Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, filled with cuddles, playtime, and the start of a lifelong bond. Central to your puppy's well-being is establishing a proper feeding schedule. A well-structured 2 month old puppy feeding schedule ensures your puppy gets the right nutrients and helps build a routine that promotes healthy growth and development.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of a 2-Month-Old Puppy
At two months old, puppies are in a crucial stage of development. Their bodies are growing rapidly, and they require a diet rich in essential nutrients. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are all vital components of a balanced diet for a young puppy. Protein is particularly important as it supports muscle development, while fats provide the necessary energy for their active lifestyle.
Newly weaned puppies require the most protein because protein in a dog’s milk is high, readily available, and digestible. As your puppy grows, their nutritional needs shift. Adult dogs require less protein, fat, and minerals than puppies do.
How Often Should You Feed a 2-Month-Old Puppy?
Feeding frequency is a key component of a 2 month old puppy feeding schedule. At this age, puppies have small stomachs and high energy needs, which means they need to eat more frequently than adult dogs. Generally, it is recommended to feed a 2-month-old puppy three to four times a day. This ensures that they receive a steady supply of nutrients throughout the day without overloading their digestive system. After being weaned from their mothers and sent to their new homes (around 8 weeks), puppies need to eat several times throughout the day-typically, around 4 to 6 times.
Here's an example of a puppy feeding chart and schedule for 8-12 week old pups. This schedule will also help you work on crate and potty training.
Read also: Diet Ideas for 12-Month-Olds
Puppy Feeding Schedule
- 7 AM (⅓ daily kcals)
- Noon (⅓ daily kcals)
- 5 PM (⅓ daily kcals)
Portion Sizes: How Much Should You Feed Your Puppy?
Determining the right portion size for your 2-month-old puppy can be a bit tricky. The amount of food your puppy needs will depend on their breed, size, and activity level. As a general guideline, you can start by following the feeding recommendations provided on the puppy food packaging. However, it's important to monitor your puppy's weight and adjust the portions accordingly. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, while underfeeding can result in malnutrition.
Caloric Intake Chart
These charts show the average amount of calories a puppy should consume based on their ideal weight-but remember that your pup may need up to 50% more or fewer calories, depending on their body condition score.
| Puppy’s Ideal Weight | Average Caloric Intake* |
|---|---|
| 1 pound | 125 kcal/day |
| 2.5 pounds | 226 kcal/day |
| 5 pounds | 392 kcal/day |
| 7.5 pounds | 526 kcal/day |
| 10 pounds | 649 kcal/day |
| 20 pounds | 1100 kcal/day |
| 25 pounds | 1294 kcal/day |
| 30 pounds | 1487 kcal/day |
| 40 pounds | 1843 kcal/day |
| 45 pounds | 2016 kcal/day |
*These numbers are averages for healthy puppies. Individual needs may vary up to 50% in either direction.
| Puppy’s Ideal Weight | Average Caloric Intake* |
|---|---|
| 2.5 pounds | 150 kcal/day |
| 5 pounds | 261 kcal/day |
| 7.5 pounds | 351 kcal/day |
| 10 pounds | 433 kcal/day |
| 15 pounds | 590 kcal/day |
| 20 pounds | 734 kcal/day |
| 25 pounds | 863 kcal/day |
| 30 pounds | 991 kcal/day |
| 35 pounds | 1115 kcal/day |
| 40 pounds | 1229 kcal/day |
| 45 pounds | 1344 kcal/day |
| 50 pounds | 1456 kcal/day |
| 60 pounds | 1667 kcal/day |
| 70 pounds | 1875 kcal/day |
| 80 pounds | 2070 kcal/day |
| 90 pounds | 2260 kcal/day |
| 100 pounds | 2449 kcal/day |
| 110 pounds | 2628 kcal/day |
| 120 pounds | 2804 kcal/day |
| 130 pounds | 2980 kcal/day |
*These numbers are averages for healthy puppies. Individual needs may vary.
Choosing the Right Puppy Food
Selecting the right food for your 2-month-old puppy is crucial for their overall health. Look for high-quality puppy food that is specifically formulated for young dogs. These foods are designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of growing puppies. Ensure the company employs a nutritionist to help formulate their diets. Avoid feeding your puppy adult dog food, as it may not provide the necessary nutrients in the right proportions.
