What is the healthiest puppy food
Best Wet Puppy Food
Wellness Just for Puppy is one of 8 canned recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
Wellness Just for Puppy derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
An exceptional wet puppy food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, salmon, ground barley Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"We adopted a baby Basset hound. We fed wellness puppy to our Cletus 8 years ago. He is thriving today because of it. We wanted the same for Darwin. He's 3 months old and loves this food. We mix it with the large breed wellness puppy. Highly recommend it and our vet recommended this food to us too. Darwin gives it 2 paws up!"
Nom Nom Beef Mash is one of 4 fresh recipes included in our review of the Nom Nom Dog Food product line.
This Nom Nom recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 35% protein, 17% fat and 40% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Ideal for those who want to feed a scientifically balanced, fresh-cooked meal thats designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Not cheap. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 35% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at NomNomNow.com"Tula gets so excited when it's mealtime. She no longer has skin issues, her coat looks wonderful and her stools are the best they've ever been. I can't imagine ever feeding her anything but Nom Nom!"
Instinct Grain Free Real Chicken Recipe for Puppies is one of 6 wet recipes included in our review of the Instinct Original product line.
This specific Instinct Original recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 46% protein, 27% fat and 19% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
An excellent formula by an established company.
Read our review of the full Instinct Original Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, beef liver, salmon, carrots Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 46% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Beef Recipe is one of 4 fresh formulas covered in our review of the The Farmers Dog product line.
This Farmers recipe acquires much of its animal protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 29% fat and 24% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 73%.
A fresh, human-grade recipe custom designed and packaged to fit the nutritional needs of all puppy breeds. As close to a homemade dog food as you can get. Not cheap. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Farmers Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients USDA Beef, sweet potato, lentils, carrot, USDA beef liver Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 39% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy is one of 10 canned recipes included in our review of the Chicken Soup for the Soul product line.
This Chicken Soup for the Soul product derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken, turkey and chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
An impressive growth formula. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Chicken Soup for the Soul Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, turkey, chicken broth, turkey broth Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Grain-inclusive Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I love the healthy ingredients of this moist food for puppies; the ingredients seem comparable to more expensive dog food brands, but at a better price. My puppy seems to enjoy it. He's pretty picky, so for the benefit of his health and my wallet, hopefully he will continue to enjoy it!"
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Chicken is one of 10 wet recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.
This Merrick Grain-Free canned food recipe derives the bulk of its animal protein from deboned chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 50% protein, 28% fat and 14% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
An exceptional grain-inclusive canned puppy food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Merrick Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken broth, deboned turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"This food is high quality and my 11 week old Shih Tzu loves it! So much comes in the can and it's such a great price. I bought can covers to keep it fresh and one can will last me about a week! Definitely recommend!"
Chicken and Rice Formula is one of 4 wet recipes included in our review of the Canidae All Life Stages product line.
This Canidae wet formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 29% fat and 44% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 75%.
A super-popular, fully-balanced grain-inclusive wet puppy food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, dried egg product, brown rice Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog has never eaten new food with gusto until now. He really surprised us by eating without any coaxing. This is the first time, and we were thrilled. No more dry food. We've tried everything. Now, if I could get my husband to stop giving him too many treats!"
Nulo Freestyle Puppy Turkey, Cod and Sweet Potato is one of 11 canned recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.
This Nulo Freestyle formula derives most of its animal protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 23% fat and 26% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, salmon broth, turkey liver, cod Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I love the Nulo puppy food. My Chihuahuas puppies and my older chihuahuas really love this food. You can actually see the chunks of vegetables in this food. If the chunks are too big, they are easy to smash and blend in with the food."
Homestyle Puppy Chicken Dinner is one of 12 canned recipes included in our review of the Blue Buffalo product line.
This Blue Buffalo formula gets the bulk of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
We also note this above-average puppy food includes omega-rich DHA to support healthy eye and brain development.
A finely-chopped, pate-style formula containing no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives for optimal safety. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipes Dog Food (Wet) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, peas Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Oh my gosh..my gsd LOVES the taste of this! He literally would eat the entire pallet if I let him. I also feel good about it, because I do a lot of research on my dog's foods, and it's really one of the healthiest wet foods out there for dogs."
Healthy Grains Puppy is one of 13 wet recipes included in our review of the Whole Earth Farms canned product line.
This Whole Earth Farms canned recipe derives most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 30% fat and 22% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 72%.
An excellent, budget-friendly option. And an ideal option for growing puppies, including large breeds. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Whole Earth Farms Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, salmon, brown rice Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Top off dry kibble with this tasty blend of wet food for fussy eater. It works! My puppy literally jumps like crazy every time I open the can! She even licks the empty bowl to get the last of it! I'm glad it's nutritious."
Chicken is one of 4 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of the Ollie product line.
This fresh-cooked recipe draws most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 11% fat and 44% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.
Ollie is an exceptional dog food. Its made with real, human-grade ingredients and its professionally designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN).
A top, grain-inclusive wet option for puppies worthy of its premium price. Recommended with confidence.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food Chicken Recipe (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com"Javi, my mini goldendoodle has been LOVING meal time. He licks his bowl clean at every meal. Before Ollie, we'd have to basically beg him to eat."
Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken and Vegetables is one of 4 wet recipes analyzed in our review of the Hills Science Diet product line.
This Science Diet recipe derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and pork liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 17% fat and 48% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Moderate meat content. Reasonably priced.
