When it comes to puppies we all have so many questions. As always though be sure to consult your veterinarian just to be on the safe side.   


Before we get started you need to know which breed size your puppy is. 
 

  • Small Breed: dogs that are under 20 pounds once fully grown
  • Medium Breed: dogs that are between 20 and 70 pounds once fully grown
  • Large/Giant Breed: dogs that are 70 pounds or more once fully grown 


When will my puppy stop growing? 

Puppies are considered adults once they reach 1 year of age. Reaching this age doesn't mean that they will be done growing though. Once their bones have fully developed they will still continue to develop fat and muscle just like hoomans do.  

Small and medium breeds finish growing a lot faster than other breeds. On average they typically stop growing between 6 and 8 months. Medium breeds may take up to 12 months in some cases. 

Large to giant breeds take longer to finish growing because their bigger bone structure takes longer to develop.They can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to fully grow. Giant breeds like mastiffs may take up to 24 months to finish growing.  


How long do I feed puppy food?
 

Many of us wonder how long do we feed puppy food. Below is a timeline on how to feed your growing puppy from the AKC. All puppies are different though so it's never a bad idea to consult with your veterinarian just to be on the safe side.
 


  • 6–12 weeks: Growing pups should be fed puppy food, a diet specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs for normal development. Feeding adult food will rob your puppy of important nutrients. Four feedings a day are usually adequate to meet nutritional demands. Large breeds should be fed unmoistened dry food by 9 or 10 weeks; small dogs by 12 or 13 weeks.
  • 3–6 months: Sometime during this period, decrease feedings from four to three a day. A pup should be losing his/her potbelly and pudginess by 12 weeks. If he/she is still roly-poly at this age, continue to feed puppy-size portions until body type matures.
  • 6–12 months: Begin feeding twice daily. Spaying or neutering lowers energy requirements slightly; after the procedure, switch from nutrient-rich puppy food to adult maintenance food. Small breeds can make the switch at 7 to 9 months; bigger breeds at 12, 13, even 14 months. Err on the side of caution: Better to be on puppy food a little too long than not long enough.
  • After age 1: Most owners feed adult dogs two half-portions a day.

To discourage bad eating habits you need to be consistent when feeding your puppy. Feed at the same time everyday in equal portions and never leave the food down for more than 10 to 20 minutes.