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A well-formulated, so-called “premium” or “super premium” puppy food should have high nutritional density. Major dog food companies invest heavily in product development and research, constantly upgrading dog food formulas to keep up with competitors.
Essential Nutrients for Puppy Food:
- Protein: Newly weaned puppies require the most protein.
- Calcium and phosphorus: To support their growing bones, puppies need more calcium and phosphorus than adult dogs.
- Copper: Puppies can develop copper deficiency if it isn’t in their food.
- Digestibility: A puppy’s digestive tract is still maturing, so their food should be highly digestible to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort or upset.
- Arginine: This amino acid is essential for puppies, meaning that their bodies cannot make it on their own.
There’s no harm in feeding a puppy diet into adulthood if the calories and amount of food provided are appropriately adjusted for your dog’s body weight and condition. The most important factor in selecting a food for your puppy is choosing one that promotes their growth.
Types of Puppy Food
- Canned puppy food is the most expensive kind of puppy food to feed, and puppies often find it most palatable.
- Dry puppy food, or kibble is the most economical way to feed your puppy, and the major dog food brands offer a complete and balanced diet for puppies of all sizes and dogs of all ages. Dry food can be fed exactly as it comes from the bag or moistened with warm water or unsalted broth.
- Other types of puppy food options on the market include freeze-dried puppy food, dehydrated puppy food, fresh puppy food, and raw puppy food. Be sure to avoid serving raw meat for dogs at this age because puppies have a weakened immune system and can become very ill from exposure to bacteria such as Salmonella, which is commonly found in uncooked food.
Hydration: The Importance of Water
While focusing on the 2 month old puppy feeding schedule, it's easy to overlook the importance of hydration. Puppies need access to fresh, clean water at all times. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues, so make sure your puppy's water bowl is always filled. Monitor their water intake, especially during hot weather or after physical activity. During the summer months, consider setting up multiple indoor/outdoor water stations.
Transitioning to Solid Food
If your puppy is still transitioning from mother's milk or formula to solid food, it's important to do so gradually. Start by mixing a small amount of puppy food with the milk or formula, and gradually increase the proportion of solid food over time. This helps your puppy's digestive system adjust to the new diet and reduces the risk of stomach upset. Once your puppy has been weaned off of their mother’s milk (around 8 weeks), you can start feeding them soft or wet puppy foods like canned or dehydrated dog foods. You won’t want to start feeding your pup any dry foods until they are at least 9-10 weeks old.
When puppies first begin weaning and still occasionally nurse off their mother, you should serve commercial-grade kibble softened with a bit of water. By four months old, they should be completely transitioned to a high-quality kibble formulated for puppies.
Read also: Weight Loss in First Month Post-Surgery
Monitoring Your Puppy's Growth and Health
Regularly monitoring your puppy's growth and health is essential to ensure they are thriving on their feeding schedule. Keep an eye on their weight, energy levels, and overall appearance. If you notice any signs of poor health, such as lethargy, diarrhea, or a dull coat, consult your veterinarian. They can provide guidance on adjusting the feeding schedule or diet to better meet your puppy's needs. As your puppy grows, you can track their progress in a simple notebook or a more sophisticated spreadsheet. Weigh the puppy weekly and record their progress, comparing them to breed-appropriate weight charts.
Puppies should grow between 10 to 15% of their body weight per day, which ranges from about 0.5 ounces to 2.5 pounds per week. Generally speaking, dogs with an ideal body condition score should have an observable tuck at the waist with ribs visible beneath a thin layer of fat around the torso.
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
When establishing a 2 month old puppy feeding schedule, there are several common mistakes that new pet owners should avoid. Overfeeding is one of the most common issues, as it can lead to obesity and related health problems. On the other hand, underfeeding can result in malnutrition and stunted growth. Additionally, avoid feeding your puppy table scraps or human food, as these can be harmful to their health. Weighing your dog frequently can help you keep an eye on sudden changes that may be related to health issues. Even if you weigh once or twice a month, this will help you stay alert to changes in their health and weight.
