Puppies are wonderful, and they bring so much joy to our homes. We do everything we can to make sure that they have the best start in life – training sessions, new toys, socialisation, and plenty of attention.
But what about their diet? The choice you make with regards to their food is just as important as the rest of their care.
Your puppy needs something that will help them to grow with strong and healthy bones, as well as provide the necessary nutrients and calories to give them energy throughout the day.
We have gathered the best puppy food here so that you can give them a great start to their new lives with you.
1. Editors Pick
Barking Heads Puppy Days Starter Bundle
2. Budget Pick
Butcher’s Puppy Perfect Grain Free
Contents
- Key Things to Look for
- 1. Barking Heads Puppy Days Starter Bundle
- 2. Butcher’s Puppy Perfect
- 3. The Hunger of the Wolf Puppy and Junior
- 4. Eukanuba Growing Puppy (Large)
- 5. Lily’s Kitchen Perfectly Tasty (Puppy)
- 6. AATU Puppy
- 7. Chudley Puppy and Junior
- 8. Autarky Junior Puppy Food
- 9. IAMS for Vitality Small and Medium Puppy
- 10. Harringtons Puppy Turkey and Rice
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
Key Things to Look for
Before you pick up a bag of dog food for your puppy, there are a few key things that you should be keeping an eye out for. These will help you to make the best decision, as well as give you some important information about the health and wellbeing of your puppy.
Nutrients. Did you know that puppies need twice the calories each day compared to an adult dog? They require more calcium, protein, fat, and phosphorus.
Additionally, these need to be carefully balanced as too much or too little can cause health problems – something that commercial foods do for you.
Size. The breed and size of your puppy will impact the dog food you should be giving them. You will find there are some dog foods labelled as “toy” or “large”, and this is all to do with the size of the kibble.
Smaller dogs will have a hard time eating large chunks of food, and bigger dogs need chunky kibble so that they can actually chew and crunch it.
However, it is a little deeper than this. Large breeds can grow too fast, resulting in weaker bones and joints, so the nutrient levels in dog food for specific sizes of puppies are actually adjusted to help prevent things like rapid growth.
Ingredients. You should always pay attention to the ingredients in puppy food. Some people prefer to feed their dogs a wheat and grain-free diet as these ingredients can cause stomach upsets and bloat in some dogs.
Similarly, you may want to ensure that the meat content is specified as things like chicken breast as opposed to meat derivatives. This ensures better quality meat with more nutrition as opposed to the leftover slop that is not even human-grade.
Wet or Dry? When puppies are teething, they really benefit from the crunch of dry dog food. However, you should be soaking their dog food in water or goat milk to soften it before they eat for the first month or so that you have them anyway.
Dry food is good for their oral health, especially if they do not have chews, and wet food makes for a delicious treat that many dogs love. The simple answer is to mix them for a balanced diet that will benefit them.
Allergies. When you have a puppy, this is when you are going to learn about specific allergies that they might have. Alternatively, you may already know if they have allergies already.
Either way, it is a good time to be careful about the dog foods that you choose, avoiding common allergens or testing to see if your puppy reacts to any of them.
Read Here : Best Dog Food Review Guide
1. Barking Heads Puppy Days Starter Bundle
Editor’s Pick
This is a fantastic bundle of food for puppies, containing both wet and dry so that your puppy can enjoy a diet that is both nutritionally rich as well as varied.
It even contains a little pack of treats that will help keep them calm in the evenings when everyone is settling down.
The protein content of this dog food is fantastic at 28% and 17.5% fat. The ash content isn’t too bad at 8%. It contains excellent ingredients, like salmon oil, to give your pup a good dose of omega 3 for healthy skin and eyes. Plus, it’s completely free from artificial nasties.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon, Dried Chicken, Sweet Potato, Potato, Salmon Oil
- Texture: Wet/Dry
- Type: Grain-free
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Growing pups
Should You Buy it?
You should definitely buy this puppy food. The pack is a perfect mix of wet and dry, rich in good nutrients, and has loads of tasty extras.
Sample Buyer Review
— Amy Campbell
2. Butcher’s Puppy Perfect
Budget Pick
This pack of wet food is ideal for puppies of all shapes and sizes, and is completely free of bulking ingredients and grains, meaning that you don’t need to worry about stomach upsets or them not getting enough nutrition.
The protein content is really good for wet food coming in at 8% with an equally great fat content of 6%. It also benefits from a mere 2% ash. It’s packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy eyes, coats, organs, and a strong immune system.
There are also three different flavors included so that you can find your pup’s favorite.
- Key Ingredients: Whole rice, salmon meal, naked oats, peas, sunflower oil
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Grain-free
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Budget Pick
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this puppy food. It is a great budget pick that still contains good quality meat instead of cheap derivatives. Plus, it is packed with great nutrients for your dog.
Sample Buyer Review
— Jax
3. The Hunger of the Wolf Puppy and Junior
Best Hypoallergenic Pick
This kibble for puppies comes in two different versions – one that is suitable for large breeds, and another that has been specially designed for large and giant breed dogs.
It’s easy for them to munch and packed with good nutrients to help them grow and stay strong.
The protein content is strong at 28%, with a good amount of fat at 16%, and 7.5% ask which is respectable. It’s a puppy food that has been made with the ancestors of your pup in mind, and they’ll no doubt be wolfing it down in no time at all.
- Key Ingredients: lamb meal, rice, maize, animal fat, chicken liver
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Hypoallergenic
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: All breeds
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a good puppy food to buy for puppies that need something hypoallergenic to live a happy life. The meat ingredients are not the best quality, but the reviews speak volumes for this puppy food.
Sample Buyer Review
— Kayla
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
4. Eukanuba Growing Puppy (Large)
For Large Breed Pups
This dry kibble is a great choice for large breed puppies as it contains a different balance of nutrients and calories that have been tailored to their growth in order to properly support them.
