Collection: Royal Canin Puppy Food

Puppies can begin the transition to Royal Canin puppy food during the weaning process, typically around 4 to 6 weeks of age. Royal Canin Starter Mother & Baby, a dry kibble that rehydrates into a soft mush can be introduced from 3 weeks as a soft, easily digestible first food that bridges the gap between mother's milk and kibble. Once puppies are fully weaned (usually by 8 weeks), they can transition to the appropriate size or breed puppy kibble. Your breeder may already have started your puppy on a specific formula, in which case continuing with that same product ensures consistency.

Royal Canin puppy food runs across five size categories based on expected adult weight: X-Small Puppy for breeds under 4 kg (1.5 kg bag), Mini Puppy for 1-10 kg (800 g, 2 kg, 4 kg and 8 kg), Medium Puppy for 11-25 kg (4 kg and 15 kg), Maxi Puppy for 26-44 kg (4 kg and 15 kg) and Giant Puppy for 45 kg and over (3.5 kg and 15 kg), with Giant Junior following for the second growth phase. Fifteen breeds also have their own puppy formula, and Starter Mother & Baby covers weaning in Mini, Medium, Maxi and Giant.

The transition to adult food depends on your dog's size category. Mini breed puppies can move to adult food at around 10 months of age, when they reach their adult weight. Medium breeds typically transition at 12 months. Maxi breeds should stay on puppy food until 15 months, and Giant breeds may need puppy food until 18 to 24 months due to their extended growth period. Switching too early can deprive a growing dog of essential nutrients, while staying on puppy food too long can lead to excess weight. The packaging gives specific guidance for each formula.

Daily feeding amounts vary by formula, puppy age and current weight. Each puppy product includes a detailed feeding table that shows the recommended daily amount in grams based on your puppy's current weight and age in months. We include these feeding guides in our product descriptions at Canine & Co. As a general rule, divide the daily amount into three to four meals for puppies under 4 months, reducing to two to three meals from 4 to 6 months, and two meals from 6 months onward. Always measure portions with scales for accuracy.

Royal Canin puppy formulas contain a carefully balanced combination of nutrients for optimal development. These include high-quality, highly digestible proteins to support muscle growth, a precise calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for healthy bone and joint formation, omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA) for brain and vision development, and an antioxidant complex with vitamins E and C to support the developing immune system. Energy density is calibrated to each size category's growth rate - for example, Mini Puppy has higher energy per gram than Maxi Puppy, reflecting the faster metabolic rate of small breed puppies.

Royal Canin Maxi Puppy and Giant Puppy are specifically designed for large and giant breed puppies, and this targeted formulation is particularly important for these dogs. Large and giant breeds have extended growth periods and are vulnerable to developmental skeletal issues if they grow too quickly. These formulas contain adapted energy and mineral content - including controlled calcium levels - to promote steady, moderate growth that allows bones and joints to develop properly. The larger kibble size also encourages chewing, which aids digestion and dental development.

Yes. Royal Canin Babydog Milk is a 400 g powdered milk replacer, described on the pack as a milk substitute up to 2 months old. It is formulated without starch, because very young puppies do not yet produce enough of the enzyme needed to digest it, and it dissolves instantly into a homogeneous milk. Use it for orphaned litters, large litters, or a mother that cannot supply enough, then move to Starter Mother & Baby from around three weeks.

Starter Mother & Baby is the weaning food. It is fed to the mother through late pregnancy and lactation, and to the litter as their first solid food from about three weeks, because the kibble rehydrates into a mush that puppies without adult teeth can manage. It runs in Mini (4 kg and 8 kg), Medium (4 kg), Maxi (15 kg) and Giant (15 kg). Once puppies are fully weaned at around eight weeks, they move to the puppy formula for their size.

Yes. Puppy pouches run in Mini, Medium and Maxi, matched to the same size tiers as the dry food. A pouch works on its own for puppies that struggle with kibble, or spooned over dry food to encourage a hesitant eater. For the weeks before weaning, Babydog Milk covers newborns, and Starter Mother & Baby bridges the move from milk to solids.

You can order the Royal Canin puppy range online at canineandco.co.za: the size formulas from X-Small to Giant, fifteen breed puppy diets, Starter Mother & Baby and Babydog Milk. Orders over R550 qualify for FREE local shipping. Product pages carry the feeding table for each formula in grams per day by age, which matters with puppies because the right amount changes every few weeks.