Also, a steady diet of table scraps can create a nutritional imbalance, and certain ingredients in your favorite dishes can cause upset stomach, or worse, toxicity, in dogs. Allowing your dog to guilt you into overfeeding them, or serving them a steady diet of table scraps in a misguided show of affection, can harmful results in modern times.
Establishing a Consistent Feeding Routine
Consistency is key when it comes to feeding your 2-month-old puppy. Establishing a regular feeding routine helps your puppy know when to expect their meals, which can reduce anxiety and promote better eating habits. Try to feed your puppy at the same times each day, and avoid making sudden changes to their feeding schedule unless advised by a veterinarian.
Establishing a puppy feeding schedule will benefit you and your new pet for months and years to come. Dogs (and puppies) are creatures of habit and helping them establish a routine with their feeding (and all parts of their life generally) will help them to become more consistent in their potty time. That in turn, will help make potty training much easier and faster!
Here are some additional benefits:
- Faster and easier potty training: Most puppies will need to go potty 15-30 minutes after eating.
- Crate and sleep training benefits: Establishing a feeding schedule builds trust and reduces anxiety around food.
- Helps to keep away ants, mice, or other unwanted pests: When dog food (like human food) is left out for an extended period of time, it can attract unwanted pests and insects.
- Consistent meal times help create consistent potty times: If your pup is eating at a specific time each day, they’re going to need to go potty at roughly the same time each day.
- Just like with a puppy feeding schedule, having a consistent feeding spot will help your pup associate that time and location in a positive way: When starting to crate train, many people will feed their pup inside the crate and then continue that habit even once the dog is fully crate and potty trained.
Special Considerations for Different Breeds
Different breeds of puppies may have unique nutritional needs and feeding requirements. For example, large breed puppies may require a diet that supports their rapid growth and helps prevent joint issues, while small breed puppies may need smaller, more frequent meals to maintain their energy levels. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best feeding schedule and diet for your specific breed of puppy.
Small-breed dogs and large-breed dogs have some different nutritional needs, and that’s especially true while they are puppies. Adult dogs who weigh less than 20 pounds are considered small-breed dogs. These puppies grow quickly and may reach adulthood by 9 months.
Introducing Treats and Snacks
While treats and snacks can be a great way to reward your puppy during training, it's important to use them in moderation. Too many treats can lead to weight gain and disrupt the balance of your puppy's diet. Choose healthy, puppy-specific treats, and make sure they make up no more than 10% of your puppy's daily caloric intake. Because treats aren’t a completely balanced “meal”, overfeeding treats can cause weight gain and ensuing health issues. Also, if you are using treats to work on training with your puppy, adjust the amount you feed at mealtime accordingly.
Handling Feeding Challenges
Some puppies may be picky eaters or have difficulty adjusting to a new feeding schedule. If your puppy is reluctant to eat, try offering smaller, more frequent meals or experimenting with different types of puppy food. You could also try adding a savory meal topper or wet food to make meals more appealing. Snuffle mats are great to redirect problem behaviors and redirect them to foraging. You get to encourage your dog's food drive in a way that works their brain. Simply scatter your dog's food throughout the snuffle mat, then let them go to town. When first introducing one of these mats, make sure to keep a lot of the food visible so they know what the point of the mat is. Enrichment toys like these, are great to use as a slow feeder option as well, as they make your dog work to get the food out of the toy.
If the issue persists, consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health problems. If your puppy isn’t eating during their set times, consult your veterinarian to rule out an underlying health issue. Also consider how early in their transition stage your puppies is with being comfortable at home.
The Role of Exercise in Your Puppy's Feeding Schedule
Exercise plays an important role in your puppy's overall health and can also impact their feeding schedule. Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight and promotes good digestion. However, avoid feeding your puppy immediately before or after vigorous exercise, as this can lead to digestive issues. Instead, schedule meals around your puppy's exercise routine to ensure they have enough energy without causing discomfort. Increase your puppy’s daily, low-impact exercise by taking them on more frequent walks or encouraging them to swim.
Depending on where you live, some seasons might constitute more or less exercise. If your play time slows down, feed a touch less to compensate for the lack of burned calories.