What is a healthy puppy weight? Everything you need to know

At birth, puppies typically weigh between 3.5 to 14 oz, depending on the breed. During the first few weeks of your puppy's life, they will rely solely on their mother's milk for sustenance. The mother's milk provides essential antibodies and vital nutrients crucial for their initial growth.

Around the age of four to six weeks, puppies begin the weaning process and can gradually start transitioning to solid food. Introduce a high-quality puppy food such as a mousse, or a dry food moistened with warm water or puppy milk formula, to make it easier for them to consume as a porridge. Initially, they may only eat small amounts, but over time, they will rely less on their mother's milk and more on solid food.

At around eight weeks of age, your puppy will be fully weaned—in other words, they will be eating independently—and you will need to establish a regular feeding schedule. On average, at three months of age, small breeds will weigh around 4.5 to 6.5 lbs whereas giant breeds will weigh around 40 to 45 lbs. During this period they should be fed four meals a day, usually every four to six hours. Dividing their daily food intake into smaller, more frequent meals helps prevent digestive issues and provides a steady supply of energy throughout the day. Which they will definitely need with all that puppy energy they are burning!

Choose a high-quality puppy food recommended by your veterinarian, breeder, shelter or pet food supplier. Look for formulas specifically designed for puppies— they should have the appropriate balance of nutrients to support your puppy’s rapid growth. Follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging, but keep in mind that each puppy's needs may vary based on their breed, size, and activity level.

Around three to six months of age, you can reduce the number of meals to three per day. This adjustment aligns with their increasing capacity to digest and process larger amounts of food at one time.

Continue to monitor your puppy's weight and body condition to ensure they are growing at a healthy rate. If your puppy is underweight, you will be able to easily feel their ribs protruding. If your puppy is overweight, it will be difficult to feel the ribs. Giving your puppy treats is fine, especially as a reward during training, but remember to account for these by reducing their food portion to maintain the recommended total daily calories. Adjust meal portion sizes accordingly, following the guidance provided by your vet.

By six months, most puppies are ready to transition to two meals a day. During this stage, your puppy's growth rate will start to slow down and their nutritional needs will become more stable. It's important to continue feeding them a high-quality puppy food until they reach adulthood. Small breeds will reach their adult weight ranging from 9 to 22 lbs by around ten months of age, while medium breeds reach a weight of around 40 to 55 lbs by twelve months.

For most breeds, once your puppy reaches their first birthday, they are considered an adult and can be transitioned to adult dog food. Note that large and giant breeds will continue to develop for another six to twelve months until they reach an adult weight that may be over around 85 lbs. As always, consult your vet to determine the ideal time to make the switch. And choose a well-balanced adult formula that is appropriate for your dog's size and breed.