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

OVERALL BEST 1. Ollie Dog Food Healthy Tasty Lamb Fare Recipe Try Ollie Read Review	RUNNER UP 2. Pet Plate Dog Food Get 30% Off Read Review	BEST GRAIN-FREE 3. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food View on Prf Read Review	BEST AFFORDABLE 4. Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Food View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR SMALL-BREED PUPPIES 5. Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR LARGE-BREED PUPPIES 6. Wellness Complete Health Large-Breed Puppy Food View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR ALLERGIES 7. Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy Food View on Prf Read Review
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:

OVERALL BEST

1.

Ollie Dog Food Healthy Tasty Lamb Fare Recipe

Try Ollie

Product Info

• Protein: 10% Min
• Fat: 7% Min
• Fiber: 2% Max
• Calories: 1,380 kcal/kg

Pros

• 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

Cons

• Price on the high side as compared to other fresh dog foods
• Food comes frozen solid
• Profile only accounts for allergies not health issues

Made with human-grade ingredients and delivered fresh to your door, Ollie pet food is an excellent source of balanced nutrition for your young pup. This recipe is loaded with fresh fruits and veggies, omega fatty acids, and beneficial supplements. The Healthy Turkey Feast recipe features ground turkey as a novel source of protein unlikely to trigger food allergies and, while it is a grain-free recipe, it only contains one carbohydrate ingredient high in plant proteins (lentils).

RUNNER UP

2.

Pet Plate Dog Food

Get 30% Off

Product Info

• Protein: 7.9% Min
• Fat: 5.5% Min
• Fiber: 0.9% Max
• Calories: 41 Kcal/oz

Pros

• Meals are pre-portioned and in recyclable containers
• Four different meal recipes available
• You can mix and match all 4 recipes
• Flexible subscription options

Cons

• 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

Pet Plate Dog Food is a great choice for puppies because it features turkey as a novel source of protein with digestible carbohydrates including brown rice, carrots, and spinach. Because it is a fresh food product, it is also high in moisture to support your pup’s hydration and digestion. It also retains more of its original nutritional integrity because it hasn’t been cooked at high temperatures.

BEST GRAIN-FREE DRY DOG FOOD

3.

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 32% Min
• Fat: 18% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Calories: 370 kcal/cup

Pros

• 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

Cons

• Fairly expensive compared to other options
• Primary source of fat is plant-based

If high-quality ingredients are your priority, this Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Food is a great option. Made with premium roasted meats and grain-free carbohydrates, this protein-rich recipe is just what a growing puppy needs.

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.

BEST AFFORDABLE

4.

Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 27% Min
• Fat: 12% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Calories: 347 kcal/cup

Pros

• Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
• Naturally grain-free and free from artificial additives
• Contains antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
• Supplemented with chelated minerals

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
• Contains an unnamed animal fat (poultry fat vs. chicken fat)

If you’re looking for an affordable brand of puppy food that will still meet your puppy’s needs, try this Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Food. Made with real chicken and potatoes, it contains 25% protein and 14% fat, plenty for a growing puppy.

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.

BEST FOR SMALL-BREED PUPPIES

5.

Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 28% Min
• Fat: 16% Min
• Fiber: 3% Max
• Calories: 390 kcal/cup

Pros

• 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

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
• Not a grain-free recipe, some puppies are sensitive to grains

This Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is just what a small breed puppy needs for optimal growth and development.

Made with farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, this formula is protein-rich, highly digestible, and full of natural flavor.

BEST FOR LARGE-BREED PUPPIES

6.

Wellness Complete Health Large-Breed Puppy Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 29% Min
• Fat: 13% Min
• Fiber: 5% Max
• Calories: 366 kcal/cup

Pros

• Designed specifically for large-breed puppies
• Deboned chicken as the main ingredient
• Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
• Not a grain-free recipe, some puppies are sensitive to grains

All puppies need a protein-rich diet but large-breed puppies need to have their growth controlled to prevent joint problems later in life.

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.

BEST FOR ALLERGIES

7.

Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy Food

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View on Amazon

View on Petsmart

Product Info

• Protein: 30% Min
• Fat: 12% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Calories: 520 kcal/cup

Pros

• Made with a limited number of ingredients and no grains
• Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
• Protein-rich chicken as the main ingredient

Cons

• Very expensive compared to other brands

If your puppy is sensitive to grains or you suspect food allergies, a limited ingredient diet like this Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy Food might be a good choice.

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.