Puppies usually gain weight quickly during their early months, but the amount they gain each week varies by breed, age, current weight, and expected adult size.
A small-breed puppy may gain only a few ounces in a week, while a large-breed puppy may gain several pounds. The weekly rate also changes as a puppy gets older.
The most useful approach is to record your puppy’s weight regularly and compare the change over several weeks.
For a broader reference, see the puppy weight chart and puppy weight by age guides.
How Much Weight Should A Puppy Gain Per Week?
There is no single number that every puppy should gain each week.
The expected weekly increase depends mainly on the puppy’s size and growth stage.
| Puppy size | General weekly growth pattern |
|---|---|
| Small breeds | Smaller increases and an earlier growth period |
| Medium breeds | Steady growth through the main puppy stage |
| Large breeds | Larger increases and a longer growth period |
| Giant breeds | Substantial increases during periods of rapid growth |
A puppy’s weekly gain can also change from one week to the next. Growth is generally faster during the early months and slows as the puppy approaches adult size.
If you’re tracking your puppy’s expected weight, you can use the puppy weight calculator to estimate adult weight from the information you provide.
How To Calculate Your Puppy’s Weekly Weight Gain
You can calculate weekly weight gain by comparing this week’s weight with last week’s weight.
Weekly weight gain = Current weight − Previous weight
For example, if a puppy weighed 8 lb last week and weighs 9.2 lb this week:
9.2 lb − 8 lb = 1.2 lb gained
You can also calculate the percentage increase:
Percentage gain = (Weight gained ÷ Previous weight) × 100
For this example:
(1.2 ÷ 8) × 100 = 15%
Recording the actual weight and the percentage change makes it easier to see how your puppy’s growth is progressing.
How Weekly Weight Gain Changes With Age
Puppy growth changes as the dog matures.
Younger puppies generally gain weight more rapidly. As they get older, their weekly increase usually becomes smaller as they move toward adult size.
The timing varies between dogs. Small breeds generally reach adult size sooner, while larger breeds continue growing for longer.
For more information about the different stages of puppy development, see puppy growth stages and when do puppies stop growing.
Small-Breed Puppy Weight Gain
Small-breed puppies have lower body weights and usually finish growing earlier than large breeds.
Because their total weight is lower, a relatively small change can represent a noticeable percentage increase.
For these puppies, consistent weighing can make growth changes easier to identify.
You can also use the puppy adult weight guide to understand how current puppy weight relates to expected adult size.
Medium-Breed Puppy Weight Gain
Medium-breed puppies usually grow for longer than small breeds and reach adult size later.
Their weekly weight gain can remain steady during active growth and gradually decrease as maturity approaches.
Breed, age, current weight, and expected adult size should all be considered when assessing whether a weekly increase is appropriate.
The puppy growth chart can help you compare your puppy’s measurements with broader growth patterns.
Large-Breed Puppy Weight Gain
Large-breed puppies can gain several pounds during periods of rapid growth.
They also tend to have a longer growth period, so their total weight can continue increasing for many months.
Large-breed puppies need appropriate nutrition during development because excessive growth and excess body weight can place additional stress on developing bones and joints.
For breed-specific information, see:
These pages provide more specific growth information than a general weekly weight-gain article.
Why Puppy Weight Gain Varies
Several factors affect how much weight a puppy gains each week.
Breed and expected adult size
Genetics have a major effect on growth.
A small breed and a giant breed can be the same age while having very different expected weekly weight increases.
Expected adult size is therefore an important part of interpreting a puppy’s current weight.
Age
Age affects the speed of growth.
A young puppy may gain weight rapidly from week to week. The increase usually becomes smaller as the puppy approaches maturity.
This is why weekly weight should always be considered alongside the puppy’s age.
Current Weight
Current body weight affects the actual amount a puppy gains.
For example, a 5 lb puppy gaining 10% of its body weight adds 0.5 lb. A 25 lb puppy gaining 10% adds 2.5 lb.
The percentage is the same, but the actual weight increase is very different.
Nutrition
Nutrition affects puppy growth and body condition.
Puppies need food appropriate for their developmental stage, size, and nutritional needs. Feeding amounts should be based on the individual puppy and guidance from a veterinarian when needed.
Individual Growth Pattern
Puppies do not all follow exactly the same weekly pattern.
Even puppies from the same litter can have different weights and growth rates. A series of measurements therefore gives more useful information than one isolated number.
How To Track Your Puppy’s Weekly Growth
Weigh your puppy consistently and record the results.
A simple record can include:
- Date
- Age
- Current weight
- Previous weight
- Weekly weight gain
- Percentage change
For example:
| Age | Weight | Weekly change |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 8.0 lb | — |
| 9 weeks | 9.1 lb | +1.1 lb |
| 10 weeks | 10.2 lb | +1.1 lb |
| 11 weeks | 11.1 lb | +0.9 lb |
| 12 weeks | 11.9 lb | +0.8 lb |
These numbers are only an example of a tracking record. They are not a recommended weight range for every puppy.
For broader growth tracking, use the puppy growth tracker together with the puppy growth chart.
What If My Puppy Gains Less Weight Than Expected?
One slower week does not necessarily indicate a problem.
Weekly growth can vary naturally, and the expected rate changes as a puppy gets older. The overall trend across several measurements gives a better indication of growth.
Pay attention to your puppy’s weight together with appetite, energy, body condition, and general health.
If a puppy repeatedly fails to gain weight, loses weight, or develops symptoms such as poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or low energy, contact a veterinarian.
What If My Puppy Gains Weight Very Quickly?
Rapid weight gain can occur during normal growth, especially in larger puppies.
It can also occur when a puppy receives more calories than it needs. The appropriate growth rate depends on the puppy’s breed, age, current weight, body condition, and expected adult size.
A veterinarian can assess your puppy’s body condition and determine whether the growth pattern needs attention.
How Often Should You Weigh A Puppy?
Weekly weighing is practical for routine growth tracking.
Weighing at roughly the same time and under similar conditions makes the measurements easier to compare.
A consistent weekly record can show whether your puppy’s weight is increasing, slowing down, or changing in a way that deserves further attention.
Puppies with specific health or growth concerns may need more frequent monitoring based on veterinary advice.
When Should You Be Concerned About Puppy Weight Gain?
Persistent lack of weight gain, unexplained weight loss, or a major change in your puppy’s normal growth pattern deserves attention.
Other symptoms can make the situation more concerning, especially changes in appetite, energy, digestion, or general behavior.
Weight alone cannot determine whether a puppy is developing appropriately. Breed, age, body condition, nutrition, and overall health all matter.
How To Use Weekly Weight Gain With A Puppy Growth Chart
Weekly weight gain becomes more useful when you keep a record over time.
Start by recording your puppy’s current age and weight. Then compare each new measurement with the previous one and monitor how the rate changes as your puppy matures.
You can use the puppy weight calculator to estimate your puppy’s adult weight, while the puppy weight chart provides broader weight references.
For age-specific information, use puppy weight by age. For overall development, see the puppy growth chart.
If you know your puppy’s breed, the relevant breed page can provide more specific growth information. For example, Poodle owners can use the Poodle puppy weight and growth guide, while Cavapoo owners can see the Cavapoo puppy weight guide.
The main goal is to track the change in weight over time and interpret that change according to your puppy’s age, breed, and expected adult size.