According to the American Kennel Club, puppies sleep between 18–20 hours a day.
#Puppy daily schedule chart full#
It might seem like your pup is absolutely full of energy and mischief, but they should be spending most of the day asleep. Your vet will also check your pup’s weight during their vaccination appointments and check-ups, and will suggest any feeding changes. It’s important that your puppy gains weight as they grow, but you also want to avoid your puppy becoming overweight. Most puppy food will include a chart of recommended feeding amounts based on your puppy’s weight. You can also ask your vet how much food you should be giving your pup. Your vet can help recommend the best food for your puppy. Puppy food has higher amounts of fat and protein, giving your puppy the nutrition they need to grow up big and strong. It’s important to feed a quality puppy food designed to support growth. (If those times sound shocking to you, well… welcome to pet parenthood!) We’ll work on table manners later… What should I be feeding my puppy?Īs your puppy grows, you’ll need to adjust how much food and the type of food you feed them. For example, in hot places like Arizona, it might already be too hot to take your pup out for a walk at 8AM, so feeding might need to happen closer to 5:30AM so you can be home from your walk by 6:30. When you feed your puppy will also be influenced by where you live. Taking your puppy out promptly after they eat can help to avoid accidents in the house. Once you’ve identified your puppy’s mealtimes, plan to also take your puppy outside for a walk or potty break about 30 minutes after each meal. Try to avoid any big, sudden changes, which can upset your puppy’s digestive system and make them wonder where their meal is. If those times really don’t work well for you, gradually change them by moving the times forward or backward just a few minutes per day. When you first bring your puppy home, try to stick to the existing schedule. You’ll want to ask the breeder or rescue about your puppy’s mealtimes prior to taking them home. Once your puppy reaches six months of age, you can feed them just twice a day. Young puppies often eat three or four times a day, which helps to keep their blood sugar stable.
When your puppy eats will affect other elements of your schedule, like potty and walk times, so it’s easiest to start by building your schedule around your puppy’s mealtimes.
To create a daily schedule, you will need to consider the different elements that make up your puppy’s day. When everyone has agreed on set mealtimes, playtimes, and times for walks, you’ll know that your puppy is getting consistent care, no matter who is on “puppy duty.” One of the best ways to help your puppy settle into their new home is to establish a schedule that you both can follow.Ī schedule gives you both a routine, and it can give your puppy the security they crave, since they’ll know what to expect throughout the day. This routine can promote good habits and behavior, help with training, and even help the two of you bond.Ī schedule serves another important purpose: It keeps you from forgetting anything important! This is particularly true when you and other family members are caring for a puppy together. While your schedule may have changed, it’s also important to recognize your puppy is probably facing an entirely new lifestyle, too. Your normal routine goes out the window and you’re suddenly focused on feeding your puppy, taking them outside, playing with them, and making sure they have plenty of time to nap. When you bring home a new furry family member, everything changes.