to 2 meals a day, as well as looking at their adult diet when its time.

When You Should Switch Your Puppy to 2 Meals a Day

Your growing puppy should be fed multiple small meals every day to meet their energy requirements without overwhelming their small tummies!

Puppies are also at risk of developing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if they arent eating frequent meals.

In most cases, this means at least 3 meals per day is a good idea, with smaller dog breeds and young puppies even having four.

So the question is, when do you stop feeding a puppy 3 times a day?

As a general rule:

Puppies can switch from 3 meals per day to 2 meals a day from 6 months of age.

However, its important to remember that every animal is an individual, and factors such as breed, weight, or an underlying medical condition may affect their nutritional requirements and the amount of puppy food they need.

This is one of the reasons why its always best to discuss changing your pets diet or feeding plan with your veterinarian first.

Related: Find the Best Dog Food for Your Puppy via BreedAdvisor

Why You Should Feed Your Puppy Twice a Day

Twice-daily feeding is generally recommended once your puppy reaches 6 months of age and will continue during their adult life.

This schedule tends to work well with a dogs digestion and hunger patterns it also fits nicely into most of our daily routines.

Just remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and some pets may require a different feeding schedule due to their breed, size, activity level or an existing medical condition.

One of the key benefits of a regular feeding schedule is having control over the portions you feed your puppy. This in turn can ensure theyre getting proper nutrition and a balanced diet.

While puppies have a lot of growing to do, the progress should be steady and controlled. Your veterinarian will regularly check your puppys weight and can show you how to monitor their body condition to make sure they arent growing too fast or becoming overweight.

In comparison to scheduled meal feeding, ad lib or free feeding is discouraged by veterinarians as it puts your puppy at increased risk of becoming overweight.

For large breed puppies prone to developmental orthopedic disease (such as hip or elbow dysplasia), this can have serious consequences.

Studies in Labrador Retrievers have shown that free feeding increases the risk of hip dysplasia, as well as the severity of osteoarthritis (arthritis) that develops as a result.

Note always continue feeding puppy food at your current schedule until youve seen or spoken to your vet.

When Are The Best Times to Feed Puppy Food?

Consistency is key!

Dogs love routine and youve probably already noticed your puppy looking for food around dinner time.

Meals should be spaced approximately 12 hours apart and timing will simply depend on your puppys unique routine and lifestyle!

How Soon After Feeding Can I Walk My Puppy?

Its best to wait at least 2 hours after a meal before you take your puppy for a walk, although young puppies should be taken out to toilet immediately after eating as part of their toilet training.

Though running around after eating can be uncomfortable, the main reason is to try to prevent bloating of the stomach.

A bloated stomach can become twisted a condition known as GDV (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus).

Why You Shouldnt Walk Your Puppy After Eating: GDV

GDV is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent veterinary attention and emergency surgery, as the twisted stomach cuts off its own blood supply causing shock.

Large breeds with deep chests such as Greyhounds and German Shepherds are at higher risk for developing health problems like GDV, however, it can happen in any breed.

Signs your dog may have bloat or GDV include:

• Attempting to vomit (usually multiple times but not bringing anything up)
• Drooling
• Swollen abdomen that is hard or tight to touch (not always obvious in deep-chested breeds as their stomach sits under the rib cage)
• Distress or agitation
• Panting
• Signs of abdominal pain such as turning to look at their belly or becoming protective of the area.

Other nutritional factors may increase the risk of GDV. These include:

• Feeding one large meal per day
• Eating rapidly
• Increased stress around mealtimes (such as competition from another dog)
• Feeding a dry food with oil or fat among the first four listed ingredients
• Feeding from a height using an elevated bowl

If your puppy is an at-risk breed, this is another important reason for feeding two meals a day instead of one large meal.

Adding canned wet puppy food to a dry diet is also considered beneficial and make sure to wait at least one hour after exercise before feeding a meal.

Larger-sized kibbles or the use of a slow-dispense feeder can also be helpful to slow rapid eaters.

