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Guide, 6 steps

Finding calories on the bag and measuring portions

You need

  • Your puppy's food bag
  • A kitchen scale that weighs in grams
  • Their food bowl
  1. Step 1: Look on the bag for 'Calorie content (calculated)' — usually near the Guaranteed Analysis — with a number in kcal/kg (and kcal/cup).

  2. Step 2: If it's missing, check the manufacturer's website or call the phone number on the bag.

  3. Step 3: Check that it says 'complete and balanced' and is for growth (puppy) or 'all life stages'. For a future large dog, choose a large-breed puppy food.

  4. Step 4: Enter the kcal/kg in Kibi. We'll calculate grams per day and per meal.

  5. Step 5: Put the bowl on the scale, press 'tare' (zero) and add food up to the grams for that meal. Measuring cups are very inaccurate.

  6. Step 6: Count the treats: they shouldn't be more than 10% of daily food.

When to see the vet

  • You're not sure the food is right for a puppy.
  • They gain or lose weight fast even on the recommended portion.
  • They vomit, have diarrhea or stop eating after a food change.

Sources

  1. Selecting a pet food for your pet (WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit) · World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), 2021
  2. National Pet Obesity Awareness Day: #BanTheCup · Ontario Veterinary College Pet Nutrition, University of Guelph, 2020
  3. Feeding Practices in Small Animals (Sanderson SL; full review Nov 2023, updated Oct 2024) · MSD Veterinary Manual, 2024
  4. Tips and Timelines for Transitioning Your Pet to a New Food · American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 2021

This is general information, not a diagnosis, and it doesn't replace your vet, who always has the final say.

All sources