Puppy Feeding Schedule – Best Routine for Healthy Puppies in India

Puppy Feeding Schedule: Complete Guide for Healthy Growth (India)

A puppy is not a small dog.
A puppy is a growing organism, and the way you feed them determines:

• how strong their bones will be

• how healthy their immune system will be

• how energetic they will stay

• whether they will develop stomach issues

• whether they will stay lean or become overweight

In India, feeding a puppy correctly is harder than it looks because:

• many people give human food out of love

• most homes don’t follow a routine

• pet shops push random food brands

• vets are expensive, so people try home remedies

• many dogs get diarrhea because of sudden food changes

This article will teach you a perfect feeding schedule for puppies in India — based on age, weight, breed, and real-life problems.

1. Why a Feeding Schedule Matters More Than You Think

People think feeding a puppy means:

“Give food when they are hungry.”

That’s wrong.

Puppies need routine.
Routine helps their body develop properly.

Feeding schedule affects:

1. Stomach stability
   Puppies have weak stomachs. Random feeding causes diarrhea and vomiting.

2. Toilet training
   If you feed at fixed times, toilet training becomes easy.

3. Growth rate
   Overfeeding causes obesity; underfeeding causes weak bones.

4. Behavior
   A hungry puppy becomes aggressive or anxious.

Real-life truth:

Most puppies who develop stomach issues in India are not sick — they are feeding-schedule sick.

2. How Many Times Should You Feed a Puppy?

It depends on age.

2–3 months old:

4 meals a day

4–6 months old:

3 meals a day

6–12 months old:

2 meals a day

12+ months (adult):

2 meals a day (or 1 meal if you want, but 2 is better)

3. What to Feed a Puppy

A) Best Food Option: Dry Kibble (Recommended)

Dry food is easiest, cleanest, and most balanced.

Why it’s best:

• balanced nutrition

• easy digestion

• teeth cleaning

• no smell

• easy to store

B) Wet Food (Optional)

Wet food is good for:

• picky eaters

• puppies with low appetite

• older dogs

But wet food is expensive and can spoil easily.

C) Homemade Food (Only if Balanced)

Many Indian homes want to feed homemade food.
That’s okay, but only if balanced.

Good homemade food includes:

• boiled chicken

• rice or roti (small amount)

• vegetables (carrot, beans)

• eggs (once or twice a week)

Avoid:

• onions, garlic

• spicy food

• oily food

• too much milk

• too many biscuits

4. How to Choose the Right Food Brand (Not the Salesman’s Story)

Don’t buy food because:

• “it is popular”

• “my friend uses it”

• “pet shop recommended”

Choose based on:

1. Ingredients list

2. Protein percentage

3. Fat percentage

4. Your puppy’s reaction

Good ingredients:

• chicken

• fish

• lamb

• meat meal

Bad ingredients:

• corn

• wheat

• soy

• artificial colors

Real advice:

If your puppy’s stool is loose or smelly, change the food.
But don’t change abruptly. (We will discuss this later.)

5. Puppy Feeding Schedule by Age (Detailed)

A) 6–8 Weeks Old (Very Young Puppy)

At this age, the puppy is usually weaning from mother’s milk.

Best feeding schedule:

4–5 meals a day

What to feed:

• puppy starter food (kibble soaked in warm water)

• little milk replacer (only if needed)

Quantity:

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup per meal (depends on breed)

Tips:

• Do not give full dry kibble — teeth are weak.

• Soak it for 10 minutes.

B) 2–4 Months Old

This is the growth phase.
Puppies grow fast and need frequent feeding.

Feeding schedule:

4 meals per day

What to feed:

• puppy kibble

• boiled chicken (optional)

Quantity:

• 1/2 cup to 1 cup per meal (depends on breed)

Important:

• Always keep fresh water.

C) 4–6 Months Old

This is when growth is strong.
Bones are developing.

Feeding schedule:

3 meals per day

What to feed:

• puppy kibble

• balanced homemade food (if you want)

Quantity:

• 1 to 2 cups per day (depends on weight)

D) 6–12 Months Old

At this age, you can start switching to adult food slowly.

Feeding schedule:

2–3 meals per day

What to feed:

• adult food (slowly switch)

Quantity:

• based on weight and activity

6. How Much Should a Puppy Eat? (Easy Formula)

Formula based on weight:

• 2–3 kg puppy: 100–150 grams/day

• 5 kg puppy: 150–250 grams/day

• 10 kg puppy: 250–400 grams/day

• 20 kg puppy: 400–600 grams/day

This is not exact, but it gives a good idea.

Real-life note:

Many owners feed by bowl size.
That is wrong.
Bowl sizes are different.

Always feed by weight.

