Our favorite
NomNomNow Customizable Food
ProteinBased on customization
FatBased on customization
Calories per servingBased on customization and recipe
PriceBased on dog's weight and delivery preferences
Best Puppy Food
Look for whole foods with ample calories for your growing pup
By:
Jessica Render
Taste of the Wild and Freshpet
While a puppy is still growing, they will need extra calories and special nutrition to help them form strong bones, joint and muscles. The best puppy food will have whole meat (not just by-products or meal), whole grains, fruits, vegetables and good fats (like those from Omegas). You’ll want to avoid products that include meat meal, synthetic vitamins, wheat gluten and harmful chemicals like propylene glycol, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).
What is the best puppy food?
- Our favorite
NomNomNow - Our pick for grain-free puppy food
Canidae - Our pick for wet puppy food
FreshPet - Our pick for dry puppy food
Taste of the Wild - Our favorite large breed puppy food
Blue Buffalo - Our favorite small breed puppy food
Canidae
Canidae Pet Foods
1.6(1,726)
- Under the Sun Grain Free Puppy Food with Chicken
- Around $45 for 25lb bag
Our pick for grain-free puppy food
Canidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Puppy Food
Protein28%
Fat11%
Price$44.99 for a 25lb bag
Our pick for wet puppy food
FreshPet Select Puppy
Protein11%
Fat7%
Price$4.79 per 1.5lb roll
Our pick for dry puppy food
Taste of the Wild Puppy Recipe
Protein28%
Fat17%
Price$30.99 for a 15lb bag
Our favorite large breed puppy food
Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula
Protein26%
Fat15%
Price$28.99 for a 15lb bag
Our favorite small breed puppy food
Canidae PURE Petite Small Breed
Protein26%
Fat15%
Price$39.99/12lb bag
Puppy nutritional needs by size
Small breed puppy food
Small breed puppies tend to have a higher metabolic rate than their large- and medium-sized counterparts and may actually need more calories. It’s important for small dogs to have calorie-dense meals four to six times a day to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Small dogs also need smaller bites in order to chew and swallow safely.
Talk to your veterinarian before you buy dog food for your puppy to make sure you’re getting the one that has the nutrients they need based on their size and breed.
Large breed puppy food
Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs than small and medium-sized dogs. Because of their size and their fast growth rate, large breeds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, as well as bone disorders like osteochondrosis (OCD) and developmental orthopedic disease (DOD). In order to prevent these issues, it's important to select foods that are designed to support the growth of large dogs and avoid overfeeding.
Blue Buffalo Pet Foods
1.7(2,108)
- Life Protection
- $28.99/15lb bag
- Formulated to support proper bone development and lean muscle growth in large dog breeds
Canidae Pet Foods
1.6(1,726)
- PURE petite small breed, salmon
- $39.99/12lb bag
- Salmon protein diet rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
How much does puppy need to eat?
Puppy feeding guidelines
The amount of food your puppy needs every day depends on their size and breed. A smaller breed will eat small meals more frequently, while larger breeds will eat up to a cup per meal.
| Size of dog | Cups per day |
|---|---|
| Toy dog | ¼–¾ |
| Small dog | ¾–1 |
| Medium dog | 1–2 |
| Large dog | 2–2½ |
| Giant dog | 2–4 |
Puppy feeding schedule
Because puppies have small tummies, they should eat small portions more often than dogs. This is easier for puppies to digest and helps keep their energy levels stable. Most puppies’ food should be portioned out to three or four meals a day. For example, a small breed puppy who eats one cup per day should eat about a quarter cup at each meal time.
How long do you give a dog puppy food?
Puppy food is too high in calories for adult dogs to consume. Check with your veterinarian to assess whether your dog has finished growing. In general, smaller dogs mature faster than large dogs. Small breeds can take 10–14 months, larger breeds can take 12–16 months, and giant breeds can take up to two years to fully develop.
- Can puppies eat dog food?
- Can puppies have treats?
- Yes, a puppy can have dog treats, but you’ll want to look for softer chew treats. Young dogs, especially those in the first few months of their lives, that still have puppy teeth may not be able to handle large treats or hard treats.
Bottom Line
Selecting a quality puppy food will help set your dog up for a lifetime of health and happiness. Remember, what’s not in the food is just as important as what’s in the food. Look for a balanced formula free of artificial and unnecessary additives.
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