The 8 Best Puppy Foods in 2024
Puppies are adorable, energetic, and occasionally destructive, but they are not just smaller versions of adult dogs. Just like human babies, growing puppies have unique nutritional needs to ensure they get all the support they need to grow and develop.
To help you identify the best food for your puppy, we have reviewed dozens of foods designed for puppies and selected the eight best puppy foods for 2024.
Key Considerations for Choosing Puppy Food Weh Looking For The 8 Best Puppy Foods in 2024
When shopping for puppy food, it's essential to focus on foods that meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Foods carrying the AAFCO stamp are guaranteed to meet certain nutritional and labeling requirements, ensuring that what’s on the label is accurate and that the food provides a complete and balanced diet.
Other factors to take into consideration include your dog’s breed, the nutritional profile of the food, price, palatability, and whether the manufacturer conducts rigorous research on its formula.
Read on to find out which foods are the best picks for your pup.
Best in Show: Purina® Pro Plan® Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics
This puppy-specific option from Purina Pro Plan, with real shredded chicken and rice, is highly palatable, easily digestible, and formulated to support healthy brain development. It’s also fortified with probiotics to aid digestion.
Things to Consider
Cost: $69.98 for a 34-pound bag
Offers crunchy and soft textures
Includes probiotics to help with digestion
Backed by research
Very palatable, but adding extra toppers is unnecessary and may add extra fat to your puppy’s diet.
Best Budget Puppy Food: Purina® Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef
Purina’s Puppy Chow line offers the brand's quality at a lower price point. This food is highly palatable and provides a complete range of nutrients your puppy needs, including DHA for brain and eye development. However, corn is the first ingredient, which may not be as high-quality as foods with a protein leading the ingredient list.
Things to Consider
Cost: $15.18 for a 15-pound bag
Contains beef
Corn is the first ingredient
May cause stomach upset in some puppies
Best for Athletic Puppies: Eukanuba® Premium Performance Pro Puppy
Eukanuba’s Premium Performance Pro Puppy food is a high-quality option, loaded with supplements and additives designed to support gut health, joint development, brain development, and digestion. It’s especially recommended for very active or working puppies.
Things to Consider
Cost: $85.99 for a 28-pound bag
Includes antioxidants and lots of supplement support
Good for active puppies
Best for Sensitive Puppies: Purina® Pro Plan® Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice
Purina Pro Plan’s Sensitive Skin & Stomach formula is created for puppies that have allergies or other skin and stomach problems. It’s especially good for shelter puppies who arrive home with issues like diarrhea or itchiness.
Things to Consider
Cost: $52.98 for a 16-pound bag
Helps with diarrhea, vomiting, or itchiness
Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
Includes probiotics for digestion
First ingredient is meat
Best for Brain Development: IAMS® ProActive Health Smart Puppy Original
Iams ProActive Health Smart food is an affordable option that doesn’t skimp on quality ingredients. It offers chicken as its first ingredient and includes healthy omega-3 fatty acids to help with brain development.
Things to Consider
Cost: $59.96 for two 15-pound bags
Includes healthy omega-3 fatty acids
Chicken is the first ingredient
Some puppies may have trouble digesting it
Best for Small Breeds: Hill®'s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Hill’s Science is a favorite brand, and their Healthy Development Small Bites food for puppies is perfect for small breeds. It includes fish oil and brown rice to support a healthy coat and brain development.
Things to Consider
Cost: $38.99 for a 12.5-pound bag
DHA (fish oil) supports brain health
Small kibble is good for very small mouths
Offers whole grains
Not suitable for larger-breed puppies
Best Premium Food for Small Breeds: Royal Canin® Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy
Royal Canin’s food for small puppies is designed specifically for small breeds. The kibble is shaped to fit smaller mouths and includes added vitamins and healthy omega-3 fatty acids to support brain development.
Things to Consider
Cost: $55.99 for a 14-pound bag
Designed for small breeds
Added vitamins and antioxidants
Good return policy
Not meant for large-breed puppies
Best for Weaning Puppies: Royal Canin® Starter Mother & Babydog
Royal Canin’s specialized food for weaning puppies helps transition them from mother’s milk to solid food. It’s formulated specifically for puppies under two months of age and can also be given to the mother in late pregnancy and throughout nursing.
Things to Consider
Cost: $81.99 for a 14-pound bag
Formulated for weaning puppies
High-quality ingredients
Supports rapid development
Not for puppies over 2 months of age
Understanding Puppy Nutrition
Choosing the right food for your puppy is essential for their growth and development. Here are some key components to look for in your puppy’s food:
Energy
Puppies need sufficient energy (calories) to support their growing bodies and high activity levels.
Protein
Protein is crucial for muscle development. Newly weaned puppies require the most protein, and this need decreases as they age.
Fat
Fat is essential for growing puppies because it’s high in calories and supports the development of the nervous system.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates should be included in the food at about 20% dry matter to promote metabolism and overall health.
Calcium and Phosphorous
These minerals are vital for bone development. Large- and giant-breed puppies require restricted calcium amounts to prevent them from growing too quickly.
Copper
Copper deficiency can lead to hair pigment loss, hyperextension of the toes, splayed toes, and anemia.
Digestibility
A puppy’s digestive tract is still maturing, so their food should be highly digestible to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort or upset.
Amino Acids
Arginine is essential for puppies, meaning their bodies cannot make it on their own. Phenylalanine and tyrosine are also required for growth.
Real-World Examples
Case Study: Transitioning to Solid Food
When transitioning a litter of puppies from mother’s milk to solid food, using a specialized weaning formula like Royal Canin® Starter Mother & Babydog can make the process smoother. This food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of both the mother and the puppies, ensuring a healthy start to solid food.
Case Study: Managing Sensitive Stomachs
A shelter puppy named Max was adopted and had issues with diarrhea and itchiness. Switching him to Purina® Pro Plan® Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice helped stabilize his digestion and reduce his skin irritation. This formula, designed for puppies with sensitive systems, provided Max with the nutrients he needed without causing adverse reactions.
Case Study: Supporting an Athletic Puppy
An energetic Border Collie named Luna needed a diet that could keep up with her high activity levels. Eukanuba® Premium Performance Pro Puppy was chosen for her because it offers the necessary supplements and additives to support her joint health, brain development, and digestion. Luna thrived on this diet, maintaining her energy and health.
FAQs
How often should I feed my puppy?
Puppies should be fed three to four times a day. Smaller, more frequent meals help manage their fast metabolism and keep them full throughout the day.
Can I switch my puppy to adult dog food early?
It’s best to feed your puppy food specifically formulated for growth until they reach about 80% of their anticipated adult size. For small and medium-sized dogs, this is typically around 12 months. For large- and giant-breed dogs, this could occur between 18–24 months.
What if my puppy has a sensitive stomach?
If your puppy has a sensitive stomach, consider a food formulated for sensitive skin and stomachs, like Purina® Pro Plan® Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any dietary changes.
Are grain-free diets safe for puppies?
Grain-free diets have been linked to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. It’s best to avoid grain-free diets for your growing puppy unless recommended by your veterinarian.
How do I transition my puppy to a new food?
When transitioning your puppy to a new food, do so gradually over 7-14 days. Mix the new food with the old food, gradually increasing the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food.
Conclusion
Choosing the right food for your puppy is essential for their growth and development. By considering factors such as expected adult size, breed, and ingredient profile, you can find the best food to meet your puppy’s needs. Always consult with your veterinarian to ensure your puppy is receiving optimal nutrition. With the right food, your puppy will grow into a healthy and happy adult dog.
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