When Should I Switch From Puppy Food to Adult Food?

Puppies are growing, so they have increased requirements for energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus, compared to adult dogs.

Thats why its important to make sure they receive a high-quality complete and balanced puppy food appropriate for their breed and size.

Large breed puppies should be on the best large breed puppy food, to help their growth.

When theyve reached their mature size, they can transition to an adult diet better suited to their needs.

The age at which this should occur is dependent on your puppys breed and size.

Large and giant breed puppies grow more slowly and may not reach their mature weight until they reach 18 months or older!

For small breed dogs, 12 months of age is usually an appropriate time to transition onto an adult diet.

Your veterinarian will able to advise you on the best time to change your puppys diet to an adult dog food and how to do so gradually.

Sudden diet changes can cause an upset tummy, so a new food should be introduced slowly and gradually over a couple of weeks.

READ NEXT: Why is my dog not eating his food but will eat treats?

Conclusion: Dont Forget, Speak to Your Vet!

Getting the right nutritional advice is so important for a happy and healthy puppy!

As you can tell, there are plenty of varying circumstances when it comes to your puppys food and the number of meals they require!

We hope this article has answered all of your questions but remember, your veterinarian is there to help dog owners and its always best to discuss any changes to your pets diet with them first.

Sources:

1. Kealy et al, Evaluation of the effect of limited food consumption on radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in dogs, JAVMA, 2000, 217 (11); 1678-1680
2. Kealy et al, Five-year longitudinal study on limited food consumption and development of osteoarthritis in coxofemoral joints of dogs, JAVMA, 1997, 210 (2); 222-5

When to Switch a Puppy to 2 Meals a Day from 3

As you will already know, puppies develop very quickly and need to take on a lot of food at regular intervals to grow healthy. You will have already been feeding your puppy 3 times or more daily, but at what point do you switch a puppy from 3 to 2 meals a day?

Heres what you need to know about daily feeding amounts, with the short answer you came for first. Theres more to get right though so please do read on further.

When to switch puppy to 2 meals a day? You can move to 2 meals a day from 3 with most puppies from 6 months onwards. Prior to this, puppies will need feeding 3 or even 4 times a day to help aid health development. Its also important to keep them on puppy food until theyre at least one year old.

Switching your puppy to 2 meals a day

Read on to find out why you should change to feed your puppy two meals a day, when the best time to do it and how much you should be feeding your puppy twice daily. Ill also talk about when is a good time to change your fur baby from puppy food to adult food.

Why you should feed your puppy twice a day

Once your puppy reaches six months old, you can start feeding them 2 meals a day. For the first six months of your puppys life, hes been burning up calories like mad.

I dont think I need to remind you how active your puppy can be! But, if youre still new to puppy raising, be warned!

With so much growing, walking and playing your little one is naturally using up all his reserves. Which is why puppies are fed more often throughout the day.

By the time they reach six months they generally start to calm down and can be switched to 2 meals a day instead of 3. Im still not convinced by this though after witnessing my own puppy being a ball of fire way beyond six months old.

Having said that, your six-month-old puppy is ready to eat two meals a day. Youll notice hes not growing as fast as he was in his first six months. So, to avoid him becoming a pot belly pup, you need to cut down on his food quantity.

Always follow the guidelines on your puppy food packet to ensure shes getting the right quantity for her age despite cutting down to two meals daily.

If your gut feeling tells you that its not the right time or age to switch your puppy to 2 meals a day, then dont but talk to your vet for an expert opinion.

When are the best times to feed your puppy?

Its a good idea to split the two meals up. Most dog owners choose to feed their puppy in the morning and in the afternoon.

Pet feeding experts recommend giving your puppy their first meal at 7 am in the morning, soon after waking up. You can then take them for their walk or play a game with them. The last meal of the day should be at 5 pm. This is about the maximum time recommended to let them go without eating.

By feeding your puppy at 5 pm you are giving her ample time to digest her food before going to sleep. You can also take her for an evening walk after her meal or play a game of ball.

