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 have found the best puppy food on the market right here.
Best puppy food at a glance:
• Best overall puppy food: James Wellbeloved Complete Dry Puppy Food – view on Viovet
• Best puppy food for high meat percentage: Lily's Kitchen Complete Wet Puppy Food – view on Lily's Kitchen
• Best puppy food for smaller breeds: Royal Canin MINI Puppy Dog Food – view on Viovet
• Best sensitive stomach puppy food: AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health – view on Pets at Home
The reason why you should be buying food specifically for your pup 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 food 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
Description
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, colours or antioxidants, it's naturally hypoallergenic and has a blend of dietary fibres, making it good for your pup's tum. This is a good all-around puppy food with substance and good value for money.
Customer review: "My Whippet puppy loves the particular food, it's a great size for her to chew. I love the fact as she's a grazer, and I can leave this food down, and she can come and eat whenever she feels like it, without the worry of it going off."
Pros
- Great for grazing dogs
- Excludes common allergens such as beef, pork, soya, eggs, dairy and wheat
- It contains natural prebiotics for a healthy digestion
Cons
- Not ideal for dogs who eat quickly
Best puppy food for high meat percentage
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Description
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 pooch. Lily's Kitchen Complete Wet Puppy Food is made up of all-natural ingredients, including fresh meat, vegetables and herbs, plus all the vitamins and minerals your pup needs to be healthy and happy as they grow.
Customer review: "We've been feeding our 16-week-old puppy Lily's Kitchen since we got her at 8 weeks. She LOVES it, it doesn't smell too bad, and the consistency is nice as far as dog food goes!"
Pros
- High meat percentage
- Fresh ingredients
- Great value
Cons
- May be considered more of a treat meal rather than everyday food
Best puppy food for smaller breeds
Royal Canin/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Description
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 dry dog food will help to keep your pup's developing teeth clean, too.
Customer review: "Great product dogs overall condition has improved you feed less as better quality of food for nutrients. Would not change to cheaper products. Delivery was very good pleased with supplier use again. Best price I've found."
Pros
- Good quality
- Breed-specific
- Adapted kibble size
Cons
- Kibble may require more crunching compared to other dry food
Best sensitive stomach puppy food
AVA/Pets At Homewww.petsathome.com
Description
Recommended by veterinarians, AVA Optimum Health Dry Puppy Food is a great choice if you want something trustworthy. With Imutiva, easily digested proteins and a hypoallergenic recipe, this is perfect for any sensitive stomach. Calcium and Phosphorous help to maintain strong teeth and bones, while Omega 3 and 6 help keeps their skin and coat in excellent condition.
Customer review: "After trying 3 different brands, Ava saved me, my 10-week puppy was having very runny stools, so I tried Ava and was amazed that his stools are now normal. One happy puppy!"
Pros
- Good quality dry food
- Hypoallergenic
- A source of easily digestible protein
Cons
- New reseal mechanism broken
Best supermarket puppy food
Sainsbury'swww.sainsburys.co.uk
Description
If you're looking for a value option that's easy to access in your supermarkets, Sainsbury's has a bargain. Complete with a variety of meats to give to your dog, this tempering selection in a richly savoury jelly provides a complete recipe 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.
Customer review: "We have four big puppies and need something that is not too expensive to feed them on. They gobble this up well, so they obviously like it, and it seems very similar to other brands - but much better value. So would very much recommend it."
Pros
- Great value
- Easy to buy
- Three different flavours in a pack
Cons
- Small range
Best meat and rice puppy food
Harringtons/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Description
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.
Customer review: "Very good value and quality dog food. My Pomeranian puppies love it, and the odour isn't as bad as other brands. The biscuits are very small, so it's very good for 'toy dog' size."
Pros
- Great value
- Large bag so it will last for a while
- Made in the UK
Cons
- You must have somewhere to store the large amount of food to ensure it stays fresh
Best popular puppy food
Pedigree/AmazonDescription
We'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.
Customer review: "The puppies love this food, tried others, but they wouldn't eat them."
Pros
- Popular brand
- Includes two packs of 24
- Choice of flavours
Cons
- Not the best value
Best 'superfood' puppy food
Pooch & Muttwww.poochandmutt.co.uk
Description
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. These are enhanced natural foods that are worth the investment. Subscribe to this recipe, and you can save 20 per cent off the RRP.
Customer review: "This is perfect for two small chihuahua puppies. Full of quality ingredients and apparently very easy for them to eat, digest and - importantly - get rid of!"
Pros
- Rich in antioxidants
- Grain-free and junk-free
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Only one flavour
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:
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.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden 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.