The 7 Best Dog Foods For Puppies
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Nothing is more adorable than a puppy. However, puppies are not just adorable; they are also a lot of work.
The first year of your puppy’s life will shape it into the adult dog it will become. Training starts as soon as you bring your puppy home, and the food you feed it will determine its long-term health and wellness, so choose wisely!
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about your puppy’s nutritional requirements and to receive our picks of the best dog food for them.
Compare Best Dog Foods For Puppies
BEST FOR SMALL-BREED PUPPIES  5. Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR LARGE-BREED PUPPIES  6. Wellness Complete Health Large-Breed Puppy Food | BEST FOR ALLERGIES  7. Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy Food | ||||
Protein 10% Min | Protein 7.9% Min | Protein 32% Min | Protein 27% Min | Protein 28% Min | Protein 29% Min | Protein 30% Min |
Fat 7% Min | Fat 5.5% Min | Fat 18% Min | Fat 12% Min | Fat 16% Min | Fat 13% Min | Fat 12% Min |
Fiber 2% Max | Fiber 0.9% Max | Fiber 4% Max | Fiber 4% Max | Fiber 3% Max | Fiber 5% Max | Fiber 4% Max |
Calories 1,380 kcal/kg | Calories 41 Kcal/oz | Calories 370 kcal/cup | Calories 347 kcal/cup | Calories 390 kcal/cup | Calories 366 kcal/cup | Calories 520 kcal/cup |
Keep reading to see our top 7 recommendations for the best dog food for puppies.
The Top 7 Best Dog Foods For Puppies Reviewed
The best dog food for puppies will be rich in high-quality protein and healthy animal fats. It should be made with all-natural ingredients and formulated for your puppy’s breed size as well.
This is the easiest way to ensure that it grows at the right rate and gets all the nutrients it needs.
Here are our top 7 picks for the best dog food for puppies that you should consider:
Ollie Dog Food Healthy Tasty Lamb Fare Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 1,380 kcal/kg
- Meals are customized based on your dogs profile
- Four different meal flavors available
- Free shipping and delivered right to your door
- Recipes overseen by a vet and are human grade ingredients
- Price on the high side as compared to other fresh dog foods
- Food comes frozen solid
- Profile only accounts for allergies not health issues
Pet Plate Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 7.9% Min
- Fat: 5.5% Min
- Fiber: 0.9% Max
- Calories: 41 Kcal/oz
- Meals are pre-portioned and in recyclable containers
- Four different meal recipes available
- You can mix and match all 4 recipes
- Flexible subscription options
- Price on the high side as compared to other fresh dog foods
- Containers take up a lot of space in the freezer/fridge
- Profile does not ask about health issues
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 32% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 370 kcal/cup
- Made with premium roasted meats
- Loaded with healthy fats and DHA for brain development
- Antioxidants for healthy immunity
- Highly digestible and rich in essential nutrients
- Fairly expensive compared to other options
- Primary source of fat is plant-based
Not only is it loaded with protein and healthy fats, but it is supplemented with DHA for brain development, antioxidants for a healthy immune system, and probiotics for digestion.
Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Food
Product Info
- Protein: 27% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 347 kcal/cup
- Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
- Naturally grain-free and free from artificial additives
- Contains antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
- Supplemented with chelated minerals
- Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
- Contains an unnamed animal fat (poultry fat vs. chicken fat)
This recipe contains antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables but is completely free from corn, wheat, and artificial additives. Plus, it is naturally grain-free which makes it a great option for puppies with allergies or food sensitivities.
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 28% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Calories: 390 kcal/cup
- Made with protein-rich, farm-raised chicken
- Digestible whole grains and vegetables for carbohydrates
- Supplemented with chelated minerals
- Plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy growth and development
- Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
- Not a grain-free recipe, some puppies are sensitive to grains
Made with farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, this formula is protein-rich, highly digestible, and full of natural flavor.
Wellness Complete Health Large-Breed Puppy Food
Product Info
- Protein: 29% Min
- Fat: 13% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Calories: 366 kcal/cup
- Designed specifically for large-breed puppies
- Deboned chicken as the main ingredient
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
- Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
- Not a grain-free recipe, some puppies are sensitive to grains
This Wellness Complete Health Large-Breed Puppy Food is uniquely formulated for large breeds to ensure slow and controlled growth and healthy bones and joints.