7. The Perfect Daily Feeding Routine (Example)

Morning:

8:00 AM

• 1 meal

• 1 glass water after 30 mins

Midday:

12:30 PM

• 1 meal

• small walk after 20 minutes

Evening:

5:30 PM

• 1 meal

• playtime after food

Night:

9:30 PM

• small meal (only if puppy is still young)

Why this works:

• Digestive system gets time to rest

• Puppy learns routine

• Toilet training becomes easy

8. How to Change Food Without Causing Diarrhea

This is the most common mistake.

Never switch food suddenly.

7-day transition:

• Day 1–2: 80% old + 20% new

• Day 3–4: 50% old + 50% new

• Day 5–6: 20% old + 80% new

• Day 7: 100% new

Real-life warning:

If you switch too fast, puppy gets diarrhea.
Then people give antibiotics.
Antibiotics kill gut bacteria.
This creates long-term stomach problems.

9. Feeding Tips for Indian Homes (Real Problems)

Problem 1: People feed puppies human food out of love

Example:

• roti

• dal

• curry

• spicy food

• biscuits

Why this is wrong:

Human food is not balanced for puppies.
It causes:

• stomach upset

• obesity

• acidity

• diarrhea

Real advice:

If you want to give treats, give:

• boiled chicken

• carrot

• apple (small pieces)

Problem 2: People feed milk daily

Milk is not good for dogs.
Most dogs are lactose intolerant.

What happens:

• diarrhea

• stomach cramps

• vomiting

Best practice:

If you want to give milk, give:

• 1 teaspoon milk in water

• only once a week

Problem 3: People feed too many biscuits

Biscuits are full of sugar and fillers.

Result:

• weight gain

• bad teeth

• diarrhea

Best alternative:

• use dog treats or boiled chicken

10. Signs of Overfeeding or Underfeeding

Overfeeding signs:

• weight gain

• thick body

• slow movement

• constant sleep

• difficulty breathing (in extreme cases)

Underfeeding signs:

• thin ribs visible

• low energy

• weak muscles

• slow growth

Real advice:

Feel the ribs.
You should be able to feel them lightly.
If ribs are visible, the puppy is underfed.
If you can’t feel ribs, the puppy is overweight.

11. Food for Different Breeds (Real Indian Examples)

Small breeds (Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu):

• smaller portions

• 3–4 meals until 6 months

• high protein food

Medium breeds (Beagle, Labrador, Indian Desi):

• 2–3 meals

• balanced diet

• avoid too much fat

Large breeds (German Shepherd, Great Dane):

• controlled growth is important

• too much protein and calories early can harm bones

• use large breed puppy food

12. Food for Puppies with Sensitive Stomach

Some puppies have weak stomachs and get diarrhea easily.

Best solution:

• simple food

• no human food

• avoid sudden changes

• use probiotics (only if vet approves)

Good food:

• rice + boiled chicken

• boiled pumpkin (good for digestion)

• limited spices

13. The Role of Water in Puppy Feeding

Water is not just a drink.

Why water matters:

• helps digestion

• prevents dehydration

• helps kidney function

• prevents constipation

Water rules:

• always keep fresh water

• change water twice daily

• wash the bowl

Real-life problem:

Many owners keep water in old bowls.
Bacteria grow and cause stomach issues.

14. Feeding During Vaccination and Deworming

After deworming:

• puppies may feel weak

• appetite may reduce

Best practice:

• give small meals

• avoid heavy food for 1 day

• keep water

After vaccination:

• some puppies may have mild fever

• keep food light

• avoid heavy exercise

15. What to Do If Puppy Refuses Food

This is common in India because people force-feed.

Do not force-feed.

Instead:

• try a different brand

• add warm water to kibble

• give boiled chicken once

• check if puppy is sick

If puppy refuses for more than 24 hours:

• visit vet

Real-life warning:

If a puppy stops eating, it may be:

• worms

• infection

• stress

• stomach problem

16. Treats and Snacks: How Much is Too Much?

Treats should be:

• only 5% of daily calories

• used for training only

Example:

If puppy eats 300 grams/day, treats should be max 15 grams.

Best treats:

• boiled chicken

• carrot

• apple (small pieces)

Worst treats:

• biscuits

• chocolates

• spicy chips

17. Final Feeding Schedule (Example for 4-Month-Old Puppy)

Morning 8:00 AM

• 1 bowl puppy food

• 10 minutes walk

Midday 12:30 PM

• 1 bowl puppy food

• play time

Evening 5:30 PM

• 1 bowl puppy food

• short walk

Night 9:00 PM

• small snack (optional)

18. Summary: The Perfect Puppy Feeding Rules

If you remember only these rules, your puppy will be healthy:

✅ Rule 1: Routine is everything

Feed at the same time daily.

✅ Rule 2: No human food

Only occasional treats.

✅ Rule 3: Don’t overfeed

Obesity is a serious problem.

✅ Rule 4: Change food slowly

Use the 7-day transition.

✅ Rule 5: Water is important

Clean water always.

✅ Rule 6: Follow age-based feeding

4 meals at 2–3 months, 3 meals at 4–6 months, 2 meals after 6 months.