The right food gives your puppy the energy, protein and specific nutrients they need to grow into a healthy adult dog. With so many formulas on the shelf, the trick is matching the food to your puppy's size, stage and any special dietary needs, then feeding it consistently while they grow.
This guide walks through what makes puppy food different from adult food, how to pick by breed size, and our best-selling puppy foods at Petdirect right now. For the complete new-puppy picture, our free Petdirect Puppy Guide covers feeding, training, health and more.
Quick answer: Feed a complete puppy formula made for your dog's eventual adult size. Small breeds do well on Royal Canin Mini Puppy, medium breeds on Royal Canin Medium Puppy or Black Hawk Medium Breed Puppy, and large or giant breeds on a dedicated large-breed formula like Royal Canin Maxi Puppy or Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed.
Puppies eat around three small meals a day up to five months, then two meals a day. Most puppies move to adult food between 10 and 24 months depending on breed size.
What makes puppy food different?
Growing puppies burn energy fast and need more of certain nutrients than adult dogs. A good puppy formula is built around that growth, not just scaled-down adult food.
More energy
Puppies need more calories per kilo of body weight than adults to fuel constant growth and play. Puppy formulas pack that energy into smaller, digestible servings.
DHA for brain and eyes
DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid often from fish oil, supports healthy brain and eye development during the first months of life.
Quality protein and fat
Named meat proteins and the right fat levels help build lean muscle and keep skin and coat in good condition as your puppy grows.
Balanced calcium
Controlled calcium and phosphorus support steady bone growth. This matters most for large and giant breeds, whose joints develop over a longer window.
Match the food to your puppy's size
Breed size shapes both which formula to choose and how long your puppy stays on it. Small breeds finish growing far sooner than giant breeds, so they move to adult food earlier.
| Breed size | Adult weight | Switch to adult food | Considered senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Up to 10 kg | Around 10 months | 8+ years |
| Medium | 11 to 25 kg | Around 12 months | 7+ years |
| Large | 26 to 44 kg | Around 15 to 18 months | 6+ years |
| Giant | 45 kg and over | Around 18 to 24 months | 5+ years |
Large and giant breed puppies should stay on a dedicated large-breed puppy formula rather than a standard one. Our guide on why is worth a read: large breed puppy nutrition explained.
Best puppy dry food picks
Kibble is the everyday staple for most puppies: complete, easy to portion and simple to store. These are our best-selling puppy dry foods, grouped by breed size.
Small breeds
Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food
Small kibble sized for little mouths, with tailored nutrition for small breeds up to 10 kg.
Black Hawk Original Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice
Grain-inclusive recipe with Australian chicken and rice, sized for small breed puppies.
Medium breeds
Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food
A long-standing favourite for medium breed puppies, supporting digestive health and natural defences.
Black Hawk Original Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice
Balanced everyday nutrition with quality protein for steady medium breed growth.
Pro Plan Puppy Medium Breed Chicken Dry Dog Food
Rich in protein with colostrum to support developing immune health.
Large and giant breeds
Royal Canin Maxi Puppy Dry Dog Food
Formulated for large breed puppies with controlled energy and support for growing bones and joints.
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Precise nutrition with balanced minerals for controlled bone growth in large breed puppies.
Black Hawk Original Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice
A large-breed recipe with the right energy balance for slower, steadier growth.
Pro Plan Puppy Large Breed Chicken Dry Dog Food
High-protein large-breed formula built for muscle development and joint support.
Eukanuba Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Complete large-breed nutrition with quality animal protein for active, growing puppies.
Premium all-rounders
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Dry Dog Food
DHA from fish oil for brain and eye development, with high-quality protein for lean muscle.
ACANA Puppy Dry Dog Food
Rich in quality animal ingredients for puppies who thrive on a meat-forward recipe.
Orijen Puppy Dry Dog Food
Packed with fresh and raw animal ingredients for a nutrient-dense, high-protein diet.
Wet and mixed feeding
Wet food is highly palatable, adds moisture and can tempt a fussy eater. Many owners mix wet and dry to get the best of both. If you do, keep the combined amount within your puppy's daily allowance.
Royal Canin Mini Wet Puppy Food
Soft, palatable loaf for small breed puppies, easy to serve on its own or alongside kibble.
Black Hawk Original Puppy Chicken Wet Dog Food
Tender chicken recipe with the wholesome ingredients Black Hawk is known for.
Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Entree Wet Dog Food
A tasty entree that pairs well with Pro Plan dry for a mixed-feeding routine.
Sensitive tummies and grain-free
If your puppy has a delicate stomach or itchy skin, a gentler recipe can help. Introduce any new food gradually and watch how they settle. For more, see our guide to the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Mackerel
Easily digestible salmon and mackerel formula for puppies prone to tummy or skin sensitivities.
Addiction Grain-Free Salmon Bleu Dry Puppy Food
A grain-free recipe built around salmon for puppies who suit a novel-protein diet.
How to switch your puppy to a new food
Change food gradually over about a week to avoid an upset stomach. Mix a little of the new food into the old, then shift the balance across each day:
- Days 1 to 2: around 25% new food, 75% current food.
- Days 3 to 4: a 50/50 mix.
- Days 5 to 6: around 75% new food, 25% current food.
- Day 7: 100% new food.
For step-by-step help, see how to safely switch dog food, and use our puppy feeding calculator to get the daily amount right.
Never run out of puppy food
Set your puppy's food up on Autodeliver and it arrives on a schedule that suits you, so you always have the next bag ready as they grow. Members also earn rewards through Pet Perks. Free shipping applies to orders over $79, with a flat $5.90 fee under that.
Shop puppy foodFrequently asked questions
How often should I feed my puppy?
Up to around five months, feed roughly three small meals a day. From about five months, most puppies move to two meals a day. Always measure the daily amount rather than free-feeding.
When should my puppy switch to adult food?
It depends on size. Small breeds move around 10 months, medium breeds around 12 months, and large or giant breeds between 15 and 24 months. See when to switch your puppy to adult food for the full timing guide.
Can I feed my large breed puppy a regular puppy food?
It is better to use a dedicated large-breed puppy formula. These control energy and minerals to support slower, steadier bone growth, which suits larger frames.
Is wet or dry food better for puppies?
Both can be complete and balanced. Dry food is easy to portion and store, while wet food adds moisture and palatability. Many owners feed a mix; just keep the total within the daily allowance.
How much should I feed my puppy each day?
Start with the feeding guide on the pack for your puppy's weight and age, then adjust to keep them in lean body condition. Our puppy feeding calculator can help you dial it in.
Should I choose grain-free puppy food?
Grain-free suits some puppies, but grains are a useful energy source for most. Choose based on how your puppy does on the food rather than the label alone.
How do I change my puppy's food without upsetting their stomach?
Transition over about a week, gradually increasing the new food while reducing the old. If your puppy does not settle, slow the change down.
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