Childhood, the blurrier part of our lives where responsibility is nonexistent. All we know is how to eat, poop, and play. Well, the fact that we are healthy or unhealthy today depends on what we consumed as a child. Proper nutrition intake is crucial for us, to the point that we end up having serious diseases and mental growth is stunted because of that.
The health issues can be obesity, being anorexic having weak bones, muscles, and hormonal imbalances. This all can also affect our puppies if we don’t feed them properly and provide them with the much-needed nutrients they need to develop. Often displaying weakness in their immune system and developing bone diseases and developing blindness in a senior stage of their life. The serious implications this brings can be discouraging to owners.
Researchers and scientist found that without puppies need higher levels of certain nutrients in their diet. Adult dog’s food is incompatible with puppies as they have different needs. Puppies need minerals, vitamins, and proteins. They also need to be delicious and also anti-allergenic for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
New dog foods are introduced to the market now and then. All are tirelessly trying to get your attention and make you buy their products for your dogs. But it takes time, patience, and a lot of research to find the right once out there. So, to save you the trouble, we took it upon ourselves to bring you a top 10 list of the best Puppy food out there as of writing this article.
10 Best Dog Food for Puppies
Since this is a top 10, some of the dog food will go under our radar due to the vast number of products out there. This list is not in any particular order. Every one of these products is equally recommended for one reason or another.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy
Blue Buffalo brings a formula catered to” protecting” the life of puppies by concentrating on the growth and wellness of the puppy first. The ingredients are good quality, starting with Real Meat, Garden Vegetables, Whole Grains, and Fruits. Its first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley. Note that this formula includes grains such as the ingredients suggests like Barley, Oatmeal, and Brown Rice.
But it contains no fillers like soy, corn, and wheat. Has no poultry, by-products, preservatives, or artificial flavorings.
Enhanced with antioxidants to keep the immune system safe. Vitamins and minerals are there to help the puppy’s body develop at a smoother rate. Minerals like phosphorus and calcium especially are added to increase the strengthening of the bone’s teeth of the puppy. Proteins for muscle growth. DHA and ARA for cognitive and mental development. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are included to help increase the mental growth of the puppy, also keeping the skin and coat healthy.
The special kibble sizes are small enough to help smaller breeds eat easily while also removing tartar from the tooth of the puppies. This product contains 27% protein minimum, 16% fat minimum, 5% fiber max, and 10% max water content. This is compatible with all sizes and breed of puppies.
» This product was produced in the USA.
» Chewy rates Blue Buffalo 4.5 stars out of 5
» Amazon rates Blue Buffalo 4.4 stars out of 5
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy
If you are a fan of fresh and high-quality ingredients, then Nutro wholesome Essentials got your back. The main ingredients are farm-raised Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Brown Rice. The first five ingredients of the box are Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Whole Brown Rice, Whole Grain Oatmeal. This formula has grains, like Rice Bran, Brown Rice, Barley, and so on.
It contains no fillers such as soy, corn, and wheat. And no G.M.O products, artificial flavoring, colors, and preservatives to keep your dogs all-natural and safe. It also has no chicken by-products. The formula is developed specifically for growing puppies. It has omega-3, 6 fatty acids like DHA, which are for mental development. It also keeps skin and fur coats healthy. Calcium for healthy, stronger bones and teeth.
It contains 29% protein minimum, 16% fat minimum, 3% fiber max, and 10% moisture/ water content max. This product is produced in the USA.
» Chewy rates Nutro Wholesome at 4.6 stars out of 5.
» Amazon rates Nutro Wholesome at 4.6 stars out of 5.
Purina Pro Plan Development Puppy Large Breed Formula
Purina pro plan is specifically developed for large breed puppies. It packs enough nutrients to help the puppies grow as large and healthy as can be. The main ingredients are chicken, whole grain wheat, beef fat, and corn gluten meal. Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Poultry By-Product Meal (Source of Glucosamine), and Whole Grain Wheat. This formula contains filler/grain-based products like Corn, rice, and other preservatives with by-products.
It has omega 3, 6 fatty acids like DHA acids for mental development and cognitive. Contains a very large amount of protein and fat for growth. It has probiotics to keep the intestinal bacteria healthy and thriving for better digestion. This formula has very high caloric content.
It contains 28% protein minimum, 13% fat minimum, 4.75% fiber max, and 12% water/ moisture max-content. This product is produced in the USA.
» Chewy rates Purina Pro Plan at 4.7 stars out 5 stars.
» Amazon rates Purina Pro Plan at 4.7 stars out of 5 stars.
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Original
Iams Proactive health Is designed up the health of your puppy and help it grow well. It has many nourishing properties for recovering dogs. The main ingredient is Chicken and Ground Whole Grain Corn. The first five ingredients are Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Dried Beet Pulp. It contains grain-based ingredients. It has no filler or artificial preservative.It’s specifically for pregnant and nursing dogs. This contains omega 3,6 fatty acids to get better cognitive and mental health. The special texture makes extra friction with the teeth to peel of the tartar on the puppy’s teeth. Probiotics are present to keep the intestinal tract thriving with digestive bacteria for a more sensitive stomach an easier time digesting food.
It contains 29% protein minimum, 17.5% fat minimum, 4% fiber max, and 10% moisture/water content max. This product is produced in the USA.
» Chewy rates Iams ProActive at 4.6 stars out of 5 stars
» Amazon rates Iams ProActive at 4.5 stars out of 5 and is an Amazon’s choice.
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed
Hill Science Diet is designed to feed puppies of larger sizes to give them a better developed and healthier life. Its main ingredients are Oats and Chicken Meal which have high nutrition value. The first main ingredients are Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Oats, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal. This formula contains grains like Whole Grain Oatmeal. It has no Soy, Wheat, and Corn. It contains no preservatives, artificial colors or flavorings.
