The One Thing Most Dog Owners Get Wrong at Mealtime
Here's a small fact with a big implication: the amount of wet food your dog needs today is not the same as what they needed six months ago — or what they'll need six months from now.
Most pet parents pick a portion and stick with it. But a puppy growing from 2 months to 12 months can go from needing less than half a can a day to needing the full adult amount — and that transition window matters more than most people realise. Getting it right isn't complicated. It just requires knowing where to look.
That's exactly what this guide is here for.
Why Wet Food? The Science Behind the Bowl
Before we get to the numbers, it's worth understanding why wet food plays such an important role in your dog's diet.
Wet dog food has a naturally high moisture content, which supports hydration, aids digestion, and is easier for young or sensitive dogs to eat. It's also highly palatable, which makes it an ideal option for fussy eaters, dogs recovering from illness, or puppies transitioning from their mother's milk to solid food. At ADVANCE™, our wet dog food recipes are carefully formulated to deliver complete, balanced nutrition — backed by Waltham Petcare Science Institute research and made right here in Australia.
Whether you're feeding wet food exclusively or mixing it with ADVANCE™ dry food, the key is knowing how much your dog needs at each stage of their life.
How Much Wet Food Should I Feed My Dog Per Day?
The answer depends on two things: your dog's current age and their predicted adult weight. These two variables together tell you everything about where your dog is in their growth journey — and how much fuel they need to get there.
As a general rule, adult dogs need approximately 20–30 g of wet food per kilogram of body weight per day. But puppies are a different story entirely. Because they're growing rapidly, puppies need significantly more energy relative to their body size than adult dogs — and that energy requirement shifts month by month.
The ADVANCE™ daily feeding guide below gives you the exact amounts for ADVANCE™ wet dog food, measured in cans per day, across all key life stages.
ADVANCE™ Wet Dog Food Feeding Chart
Use your dog's predicted adult weight (not their current weight) to find the right column. Then match it to their current age in months.
By Can
| Predicted Adult Weight | 2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 9 months | 12 months | 18 months | 21+ months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 kg | Less than 1⁄2 can | Less than 3⁄4 can | Less than 1 can | Adult: Less than 3⁄4 can | Adult: Less than 3⁄4 can | Adult: Less than 3⁄4 can | Adult: Less than 3⁄4 can |
| 5 kg | 1⁄2-3⁄4 can | 3⁄4-1 can | 1 can | Adult : 3⁄4 can | Adult : 3⁄4 can | Adult : 3⁄4 can | Adult : 3⁄4 can |
| 10 kg | 1 can | 1 1⁄2 cans | 1 2⁄3 cans | 1 2⁄3 cans | Adult : 1 3⁄4 can | Adult : 1 3⁄4 can | Adult : 1 3⁄4 can |
| 25 kg | 2 cans | 2 3⁄4 - 3 cans | 3 cans | 3 cans | 3 cans | Adult: 2 1⁄2 cans | Adult: 2 1⁄2 cans |
| 50 kg | 2 3⁄4 - 3 cans | 4- 5 cans | 5 cans | 5 1⁄4 cans | 5 cans | 5 cans | Adult: 4 1⁄4 cans |
| Over 50 kg | More than 2 3⁄4 cans | More than 4 cans | More than 5 cans | More than 5 1⁄4 cans | More than 5 cans | More than 5 cans | Adult: More than 4 1⁄4 cans |
By Tray
| Predicted Adult Weight | 1 month | 3 months | 6 months | 9 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 kg | 1⁄4 - 11⁄3 trays | 1 - 3 trays | 11⁄4 - 31⁄3 trays | Adult |
| 5 kg | 12⁄3 trays | 31⁄2 trays | 4 trays | Adult |
| 10 kg | 22⁄3 trays | 53⁄4 trays | 63⁄4 trays | 62⁄3 - 63⁄4 trays |
| 15 kg | 32⁄3 - 33⁄4 trays | 8 trays | 9 - 91⁄3 trays | 9 - 91⁄4 trays |
| 20+ kg | 41⁄2 - 42⁄3 trays | 93⁄4 - 10 trays | 111⁄3 - 111⁄2 trays | 111⁄4 - 111⁄3 trays |
| Weight of dog | Wet only | Mixed Feeding - Trays | Mixed Feeding – Dry (Cups) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 5 kg | 11⁄4 - 4 trays | 2⁄3 - 2 trays | 1⁄3 cups |
| 5 - 10 kg | 4 - 63⁄4 trays | 2 - 31⁄3 trays | 1⁄3 - 2⁄3 cups |
| 10 - 25 kg | 63⁄4 - 131⁄2 trays | 31⁄3 - 63⁄4 trays | 2⁄3 - 11⁄4 cups |
| 25+ kg | More than 13 2⁄3 trays | More than 6 3⁄4 trays | More than 1 1⁄4 cups |
"Adult" means your dog is ready to transition to the ADVANCE™ adult wet dog food feeding guide. When in doubt, ask your vet.
Feeding guidelines vary between products. The amounts shown here are a general guide only — refer to the packaging for the exact recommended daily amount for your dog's weight and life stage.
Mixing wet and dry food? Simply halve the recommended daily quantities of each product. For example, if your 10kg adult-weight puppy at 4 months would receive 1 1⁄2 cans per day on wet food alone, feed 3⁄4 of a can plus the equivalent half-portion of ADVANCE™ dry food.
Understanding the Numbers: What "Adult Weight" Really Means
Predicted adult weight is your best estimate of how large your dog will be when fully grown. Your breeder is usually the most reliable source for this — they know the parents' sizes and the breed's typical range. Your vet can also help you estimate this at your puppy's first check-up.
