Congratulations on your new puppy! You’ve brought her home, shown her around, given her some interactive puppy toys, and have gotten a lifetime supply of puppy kisses already. In just a few short hours, it’s dinnertime! But how do you know what to feed your puppy?
Part of preparing for a new puppy is choosing high-quality puppy food. You know you want to provide your growing puppy with the most nutritious option in your budget, but how do you even know where to begin?
Dog owners have a lot of options when it comes to dog food. While you may think that your dog has an opinion about its favorite flavor, the truth is that dogs' preferences vary greatly depending on individual tastes and nutritional needs.
Choosing the right diet for your puppy can be a daunting task. With organic, grain-free, dry versus wet – it’s hard to know what’s best for your pup! Our guide will help you determine which food is right for your puppy and explore 7 healthy puppy food brands to help you in your decision.
Consult the Experts About the Right Puppy Food to Give Your Puppy
Working with your veterinarian to determine the right type of puppy food is extremely important in ensuring that your pup gets the nutrition they need. Talk to your vet if you’re unsure which foods are right for your pup, as they will be able to give personalized advice on how to feed your pooch properly!
A vet can provide helpful insight into what dog foods are best suited for your pup’s age, breed, and overall health. They can also recommend different flavors based on your dog’s preference and unique dietary requirements. This is especially beneficial if you're considering changing up the flavors of dog food in order to keep them from getting bored with their kibble.
It's always best to consult with your vet about what foods are suitable for your pup's age and breed before making any dietary changes. In addition, you’ll need to research when to switch your puppy to adult food. With these tips in mind, feeding times for your puppy will ultimately depend on what they need and your personal schedule.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so take the time to find out what type of food makes sense for your pup. After you make your choice, keep an eye on your puppy’s reaction so you can switch to another method that suits your pup.
It’s Dinnertime! Creating a Puppy Feeding Routine
Feeding your puppy is not as hard as it may seem. With their growing bodies and bellies, it is important to keep up with their nutritional needs. The "open bowl" method, also known as free-feeding, gives your puppy access to food all day long. Since they use the potty more often, this will help with keeping them full of nutritional value. Just don't let them overeat! As they grow up, you should switch to a scheduled eating routine.
When switching to a more scheduled eating routine, it's important to create an atmosphere that encourages them to eat all of their food. You can do this by having mealtime be a special time for your pup. For example, you can sit with them and offer some verbal encouragement while they eat or even give them some treats throughout the day when they finish their food. This will help teach them that mealtime is something that should be looked forward to.
What Types of Dog Food Should I Give My Puppy?
Grain or refrain?
Whether you choose grain-free or grain-inclusive for your pup's diet, the most important thing is to find what works best for them. Some dogs need a few grains to help with digestion and others thrive on puppy grain-free diets. It’s all about striking the right balance when it comes to finding the perfect nutrition plan for furry family members.
Grain-free diets contain no grains and are often higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than grain-based diets. Dry dog food has the added benefit of developing jaw strength while wet food contains more moisture so may be better suited for puppies who don't drink much water or those with certain health conditions
All-natural organic puppy food
When you choose organic puppy food, you know the sourced ingredients are absent of many harmful chemicals and ingredients and are as close to their natural state as possible. Organic foods are a great option, as they provide wholesome ingredients and fewer or no artificial preservatives.
Organic food for puppies can lead to a healthier skin and coat appearance, higher energy levels, and a healthier weight. Your pets will have an easier time digesting their food, and you may even notice your puppy has brighter eyes and more spring in their step.
Wet? Dry? Why not both?
If you're a dog owner, you know it can be tough to decide between wet and dry food. Luckily, there is a middle ground - combination feeding! After all, who doesn’t like a little gravy on their steak?
Combination feeding allows you to mix both wet and dry food together, giving your pup the best of both worlds. With combination feeding, your pup gets the crunchy texture of dry kibble that boosts their serotonin levels for a calming effect as well as the moisture from wet food which helps with water intake and lower levels of carbs that are easier to digest. Give puppy combination feeding a try today and see how your pup loves this perfect combination!
