Bringing home a puppy is one of the most exciting moments for any New Zealand pet owner — but knowing how much to feed, how often, and what type of diet is right can feel overwhelming. Puppies grow rapidly during their first year, and the right nutrition is essential for healthy bones, joints, brain development, and immune strength.
This guide breaks down feeding amounts, meal schedules, breed-specific considerations for common NZ breeds, and evidence-based nutritional recommendations supported by veterinary sources such as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), AAFCO, and leading dog food manufacturers like Royal Canin, Hill’s and Purina.
Quick Links
- 1. Understanding puppy growth
- 2. How much to feed (age-by-age chart)
- 3. Puppy meal frequency chart
- 4. How to calculate your puppy’s daily calories
- 5. Small, medium, large & giant breed differences
- 6. NZ-specific considerations
- 7. How to switch foods safely
- 8. Common feeding mistakes
- 9. FAQ
- 10. Recommended Puppy Foods
- 11. References
1. Understanding Puppy Growth: Why Feeding Amounts Matter
Puppies grow faster than at any other life stage. From around 8 weeks to 6 months of age, they undergo rapid skeletal and muscle development — which means nutrient balance, not just calories, is critical.
Leading veterinary nutrition bodies, including WSAVA and AAFCO, emphasise that:
- Puppy diets must meet AAFCO “Growth” or “All Life Stages” standards for dogs.
- Calcium to phosphorus ratios must be controlled, especially for large-breed puppies, to reduce the risk of developmental joint disease.
- Overfeeding and rapid growth are linked with issues such as hip dysplasia and other skeletal problems in large and giant breeds.
Because New Zealand has a high population of Labradors, Border Collies, Heading Dogs, Huntaways, German Shepherds and mixed working breeds, owners need accurate feeding guidance tailored to these active, fast-growing puppies.
2. How Much Should I Feed My Puppy? (Daily Feeding Guide)
The exact amount you should feed your puppy depends on their expected adult weight, age, activity level, and the energy density of the food you use. Premium brands can vary a lot in calories per cup, so always use your food’s own feeding table and treat the guide below as a starting point.
The table below is based on typical daily feeding amounts recommended by major manufacturers such as Royal Canin, Hill’s and Pro Plan, for average puppies at a healthy body condition.
Daily Feeding Amount Guide (Dry Food — Total Grams Per Day)
Adjust based on your specific food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice.
| Puppy Age | Toy (≤4kg adult) | Small (5–10kg adult) | Medium (11–25kg adult) | Large (26–45kg adult) | Giant (46kg+ adult) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 60–100g | 95–160g | 170–260g | 240–350g | 350–500g |
| 3 months | 70–120g | 110–190g | 200–320g | 280–420g | 400–600g |
| 4 months | 80–130g | 120–200g | 220–360g | 300–480g | 450–650g |
| 6 months | 60–110g | 130–240g | 260–440g | 360–600g | 500–800g |
| 9–12 months | Feed adult amount | Feed adult amount | Feed adult amount | 320–520g (begin transitioning to adult) | 450–700g (still on puppy/giant breed food) |
These amounts are a starting point only. Your puppy’s body condition score (BCS) and your vet’s advice should always guide final portions.
3. Puppy Meal Frequency Chart
How often you feed your puppy matters just as much as how much. Young puppies have small stomachs and high energy needs, so smaller, more frequent meals are ideal.
| Puppy Age | Meals Per Day | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 weeks | 4 meals/day | Prevents low blood sugar and supports rapid growth. |
| 3–6 months | 3 meals/day | Stabilises digestion and behaviour, good balance for growth. |
| 6–12 months | 2 meals/day | Standard adult feeding pattern for most dogs. |
| 12–24 months (giant breeds) | 2–3 meals/day | Helps reduce bloat (GDV) risk and keeps energy steady. |
4. How to Calculate Your Puppy’s Daily Calories
For a more tailored approach, you can use veterinary formulas to estimate your puppy’s daily calorie needs and then match that to your chosen food.
Step 1: Calculate RER (Resting Energy Requirement)
RER = 70 × (body weight in kg0.75)
Step 2: Apply a Growth Factor
- 2–4 months old: multiply RER by 3.0
- 4–12 months old: multiply RER by 2.0
- Giant breeds over 12 months: multiply RER by around 1.6 (varies with activity)
Example: NZ’s favourite – a Labrador Retriever puppy
10kg Labrador puppy at 12 weeks:
- RER ≈ 70 × (100.75) ≈ 394 kcal/day
- Daily needs at 3x RER ≈ 1,180 kcal/day
Next, check your puppy food’s label for kcal per cup or per 100g, and divide to work out how many cups or grams this equals. Use this as a starting point and adjust based on your puppy’s body condition and your vet’s feedback.
5. Breed-Specific Feeding Notes for Common NZ Puppies
New Zealand has a unique dog population with a strong mix of working, rural, and family companion breeds. Here are some practical notes for common breeds here.
Labrador & Golden Retriever Puppies
- Highly food-motivated and prone to weight gain.
- Increased risk of hip and elbow dysplasia if overfed or allowed to grow too fast.
- Should be fed a large-breed puppy food only, with controlled calcium and energy.
Recommendation: Choose large-breed puppy formulas (for example, Labrador-specific or large-breed puppy diets) and keep them at a lean body condition (4–5/9). Avoid “free-feeding” and measure every meal.
Border Collie, Heading Dog & Huntaway Puppies
- Working and farm puppies can burn 2–3 times more energy than a typical city puppy.
- If they are very active, they may need more than the standard medium-breed guide.
Recommendation: Use a good-quality medium or high-energy puppy food. On heavy work or training days, you may need to increase portions slightly, while maintaining a lean body condition.
