Customers know this is a higher-priced dog food but say it’s worth every penny. Pet parents are pleased with their dog’s bowels, lack of gas, and overall puppy health. Made up of 85% poultry, fish, and egg, and 15% fruits, vegetables, and botanicals, this kibble is 38% protein, 20% fat, and 6% fiber.

A limited-ingredient food may be good for dogs with allergies that need to avoid certain ingredients. This food contains glucosamine which helps maintain joint and cartilage health, vitamins and minerals to support your puppy’s immune system, and biotin for healthy skin and shiny fur. The unique kibble design encourages enthusiastic puppies to chew thoroughly, while highly digestible proteins and probiotics help promote healthy digestion and optimal stool quality. Plus, the excellent flavor of this dry puppy dog food makes it a must-have for pups. The Healthy Start blend is high in protein and contains 30% more protein than the leading adult dog food.

It helps keep your puppy hydrated with its water content and prevents the formation of stones in puppies. Like other great puppy brands, Wellness puppy food is made with all-natural ingredients and does not contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. A grain-free formula is made without wheat, barley, rye and corn, and it’s commonly fed to dogs with a gluten intolerance. However, a grain-free diet isn’t better for your dog — and feeding grain-free kibble to your dog can sometimes prevent them from getting their appropriate daily nutritional intake.

This also goes for freeze-dried meat products that typically get mixed in with kibble as “boosters” — “they should be considered raw as freeze-drying does not eliminate pathogens,” Shepherd said. And if your pet is eating a complete and balanced commercially available pet food, supplements are not recommended unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian, Teller noted. Rather than completely grain-free, the Hill’s Science Diet formula eliminates common allergens, combining chicken with brown rice, whole grain oats, and pearled barley instead.

If you notice a loss of appetite, it could be anything from stress to sickness. As long as your pup has an average energy level, it’s okay if she misses one meal. If it turns into multiple meals and your puppy becomes lethargic, you may want to visit your vet.

Each day, puppies need 21% to 22.5% protein, 8% to 8.5% fat, and a maximum of 4% fiber. Labels can be confusing when you’re trying to find out the nutritional value of puppy food. We recommend understanding the need for protein, calcium, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, for giant breeds , the growth period can last for up to 18 months and beyond.

Packed with meat, organs, and tripe which are what you should be feeding your puppy as a meat-eating animal. You can even add some raw meaty bones to your puppy’s diet, which is a great way to boost health, clean their teeth, and stop them chewing chair legs and ankles. Frontier Pets is the best way to feed your puppy a nutritious raw diet without actually mucking around with raw . Firstly, the food is made from all the stuff your puppy should be eating which is meat, organs, tripe, plus well select fruits, veggies, herbs, and spices to keep your puppy happy, active, and healthy. The puppy recipes may vary, but you’ll likely find sardines, fish or other beneficial oils, plus a range of other great ingredients added for the benefit of your puppy. That’s why choosing the best puppy food is so important – you’re giving them the best start in life, and it should pay off for years to come.

Shepherd says that freeze-dried meat products should be considered raw food and avoided because their manufacturing process does not eliminate disease-causing pathogens. If a dog food says it’s “”human-grade,”” it means the finished food is processed, handled, stored, and transported according to the manufacturing practices for human foods. This process must be meticulously documented, and the label should clearly mention the food is for dogs. In his years of experience, Swanson has tested a few human-grade pet foods in his lab. The foods in this guide are complete and balanced according to the AAFCO standards, contain high-quality ingredients, and have the right levels of protein, fat, and fiber for their respective categories. However, eating a calorie-dense food does not mean small dogs can overindulge.