Why does it matter? Because a puppy destined to grow into a 50kg Malamute has very different nutritional needs at 2 months than a puppy who will top out at 5kg. The higher the predicted adult weight, the more energy a puppy needs across every growth stage to support healthy development of their bones, muscles, organs, and immune system.
When to Feed Your Puppy: Meal Frequency by Age
How often you feed your puppy matters just as much as how much you feed them, especially in those first few months. Young puppies have small stomachs and high energy demands, which means they need their daily food allowance split across multiple smaller meals rather than served all at once. Here's a simple guide:
8 weeks to 3 months: 3–4 meals per day. Digestive systems are still developing, so small and frequent is the rule.
3 to 6 months: 3 meals per day. Your puppy is growing fast and needs consistent fuel throughout the day.
6 months onwards: 2 meals per day. Most dogs settle comfortably into a morning and evening routine at this stage.
Adult dogs: 2 meals per day remains the standard recommendation for most breeds and sizes.
When Does My Puppy Become an Adult? (Size by Breed Matters)
The "Adult" marker in the feeding chart above isn't tied to a fixed age — it varies depending on your dog's predicted adult size. This is one of the more surprising facts about puppy nutrition, and it's worth knowing.
Small breed dogs (predicted adult weight under 10kg) typically reach adulthood between 9 and 12 months. Medium breeds (10–25kg) transition around 12 months. Large and giant breeds (25kg and above) can remain in their puppy growth phase until 18–21 months — sometimes longer. You'll see this reflected in the feeding chart: a 50kg adult-weight dog doesn't shift to adult portions until 21 months or beyond.
This is why ADVANCE™ formulates puppy and adult wet food separately. The nutritional profile of a puppy recipe is specifically calibrated to support rapid growth — with higher protein, targeted energy levels, and key nutrients like DHA to support brain development. Switching too early means your growing dog misses out on the very nutrition that fuels everything they're building.
5 Signs You're Feeding Your Dog the Right Amount
Numbers and charts are useful, but your dog's body tells the real story. These are the signs that tell you the portion is right:
Healthy body condition. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs without pressing hard, but not see them from across the room. A visible waist when viewed from above is a good indicator of healthy weight.
Consistent energy. A well-nourished dog is alert, playful, and engaged — not lethargic, nor hyperactive with excess calories to burn.
Good coat and skin. High-quality nutrition shows up in the coat. ADVANCE™ wet food includes essential fatty acids that support skin health and coat shine.
Regular, firm stools. Digestive consistency is one of the clearest indicators that a diet is working well for your dog's system.
Stable weight over time. Your dog's weight should track broadly with their growth curve during puppyhood, then stabilise within a healthy adult range.
If any of these markers are off, it's worth revisiting portion size, using our Pet Food Finder to provide a different food recommendation or having a conversation with your vet about whether the current food is the right fit.
Transitioning to a New Food: The 7-Day Rule
Whether you're introducing ADVANCE™ wet food for the first time or shifting between puppy and adult formulas, the principle is the same: gradual is better.
A sudden change in diet can cause digestive upset — loose stools, reduced appetite, or stomach sensitivity. To avoid this, blend the new food with the old across a 7-to-10-day transition window, slowly increasing the proportion of the new food each day until the switchover is complete. It's a small effort that makes a noticeable difference to how your dog handles the change.
Feeding Dry Food Too? We've Got You Covered
Wet food and dry food work beautifully together — and if your dog eats both, there's one more thing worth knowing. The size of your measuring cup matters more than you'd think. Discover why in the ADVANCE™ Dry Dog Food Feeding Guide, where you'll find the complete puppy kibble chart by weight and age, a cups-to-grams conversion reference, and everything you need to get every meal exactly right.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cans of dog food should I feed my dog per day?
It depends on your dog's age and predicted adult weight. A small adult dog (5kg) needs around 1 can per day, while a large adult dog (50kg) may need 5 or more. Use the ADVANCE™ daily feeding chart above and adjust based on your dog's body condition.
Can I mix ADVANCE™ wet food with dry food?
Yes — and many dogs thrive on a combination. When mixing, simply halve the recommended daily amount of each food type. So if your dog's guide says 2 cans of wet food per day, feed 1 can of wet food plus the half-portion equivalent of dry food.
How much wet food does a puppy need at 2 months?
At 2 months, amounts vary significantly by predicted adult size. A tiny breed (under 5kg adult weight) needs less than half a can per day, while a giant breed (50kg+) needs closer to 3 cans per day. Always use the predicted adult weight — not current weight — to read the chart correctly.
When should I switch my puppy from puppy wet food to adult wet food?
This depends on breed size. Small breeds (under 10kg) typically transition at around 9–12 months. Medium breeds transition around 12 months, and large breeds may remain on puppy food until 18–21 months. Your vet can confirm the right timing for your individual dog.
Is wet food alone enough for a dog's complete nutrition?
ADVANCE™ wet dog food is formulated as a complete and balanced diet, meaning it provides all the nutrients your dog needs when fed in the right quantities. If you have questions about whether wet-only feeding is right for your dog's specific health needs, your vet is always the best person to ask.
How do I know if I'm feeding my dog too much?
Weight gain, low energy, and difficulty feeling the ribs under a layer of fat are the main signs. If in doubt, weigh your dog regularly and assess their body condition score. The feeding chart is a starting point — individual dogs may need slight adjustments based on their activity level and metabolism.
