How to Feed A Pup Above: Portions, Switching, and Storage

A Pup Above is gently cooked and human-grade, so it's fed differently than a bag of kibble: by weight, not by scoop, with a slower switch-over and a fridge or freezer instead of a pantry shelf. This page is the short answer to all three questions, with links to the full chart, the day-by-day switch schedule, and the storage and thawing guide for anyone who wants the detail.

How much A Pup Above should I feed my dog?

Portion by your dog's current weight and activity level, not a fixed cup measurement, and weigh the food rather than eyeballing it, since gently cooked food packs differently than kibble. Puppies need more frequent, smaller meals at a higher calorie total for their size, and senior dogs generally need less food than they did as younger adults as activity and metabolism slow down; the full feeding chart has the exact starting points and sourcing for each life stage. Weighing the food matters more with A Pup Above than with a lower-density kibble, because a fresh, human-grade recipe is more calorie-dense per cup than most dry food, so a kibble-sized scoop will usually overfeed.

For exact grams and cups by recipe, size, and weight band, use the full feeding chart by weight, which gives daily amounts by your dog's weight. The amount is the same whichever recipe you feed. If your dog has a health condition that affects appetite or weight, check with your vet before changing the amount, since individual metabolism can move the number in either direction.

How do I switch my dog to A Pup Above?

Switch gradually over about seven to ten days rather than swapping the bowl overnight. A typical schedule mixes in a small amount of the new food alongside the current diet for the first two to three days, moves to roughly half and half through the middle of the week, and finishes at full A Pup Above by day seven to ten, adjusting the pace if your dog's stool loosens along the way. In A Pup Above's own review data (1,212 approved reviews reviewed in 2026, Okendo), of the subset of recent reviews with structured transition ratings, 37 of 47 rated the switch to A Pup Above easy, so most dogs handle it without incident when the switch is gradual.

The full day-by-day transition schedule covers what to do if your dog is a slow starter or refuses a meal partway through, which is the single most common hiccup reported in that same review set.

Can I feed A Pup Above as a topper instead of a full meal?

Yes. Spooning a smaller amount of A Pup Above over your dog's regular food is a common way to introduce it without switching diets outright, and it's a lower-cost way to add real, recognizable ingredients to a meal your dog already eats. Because it changes the calorie math, reduce the base food proportionally so you're not adding calories on top of a full portion. See the dog food toppers guide for topper amounts by dog size and how topper feeding differs from a full switch.

How do I store and thaw A Pup Above fresh dog food?

A Pup Above ships frozen or well chilled and needs freezer space until you're ready to serve it, then a thaw in the refrigerator before mealtime; it is not shelf-stable and should not sit at room temperature for extended periods. Freezer space and thawing logistics come up often enough to plan for: defrost/thaw and freezer space is a recurring theme across A Pup Above's own review data, appearing in 41 of 1,212 approved reviews (Okendo review export, reviewed 2026). It's a fair question to plan for before your first order arrives rather than after: a single dog's weekly order fits into a fraction of a standard freezer's door or top shelf, not the whole unit, but it does mean setting aside dedicated space the way you would for a week of home-cooked meals.

The full storage, thawing, and serving guide covers how long a thawed pack keeps in the fridge, how to defrost faster when you're in a pinch, and how much freezer space a typical order actually takes up.

Should I rotate recipes or stick to one?

Either works, and A Pup Above is formulated so any of the seven recipes can serve as a dog's everyday food on its own. Some owners rotate between two or three recipes (Turkey Pawella, Texas Beef Stew, and Fish Gone Wild are a common combination) for variety and to reduce the odds of a dog getting bored with one flavor, which review data ties to the picky-eating pattern that shows up when a dog is fed the exact same bowl for months. Others find one recipe their dog loves and stay with it indefinitely; there's no health reason to rotate if your dog is doing well on a single recipe. If you do rotate, introduce a new recipe the same gradual way described above, over a few days rather than switching cold, since even a same-brand recipe change is still a new protein and ingredient set for your dog's gut to adjust to.

Does A Pup Above need to be fed twice a day?

Most adult dogs do best on two meals a day, spaced roughly twelve hours apart, since consistent timing supports digestion and makes it easier to notice if your dog is off their food. Puppies need three to four smaller meals instead of two larger ones, and some senior dogs do better on smaller, more frequent portions if they have digestive sensitivities. Whatever schedule you land on, feeding at the same times each day is more useful than the exact number of meals.

What if my dog has a sensitive stomach or specific health issue?

This page covers standard portioning, switching, and storage. If your dog has a diagnosed sensitivity, ongoing digestive issues, or another health condition, start with the Sensitive Stomach collection and talk to your vet about the right recipe and portion, since a symptom-specific plan can call for a different approach than the general guidelines here.

FAQ

How much A Pup Above should I feed my dog? It depends on your dog's weight, age, and activity level; use the full feeding chart for exact daily amounts by your dog's weight, plus how those shift for puppies and seniors. The amount is the same across recipes, since a patty is a pound whichever one you pick.

How long does it take to switch a dog to A Pup Above? Plan on seven to ten days, mixing in more A Pup Above and less of the old food each day. See the transition schedule for a day-by-day breakdown.

Can I feed A Pup Above as a topper on my dog's current food? Yes, spooning a portion over the existing meal is a common way to start, and it's covered in the toppers guide, including how to adjust the base portion.

How long does A Pup Above keep once it's thawed? Thawed packs should be refrigerated and used within the window described on the pack and in the storage and thawing guide; do not refreeze thawed food.

Do I need a full freezer to store A Pup Above? A single order for one dog typically takes up less space than most owners expect; the storage and thawing guide walks through the space a typical delivery takes and how to organize it.

Should I feed puppies, seniors, and adult dogs differently? Yes. Puppies need more frequent, smaller meals at a higher calorie total, and senior dogs generally need less food than they did as younger adults as activity and metabolism slow down; the feeding chart has specifics and sourcing by life stage.

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Ready to start? Browse the seven Fresh Dog Food recipes or try the Sampler Pack to find the recipe your dog likes before committing to a full size.