German Shepherd Puppies
- Can have sensitive digestion and soft stools on lower quality diets.
- At risk of orthopedic issues if they grow too fast.
Recommendation: Feed large-breed puppy food, ideally with support for digestion (for example, specialised German Shepherd or digestive-care puppy formulas). Do not increase food simply because they appear hungry.
Cavoodle, Spoodle & Other Oodle Puppies
- Very popular companion breeds in NZ.
- Can have sensitive stomachs and skin, and are sometimes picky eaters.
Recommendation: Use a small-breed puppy formula with good omega-3 and omega-6 levels for skin and coat. Keep treats to under 10% of daily calories to avoid weight creep.
French Bulldogs & Other Bulldog-Type Puppies
- Prone to allergies, sensitive skin and digestive issues.
- Easily gain weight, especially when desexed and kept indoors.
Recommendation: Consider sensitive skin or digestive-support puppy foods. Monitor weight weekly and aim for lean, not chunky.
Giant Breed Puppies (Mastiff, Maremma, Great Dane, St Bernard etc.)
- May grow until 18–24 months of age.
- Excess calcium or calories can contribute to serious skeletal disease.
Recommendation: Feed dedicated giant or large-breed puppy diets with carefully controlled calcium and energy. Keep body condition lean and feed multiple measured meals per day.
6. NZ-Specific Considerations for Puppy Feeding
Climate and Activity
New Zealand’s generally mild climate allows for more year-round outdoor activity than many countries. Puppies that spend lots of time outside playing, tramping, at the beach or on farms can need more calories than a mostly indoor puppy of the same breed.
Working and Farm Puppies
Heading Dog and Huntaway puppies on farms, as well as other working-breed pups, may burn substantially more energy. On very active days, a small increase in food (while maintaining lean condition) is usually appropriate.
Availability of Premium Puppy Foods
In NZ you have access to a wide range of premium puppy foods from brands such as Royal Canin, Hill’s, Pro Plan and others, many of which are designed to meet AAFCO Growth or All Life Stages standards and follow WSAVA-style guidelines.
Parasites and Appetite
Puppies with fleas, worms or heavy parasite burdens may not absorb nutrients properly, or they may seem constantly hungry. Regular flea and worm prevention is a key part of healthy growth.
Explore flea and worming options suitable for puppies in our Dog Flea & Worm Treatment collection.
7. Switching Puppy Foods Safely (NZ Vet Method)
If you change your puppy’s food, make the transition slowly over about 7 days to reduce the chance of tummy upsets:
- Days 1–2: 75% old food, 25% new food
- Days 3–4: 50% old food, 50% new food
- Days 5–6: 25% old food, 75% new food
- Day 7: 100% new food
If your puppy develops diarrhoea during the switch, slow the transition or pause at the current ratio for a few extra days. If they vomit, refuse food, or seem unwell, get veterinary advice.
8. Common Feeding Mistakes NZ Puppy Owners Make
- Overfeeding large and giant breeds, leading to rapid growth and joint problems.
- Using supermarket or unbalanced diets that don’t clearly meet AAFCO Growth or All Life Stages requirements.
- Switching foods too fast without a transition period.
- Feeding lots of table scraps or fatty human food, which can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea or pancreatitis.
- Using adult food for puppies, which may not meet their growth nutrient requirements.
- Free-feeding (leaving food down all day), which makes weight control very difficult.
- Not counting treats like chews and training rewards in the daily calorie total.
9. Puppy Feeding FAQ
How do I know if my puppy is the right weight?
Most vets and nutrition guidelines use a 1–9 body condition score (BCS). Puppies should usually sit around 4–5/9:
- You should be able to feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of flesh, but not see them prominently from a distance.
- There should be a visible waist when viewed from above and a slight tummy tuck from the side.
When should I switch my puppy to adult dog food?
- Small/toy breeds: around 10–12 months
- Medium breeds: around 12 months
- Large breeds: around 15–18 months
- Giant breeds: up to 18–24 months
Your vet can help you decide the right timing for your individual dog.
Why is my puppy always hungry?
Some breeds (like Labradors) are naturally very food-motivated. But constant hunger can also indicate worms, inadequate calories, boredom, or an unbalanced diet. Check that your diet is appropriate for growth, stay within recommended feeding ranges, and keep your puppy’s body condition lean rather than feeding to satisfy every begging look.
Can I feed my puppy a raw diet?
Raw feeding for puppies is controversial. Many veterinary bodies, including the NZ Veterinary Association, caution against raw diets for young dogs due to the risk of nutritional imbalances, bacterial contamination (such as Salmonella or Campylobacter), and potential harm to people in the household. If you are considering raw feeding, always work directly with a veterinarian or board-certified veterinary nutritionist to ensure it is balanced and safe.
10. Recommended Puppy Food
Pet Supply stock a variety of fan favourites. Shop from reputable brands below:
Royal Canin Small Breed Puppy Food
Royal Canin Medium Breed Puppy Food
11. References
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Global Nutrition Guidelines & Nutritional Assessment Guidelines.
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for Growth and Reproduction.
- Royal Canin. Puppy feeding and nutrition guides, including breed-specific feeding charts.
- Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Puppy nutrition and feeding recommendations.
- FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines (European Pet Food Industry Federation) for growth energy requirements in dogs.
- Murphy M. et al., 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
- Various veterinary studies on large-breed puppy growth and nutrition, including research on calcium, phosphorus and skeletal development.
Final note: Every puppy is an individual. Use these guidelines as a starting point, monitor your puppy’s weight and body condition closely, and work with your vet if you are ever unsure about how much to feed.