Read our review of the full Hills Science Diet Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken broth, chicken, pork liver, brown rice, wheat flour Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 28% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My puppy had been eating Hills Science dry food. Got this to see if wet appealed to him. He absolutely loves it! I add some dry to it and its gone in a flash. Will be convenient for travel."
How to Choose the Right Food for Your Puppy
Bringing a new puppy into your home involves more than just a warm welcome. From puppy-proofing your space to initiating crate training and potty training, theres a lot to consider.
Choosing the right puppy food is a crucial aspect of ensuring your furry friends growth and overall health. While it may seem daunting, selecting the perfect diet for your puppy isnt as difficult as you might think, provided you keep a few essential factors in mind.
This article will discuss the different types of diets you might be considering and some advice to keep in mind when choosing puppy food.
What diet should I start my puppy on?
Welcoming a new puppy into your home can be overwhelming for them. Having recently transitioned from their mothers milk to solid food, and with their digestive systems and microbiome still in the developmental stage, their little tummies are often quite sensitive.
They have also entered an entirely new home, leaving their mother and siblings behind so they are likely to be anxious. Therefore, its advisable to try to stick to one food and not switch between lots of different kinds.
Do some research before getting your puppy and select a complete and balanced diet tailored to their age and breed, providing the stability needed during this transitional period.
However, if youve tried a specific food for a month or so and its not suiting the puppy, a change can be made just do it gradually to avoid any potential upset tummy issues.
What type of diet is suitable for a puppy?
Generally, every type of diet can be suitable for puppies so long as they are formulated to be complete and balanced to meet the standards of AAFCO and have all life stages or growth nutritional profiles.
Is a raw diet food for a puppy?
Raw diets can be suitable for puppies but its best to opt for a professionally formulated food as opposed to homemade. Puppies have very specific nutritional requirements and need to meet these requirements so following the 80:10:10 method is not recommended at this stage.
You will also need to be careful of Salmonella and other bacteria with a raw diet, but also any other type of dog food as puppies are more susceptible to illness from these types of bacteria than adult dogs.
Is a kibble diet good for a puppy?
Kibble can be a great choice as its usually commercially prepared to be completed and balanced. However, depending on their age and development, you might need to soak the kibble in warm water to protect their developing teeth.
Is a fresh diet good for a puppy?
Much like the raw diet, a fresh diet is a good option as long as it meets the standards of AAFCO. Its best to get one formulated by a professional rather than making the food yourself to ensure your puppy is getting the essential nutrients.
Is a wet food diet good for a puppy?
Puppies often gobble up wet food because its easy to chew and it includes lots of moisture, so its hydrating.
The foods can be fed slightly warm as a comfort and to increase the scents and palatability.
Overall, it can come down to what suits the owners lifestyle, the puppys preferences, or any health concerns your puppy might have. If you are unsure about choosing the correct diet, your vet will be happy to discuss which is best for your new puppy.
Why puppy food?
Its essential to choose a puppy-specific food. Since your puppy is growing, they need more nutrients and calories than an adult dog. This is why puppy foods have a higher level of protein and fat to support growth, as well as nutrients like DHA, an omega fatty acid found in mothers milk.
Once your puppy reaches adulthood, they dont need as many calories. So when they are around 10-12 months for small breeds, 12-18 months for medium/large breeds, and around 18-24 months for giant breeds, its time to change over to adult food.
What to look for in puppy food
Complete and balanced
If you are buying commercially made dog food, check if the label reads: complete and balanced for Growth or All Life Stages. This means the food meets the standards of the AAFCO and is recommended for healthy puppies without existing veterinary conditions or particular nutritional needs.
Expected Adult Size
If your puppy is a large or giant breed (those expected to weigh over 50 pounds as an adult), consider using a puppy food formulated especially for large or giant-breed dogs.
Large and giant breeds also reach their adult size later than small and medium breeds.
Large breeds usually reach their adult size at 18 months and for giant breeds, at two years.
Using a large breed of puppy food for the later stages of growth rather than adult food will save your dog from receiving too much calcium which compromises skeletal development in large breeds.
You can read more about this in our article on large-breed puppies here: https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-large-breed-puppy-food/
Breed
Numerous dog foods are labeled as breed-specific, while they may not be essential for your growing puppy, they can offer benefits. These diets often provide kibble sizes tailored to your puppys preferences and a nutrient profile designed for your dogs breed.
While many breeds share similar nutritional needs, breed-specific foods may offer features that cater to specific breed predispositions and characteristics.
Ingredient list
There are no specific ingredients to look for when choosing the best puppy food, but pet parents must ensure the food is made by a reputable company and contains high-quality ingredients.
Does your puppy have any dietary needs?
Although only a small percentage of allergies are diet-related, if you do think your puppy is having an allergic reaction, check with your vet and they will be able to advise.
What are the best treats for my puppy?
Rewarding your puppy with a treat is a great way of rewarding good behavior and is one of the best tools you have when it comes to puppy training. If your new puppy is a food lover (and most are) you can easily show them the benefits of behaving well, both inside and outside the home.
But as is the case with mealtimes, its important to make sure youre not overfeeding them and that youre giving them treats that are nutritious and part of a balanced diet. Treat intake should not surpass 10% of your dogs daily calories.
Choosing appropriate treats can play a big part in keeping your puppy both happy and healthy. Here are some things to look out for when buying your puppy treats:
- Treats specifically for puppies
- Tiny pieces
- Healthy ingredients.
Despite the overwhelming choice in the pet store, choosing a puppy food doesnt have to be a daunting task. Whether you opt for a raw, kibble, fresh, or wet food diet, the key is to choose a complete and balanced option tailored to your puppys age and breed.