This contains calcium for bone development and growth much needed to support larger puppies. Chondroitin and glucosamine to keep the joints working and stable. It also makes the muscles stronger. Vitamins A and E to fill up for deficiencies in the body and increases the immunity. Antioxidants help the dog’s body get rid of toxins.
This contains 24% protein minimum, 11% fat minimum, 3% fiber max, and 10% water/ moisture content max. This product is produced in the USA.
» Chewy rates Hill’s Science at 4.6 stars out of 5 stars.
» Amazon rates Hill’s Science at 4.7 stars out of 5 stars.
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Canned Dog Food
Merrick Grain-Free is a wholesome canned food that is based on balancing the diet of your dog equally and nutritiously. Its main ingredients are Turkey, Duck, Chicken, Vegetables, and Fruits. The first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey, Turkey Broth, Duck. It is grain-free to keep allergic dogs safe. Its gluten-free, filler-free like Corn, Soy, and Wheat. This formula has no preservatives, artificial coloring, and flavoring.
Turkey, chicken, and duck provide a vast amount of varied proteins and nutrients that are needed for proper growth and development. It contains a delicious chicken broth, adding the necessary flavoring to keep your puppy coming back for more. Has a mixture of fruits and vegetables like granny smith apple, carrots, and peas. This adds a good amount of fiber to keep your dog’s digestion healthy. This can be added as topping for your dog’s dry dog food kibble for extra healthy and delicious bites.
It contains 10% protein minimum, 5% fat minimum, 1.8% fiber max, and 81% water/moisture content. This product is produced in the USA.
» Chewy rates Merrick Grain-Free at 4.4 stars out of 5.
» Amazon rates Merrick Grain-Free at 3.8 stars out of 5.
ORIJEN Puppy High-Protein, Grain-Free, Premium Quality Meat
ORIJEN puppy high-protein is a premium puppy formula made by wild and natural ingredients to give your puppy the nutritious nature meal. The main ingredients of this formula are and wild-caught fish, turkey, free-run chicken, and cage-free eggs. The first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Flounder, Eggs, and Whole Atlantic Mackerel. Its grain-free to keep your dogs from allergies.
It has omega-3, 6 from the fishes to help your puppies develop their mental and cognitive functions. glucosamine and chondroitin to keep the joints healthy. Calcium to keep the dog’s bones and teeth healthy. Proteins from meat and eggs to stay healthy and grow. Its high-fat content helps it get enough stored energy to keep your puppy going.
It contains 38% protein minimum, 20% fat minimum, 6% fiber max, and 12% moisture/water content. This product is produced in the USA.
» Amazon rates ORIJEN puppy high-protein at 4.5 out of 5.
Royal Canin Small Puppy Wet Dog Food
Catering to smaller breed and sized dogs, Royal Canin provides the ample amount of nourishment needed for these puppies. The main ingredients are Chicken and pork by-products. The first five ingredients are Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Pork By-Products, Chicken By-Products, Pork Plasma.
It is made up of highly digestive proteins that keep smaller puppy’s digestion healthy. Filled with vitamins and antioxidants to increase the puppy’s immunity. It contains marginally extra energy to keep the energy needs of your puppies. The packet is easy to use on the move.
It contains 6.5 protein minimum, 4.5% fat minimum, 2% fiber max, and 81% moisture/water content.
» Amazon rates Royal Canin 4.6 stars out of 5 stars.
» Chewy rates Royal Canin 4.2 stars out of 5 stars.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula
Taste of the Wild brings a unique formula with the meat of rarely eaten animals of very high quality. The main ingredients are Bison, lamb, and Buffalo meats. The first five ingredients are Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Pea Protein. This formula has peas in it and is grain-free. It has no fillers, Soy, Wheat or corn. It has no artificial flavor, color, and preservatives.
Its unique proteins of roasted bison, venison, and buffalo which contains a rich amount of nutrients and complex proteins. This provides the puppy with stronger muscles with a lean diet. It has vitamins and antioxidants to increase and boost the immunity of the puppy. K9 probiotic to help flourish the digestive bacteria in the intestinal tract. Filled with omega 3, 6 fatty acids to increase the mental capabilities and enhance the vision as they grow.
It contains 28% proteins minimum, 17% minimum fat, 5% fiber max, and 10% max moisture/water content. This product is produced in the USA.
» Chewy rates Taste of the Wild at 4.7 stars out of 5 stars.
» Amazon rates Taste of the Wild 4.2 stars out of 5 stars.
Go! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free
Go! Solutions bring the highest quality raw ingredients for your puppy to get the most out of its diet. The main two variants have Turkey, Trout, Duck, Chicken, and Salmon, Or Chicken, Turkey, Salmon, Duck, and Herring. This formula is grain, gluten-free. It has no soy, wheat, corn. It also has no preservatives, by-products, artificial colorings, flavors, and no growth hormones in it.
It has a varied and complex number of proteins in the premium meats that help the puppies body develop in many different ways. Fruits and vegetables for necessary fiber content to help the digestion of the puppy. The anti-oxidants and vitamins are to boost their immunity and enhance body functions. It has omega 3,6 fatty acids like DHA and EPA to develop the cognitive and mental powers of the dog. Smaller kibbles for small puppies to digest easily.
» It contains 36% proteins minimum, 18% fat minimum, 3% fiber max, and 10% water/moisture content. This product is produced in Canada.
» Chewy rates Go! Solutions at 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.
Conclusion
There are plenty of dog foods out there. Always take caution whenever it comes to puppies. The best way to find out what your puppy needs is for you to take your pup to the vet personally. This will ensure it gets what it needs on an individual basis.