Understanding Feeding Guidelines

Whether you feed raw or kibble, puppy feeding guidelines can feel like a bit of a minefield.

Kibble feeding guides are usually printed on the back of the bag, but the ranges can be very wide. The same applies to raw feeding, where recommendations often suggest feeding between 4% and 10% of your puppy’s current bodyweight.

That’s a huge range — and it can make it difficult to know what’s actually right for your dog.

What I Did with Cammie

With Cammie, I worked more conservatively, feeding between 4% and 6% of her bodyweight, alongside the fresh treats she receives during training.

I’m very conscious about maintaining a healthy weight, as I want to avoid putting any unnecessary strain on her joints or body while she’s growing. Because of this, I regularly assess her condition — especially how she looks from above — to make sure she’s staying in the right shape.

This week, at nearly 8 months old, she’s looking a little leaner than I’d like, so I’ve increased her food slightly.

Watching Them Grow

Cammie now weighs 20kg, and when I first got her, she was just 7.5kg — they really do grow up quickly!

She’s currently fed three meals a day, with around 200–250g per meal. As puppies get older, you can often reduce this to two meals a day, but at the moment, three meals are still working well for her.

Signs Your Puppy May Need Less Food

There are a couple of common signs that your puppy may need their food adjusted:

1. Unnecessary weight gain

If your puppy is starting to carry extra weight, it’s a sign to reduce portion sizes slightly.

2. Fussiness around food

This is something we see quite often in the shop — usually when puppies reach around 6–7 months of age.

Owners will say their dog has “gone off their food,” but in many cases, this is actually the dog telling you they need less food, not more variety.

Even if your dog:

• Still happily takes treats
• Will eat your roast dinner without hesitation

…but turns their nose up at their normal meal, it’s often a sign they are being overfed.

In these situations, we usually recommend:

• Removing the midday meal (if still feeding three)
• Or reducing overall food quantity by around 10% initially

In most cases, this simple adjustment gets dogs eating again and helps maintain them in great condition.

Final Thoughts

Every puppy is different, and feeding isn’t about sticking rigidly to a guideline — it’s about observing your dog and adjusting accordingly.

If you’re ever unsure about your puppy’s feeding, weight, or overall diet, please do pop in and have a chat. I’m always happy to help you keep your puppy in the best possible health — especially during this crucial growing stage.

Disclaimer

Although I continually study Dog Nutrition, I am not a qualified Nutritionist. The advice that I give is based on my own personal experience and what I have learnt. However, if in doubt, please contact your vet or a qualified Dog Nutritionist.