Expected Daily Weight Gain in Puppies: Breed Differences Explained

Puppy Weight Gain by Breed

Learn what daily weight gain to expect in puppies and how it varies by breed to ensure healthy growth in newborns.

Monitoring weight is one of the most important ways to ensure newborn puppies are healthy and thriving. Daily weight gain varies by breed, litter size, and individual puppy strength, and knowing what to expect helps breeders identify problems early.

Typical Weight Gain in Puppies

Puppies usually double their birth weight in the first week, but daily gains can vary:

Toy breeds (e.g., Chihuahua, Pomeranian): ~5–10g per day

Small breeds (e.g., Beagle, French Bulldog): ~10–20g per day

Medium breeds (e.g., Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel): ~20–30g per day

Large breeds (e.g., Labrador, Golden Retriever): ~30–50g per day

Giant breeds (e.g., Great Dane, Saint Bernard): 50g+ per day

These are averages, and minor fluctuations are normal. What matters most is consistent daily gain rather than exact numbers. Using our range of Tray Scales or Small Bowl Scales and recording this daily, helps track weight accurately.

Factors Affecting Puppy Weight Gain

Several factors can influence how much a puppy gains each day:

Litter size: Larger litters may mean smaller individual gains due to competition for teats. Supplement feeding with products from our Syringe, Tube & Bottle Feeding collection with Neonate Nutrition Products can reduce competition and support pups who may struggle to nurse effectively.

Milk production: Maternal nutrition and health affect milk quantity and quality. Supplementing the dam with Calcium & Supplements may assist with this and in turn can support puppies that aren’t getting enough milk. Always check with your vet before using supplements.

Puppy strength and vigour: Weak or less active puppies may struggle to nurse effectively.

Temperature: Cold puppies use more energy to stay warm, reducing growth. Heating pads or puppy-safe heat sources such as heat lamps from our Heating & Critical Care collection can help maintain ideal temperatures.

How to Monitor Weight Effectively

• Daily weighing: Use accurate scales such as Tray or Bowl Scales
  
• Track trends: A steady increase is more important than a single day’s number.
• Record keeping: Maintain a simple chart to spot slowing or stalled growth quickly.

What to Do If Growth Slows

If a puppy isn’t gaining as expected:

• Rotate weaker puppies to prime teats during nursing.
• Provide supplemental feeding with Neonate Puppy Nutrition products and Tube, Bottle & Syringe feeding products.
• Ensure the whelping area is warm, calm, and spacious.
• Seek veterinary advice if weight loss continues or the puppy shows weakness or illness.

Final thoughts

Understanding breed-specific daily weight gain helps breeders catch problems early and give every puppy the best start in life. Accurate monitoring, timely intervention, and a supportive environment can prevent growth delays and ensure healthy development.