Fresh food for puppies from weaning to 12 months Puppy Feeding Chart
Updated 7 November 2026 · CoCo Gourmet editorial team
Between weaning and their first birthday, puppies can grow to several times their weight, and they need more energy per kilogram than adult dogs. This guide uses CoCo Gourmet fresh dog food as an example to show how much a puppy needs each day by age and weight, how many meals to feed, what to look for in puppy food, and how to switch from the food your puppy came home with.
In short
Work out how much a puppy needs from its current weight and age: daily energy = 70 × weight (kg)^0.75 × a factor (3 from weaning to 3 months, 2.5 from 4 to 9 months, 2 from 10 to 12 months), then convert to grams. A 3 kg puppy aged 4 to 9 months needs about 274–343 g a day of Chicken & Vegetables, or about 91–114 g per meal over 3 meals. The five CoCo Gourmet main recipes meet the AAFCO 2016 growth (puppy) nutrient profile, so weaned puppies (from about 2 months old) can eat them as their main meal with fresh water. Puppies grow every week, so recalculate every two weeks.
01 Puppy life stages
From weaning to 12 months, in 3 stages
Puppyhood usually means the period from weaning (about 2 months old) to 1 year. Puppies grow fast, so they need 1.3 to 2 times more energy per kilogram than adult dogs. The CoCo Gourmet feeding calculator also splits the first 12 months into 3 stages.
Small breeds are close to their adult size at around 10 to 12 months. Large breeds grow for longer and may not reach adult size until about 18 months.
- Weaning to 3 months: the fastest growth. Energy factor 3. Small stomachs, so feed 3–4 meals a day.
- 4 to 9 months: factor 2.5, 3 meals a day. Adult teeth come in at around 4–6 months, and some puppies eat more slowly then.
- 10 to 12 months: factor 2, and you can move to 2 meals a day. From 1 year, use the adult calculation (factor 1.6 if neutered, 1.8 if intact).
02 What to look for
4 things to look for in puppy food
Nutrient profile
Is it complete for growth?
Puppies need more protein, calcium and phosphorus than adult dogs. For a main meal, check that the food is complete and balanced for growth or all life stages, for example to AAFCO standards. Food formulated for adult maintenance only may not be enough.
Energy and amount
Can you adjust the amount as your puppy grows?
A puppy's weight changes quickly, so base the amount on its current weight and age and recalculate regularly. Too little can hold back growth; too much can lead to excess weight.
Easy to digest
Will your puppy's stomach cope?
A puppy's digestive system is still developing, and moving to a new home can upset the stomach too. Choose food that is easy to digest and switch over 1–2 weeks.
Routine
Start good habits early
Feeding at the same times and in the same place each day helps build a regular routine. Keep treats to 10% of daily calories so your puppy still eats its meals.
03 How much to feed
Puppy feeding chart by age and weight
Daily amounts of Chicken & Vegetables (116 kcal per 100 g) for puppies from weaning to 12 months. The second line in each cell is the amount per meal (weaning to 3 months is divided into 4 meals).
| Current weight | Weaning to 3 months 3–4 meals a day | 4 to 9 months 3 meals a day | 10 to 12 months 2 meals a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1kg | 144–181g36–45g/meal | 120–150g40–50g/meal | 96–120g48–60g/meal |
| 2kg | 243–304g60–76g/meal | 202–253g67–84g/meal | 161–202g80–101g/meal |
| 3kg | 329–412g82–103g/meal | 274–343g91–114g/meal | 220–275g110–137g/meal |
| 4kg | 408–511g102–127g/meal | 340–425g113–141g/meal | 272–340g136–170g/meal |
| 5kg | 484–605g121–151g/meal | 403–504g134–168g/meal | 322–403g161–201g/meal |
| 7kg | 622–778g155–194g/meal | 519–649g173–216g/meal | 414–518g207–259g/meal |
| 10kg | 813–1,017g203–254g/meal | 678–848g226–282g/meal | 542–678g271–339g/meal |
| 15kg | 1,103–1,379g275–344g/meal | 919–1,149g306–383g/meal | 735–919g367–459g/meal |
| 20kg | 1,369–1,712g342–428g/meal | 1,140–1,426g380–475g/meal | 912–1,141g456–570g/meal |
Assumes an ideal body condition. Daily energy = 70 × body weight (kg)0.75 × factor (3 from weaning to 3 months, 2.5 from 4 to 9 months, 2 from 10 to 12 months). As in the feeding calculator, the chart shows 80–100% of the calculated value. Use your puppy's current weight, not its expected adult weight. Puppies grow every week, so weigh your puppy and recalculate every two weeks. Each pack is 100 g, so grams ÷ 100 is the number of packs per day.
Example: a 3 kg puppy aged 5 months. 70 × 30.75 ≈ 160 kcal (resting energy) × 2.5 = about 398 kcal a day. ÷ 116 × 100 = about 343 g, so 274–343 g a day at 80–100%, or about 91–114 g per meal over 3 meals.
04 Can puppies eat fresh food?
CoCo Gourmet and the AAFCO growth profile
We compare the nutrients of the five CoCo Gourmet main recipes with the AAFCO 2016 growth (puppy) profile, the stricter of its two profiles, and all five meet it. That means weaned puppies (from about 2 months old) through to senior dogs can eat them as their main meal with fresh water.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Calcium | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken & VegetablesRecommended to start | 47.9% | 19.9% | 1.55% | 1.09% |
| Pork & Broccoli | 47.1% | 22.6% | 1.74% | 1.17% |
| Fish & Pumpkin | 46.2% | 20.3% | 2.1% | 1.29% |
| Venison & Beets | 45.2% | 17.03% | 1.65% | 1.03% |
| Beef & Sweet Potato | 43.3% | 20% | 1.29% | 1.07% |
| AAFCO 2016 growth | 22.5% min | 8.5% min | 1.2–2.5% | 1.0–1.6% |
Values are on a dry matter basis (water removed), the same figures as the AAFCO 2016 comparison charts on our recipe page. AAFCO sets a lower calcium maximum for large-breed puppies; see the FAQ below.
