Choosing the best puppy food for your new baby dog can be a daunting task. After all, today there are thousands of commercial dog foods on the market.
So, where do you start?
When searching for puppy food, the best place to start is simply knowing what an ideal dog food might look like. And what a puppy needs for proper growth.
It’s no secret, we tend to favor puppy foods that are…
No, but overfeeding does.
Contrary to popular belief, hip dysplasia and skeletal diseases in dogs are not related to dietary protein1. They’re much more likely the result of genetics2, excessive dietary calcium3 or overfeeding during growth4.
Studies have clearly demonstrated the greatest risk of developing skeletal problems later in life is directly linked to overfeeding — allowing a puppy to eat all day on demand (free feeding).
To greatly decrease the risk of your dog suffering the ill effects of serious growth problems, avoid leaving your puppy’s food in the bowl all day long.
Serve measured amounts… on a regular schedule.
Unfortunately, when feeding puppies, you need to pay attention to protein minimums and fiber maximums. And fat content, too.
Too little (or too much) calcium can cause bone problems. And the same for phosphorus and magnesium, too.
Getting everything right can seem frustrating.
But there’s an easier way.
To ensure a puppy food is nutritionally complete and balanced, the Association of American Feed Control Officials has established a special nutrient profile optimized for growing dogs.
This AAFCO profile details no less than 37 nutrients that must be present in a puppy food including…
This simple statement assures buyers a product meets nutritional requirements for growing puppies…
Puppy foods contain more of certain nutrients… and less of others.
For this reason, and even though it’s safe to feed your adult dog a puppy food…
Never feed any puppy a food designed for adult maintenance only. Adult foods can be deficient in certain puppy nutrients.
If you’re looking for an above-average puppy food, we’ve prepared four different lists for you to consider.
Suggested products must meet two requirements. They must be rated at least either four stars or five stars by the Advisor.
And they must meet AAFCO nutritional profiles for either growth or all life stages or they must be recommended for puppies by the manufacturer
So, where do you start?
When searching for puppy food, the best place to start is simply knowing what an ideal dog food might look like. And what a puppy needs for proper growth.
It’s no secret, we tend to favor puppy foods that are…
- Higher in meat-based protein
- Higher in natural fats and oils
- Lower in carbohydrates
- Formulated from a named (non-generic) animal source
- Free of animal or vegetable by-products
- Free of artificial flavoring, coloring or preservatives
- Complete in all essential vitamins and minerals
- Not excessive in calcium content (large breeds)
But Doesn’t Higher Protein Content
Cause Hip and Joint Problems?
No, but overfeeding does.Cause Hip and Joint Problems?
Contrary to popular belief, hip dysplasia and skeletal diseases in dogs are not related to dietary protein1. They’re much more likely the result of genetics2, excessive dietary calcium3 or overfeeding during growth4.
Studies have clearly demonstrated the greatest risk of developing skeletal problems later in life is directly linked to overfeeding — allowing a puppy to eat all day on demand (free feeding).
To greatly decrease the risk of your dog suffering the ill effects of serious growth problems, avoid leaving your puppy’s food in the bowl all day long.
Serve measured amounts… on a regular schedule.
The Challenge of Proper Nutrient Content
Unfortunately, when feeding puppies, you need to pay attention to protein minimums and fiber maximums. And fat content, too.Too little (or too much) calcium can cause bone problems. And the same for phosphorus and magnesium, too.
Getting everything right can seem frustrating.
But there’s an easier way.
How to Be Sure a Puppy Food
Is Complete and Balanced
To ensure a puppy food is nutritionally complete and balanced, the Association of American Feed Control Officials has established a special nutrient profile optimized for growing dogs.Is Complete and Balanced
This AAFCO profile details no less than 37 nutrients that must be present in a puppy food including…
- 10 amino acids
- 12 minerals
- 11 vitamins
This simple statement assures buyers a product meets nutritional requirements for growing puppies…
- Growth
- All life stages
- Growth and maintenance
Product formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for growth
Is It Safe to Feed
Adult Dog Food to a Puppy?
Puppy foods contain more of certain nutrients… and less of others.Adult Dog Food to a Puppy?
For this reason, and even though it’s safe to feed your adult dog a puppy food…
Never feed any puppy a food designed for adult maintenance only. Adult foods can be deficient in certain puppy nutrients.
How We Selected the Foods
If you’re looking for an above-average puppy food, we’ve prepared four different lists for you to consider.Suggested products must meet two requirements. They must be rated at least either four stars or five stars by the Advisor.
And they must meet AAFCO nutritional profiles for either growth or all life stages or they must be recommended for puppies by the manufacturer
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