Puppy feeding and growth
How much should a 6 week old puppy eat?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
At six weeks most puppies are only just weaning, so meals are small and frequent: about 4 to 6 offerings a day of moistened kibble or a puppy specific gruel. A toy breed puppy may take only 2 to 3 tablespoons per sitting, while a large breed puppy can manage close to half a cup. A rounded, not swollen, belly after eating is a better guide than any fixed number.
A stomach the size of a walnut
A six week old puppy's stomach cannot hold a full day's food in one or two sittings, which is why breeders spread meals across the whole day, roughly every two to three hours while the puppy is awake. Kibble is usually soaked in warm water or puppy milk replacer until it mashes easily, since teeth are still coming in and the gut is adjusting away from milk.
Judging the amount by the puppy, not the clock
Weigh the puppy every few days if you can. A puppy gaining steadily, with energy for short bursts of play between naps, is eating enough. One that seems constantly hungry between meals, cries right after eating, or has a hollow looking belly may need slightly larger portions or an extra sitting.
If you have brought a puppy home this young
Six weeks is earlier than the 8 week minimum most breeders and rescue groups recommend for rehoming. If you already have a puppy this age, ask exactly what the breeder was feeding and how often, then keep that routine unchanged for the first few days before introducing anything new.
Key takeaways
- Puppies at six weeks typically eat moistened food 4 to 6 times a day.
- A rounded but not distended belly after a meal is more useful than a gram target.
- Keep whatever feeding routine the breeder was already using for the first few days at home.
- Most puppies are not developmentally ready to leave their mother until 8 weeks.