Puppy feeding guide: Diet and nutrition basics for your new puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting and part of setting them up for success is getting a good feeding routine in place. This puppy feeding guide explains what to feed them, how much, and why early nutrition matters.

Jump to:

• Why the right nutrition matters early on in your puppy’s life
• What to feed a puppy
• How much to feed a puppy
• Essential nutrients for growing puppies
• Common puppy feeding mistakes
• Vet check-ins and ongoing care
• Find the right dog insurance for your puppy

Why the right nutrition matters early on in your puppy’s life

What a puppy eats in their early months plays a big role in how their body, brain, and immune system develop. Puppies grow much faster than adult dogs, so they need a diet that gives them carefully balanced nutrients and energy. We want them to be happy, healthy, and curious!

Good nutrition in early life helps set the foundation for long-term health and wellbeing. It can help with:

• Healthy growth and bone development, especially in medium and large breeds
• Immune system support, helping puppies fight off illness as their defences mature
• Brain and vision development, which is important for learning and behaviour
• Digestive health, reducing the risk of tummy upsets during weaning and growth
• A positive relationship with food, which can make training easier and reduce the risk of obesity later on.

What to feed a puppy

The most important rule when it comes to deciding what to feed a puppy is to choose a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO or AS5812 standards.

These standards confirm the food:

• Gives a puppy all the essential nutrients they need, in the correct amounts
• Has been formulated or tested to support healthy growth, bone development, and overall wellbeing.

Dry puppy food, wet food, or both?

Both dry and wet foods can be suitable for puppies, and many pup parents choose a mix of the two.

Dry food (kibble)

• Helps support dental health through chewing
• Easy to measure and store
• Can be more cost-effective for daily feeding.

Wet food

• Has a higher moisture content, which can support hydration
• Can be more appealing for fussy eaters
• Easier to chew for very young puppies.

Mixed feeding can give your puppy variety but it’s important to portion correctly to prevent overfeeding. Be sure to also give your puppy access to fresh water throughout the day so they can stay hydrated.

Foods to avoid giving your puppy

Some foods aren’t suitable to give to your puppy, such as:

• Kitten or cat food – this contains different nutrient levels and too much taurine (an essential amino acid for cats that dogs can already make themselves)
• Homemade diets – there’s a risk you could miss out key nutrients
• Foods not labelled for growth or puppies – these may not support healthy development for your growing four-legged friend.

If you’re unsure about a particular brand or diet type, your vet can help you choose an option that suits your puppy’s breed, size, and lifestyle.

How much to feed a puppy

Portion size is just as important as food choice for your puppy. While they need enough energy to grow, giving your pup too much food can lead to rapid weight gain. This can then put stress on developing bones and joints – a big no-no.

For most puppies:

• Three to four small meals per day usually work well when they’re very young – this helps maintain steady energy levels and supports digestion
• Meals can gradually be reduced to two meals per day as they grow – usually by around six to 12 months, depending on breed.

Here are some general feeding tips:

• Ask your vet for guidance on how much to feed your puppy based on their breed, age, and body condition – the general guides on food packaging can be too broad
• Regularly monitor their weight, especially during growth spurts
• Avoid free-feeding (where food is left out all day).

Portions for large breeds

Large and giant breed puppies need extra care as overfeeding can increase the risk of joint and bone problems later in life.

A controlled growth diet helps support steady development rather than rapid weight gain.

Feeding your puppy treats

Training treats can be a great reward during training sessions but they still count as food. If you’re regularly using treats, you’ll want to slightly reduce meal sizes to help balance overall daily calories.

And remember there’s other rewards you can use for positive reinforcement – praise, toys, and cuddles! Learn more in our guide on how to train your puppy.

Essential nutrients for growing puppies

As we mentioned earlier, puppy food is carefully designed to include nutrients that support growth.

Understanding the basics can help you feel confident about what’s in your puppy’s bowl. Always speak to your vet before adding any supplements to your puppy’s diet.

Protein
Supports muscle development, tissue repair and immune health. Puppies need higher protein levels than adult dogs to fuel growth.

Fats
Give your puppy energy and help their body to absorb vitamins. Healthy fats also support skin and coat condition.

Calcium and phosphorus
Work together to support bone and tooth development. Getting the balance is important, especially for larger breeds.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Support brain development, vision, skin health, and coat quality.

Vitamins and minerals
Help with everything from immune function to metabolism and organ health.

Common puppy feeding mistakes to avoid

It’s easy to make mistakes with your puppy’s care, especially if you’re a first-time puppy parent. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Feeding your puppy cow’s milk – many puppies can’t digest lactose properly, leading to diarrhoea
• Giving them raw meaty bones without guidance – this can risk choking, blockages, or bacteria
• Offering your puppy too many treats or human foods – while meant with love, this can unbalance their diet and may contain toxic ingredients (such as onions and garlic)
• Making sudden food changes – while you may want to try your puppy on a new food type or brand, doing this can upset their digestion and cause vomiting or loose stools.

If you need to change foods, do so gradually over several days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old.

Vet check-ins and ongoing care

Regular vet visits are an important part of your puppy’s nutrition journey. During check-ups, your vet can look at their body condition, growth rate and overall health.

Vet guidance is especially helpful when:

• Adjusting food amounts during growth spurts
• Transitioning from puppy to adult food
• Managing breed-specific needs
• Dealing with digestive issues or food sensitivities.

Nutrition needs change as your puppy grows, so ongoing advice helps make sure their diet follows their development.

Find the right dog insurance for your puppy

When choosing puppy insurance, it can help to look past the upfront cost and think about the level of support it could offer if your puppy ever needs veterinary care.

Petcover Australia offers a range of cover options to suit different puppies, lifestyles and budgets.

Whether you’re looking for broader cover or a simpler option focused on accidents, we can help you find the right policy.

FAQs

How long should my dog eat puppy food?

Most dogs stay on puppy food until around 12 months but larger breeds may need to stick to a puppy diet for longer. Your vet can advise on the right timing for your pup’s breed.

Can I feed a raw diet to my puppy?

Raw diets can carry risks if not properly balanced, so it’s essential to speak with your vet before going down the raw route.

Is grain-free food better for puppies?

Grain-free diets aren’t necessary for most puppies. A vet may recommend them for specific health reasons, such as a gluten intolerance.

References: Petbarn, Greencross Vets, RSPCA