Puppy Food Guide: How to Choose, How Much to Feed and When to Switch

November 9, 2026

Choosing the right puppy food depends on your pup’s age, breed size and activity level. Puppies need a complete and balanced growth food made for puppies until they reach adult size. This guide explains what to look for, compares wet and dry puppy food we stock, and covers how often to feed and when to switch to adult food.

Key takeaways

• Choose a complete and balanced food labelled for puppies or growth. RSPCA Australia says it should suit your puppy’s life stage and health status.
• Puppies should eat small meals at least 4 times a day to begin with, then fewer meals as they grow, says RSPCA Australia.
• Match the food to your puppy’s expected adult size. Small breeds grow up faster, while large and giant breeds can take 18 to 24 months to reach adulthood, says VCA Animal Hospitals.
• Change foods slowly, over about 7 to 10 days, by mixing the new food with the old one.
• Always give fresh water, and do not give your puppy cow’s milk.

Quick comparison table

The table below compares six puppy foods we stock, three wet and three dry. It shows the format, pack size and the kind of puppy each one suits. Each product page has the full feeding guide, so always check the pack for how much to feed your puppy by age and weight.

What to look for when buying puppy food

Choosing the right puppy food means knowing your pup’s age, size and needs. Your puppy’s diet shapes their growth and energy. RSPCA Australia says the base of the diet should be a balanced commercial puppy food. Here is how RSPCA Australia puts it:

The basis of your puppy’s diet should be a high quality balanced premium commercial puppy food that is appropriate for their life stage and health status.

RSPCA Australia, What should I feed my puppy?

Start by checking the life stage on the label. A food marked “puppy” or “growth” is made for a growing dog. VCA Animal Hospitals says to look for a statement on the label that the food meets the needs for growth. A food made for all life stages is also fine for puppies.

Puppy food is not the same as adult food. The MSD Veterinary Manual says diets for growing puppies should contain at least 22.5% protein on a dry matter basis, compared with at least 18% for adult dogs. A food labelled for growth is made to meet these higher needs.

Consider your puppy’s breed size. Large and giant breed puppies need different nutrition than small breeds. Small breed recipes come in smaller kibble that is easier for tiny mouths to chew. RSPCA Australia also says any food you offer should meet the Australian Standard for pet food (AS5812) or an equal international standard.

Look for these points on the pack:

• Labelled “complete and balanced” for puppies, growth or all life stages
• A named protein such as chicken, lamb, turkey or fish
• A recipe for your puppy’s expected adult size: small, medium or large breed
• A clear feeding guide by age and weight
• Wet, dry or both, to suit your puppy and your routine

Check feeding guidelines on the package. Darwin Vet Hospital says that up to four to six months of age, puppies should have 3 to 4 meals a day, and meals can drop to 2 a day after 6 months of age. Wet, dry or mixed feeding can all work.

Watch your puppy’s response. If problems appear, talk to your vet before you change foods. RSPCA Australia says your vet can weigh your pup, check their body condition and advise how much and what to feed.

1. Advance Puppy Wet Food Tins

Advance Puppy Wet Food Tins, Chicken & Rice, 12 x 410g is a wet food made for growing puppies. The carton holds twelve 410g tins of chicken and rice. Advance is an Australian brand, and the product page says its foods are made by dog nutritionists in the Central Tablelands of NSW.

Each tin can be served on its own or mixed with Advance puppy dry food. The chicken and rice mix is a classic, gentle combination, and wet food adds moisture to the daily diet. Puppies often like the soft texture, which can help at mealtimes.

Pros:

• Made for puppies, with a chicken and rice recipe
• Soft texture for puppies who need encouragement at mealtimes
• Mix and match with puppy kibble
• Value carton of 12 tins

Cons:

• Needs to go in the fridge after opening
• A 410g tin may be more than a small puppy eats in one meal

Verdict: A handy wet food for adding moisture and variety to your puppy’s routine.

2. Ivory Coat Puppy Grain Free Chicken Stew

Ivory Coat Puppy Grain Free Chicken Stew, 12 x 400g is a grain-free wet food for puppies. The product page says Australian meat is the number one ingredient. It is complete and balanced, so you can serve it on its own or mix it through kibble.

The recipe has no added wheat, corn, rice or soy, and no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. The stew format has chunks in gravy, which many puppies find tasty. The carton holds twelve 400g tins.

• Australian meat as the number one ingredient
• No added wheat, corn, rice or soy
• Complete and balanced, so it can be fed alone
• Stew texture with added moisture

Drawbacks to consider:

• Wet food needs to go in the fridge after opening
• Less convenient to store than a bag of dry food

Verdict: A good pick for owners who want a grain-free wet puppy food.

3. Advance Puppy Wet Food Trays

Advance Puppy Wet Food Trays, Chicken & Rice, 12 x 100g come as 100g single portions, so every meal is fresh and there is no opened tin sitting in the fridge. The product page says the trays suit small breed puppies, or work as a topper for larger pups.

Key features:

• 12 trays per pack, 100g each
• Chicken and rice recipe made for puppies
• Easy to peel and serve
• Serve alone or with Advance puppy kibble

Cons:

• More packaging than a large tin
• One flavour in this pack

Verdict: Simple, single-serve meals for small puppies or as a topper.

Dry puppy food by breed size

Dry food keeps well once opened and is easy to measure. Choose a recipe for your puppy’s expected adult size. VCA Animal Hospitals explains how long puppies take to grow. Here are dry puppy foods we stock, grouped by expected adult size.

Puppies grow quickly, maturing to adulthood by the time they are 10–12 months of age for small and medium-sized breeds and up to 18–24 months for large and giant breeds.