For the first try we recommend Chicken & Vegetables. Made mainly with chicken breast and tenderloin, it is the recipe we recommend for first-timers and our most popular (116 kcal per 100 g). Once your puppy is used to it, rotating recipes every few days lets it try different meats and vegetables.
05 How many meals?
Puppy feeding schedule and tips
Puppies have small stomachs, and eating too much at once can cause vomiting or soft stools, so split the daily amount into several meals.
-
01
Split by age. 3–4 meals a day from weaning to 3 months, 3 meals from 4 to 9 months and 2 meals from 10 months, spaced evenly through the day.
-
02
Same time, same amount. Feed at set times and put away anything left after about 20 minutes. Fresh food should not sit at room temperature for long.
-
03
Warm it to body temperature. Warm thawed food in hot water for 1–2 minutes or for about 90 seconds in a 500 W microwave. Warm food smells stronger and is easier to eat than food straight from the fridge.
-
04
Always have fresh water. Fresh food is about 70–75% water, but your puppy should still be able to drink whenever it wants.
-
05
Track weight and stools. Weigh your puppy every 1–2 weeks and recalculate. If weight goes up too fast or stools become soft, feed slightly less; if your puppy looks thin, add about 10%.
If your puppy stops eating, seems listless, or vomiting or diarrhoea continues, it may be unwell. Puppies have little reserve, so please see your vet as soon as possible.
06 Switching food
Switching to fresh food over 1–2 weeks
When you first bring your puppy home, keep feeding the food it had at the breeder or pet shop for a few days. Once it has settled in, increase the fresh food gradually:
| Days | Previous food | CoCo Gourmet |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | 75% | 25% |
| Days 4–6 | 50% | 50% |
| Days 7–9 | 25% | 75% |
| From day 10 | 0% | 100% |
Proportions are by calories: whenever you add fresh food, reduce the previous food by the same calories so the daily total stays the same. If stools become soft, stay at the same step for a few more days. Puppies with sensitive stomachs can take about two weeks.
07 FAQs
Puppy feeding FAQs
- From what age can a puppy eat fresh dog food?
- From weaning, at about 2 months old. The five CoCo Gourmet main recipes meet the AAFCO 2016 growth (puppy) profile, so with fresh water they can be your puppy's main meal. For the first few days at home, keep the food your puppy is used to, then switch over 1–2 weeks once it has settled in.
- How much should a puppy eat a day?
- It depends on current weight and age. A 3 kg puppy aged 4 to 9 months needs about 318–398 kcal a day, which is about 274–343 g of Chicken & Vegetables, or about 91–114 g per meal over 3 meals. See the puppy feeding chart on this page for other weights, or use the feeding calculator.
- How many times a day should I feed my puppy?
- 3–4 meals a day from weaning to 3 months, 3 meals from 4 to 9 months, and 2 meals from 10 months. Divide the daily amount evenly and space the meals through the day.
- How do I know if my puppy is eating enough?
- Weigh your puppy every 1–2 weeks and recalculate the amount from the new weight. At an ideal body condition you can feel the ribs but not see them, and you can see a waist from above. If weight goes up too fast and the waist disappears, feed slightly less; if your puppy looks thin, add about 10%. If you are unsure, ask your vet to check your puppy's growth.
- When should a puppy switch to adult food?
- The five CoCo Gourmet main recipes suit puppies through to senior dogs, so you do not need to change food at 1 year. Just switch to the adult calculation (factor 1.6 if neutered, 1.8 if intact). Dogs need fewer calories after neutering and can gain weight easily, so keep an eye on weight.
- What should I watch for with a large-breed puppy?
- Large breeds grow for longer, and growing too fast or getting too much calcium is not good for them. For puppies expected to weigh about 32 kg (70 lb) or more as adults, AAFCO sets a lower calcium maximum of 1.8% on a dry matter basis. Fish & Pumpkin contains 2.1%, so choose one of the other four recipes for a large-breed puppy, check the amount and recipe with your vet, and weigh your puppy regularly.
- Can puppies have treats?
- Yes, but keep treats to 10% of daily calories and reduce meals by the same amount. Too many treats can make a puppy refuse its meals. For training, use small pieces.
- My puppy has soft stools after starting fresh food. What should I do?
- Switching too quickly or feeding too much can both cause soft stools. Go back to the previous step of the switching schedule or feed slightly less and watch for a few days. If diarrhoea continues, or your puppy vomits or seems listless, please see your vet as soon as possible.
- Can I cook for my puppy at home?
- Home cooking lets you choose the ingredients, but puppies need more calcium, phosphorus, vitamins and minerals than adult dogs, and getting all of them right at home is difficult; the wrong calcium to phosphorus balance can affect bone development. If home-cooked food will be the main diet, have a vet check the recipe. A complete fresh food that meets the growth profile, such as CoCo Gourmet, only needs to be thawed and warmed.
About CoCo Gourmet
CoCo Gourmet is fresh dog food from Japan. The five main recipes are vet-supervised, complete and balanced to AAFCO 2016 standards and made in a human-food factory in Japan, then delivered frozen in 100 g packs with free delivery to every district in Hong Kong, normally within 3–5 working days. A one-off 4-pack is HK$200; a 12-pack subscription is HK$330 (54% off, HK$27.5 per pack). If your dog does not like the first box, you can get a full refund within 7 days.
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