Choosing the best puppy food to get your pooch is one of the first things you'll need to decide before bringing your new arrival home. Alongside making sure you've got the house stocked with everything you need, like puppy pads and chew toys. Luckily for you, we've got the low-down on the best food for puppies to help you decide what type will suit your pup, especially as there is so much more variety than ever before.
The food you feed your pup is a really important part of their lifestyle as it's significant in helping them with their growth. It's up there with making sure your sweet little pup has lots of time for play and, of course, plenty of cuddles. Whether you want something with a high meat content, food that focuses on vitamins and supplements or can't decide between dry puppy food or wet puppy food, look no further because we've got all the best dog food for a puppy on the market right here.
Best puppy food at a glance:
• Best overall puppy food: James Wellbeloved Complete Dry Puppy Food, 2kg – View on Viovet
• Best puppy food for high meat percentage: Lily's Kitchen Complete Wet Puppy Food, 6 x 400g – View on Lily's Kitchen
• Best puppy food for smaller breeds: Royal Canin MINI Puppy Dog Food, 2kg – View on Viovet
• Best sensitive stomach puppy food: AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health, 15kg – View on Pets at Home
The reason why you should be buying specific dog food for puppies is that, like us humans, when they're very young, they're in stages of development that benefit from having a specific diet to support that. The best puppy food helps to introduce nutrients such as calcium in puppy milk and protein which keep your puppy's tummy happy and get them growing strong. A balanced and complete dog food for a puppy helps your pup's overall health and lifestyle.
There are two types to choose from when it comes to feeding your pup: dry and wet puppy food, with some opting for dry food, also referred to as kibble, as the more cost-saving and long-lasting option and some choosing wet as it is the freshest. Some dog owners even choose to mix the two to give their pets the best of both worlds. If you have a pet who eats too quickly (potentially leading to them vomiting), slow-feeder dog bowls can be used with puppy food easily.
Best puppy food
Best overall puppy food
James Wellbeloved/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
This James Wellbeloved Complete Dry Puppy Food is suitable for puppies aged two to six months. Made using 100 per cent natural turkey with no artificial flavours or colours and has a blend of dietary fibres plus natural prebiotics, making it good for your pup's tum. It's naturally hypoallergenic and excludes common allergens such as beef, pork, soya, eggs, dairy and wheat.
Pet owners in the reviews love how this food is made with natural ingredients to give their puppies the best start in life. There are also several comments on how this food has helped to improve their puppy's stool consistency and skin and coat condition since switching over. Some reviews mention this kibble is very small, which is what you'd expect from a food that is made for puppies but a few people thought this meant the size of it wasn't suited to larger breed puppies. Overall, this is a good all-around puppy food with substance and good value for money.
Pros
- Excludes common allergens such as beef, pork, soya, eggs, dairy and wheat
- It contains natural prebiotics for a healthy digestion
Cons
- Some reviewers thought the kibble size would be too small for large breed puppies
| Type of food: | Dry food |
| Food weight: | 2kg, 15kg |
| Flavour: | Turkey and rice |
- Ingredients: Turkey meal (25%), brown rice (14.8%), naked oats, white rice (14.3%), pea protein, turkey fat (7.5%), whole linseed, turkey gravy (2.9%), sugar beet pulp, alfalfa meal, pea fibre, seaweed, sodium chloride, fish oil, chicory extract (0.25%), potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, yucca extract (0.02%), green tea extract (0.003%), rosemary extract (0.001%), pomegranate extract (0.001%)
Best puppy food for high meat percentage
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Want more bark for your bite? Lily's Kitchen is known for its high meat content and lack of dog food 'fillers', meaning you're getting good sustenance for your pup. Lily's Kitchen Complete Wet Puppy Food is made up of all-natural ingredients, including 67 per cent fresh chicken, vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots, and herbs, plus all the vitamins and minerals your pup needs to be healthy and happy as they grow.
