Puppy Dog Food
What is puppy food?
Puppy food is formulated to meet the needs of your young, growing pup. Puppy formulas are rich in nutrients because they need to support your puppy’s growing immune system, organs, joints, muscles, bones, and more. Because puppy food is so nutrient-dense, it should not be given to a mature dog. The difference between puppy food and adult dog food typically comes down to the nutrient content of each formula. Mature dogs cannot properly metabolize puppy food, and they do not require the same high levels of minerals, vitamins, protein, or calories that a puppy needs.
Puppies should eat a well-balanced diet - that’s why top dog food brands make specific puppy formulas! But how many cups of food should you feed your puppy? After all, he or she probably seems insatiably hungry! The recommended daily amount will be listed on the bag or can of the food you choose. Be sure to review this information and increase your puppy’s intake regularly as he or she gains weight. You should also consider your puppy’s breed and age when determining how much to feed. You’ll want to divide your pup’s daily intake and feed at least two or three meals. This will ensure that your tiny canine stays full, but doesn’t overeat.
When should I start feeding adult dog food to my puppy?
Puppies grow quickly, and sometimes it’s hard to know when your puppy is officially a mature adult. At the age of one, most dogs have reached at least 80% of their expected size. Once your puppy falls into that size range, it’s time to make the switch to adult food. If you’re unsure how large your puppy will be as an adult, be sure to ask your veterinarian.
How do I choose the best food for my puppy?
With the many incredible puppy foods available on the market, choosing the best one can be a tall order. You want to pick a food that meets your dog’s needs, suits your budget, and meets all of the other requirements you’ve put in place for your precious pup. A great way to narrow your search is to speak to your dog’s veterinarian. He or she can tell you all about the best, healthiest options and help you make the right choice for your dog. The peace of mind that comes with feeding your puppy a nourishing, high-quality, vet-recommended food is priceless.
If your puppy isn’t due for an appointment and you’re searching online for the best puppy foods, don’t fret - the Allivet pharmacists are available to answer all your questions about any Allivet product. Whether you’re wondering about breed-specific foods, you want to know what the best food is for puppies, or you’d like a professional comparison between a couple of your top picks, our knowledgeable pharmacists are here to help.
- Purina is a well-known pet food brand with a number of great options for your puppy. Their Pro Plan Veterinary Diets formulas are prescription-only foods designed to meet your dog’s specific needs. Their EN Gastroenteric Canine Formula contains moderate fat and low fiber. Their HA Hydrolyzed Canine Formulas come in a chicken or a vegetarian flavor, and they are ideal for puppies or dogs who require highly digestible, low-allergen sources of protein. Allivet also carries formulas from the Purina ONE SmartBlend line. These foods include a large breed puppy food, a healthy chicken formula, or a canned ground lamb and long grain rice flavor. This line is available without a prescription.
- Orijen offers a dry food for your large breed puppy, or a formula that meets the needs of pups of any size. Whether you have a small breed or a giant breed pup, these biologically-appropriate blends are some of the healthiest and freshest on the market. Orijen diets are free of unnecessary fillers and grains, and they are chock-full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein sources.
- Blue Buffalo is another top name in dog and puppy food. At Allivet, you’ll find options from their Life Protection and Wilderness lines. Opt for a grain-free Wilderness recipe for your puppy, such as the chicken-flavored dry food or the turkey and chicken canned formula. Their Life Protection formulas include a lamb and oatmeal flavor, a chicken and brown rice flavor, or a large breed puppy formula.
- Stella & Chewy’s offers raw, freeze-dried formulas that earn rave reviews from discerning veterinarians and pet parents alike. These unique Perfectly Puppy dinner patties come in a beef and salmon flavor or a chicken and salmon flavor. They are formulated to mirror the diet of a dog in the wild, making them a biologically-appropriate, fresh, protein-rich, top-quality choice for your dog.
- Nutro makes a number of tasty puppy food options. You and your dog can choose from their Wholesome Essentials or Ultra lines, or you can opt for one of their grain-free canned varieties. Choose a savory canned flavor like their Tender Beef Puppy Bites in Gravy or their Tender Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Pea recipe. Puppies’ tiny teeth are the perfect fit for wet, easy-to-chew food. Nutro also makes dry puppy foods that are specifically designed and formulated for your pup. Their Wholesome Essentials foods come in chicken, brown rice, and sweet potato, or in a large breed formula with an appealing lamb and rice flavor. Finally, their Ultra line offers a large breed formula or a chicken, lamb, and salmon flavor.
- Canidae has formulated a PURE puppy food with limited ingredients to support your young, growing dog’s needs. Their dry formula comes in a chicken, lentil, and whole egg flavor, while the canned variety offers a chicken flavor. Rich in protein and wholesome, carefully-selected ingredients, these healthy foods are nourishing and tasty.
At Allivet, you’ll find all the top names in puppy food. With a number of formulas from the best-loved brands, your puppy will have a healthy foundation that gets him or her on track for a lifetime of happy, playful memories!