Another advantage of feeding your puppy at 5 pm is less chances of your puppy making a mess in the middle of the night. Between 5 pm and 7 pm, your puppy will have more than enough opportunities to perform her bathroom routine.

Generally speaking, its not a good idea to feed a puppy late at night, and heres why.

How soon after feeding can I take my puppy walking?

Its essential you dont take your puppy walking directly after feeding them. Always give her at least an hour before walking or playing a game with her. Otherwise, you run the risk of your dog developing an abdominal bloat.

If you do choose to feed your puppy before walking, make sure you wait at least 15 minutes before feeding them on return from your walk.

If your puppy is hot and panting, she needs to calm down before taking in any food. Otherwise, shell gobble her food down and end up with bloat again.

Handy Hint: Heres my guide to feeding dogs before or after exercise, and what the consequences can be if you mess this up.

How much should puppies eat twice a day?

The amount of food you feed your puppy depends on their size and weight. Your dog breed plays a big role in how much your puppy should eat. Some dog breeds are more active than others.

It also depends on whether youre feeding your puppy wet or dry food. The following tips will help you gauge if youre overfeeding or underfeeding your pup:

• Your puppy starts to look a bit chubby. Weigh your puppy regularly. This is easy enough to do. Weigh yourself and then pick up your puppy and weigh both of you together. Find out what is the average weight for your dog breed at different ages and stick to that. Cut down on the quantities when your pup looks chubby or weights more than they should for their age and breed.
• Your puppys ribs are showing: This happens when youre underfeeding your pup. Its fine to feel the ribs but you dont want them sticking out. So, step up the quantities slightly until the ribs are not showing obviously.
• Read the feeding recommendations on the food package. This is the best way to ensure youre giving your dog the right quantity every day. Remember, if the package gives the total quantity per day to split it into two half-meal portions.

Dont let your puppy fool you into thinking shes still hungry after a meal. If your puppy loves to eat, shell try to get you to feed her more with puppy eyes.

This could lead to overfeeding your puppy. Another danger area is begging at the table. You may think your puppy is hungry but in fact, theyre simply hoping to join you in your tasty meal.

Switching from puppy to adult food twice a day

When is the right time to change your pooch from puppy kibble to adult food? Puppy food is full of extra nutrients and calories to meet your puppys growing needs. But as they mature, they need less of the rich stuff.

Handy Hint: Heres the age at which puppies will start to eat solid food and drink water instead of their mothers milk.

Its essential you dont switch your puppy too soon to adult food. Its also just as important you dont keep them on puppy food for too long. This could lead to obesity and other health issues.

Smaller dog breeds mature quicker than larger dog breeds. So, if your little Dachshund is 7 to 10 months old, you can start switching them to adult food.

Large breed dogs should reach 80 pounds before you start switching them to adult food. This can be anywhere between 12 and 16 months.

The switch over from puppy food to adult food should be done gradually. By introducing adult food to your puppys diet over one to two weeks, theyll adjust better and cope with the change with less stress. The gradual process might also help you deal with any problematic begging behavior. If it doesnt heres how to stop your dog begging and barking when you eat.

Once again, follow the feeding guidelines on the dog food package or can to ensure your puppy is getting the right quantities. You can also speak to your vet if youre still unsure about how much to feed your puppy when you move to adult formula.

Conclusion

Your puppy has become firmly part of the family ever since you brought them home at eight weeks old. Its been a joyride, chaotic at times especially when she discovered the pure ecstasy of chewing your favorite shoes.

One of the first items you purchased when you brought your puppy home was her special food bowl. Feeding your puppy correctly may have taken a lot of time researching (and reading articles like this one). You also spent a lot of time actually feeding the hungry pooch.

But there will come a time when you need to switch your puppy to 2 meals a day, and I hope that this guide has helped you make the decision on when that should be.

Other aspects of puppy development

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/golden-retriever-puppy-2706672/