Reviewers say their puppies can't get enough of this chicken-flavoured Lily's Kitchen Wet Food and that they wolf it down in no time. Customers also appreciate the quality ingredients that go into making each tin. With 400 grams of food in each tin, each one will last you a while as a little goes a long way when feeding a puppy (although be sure to check the feeding guidelines for your puppy's breed and weight). With this in mind, make sure you've got somewhere to store it properly so it doesn't go bad once opened as typically, you'll be using each tin for multiple meals.
Pros
- High meat percentage of 67 per cent fresh chicken per tin
- Natural ingredients including fresh meat, vegetables and herbs
Cons
- As it comes in 400g tin, you'll need to make sure you've got somewhere to store it and keep it fresh as you'll probably be using each tin for multiple meals
| Type of food: | Wet food |
| Food weight: | 6 x 400g |
| Flavour: | Chicken |
- Ingredients: Fresh Chicken (67%), Potatoes (2%), Carrots (1%), Vitamins & Chelated Minerals, Salmon Oil. Herbs & botanicals: Golden Rod, Nettle, Aniseed, Celery Seed, Rosehips, Marigold Petals, Cleavers, Seaweed, Alfalfa, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Burdock Root.
Best puppy food for smaller breeds
Royal Caninwww.viovet.co.uk
If you have a particularly mini or small puppy, this Royal Canin MINI Puppy Dog Food is made with small breeds in mind. The kibble size is smaller compared to other dry food to be the right size for their little gnashers. This kibble is enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for brain development, plus vitamins C and E that will build up your pup's natural defences.
Royal Canin is known for its breed/life stage-specific and health condition-focused recipes, which is why it's one of our favourite dog food brands. The Royal Canin Mini Puppy food is a great life-stage and breed-size recipe, with customers appreciating the size of the kibble is perfect for their mini breed pup. Something to keep in mind is that this recipe includes wheat and maize among its ingredients which are common dog allergens.
Pros
- Adapted kibble size as it's a breed-specific recipe
- Enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids for brain development
Cons
- Contains wheat and maize which are common dog allergens
| Type of food: | Dry food |
| Food weight: | 800g, 2kg, 4kg, 8kg |
| Flavour: | Poultry |
- Ingredients: Dehydrated poultry protein, rice, animal fats, wheat gluten*, maize, beet pulp, maize flour, hydrolysed animal proteins, maize gluten, minerals, soya oil, fish oil, fructo-oligo-saccharides, hydrolysed yeast (source of manno-oligo-saccharides and betaglucans) (0.30%), algal oil Schizochytrium sp. (source of DHA), Yucca Schidigera juice, marigold meal.
Best sensitive stomach puppy food
AVA/Pets At Homewww.petsathome.com
Recommended by veterinarians, AVA Optimum Health Dry Puppy Food is a great choice if you want something trustworthy. With Imutiva (AVA's unique blend of vitamins and minerals to support your puppy's vitality, immunity and general wellbeing), easily digested proteins and a hypoallergenic recipe, this is perfect for any sensitive stomach.
The Calcium and Phosphorus in this recipe help to maintain strong teeth and bones while Omega 3 and 6 help keep their skin and coat in excellent condition. It's worth noting that although the recipe is made without wheat or wheat gluten, it's produced in a factory that handles grains so traces could be present
Pros
- Added calcium and phosphorus for strong teeth and bones
- Hypoallergenic recipe with easily digested proteins make it a good choice for pups with sensitive tums
Cons
- Traces of grain could be present in the recipe, despite being wheat and wheat gluten free, as it's made in a factory that handles grains
| Type of food: | Dry food |
| Food weight: | 15kg |
| Flavour: | Chicken |
- Ingredients: Chicken (54.5%) (Chicken Meal 27.5%, Fresh Chicken 17.5%, Chicken Fat 7%, Chicken Gravy (2.5%), Rice (22.5%), Maize (12.5%), Beet Pulp (3.5%), Whole Dried Egg, Salmon Oil, Brewers Yeast, Minerals, Chicory Root Extract (as a source of Pre-biotic Fructooligosaccharide) (0.16%), Yeasts (as a source of Beta-glucans and Prebiotic Mannanoligosaccharide) (0.11%), Yucca Extract (0.02%), Glucosamine (0.02%), Chondroitin (0.015%), Cranberry Extract (0.01%), Green Tea Extract (0.005%), Pomegranate Extract (0.005%)
Best supermarket puppy food
Sainsbury'swww.sainsburys.co.uk
If you're looking for a value option that you can easily pick up with the rest of your weekly shop, Sainsbury's has a bargain. Complete with a variety of recipes to give to your dog, this tempering selection in a richly savoury jelly provides a complete meal that every pup can enjoy. This Sainsbury's Complete Nutrition Puppy Food Meat Selection in Jelly also comes packed with vitamins and minerals needed for optimal nutritious goodness.
