Why do puppies need special food?

What your puppy eats in the first year of life has a direct effect on their growth, skeletal development and immune system. It also influences their risk of developing obesity later in life. Puppy food has the right balance of energy, protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus to help your puppy develop properly, it is also highly digestible which is good for sensitive stomachs.

How often should I feed my puppy?

The number of meals your puppy needs each day changes as they grow. Very young pups (under 4 months) have tiny tummies and high energy requirements, so they do best with 3-4 small meals spread throughout the day. From 4 to 6 months, you can usually reduce this to 2-3 meals. Once they're over 6 months old, two meals a day is generally the standard. Sticking to a regular schedule helps with digestion and toilet training !

When can my puppy switch to adult dog food?

It's crucial to keep your puppy on a specialised puppy formula until they are fully grown. Adult food lacks the specific balance of protein, fat, calcium, and calories they need for healthy development. The timing of the switch depends on their expected adult size. Small breeds (under 10kg): ~10-12 months Medium breeds (10-25kg): ~12 months Large breeds (over 25kg): 15-18 months Giant breeds (over 40kg): 18-24 months Always check the feeding guide on your puppy food bag or consult your vet or our Vet Squad for the best time to transition.

Is wet or dry food better for my puppy?

Both wet and dry foods are excellent choices, as long as they are specifically formulated for puppies, or 'all-life-stage' and labelled 'complete and balanced'. Dry food (kibble) is great for dental health, as the chewing action helps reduce tartar buildup. It's also convenient and often more economical. Wet food has a higher moisture content, which is fantastic for hydration, and its strong aroma can entice fussy eaters . Many pet parents find that a combination of both ( mixed feeding ) works perfectly.

Can I give my puppy human food?

It's best to avoid giving your puppy table scraps. Many common human foods like chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, and anything containing the artificial sweetener xylitol are toxic to dogs. Sharing your dinner can also lead to an unbalanced diet, tummy upsets, and encourage fussy eating habits. Stick to a high-quality puppy food and use puppy-safe treats for training.

My puppy is eating their food too fast, what should I do?

Some pups get so excited they inhale their food in seconds! This can lead to vomiting, gagging, or a dangerous condition called bloat , particularly in larger breed pups. To slow them down, try feeding smaller portions more frequently throughout the day, or use a slow feeder bowl or a food puzzle toy . These have obstacles that make your puppy work for their food, turning mealtime into a fun and enriching mental challenge.

Last Updated: 15/05/2026

What To Feed Your Puppy

What should you feed your new puppy? Our vet guide breaks down the best food for small, medium, and large breeds. Learn why size-specific nutrition is crucial and see our top recommendations for a healthy, happy start to life.

Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)

Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read

golden retriever puppy standing next to dry food in bowl

Of all the exciting things that come with bringing a new puppy home - one of the most important first steps is choosing the right food. What you put in your puppy’s bowl is the foundation for a long, healthy, and happy life.

Growing puppies aren't just mini adult dogs; they have unique and demanding nutritional needs. Their bodies are working overtime to build strong bones, develop sharp minds, and support a robust immune system. It’s a massive job for such a little body!

With a sometimes dizzying array of options to choose, from dry kibble to wet food and breed-specific formulas, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide is here to help you choose the best diet for your puppy.

Large and giant breed puppies

golden retriever puppy standing outdoors in long grass

Large breeds (adult weight over 25kg) and Giant breeds (adult weight over 45kg) are at risk of developing bone and joint problems if fed a diet that is too high in energy or has the incorrect balance of calcium and phosphorus. They also can take 18 to 24 months to finish growing! Large and giant breed puppy foods are specifically formulated to help support a slower, longer growth period, prevent developmental bone and joint problems and support lean muscle development during their growth.

Along with diets designed exclusively for specific large breeds of puppies like Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers, Royal Canin also produces a giant breed puppy food for giant puppies up to 8 months of age, and giant breed junior food, designed from 8 months until 18-24 months of age.

Shop all large and giant breed puppy food

Medium breed puppies

Medium breed puppies (adult weight between 11kg and 25kg) are often working and very active breeds, like Border Collies and Kelpies. It is important that they are fed a puppy formulation to meet their energy needs while ensuring robust skeletal development.

Most standard puppy foods are suitable for medium breeds, however some are specifically formulated with medium breed puppies in mind.

Shop all medium breed puppy food

Small breed puppies

Small breed puppies (with an adult weight less than 10kg) have special needs too! Breeds like Maltese Terriers, Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles and Jack Russell Terriers mature quickly and have higher energy needs.

Small breed puppy formulations are designed to meet these energy needs while ensuring the right balance of nutrients for growth and development. They also have smaller kibble sizes to make them easier for little mouths to chew.

Shop all small breed puppy food

Introducing a New Food to Your Puppy

When you first bring your puppy home you should start by feeding the food that they were eating at their previous home. Suddenly changing a puppy's food can result in tummy upsets and diarrhoea so it should be avoided.

Over a period of one to two weeks you can gradually transition your puppy across to new diets.

For information on how to transition your puppy's diet, read through our guide to How to Introduce a New Food to Your Pet.

To begin with, you should feed your puppy three to four small meals a day. As every puppy formulation is different and your puppy's energy requirements will increase as they grow, check the feeding guide on the packaging to ensure that you are feeding the correct amount for your puppy's weight.

For more information, read through our guide to How Much and How Often to Feed Your Puppy.

FAQs

Choosing the right food for your new puppy is one of the most impactful decisions you'll make for their lifelong health and wellbeing. By selecting a premium, complete and balanced diet tailored to their specific breed size, you are providing the essential building blocks for healthy growth and development.

Remember to introduce any new food gradually to avoid tummy upsets, and enjoy the journey with your happy, thriving new companion.

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History

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Fri 15 May 2026

Edited by Dr Antonella Virina DVM

View more history

About the Author

Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)

Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)