Puppy feeding and growth
How much should I feed my puppy after a growth spurt slows down?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Once appetite and weight gain settle back to their previous steadier pace after a growth spurt, it is reasonable to ease the daily food amount back down slightly from whatever peak was reached during the spurt, guided by current weight and body condition rather than the elevated spurt amount.
Recognizing when a spurt has ended
A growth spurt typically shows as a stretch of noticeably higher appetite and faster weight gain lasting anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Once appetite settles back toward its earlier level and weight gain returns to a steadier weekly pace, the spurt has likely passed.
Adjusting the portion back down
Recalculate the daily amount from the food chart using the puppy's new, post spurt weight, which will likely be somewhat less than the elevated amount fed during the spurt itself, rather than assuming the higher spurt level should simply continue indefinitely.
Watching for the next spurt
Growth spurts tend to recur periodically through puppyhood, so expect to repeat this pattern, temporarily increasing food during a spurt and easing back afterward, several times before the puppy reaches its adult size, particularly for medium, large, and giant breeds.
Key takeaways
- A settled appetite and steadier weight gain signal a growth spurt has ended.
- Recalculate the daily food amount from the puppy's new weight rather than the spurt level.
- Continuing an elevated spurt amount indefinitely can lead to unnecessary weight gain.
- Expect this pattern of temporary increases and adjustments to repeat several times during growth.