Customers like that this food offers great value, finding one tin goes a long way as there are 400 grams of food in each one. However, some reviewers wished they came in bigger packs than just six as they sometimes have trouble getting hold of them again after they've run out.
Pros
- Great value and easy to pick up while doing your own food shop
- Three different flavours in a pack to keep it interesting to your pup
Cons
- Customers wished they came in packs bigger than six
| Type of food: | Wet food |
| Food weight: | 6 x 400g |
| Flavour: | 2 x chicken, 2 x chicken and duck, 2 x lamb |
- Ingredients:
- Chicken: Meat and Animal Derivatives (38%, including 4% Chicken), Cereals (including 1.6% Dried Rice equivalent to 4% Rice), Minerals, Various Sugars.
- Turkey: Meat and Animal Derivatives (38%, including 4% Turkey), Cereals (including 1.6% Dried Rice equivalent to 4% Rice), Minerals, Various Sugars.
- Beef: Meat and Animal Derivatives (38%, including 4% Beef), Cereals (including 1.6% Dried Rice equivalent to 4% Rice), Minerals, Various Sugars.
Best meat and rice puppy food
Harringtons/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
This Harrington's Puppy Food Rich in Turkey and Rice puppy food is filled with Omega 6 and 3 oils to ensure your pup's coat stays lovely and glossy. Rich in turkey and prebiotic FOS, it offers a good source of protein for energy, growth and repair while helping to maintain healthy digestion. Plus, it has no soy, wheat or dairy, making it a great choice for those sensitive stomachs.
Reviews online mention that they think this Harrington's Puppy Food offers affordable balanced nutrition and they appreciate the quality of the ingredients for the price. There are some pet owners that feel the kibble size is a bit on the larger side so smaller breed puppies may struggle to get their mouths around it.
Pros
- Rich is Omega 6 and 3 oils to ensure good coat condition
- A good source of protein, which is great for providing energy
Cons
- Some reviewers online feel the kibble is on the larger side so smaller breed puppies may struggle to eat it
| Type of food: | Dry food |
| Food weight: | 10kg |
| Flavour: | Turkey and rice |
- Ingredients: Maize, Turkey Meal (20%), Rice (15%), Meat Meal, Porridge Oats, Poultry Fat, Digest, Beet Pulp, Linseed, Minerals, Kelp (0.2%), Yeast (0.1%), Citrus Extract (0.04%), Yucca Extract (0.01%).
Best popular puppy food
Pedigree/AmazonWe've all heard of Pedigree dog food - it's a trustworthy brand that's been much loved by pooches and owners alike for years. Safe for puppies to eat for up to twelve months, these Pedigree Junior Wet Dog Food in jelly sachets will provide your pup with 100 per cent of the nutrition they need in their first months. Vitamin E helps to support their immune system, zinc and sunflower oil provide a good source of Omega 6 to keep their skin healthy, and calcium ensures their bones grow strong.
As you get two packs of 24 pouches for the price, customers believe this Pedigree puppy food offers great value for money with 48 pouches at just over £20. The 100g pouch size means it's easier to keep on top of portion control to ensure you're not overfeeding your little pup. Reviewers feel the quality of the ingredients could be better and we agree as while it contains 48 per cent meat and animal derivatives, only 4 per cent of it is the actual named meat product in the recipe (i.e chicken) so there could be more clarity of what's in the food.
