There are many reasons why you should always choose to feed your puppy good food that is made especially for puppies. They need a lot of nutrients to be able to grow properly, a higher protein intake so that they can build lean muscles and it’s also crucial for their development in general. In this article, we will tell you what you should look for in puppy food, give you our 11 best tips of the best dog food for puppies, describe them and tell you the ingredients.
Our tips come in alphabetic order and are:
1, Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Puppy
2, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy
3, Canidae Grain Free PURE Foundations Puppy
4, Hill’s Science Diet Large Breeds
5, Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy
9, Taste Of The Wild Pacific stream Puppy
10, Victor Purpose Active Dog And Puppy
11, Wellness Complete Health Puppy Food
What is the best food for puppies
When you first start looking at your options in the market, you may be overwhelmed by all the options. There are plenty of different types and formulas and also options if your puppy has special needs such as a sensitive stomach or if it has some kind of allergy.
What you should look for when you decide
So, what really is the best dog food for puppies? First, you should look if the food says that it is specifically puppy food, or alternatively dog food that suits all life stages. Second, you should also always look for a puppy food that has protein as the first ingredient on the list. Dogs are omnivores which means they eat both meat and plants, but the protein is a very important component in the food. This is because of the amino acids, which are essential for the tissue so it can grow and repair properly.
Another important thing is to look after the AAFCO-label. It stands for Association of American Feed Control Officials and means the food has been tested and researched by them and that it meets up to their nutrition standards.
Other aspects to keep in mind is if you have a limited budget for your puppy’s food. There are brands that are pricier and the ones that are less expensive.
Read more: Do you have a senior dog and are looking for food? Read this article.
Our tips in closer detail
1. Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Puppy
Information: The majority of the meat protein in this one comes from fresh chicken and chicken meal and is specifically formulated for small breed puppies. It contains DHA and has a good balance between fat, protein and antioxidant-rich veggies and fruits. This is the best dog food for small breed puppies in our opinion. It also has LifeSource Bits that only comes from this brand. you can read more about this on the product below.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Barley, Menhaden Fish Meal & Peas.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: Small breed puppies.
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy
Information: This is a puppy food with fresh chicken as the main meat-source. It has LifeSource Bits, which is exclusive for this brand. LifeSource bits are a perfect blend between vitamins, minerals and antioxidants carefully selected by animal nutritionists and veterinarians that for example helps with the immune system and an oxidative balance.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley & Menhaden Fish Meal.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: All puppies.
3. Canidae Grain Free PURE Foundations Puppy
Information: This grain-free puppy food has only 9 key ingredients and is a very good option if your puppy has a sensitive stomach. It has wholesome, natural ingredients and the formula provides all the nutrition your growing puppy needs. Omega fatty acids and DHA are included in optimal levels together with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your puppy’s overall health.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Chicken, Menhaden Fish Meal, Lentils, Peas, Potatoes & Dried Whole Egg.
Type of food: Grain-free.
Suits: All puppies.
4. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breeds
Information: Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breeds grain-inclusive and has an optimal level of calcium so your puppy’s bones can grow properly, which is extra important for large breeds. It also has fish oil that gives DHA, which helps the brain development and protein of high quality. In our opinion, this is the best dog food for large breed puppies.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Oats, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal & Chicken Fat.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: Large breed puppies.
5. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy
Information: Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy focus is protein and healthy fats. It has high-quality protein and whole-grains, fruit and vegetables in a good blend to give your puppy all the nutrients it needs to grow.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal & Chicken Fat.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: All puppies.
6. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate
Information: This one is a wet food and has USDA-inspected chicken and contains 96% of animal meat sources. It has all the minerals and vitamins your puppy needs and can be used as a topping on your puppy’s dry food or as a meal on its own. We think this is one of the best wet dog food for puppies because it contains such high levels of protein and all of the micronutrients you want for your puppy.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Deboned Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots & Apples.
Type of food: Grain-free
Suits: All puppies
7. Nutro Natural Choice Puppy
Information: This food supports the development of your puppy’s brain and eyes with omega fatty acids such as DHA. It also has antioxidants for the immune system and calcium for the bones and joints. With real chicken as the first ingredient, Nutro Natural Choice Puppy provides high-quality protein, optimal nutrition, and a delicious taste.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Potato Protein & Chicken Fat.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: All puppies.
8. Purina Pro Plan Puppy
Information: Purina Pro Plan Puppy contains high-quality protein, DHA, and antioxidants to help your puppy develop a strong immune system. It has no artificial flavors or colors and has the necessary vitamins such as phosphorus and calcium to help build strong teeth and bones.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Wheat & Beef Fat.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: All puppies.
9. Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Puppy
Information: This is an excellent choice if you are looking for chicken-free food for your puppy. Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Puppy is a balanced food with only salmon and fish as meat-protein source and also contains DHA and has small sized kibbles.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes & Canola Oil.
Type of food: Grain-free.
Suits: All puppies.
10. Victor Purpose Active Dog And Puppy
Information: This is a very good choice if you have an active puppy. The food is made in the US and is nutrient-dense with beef, chicken, and fish meal. With this food, you can give your puppy sustainable energy with protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Beef Meal, Peas, Sweet Potato, Chicken Fat, Menhaden Fish Meal, Blood Meal Conventionally Dried & Garbanzo Beans.
Type of food: Grain-free.
Suits: All puppies.
11. Wellness Complete Health Puppy Food
Information: Wellness Complete Health Puppy Food has natural, premium protein sources, whole grains, and antioxidants so that you can give your puppy a balanced diet that will set the terms for a long and healthy life.
First 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Peas & Chicken Fat.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: All puppies.
Read more: Do you want to know more about the best dog food brands? Read this article.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I give my puppy food for puppies?
When you should switch depends on the breed of your puppy, but around 12 months for medium and large breeds and a couple of months (around 3) earlier on small breeds and later (4 or more) on giant breeds. You can check for your specific breed if you want to know more exactly what is recommended.
What are the pros and cons of grain-free puppy food?
A grain-free diet can help your puppy’s skin, so it doesn’t flake as much, improve the breath and it is easier on the digestive system. It can also reduce the risk of allergies. The downsides are that it is more expensive and if you have a picky dog, it can be harder to find something they like.
What are the pros and cons of grain-inclusive puppy food?
Grains are a source of carbohydrates and grains such as oatmeal and rice help bind the kibble which makes it possible and healthy to feed every day. Dogs can live on glucose that comes from legumes or starchy vegetables and don’t need a grain-inclusive diet.
Get involved!
Comments