How often should you weigh a puppy? A schedule that fits real life
Updated October 31, 2026 · 2 min read · by the PupCurve editorial team
There's no point weighing a puppy every day after the first two weeks, and no point never weighing it at all. Here's a schedule that gets you the information that matters without turning your puppy into a lab animal.
The short schedule
| Age | How often | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to 2 weeks | Daily | Failure to gain is the earliest warning sign |
| 2 weeks to 8 weeks | Every 3 days, then weekly | Confirms weaning is going well |
| 8 weeks to 6 months | Weekly | Fast growth, and the forecast tightens fastest here |
| 6 to 12 months | Every 2 to 4 weeks | Growth slows; watch for gaining too fast |
| Over 12 months | Monthly for large and giant breeds, then every few months | Large dogs keep filling out |
Weighing without a puppy scale
Under about 10 lb: a kitchen scale and a shallow box. Over that: a bathroom scale. Weigh yourself, then yourself holding the puppy, and subtract. Do it the same way each time, in the same place, ideally before a meal. A full stomach or bladder can add a few percent in a small puppy, which is noise you'd rather not chase.
Many vets will let you pop in and weigh your puppy for free. If you're in the middle of the vaccine series, you'll be there anyway, so ask for the number and write it down.
What to do with the numbers
- Write down date, weight and the scale you used.
- Look at the line, not the dot. One high or low reading is often noise. A direction over three readings is information.
- Plot them against a growth curve. The puppy growth calculator will do it, and a free PupCurve account stores the history.
- Use the forecast to set food amounts with your vet, not instead of your vet.
What changes should send you to the vet
- Weight loss in a puppy that is still growing.
- No gain over two to three weeks in a young puppy.
- Very fast gain in a large or giant breed, because growing too fast in these dogs puts more load on developing joints.
- A belly that looks swollen while the weight doesn't match, which can mean worms or something else.
Why it matters even for a healthy puppy
Vets tend to say the same thing: prevention is easier than correction. A puppy that slides from lean to a bit round over several months is easy to correct if you can see it happening. The log is also what your vet and any future owner will want to see. A weight history tells a vet more than a single reading at the next visit.
Questions people ask
Can I weigh my puppy every day?
In the first two weeks, yes, and it's recommended. After that, daily weights add noise. Weekly is enough up to 6 months.
How do I weigh a large puppy at home?
Weigh yourself on a bathroom scale, then holding the puppy, and subtract. Do it the same way every time.
When should I stop weighing my puppy?
Don't stop, just space it out. Monthly is fine for large breeds after a year, and every few months for adults.
My puppy's weight went down a little. Should I worry?
One small dip is often scale noise or a full bladder the first time. A drop on two readings in a row, or any loss in a young puppy, is worth a call to the vet.
Sources
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about a puppy, call your vet. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency clinic.