Pros
- Good value for money with 48 100g pouches for just over £20
- Easier to keep on top of portion control with this food as it's delivered in pouches
Cons
- Reviewers feel ingredient quality could be better
| Type of food: | Wet food |
| Food weight: | 48 x 100g |
| Flavour: | 12 x chicken and rice, 12 x lamb and rice, 12 x poultry and rice, 12 x beef and rice |
- Ingredients:
- With Chicken and Rice Meat and Animal Derivatives (48%, including 4% Chicken), Cereals (including 4% Cooked Rice), Oils and Fats (including 1% Sunflower Oil), Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Vegetable Protein Extracts
- With Lamb and Rice Meat and Animal Derivatives (48%, including 4% Lamb), Cereals (including 4% Cooked Rice), Oils and Fats (including 1% Sunflower Oil), Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Vegetable Protein Extracts
- With Poultry and Rice Meat and Animal Derivatives (48%, including 4% Poultry), Cereals (including 4% Cooked Rice), Oils and Fats (including 1% Sunflower Oil), Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Vegetable Protein Extracts
- With Beef and Rice Meat and Animals Derivatives (48%, including 4% Beef), Cereals (including 4% Cooked Rice), Oils and Fats (including 1% Sunflower Oil), Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Vegetable Protein Extracts
Best 'superfood' puppy food
Pooch & Muttwww.poochandmutt.co.uk
Now you can even get your hands on puppy 'superfood' - yep, you read that right. Packed full of prebiotics, natural ingredients and supplements, this Pooch & Mutt Puppy Complete Superfood puppy food will make your pup's tummy feel good. It includes lean protein which will help them grow up healthy and strong as well as superfoods like salmon oil, spinach and kale plus antioxidants like berries to ensure your little woofer has everything they need nutritionally.
A handful of customers have experienced issues with their pup having an upset stomach after switching them to this food so that's why it's important to gradually change what you're feeding your pup by introducing it slowly to their existing food and adding more every couple of days to avoid causing them any tummy troubles. Most reviewers have said their puppy really enjoys this food and have mentioned how good a quality the ingredients are in it.
Pros
- Rich in antioxidants and other superfoods to ensure your pup has everything they nutritionally need
- Packed full of natural ingredients and a good source of lean protein
Cons
- A handful of reviewers said this food gave their pup an upset stomach so make sure you introduce it to your puppy gradually
| Type of food: | Dry food |
| Food weight: | 1.5kg or 7.5kg |
| Flavour: | Chicken |
- Ingredients: Dried chicken (min. 26%), sweet potato (19%), potato, pea starch (13%), chicken fat (11%), chicken gravy (5%), peas, salmon oil (2%), brewers yeast (1%), chamomile (0.2%), cranberry (0.155%), seaweed, fructo-oligosaccharides (0.15%), mannan-oligosaccharides (0.15%), glucosamine (0.15%), yucca schidigera (0.01%), blackcurrant (0.005%), kale (0.005%), spinach (0.005%), rosemary (0.005%), rosehip (0.005%), pomegranate (0.005%), olive extract (0.005%).
How we chose the best puppy food
All of these dog foods for puppies have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered ingredient quality, nutritional value and flavour in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching xxx to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
Our verdict: What is the best puppy food?
In our opinion, one of the best foods for a puppy is the James Wellbeloved Turkey & Rice Dry Puppy Food. It’s made using 100 per cent natural turkey with no artificial flavours or colours, plus is made without a lot of common doggy allergens so a good option for those pups with intolerances or sensitivities.
If you’re looking for a wet food, we say to consider Lily's Kitchen Complete Wet Puppy Food. Lily’s Kitchen is known for its all-natural, high-quality ingredients and this puppy recipe is no expect as it includes 67 per cent fresh chicken alongside vegetables and herbs to create a meal that is nutritionally balanced and tasty.
FAQs
What should you consider when buying puppy food?