VCA Animal Hospitals, Feeding growing puppies

The product page for Ivory Coat Puppy Grain Free Chicken lists 32% protein, with Australian chicken as the number one ingredient. Black Hawk Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Rice is 100% Australian made, says its product page. The Advance small breed rehydratable kibble can be softened with warm water for easier eating. You can browse every dry recipe in our dog food range.

Wet vs dry puppy food

Wet puppy food has much more moisture. The US Food and Drug Administration says canned pet food is typically 75 to 78% moisture, while dry pet food is typically 10 to 12%. Wet food is often tasty to young puppies. Dry food keeps longer once opened, while wet food must go in the fridge after opening. Many owners mix both: some wet food with kibble at main meals.

If you mix wet and dry, count both in the daily amount so you do not overfeed. Other wet puppy foods we stock include Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Savory Stew Chicken & Veg tins, SavourLife Puppy Grain Free Chicken tins, 12 x 375g and Black Hawk Puppy Wet Food Pouches. The SavourLife product page says its puppy loaf is made with 95% animal ingredients.

How much and how often to feed a puppy

Puppies should be offered food at least 4 times a day to begin with, then fewer meals as they grow, says RSPCA Australia. It also warns not to underfeed or overfeed puppies, and that overfeeding, mainly in large and giant breeds, can lead to muscle and bone problems.

• From 6 to 12 weeks of age, 3 or 4 meals a day (Gladesville Veterinary Hospital)
• Up to 4 to 6 months of age, 3 to 4 meals a day (Darwin Vet Hospital)
• After 6 months of age, 2 meals a day (Darwin Vet Hospital)
• Follow the feeding guide on the pack by age and weight, and adjust with your vet’s advice

VCA Animal Hospitals says portion feeding, where you offer a set amount each day, gives the best chance to keep a puppy at a healthy weight. Treats count too, so keep dog treats small during training.

When to switch to adult dog food

Keep your puppy on puppy food until they are fully grown. Gladesville Veterinary Hospital says dogs should stay on a puppy diet until at least 12 months of age, and up to 24 months depending on breed. Large breed puppies grow for longer, so they stay on puppy food for longer.

Make the switch slowly. Darwin Vet Hospital says to mix new food with the old diet over 7 to 10 days, slowly adding more of the new food. This helps avoid an upset tummy. Ask your vet if you are not sure when your puppy is fully grown.

Setting up mealtimes for a new puppy

When you bring your puppy home, keep feeding the same food they had before for at least a few days, says Darwin Vet Hospital. Then change slowly if you want to switch. Fresh drinking water must be available at all times, and RSPCA Australia says not to offer milk, as it can cause tummy upsets.

A calm routine helps. Feed in the same spot, at the same times. Our guides to crate training a puppy and puppy pads cover the rest of the routine, and the pet supplies checklist lists the basics to have ready. Chew toys from our dog toys range can help during teething, which RSPCA Australia says happens between 4 and 6 months of age.

If you would like food, treats and toys delivered each month, see our monthly pet box.

Specific questions about puppy food

Puppy owners often ask the same questions about feeding, from the first meals at home to the switch to adult food. The answers follow the RSPCA Australia, VCA and vet clinic advice cited in this guide. Always check the feeding guide on the pack too.

What is the best puppy food to start with?

Start with a complete and balanced food labelled for puppies or growth, in a recipe for your puppy’s expected adult size. For the first few days at home, keep feeding the food your puppy already eats, then change slowly over 7 to 10 days if you want to switch.

How many times a day should I feed my puppy?

RSPCA Australia says puppies should be offered food at least 4 times a day to begin with, then fewer meals as they grow. Vet clinics such as Darwin Vet Hospital suggest 3 to 4 meals a day until 4 to 6 months of age, then 2 meals a day.

When should I switch my puppy to adult dog food?

Switch once your puppy is fully grown. VCA Animal Hospitals says small and medium breeds reach adulthood at about 10 to 12 months, while large and giant breeds can take 18 to 24 months. Make the change slowly over 7 to 10 days to avoid an upset tummy.

What is the difference between wet and dry puppy food?

Wet puppy food has more moisture and a soft texture that many puppies like. Dry food keeps longer once opened and is easy to measure. Wet food must go in the fridge after opening. Many owners feed a mix of both.

Should I choose large breed or small breed puppy food?

Choose the recipe that matches your puppy’s expected adult size. Small breed foods have smaller kibble for small mouths. Large breed puppy foods are made for dogs that grow for longer. Ask your vet if you are unsure of your puppy’s adult size.

Can I give my puppy milk?

No. RSPCA Australia says not to offer puppies milk, as it can cause tummy upsets. Gladesville Veterinary Hospital adds that cow’s milk does not agree with all pups. Give fresh, clean drinking water at all times instead, and keep the water bowl clean.

How do I know if I am feeding my puppy the right amount?

Follow the feeding guide on the pack for your puppy’s age and weight, and use set portions rather than leaving food out all day. Take your puppy to the vet regularly to check their weight and body condition.

References

The advice in this guide comes from the animal welfare and veterinary sources below. Product details come from each product page on our site. Ask your vet if your puppy has special needs.

• RSPCA Australia, What should I feed my puppy?
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Feeding growing puppies
• Darwin Vet Hospital, Diet and nutrition
• Gladesville Veterinary Hospital, Feeding your puppy
• RSPCA UK, What to feed your dog
• MSD Veterinary Manual, Nutritional requirements of small animals
• US Food and Drug Administration, “Complete and balanced” pet food

Dr Jay Rollings BSc DVM

Veterinarian – Dr Jay Rollings is a skilled veterinarian with 12 years experience in wildlife research and conservation

During veterinary school, he contributed to projects involving species such as hammerhead sharks, Shark Bay mice, woylies, mulgara, and kangaroos, gaining valuable hands-on experience in wildlife health and preservation.