This is a specific conversation about Dog food — finding the right one — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
A young Cavapoo in a small flat with limited outdoor space — that's actually a really common situation, and the overfeeding worry is a smart one to have early. Cavapoos are small dogs with relatively modest energy needs, and at six months they're still in the puppy phase but transitioning fast. The wrong food, or too much of the right one, can set bad habits and weight patterns that are hard to undo. What are you currently feeding, and have you noticed any digestive issues or fussiness so far?
I've just been using whatever the breeder gave me — it was a generic puppy kibble, something from a supermarket. She seems fine on it but I genuinely don't know how much to give her and I'm worried she's going to get chubby.
inparticular.ai
That's a really honest starting point — and the fact that she's tolerating it fine means her digestion isn't fragile, which helps. The issue with generic supermarket kibble is usually the calorie density and the feeding guides, which tend to be on the generous side because they're written for averages. A Cavapoo in a flat doing short walks is burning noticeably less than a dog with a garden or long daily runs. Can I ask roughly how much she weighs now, and is she lean, about right, or already looking a bit rounded?
She's about 5kg. The vet said she's a healthy weight at her last check but I want to keep it that way. She gets two short walks a day, maybe 20 minutes each.
inparticular.ai
Perfect — 5kg and healthy weight is exactly where you want her, and those two short walks are genuinely fine for a Cavapoo of her size. The goal now is a food that gives her complete puppy nutrition without excess calories, and crucially one with a precise, trustworthy feeding guide for small breeds. My recommendation is Royal Canin Miniature Puppy. It's formulated specifically for small-breed puppies under 10kg, has controlled calorie density, and the portion guide is calibrated tightly enough that you can follow it with confidence and not overfeed. It also supports dental health, which matters for Cavapoos as they finish teething. It's widely available on Amazon UK and not dramatically expensive. Feed by weight, use the guide strictly, and weigh her monthly — you'll stay in control.
That sounds good. How long does she stay on puppy food though — when do I switch to adult?
inparticular.ai
For a small breed like a Cavapoo, typically around 10 to 12 months. They reach adult size faster than larger breeds, so there's no need to stretch puppy food out to 18 months the way you would with a Labrador. Royal Canin actually has a Miniature Adult version that's a natural next step when the time comes, so the transition is easy. For now you've got roughly four to six months on the puppy formula — just keep monitoring her weight and you'll be in great shape.
Really helpful, thank you. I'll order the Royal Canin Miniature Puppy.
inparticular.ai
Good choice. Measure portions by weight rather than volume if you can — a small kitchen scale makes a real difference with tiny dogs where even 10 or 15 grams either way adds up over a week. You're clearly thinking about this the right way, and catching it early is what keeps small dogs healthy long-term.