When choosing the best puppy food for your new arrival, there are a few important factors to consider to ensure they’re getting exactly what they need for their growth and development. Here are just some of the things to consider when buying puppy food.
Puppy’s age
Firstly, you’ll want to choose a food that’s appropriate for the current stage of growth your puppy is in. For example, a 12-week-old puppy will have different needs compared to a puppy that is approaching their first birthday. The packaging of the food you choose should highlight what age range it is suitable for.
Ingredients
Allergies and food intolerances are more common in puppies and adult dogs than you might think so you may want to consider choosing a puppy food for sensitive stomachs if your pup regularly has a poorly tum after eating.
Sensitivities vary from breed to breed and dog to dog, but common ingredients that can trigger allergies include corn, wheat, soy, dairy products, carbohydrates and some meats, such as beef, lamb, chicken and turkey. As there are many different ingredients that may cause an upset stomach in your pup, it may be a bit of trial and error until you finally eliminate the troublesome ingredient. You should always check the ingredients on the back of the packaging to ensure it’s free of any allergens that your pup may be intolerant to.
Balanced nutrition
Your pup must have a complete and balanced diet from the get-go so you should check your chosen food’s label to ensure it has just the right mix of protein, fats and essential vitamins and minerals for the specific size and breed of your puppy.
Puppies require more protein than adult dogs while they're growing to help with muscle development, so the best puppy food will contain a higher percentage compared to adult food. Fat content is also important for energy and the development of your pup’s nervous system while vitamins and minerals will ensure your pup has what they need for bone and brain development as well as building a strong immune system.
Breed size
As we’ve briefly mentioned above, you’ll want to take into account the size and breed of your puppy when choosing their food as smaller and larger breeds have different growth rates and may require different things at different stages of their life.
Specific large-breed puppy food and small-breed puppy food will offer tailored nutrition for your pup, and some may offer smaller or larger kibble sizes depending on the size of your breed.
If you are looking for specialist puppy food for particular breeds, look no further, Take A Break Pets has in-depth guides for the following dog breeds:
Best food for a French Bulldog puppy
Best puppy food for Dachshunds
Best food for a German Shepherd puppy
Best food for a Labrador puppy to chow down
How long should I feed my dog puppy food for?
It's recommended that you invest in different wet puppy food or dry puppy food for your pup up until they're twelve months of age. Some dog parents even start to move their puppy onto adult food after six months of eating it. Not all breeds reach maturity at the same time, so you'll want to double-check before you wean your pup off of puppy food.
Can puppies eat adult dog food?
As the best puppy food is packed with all the things they need to build healthy bones, teeth and organs, it's important not to rush your pup into eating adult food. According to Purina, if you're feeding your pup adult dog food, they may not be getting all of the essential nutrients they need during the crucial stage of their development. Puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs, so it's important to feed your pup a complete and balanced meal that's made with their growth in mind.
Is wet or dry food better for puppies UK?
Whether you feed your puppy wet or dry food may come down to your personal preferences and your pup’s individual taste but is one actually better than the other? Well, they both have different benefits.
Dry food helps maintain dental health once their razor-sharp puppy teeth have come through and it is generally seen as the more cost-effective option as it comes in bigger bags.
However, wet food is more palatable and hydrating, so it should lure even the most fussiest and unsure puppies to their bowl at meal times. Not to mention it can also be easier for them to chomp through while they’re waiting for their teeth to come through.
Is it okay to mix wet and dry puppy food?
There are benefits to both wet and dry dog food for puppies, which is why many dog owners choose to combine the two to give their pup the best of both worlds. You just have to be careful not to overfeed your pooch when offering them two different types of food and make sure you’re giving them the right portion size and daily calorie intake for their age and breed to avoid them becoming overweight.
Should I start my puppy on wet or dry food?
As we've mentioned above, both wet and dry puppy food have their pros and cons so it may just come down to your puppy's preferences. There may be certain dietary reasons why you may want to choose starting your puppy on a certain type of puppy food over the other so we would recommend talking to your vet to determine the best option for your pup's individual needs.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.