| Recommended | Classic | Versatile | Specialty (High-Protein) |
Organic | Wet | Grain Free | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Hills Science Diet | Purina | Royal Canin | Taste of the Wild | Tender & True | Pedigree | American Journey |
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| Favorite Feature | Extra digestible for optimal nutrient absorption Real meat is always the first ingredient |
One of the oldest dog food brands still on the market More options for medium and large breeds |
Special varieties for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds Buy in small amounts or in bulk |
Wild-caught and natural ingredients Rich in omega-3 fatty acids |
USDA organic certified No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives |
Multiple recipes for all stages of life Balanced oils and minerals to nourish the skin and coat |
Antioxidants for immune system support Better for dogs with dietary restrictions |
| Price (based on size and weight) |
$20 to $75 | $20 to $70 | $20 to $90 | $20 to $70 | $15 to $25 | $20 to $50 | $50 to $60 |
| Chewy | Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken Meal & Barley | Purina Pro Plan Chicken & Rice | Royal Canin Small Puppy | Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream | Tender & True Organic Chicken & Liver | Pedigree Puppy Growth Protection | American Journey Sweet Lamb |
Recommended - Hill’s Science Diet
Hill's Science Diet dog food is one of the top-selling brands on the market, and for good reason. It's a pricier option than some other pet foods, but it offers superior nutrition that helps keep your pup healthy and strong. This premium kibble features high-quality ingredients like real chicken and vegetables that provide the essential vitamins and minerals for quality health. And because Hill's Science Diet is clinically tested to ensure safety and performance, you can be sure you're getting only the best for your furry friend. With these excellent benefits, it's no wonder why veterinarians and pet owners alike recommend this brand so highly!
Classic - Purina
Purina is a trusted pet food brand that has been around for many years. It is an excellent choice for medium and larger dog breeds, as it offers a wide variety of recipes specifically formulated for these types of dogs. From puppy to adult recipes, Purina has something to suit every pup’s needs! Plus, you can buy in bulk, which helps reduce costs long-term. You can find Purina products virtually everywhere—from major supermarkets and pet stores to online retailers. If you are looking for reliable nutrition for your pup, look no further than Purina! Their products provide the balanced nutrition your dog needs at any age, while their affordable prices make them accessible to any budget.
Versatile - Royal Canin
Royal Canin has positive reviews from pet parents all over. With a range of formulas designed to cater to different breeds, sizes, ages, and nutritional needs, you can find a puppy food that best fits your pup's tastes. Each formula contains essential nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that help keep puppies healthy and strong. With an assortment of wet, dry, and treats; Royal Canin has something for every picky eater. The different recipes are tailored to your dog’s age, lifestyle, size, and breed ensuring they get the nutrition they need at each stage of life. Additionally, there’s no added artificial colorings – giving you the peace of mind knowing you’re providing your dog with quality ingredients in every meal.
Specialty (High Protein) - Taste of the Wild
A high-protein diet is an excellent choice for athletic and active dogs. This type of diet provides extra energy and nutrition that helps fuel exercise, athletic events, as well as everyday activities. Protein density in meals can help to boost the immune system and sustain a healthier coat for your furry friend. Taste of the Wild formulas provides a fish-based protein source complete with all essential amino acids. This offers a wonderful alternative to beef and poultry, which are two common allergens in dogs. Fish is also high in Omega-3 fatty acids which can help support brain and eye development, as well as healthy skin and coat.
Organic - Tender & True
Tender & True is a brand that believes in providing your pet with the highest quality and most responsibly sourced ingredients. All of their products are made using antibiotic and hormone-free proteins, and are 100% all natural with no artificial preservatives or fillers. Their mantra "Farm to Bowl" emphasizes the commitment they have to providing a product that is not only healthy, but also fresh and flavorful. To ensure their standards are upheld, Tender & True adheres to Global Animal Partnership (GAP) guidelines for humane animal raising. This means the animals raised for their products do not suffer from cruel treatment.
Wet - Pedigree
Pedigree has been a go-to brand for dog owners since the 1950’s. Pedigree’s wet food recipes contain essential vitamins and minerals, as well as real meat sources that help support strong muscles, healthy bones and joints, and a shiny coat. The wet foods from Pedigree have higher water content than traditional dry kibble and offer lower calorie density. This helps keep your pup hydrated while still getting the necessary nutrients they need in each meal. The softer texture of wet food is easier on developing teeth, making it ideal for puppies or senior dogs with dental issues.
Grain Free - American Journey
In certain cases, grain-free dog food may be best for your pup. All of American Journey's recipes pass the AAFCO criteria (Association of American Feed Control Officials), which focus on the following: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental, or Unspecified. These recipes are created with natural ingredients like real chicken, beef, salmon and more to keep your pup happy and healthy - plus we use responsibly sourced proteins in each recipe! With no corn, wheat or soy included. American Journey is making its name in the dog food industry, and it is manufactured by our well-known affiliate, Chewy!
Feed Your Pawrade Puppy the Best Puppy Food
We believe that puppies should eat the best quality food available. That's why our hand-selected breeders only use premium puppy food brands for their pups. We want to make sure all furry family members are getting the nutrition they need to stay happy and healthy! Your breeder will give tips on continuing your puppy’s current food to make the switch to your home a seamless one.
With Pawrade, you can trust that your pup is eating well and getting the care it deserves. So go ahead and treat them to some of the finest food around – it's a paw-fect way to show your love! Browse our puppies for sale to start the process of selecting the right food for your Pawrade puppy.