It features deboned chicken and brown rice as the primary ingredients and is supplemented with DHA, chelated minerals, and probiotics.
Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy Food
Product Info
- Protein: 30% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 520 kcal/cup
- Made with a limited number of ingredients and no grains
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
- Protein-rich chicken as the main ingredient
- Very expensive compared to other brands
Made with protein-rich chicken and a select number of other healthy ingredients, this recipe is just what a growing puppy needs. It’s also supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics.
How Much Should You Feed Your Puppy?
When it comes to feeding your puppy, you need to consider its breed size to determine how much is appropriate. You can also ask your veterinarian for recommendations if you are unsure.
Small-breed puppies will grow very quickly no matter what you feed them, and you should feed them four times a day for the first three months and then reduce to three daily feedings after that.
Large-breed puppies may do better with three meals a day for the first three months, then reduce to twice daily feedings after that.
In terms of how much to feed your puppy, it depends on the calorie content of the recipe you choose. Refer to the feeding recommendations on the package and choose the right amount according to your puppy’s age and weight. Keep in mind that the feeding amount will change as your puppy grows, so check the package often and make adjustments as needed.
Are There Special Dietary Needs For Puppies?
Depending on your puppy’s breed, it may reach its adult size within six months. Some breeds, on the other hand, may not be fully grown until they are over a year old.
In either case, it is absolutely essential that you provide your puppy with a high-quality, properly balanced diet to ensure that it grows at the right rate for optimal health and wellness.
Here are some of the things to look for in dog food for puppies:
- Protein-Rich. Your puppy will grow very quickly during its first year of life, and protein is essential to helping it develop lean muscle mass. Look for high-quality animal proteins and a crude protein content of at least 22%, ideally higher.
- Healthy Fats. Not only do healthy fats provide your puppy with a concentrated source of energy, but certain fatty acids like DHA support brain development as well as healthy skin and coat.
- Nutrients. Natural sources for key nutrients are best, but synthetic supplements like chelated minerals are good as well because they are easier to absorb and utilize.
- Size Specific. Small-breed puppies have higher energy requirements than large-breed puppies. Plus, you want to control the growth of large breed puppies and their calcium and phosphorus intake as well to protect them from an increased risk of joint problems later in life.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for puppies.
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Puppies
When shopping for puppy food, the most important thing to look for is protein. Protein provides your puppy with the building blocks for strong muscles, helping to ensure that it develops lean muscle mass instead of simply getting fat.
Your puppy needs a minimum of 22% protein in its diet, though more is always better, and it should come from high-quality animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish.
The next most important nutrient for puppies is fat; they need at least 8% of it in their diet. Fat provides a concentrated source of energy for puppies, as well as essential fatty acids that support brain development as well as healthy skin and coat.
Animal-based fats like chicken fat and salmon oil are the best, though plant-based fats like flaxseed and canola oil can help ensure a balance of omega fatty acids.
Puppies do not have specific needs for carbohydrates, but digestible sources provide energy as well as dietary fiber and essential nutrients. Look for puppy food that contains no more than 5% fiber, because too much fiber can actually upset your puppy’s digestive system.
Some puppies are able to tolerate whole grains, while others do better on grain-free diets. You’ll need to see what works for your puppy.
What About Food Allergies And Sensitivities?
When your puppy is young, it may be difficult to tell whether it is allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients in the food you’ve chosen.
If your puppy develops skin problems or chronic ear infections, it could be a sign of food allergies. If your puppy suffers from frequent diarrhea or vomiting, it could be a food sensitivity or something more serious, so consult your veterinarian.
If you suspect that your puppy has a food allergy or sensitivity, it may be wise to switch to a limited-ingredient diet.
These formulas are made with a low number of main ingredients to reduce the risk of triggering food allergies and sensitivities.
They are often made with novel sources of protein and carbohydrate as well; this simply means a type of protein and carbohydrate your puppy is less likely to have eaten before. In some cases, just switching to a grain-free formula may do the trick.
Final Thoughts
The dog food you choose for your puppy should be the highest quality food you can consistently afford. Look for a protein-rich formula made with animal proteins and healthy fats with plenty of essential vitamins and minerals. If you’re not sure where to start, try one of the best dog foods for puppies that we mentioned above.
