Lab Puppy Feeding Schedule

How the schedule is worked out

Meals per day follow the American Kennel Club's guidance: most puppies eat four meals a day from 6 to 12 weeks, three from 3 to 6 months, and two after 6 months.

Daily calories use the resting energy requirement from the Merck Veterinary Manual, RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, multiplied by 3.0 for puppies under 4 months and 2.0 from 4 months until adult size. Cups per meal is the day's calories divided by your food's kcal per cup and by the number of meals.

Treat this as a starting point. Food labels, your vet and your puppy's body all get a vote. The AKC repeats an old saying, "watch the dog, not the dish": body condition, not what's left in the bowl, should set portion sizes. Our weight guide shows how to check body condition. Weigh your puppy every week or two and recalculate as it grows (our puppy growth calculator shows typical Lab weights by age).

Lab puppy feeding tips

• Use a large-breed puppy food. The AKC notes that large-breed puppies often stay on puppy food until at least 12 months, sometimes longer. See our best puppy food for Labs picks.
• Count training treats. Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories and trim meals on heavy training days.
• Pick up the bowl. The AKC suggests feeding at regular times and not leaving food down for more than about 15 minutes.
• Switch foods gradually over several days to avoid an upset stomach.
• Lean is better. Extra weight strains growing joints in a breed prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.

Bringing a puppy home soon? Our new puppy checklist covers bowls, food and the rest of the gear.

For information only, not veterinary advice. Puppies with health conditions should be fed under veterinary guidance.