It contains fantastic protein levels at 26.5% as well as fat levels of 14.5%.
There is also a low ash content of 5% for your peace of mind. It’s packed with essential minerals that promote strong joints, organs, eyes, and a shiny coat so that your puppy will truly thrive. For giant breeds, this nutritious puppy food can be fed until they are 14 months old to keep them healthy.
- Key Ingredients: Fresh chicken, dried chicken & turkey, maize grits, maize, wheat
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Hypoallergenic
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Large breed
Should You Buy it?
Definitely. It is a fantastic puppy food for large breed dogs who need those extra nutrients and calories to grow strong and healthy.
Sample Buyer Review
— Mandy lewsley
5. Lily’s Kitchen Perfectly Tasty (Puppy)
Top Natural Pick
One of the best dog food brands in the country, Lily’s Kitchen has something for every pup. This kibble is full of natural ingredients, making it a popular choice for new owners everywhere. Plus, the kibble is a good size, meaning that even little pups will make an easy meal of it.
The protein content is brilliant at 27%, with an equally good level of fat at 14.5%. The ash is also nice and low at only 6%. It contains loads of omega 3 and 6, which is important for the development of a strong immune system, eyes, a shiny coat, and healthy joints and organs.
- Key Ingredients: chicken, sweet potatoes, fresh salmon, pea protein, potato protein
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Natural
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Fussy eaters, sensitive stomachs
Should You Buy it?
Definitely. This is a brilliant dog food that is rich in nutrients and good ingredients that your puppy will not only love, but benefit from as they grow and mature.
Sample Buyer Review
— Jane Massingham
6. AATU Puppy
Best High Protein Pick
This food contains some of the best protein levels you will find in puppy foods, coming in at an exceptional 35%.
The fat content is nicely balanced at 18% with a respectable 8.5% ash. It’s free from wheat and grains to ensure that it is gentle on your dog’s stomach.
Each of the fruits and vegetables included has been selected for their nutritional benefits. It doesn’t contain any of the artificial flavours and preservatives that you would expect to see in many commercial foods, promoting good health and wellbeing for growing pups.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas, Peas, Lucerne
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain-free, high protein
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Sensitive stomachs
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this puppy food. It’s high protein levels means that your puppy is getting great energy and the nutritional support they need to thrive and grow into a healthy adult dog.
Sample Buyer Review
— Michael Bilsbury
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
7. Chudley Puppy and Junior
Best for Working Puppies
This is a good puppy food if your wallet is a little tight but you will want to provide them with excellent levels of nutrition.
It contains 28% protein, which is fantastic for puppy foods, alongside 14% fat and 6% ash. It also contains omega 3 to support healthy eyes and a shiny coat.
It’s free from gluten to help prevent bloating, and it is suitable for puppies as young as two weeks of age. It promotes moderate rates of growth for their health, and was designed for the calorific needs of working dogs so that your pup is energised and ready to go.
- Key Ingredients: Poultry meal, Whole grain maize, Whole grain barley, Chicken fat, Prairie meal
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Gluten-free
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Working puppies
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a good puppy food to buy. The meat content is not the best quality, but it is an affordable puppy food that still provides loads of great nutritional value for your pup.
Sample Buyer Review
— Roger Crooks
8. Autarky Junior Puppy Food
Top Gluten-Free Pick
This puppy food is a delicious kibble that they are sure to love, and the size is good enough that it will be able to satisfy pups of all breeds. It is free from gluten and gentle on stomachs, providing them with a delicious meal that they won’t suffer from later.
It contains 22% protein, which is quite good, alongside 12% fat and 6% ash. It’s loaded with nutritious vegetables that will promote their health and growth. It’s a natural dog food as well, which means that you don’t need to worry about any artificial ingredients being added.
- Key Ingredients: Maize, chicken meat meal, rice, chicken fat, green vegetables
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Gluten-free
- Life Stage: Puppies
- Suitable For: Sensitive stomachs
Should You Buy it?
You should pick this puppy food up. It’s free from gluten, good for sensitive stomachs, and provides puppies with plenty of nutrition despite not having the best quality ingredients out there.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
9. IAMS for Vitality Small and Medium Puppy
Best for Small and Medium Pups
This crunchy kibble is great for growing pups that are going to be small or medium in size when they grow up. It contains 85% animal protein to ensure that your puppy is getting the best possible ingredients with little to no fillers. It’s also gentle on their sensitive little bellies.
It contains an impressive 28% protein alongside 17% fat and 6% ash. It’s loaded with vitamin E to boost their immune system, as well as omega 3 for a shiny coat and healthy eyes. The included vitamin D promotes strong bones, and has loads of minerals for a nourished heart.
- Key Ingredients: dried chicken & turkey, maize, maize grits, animal fat, fresh chicken
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Gentle digestion
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Small and medium breeds
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a great food for puppies. It’s affordable, full of nutrients, and from one of the leading dog food brands in the UK. It’s a great way to show your pup you love them.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
10. Harringtons Puppy Turkey and Rice
Best Puppy All-Rounder
This is quality puppy food that is loved and trusted by dog owners across the nation. It’s a delicious meal for puppies of all breeds as well as completely natural to help you avoid those artificial nasties that you so often find in commercial food. Plus, it is loaded with nutritional value.
The protein content is excellent at 28% and the fat content is a respectable 10%. The ash levels are also acceptable at 8%. There is no added wheat, and it is packed with helpful vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system and promote healthy growth as well as strong joints.
- Key Ingredients: Maize, Turkey Meal, Rice, Meat Meal, Poultry Fat
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Natural
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Puppy all-rounder
Should You Buy it?
Definitely. This is a great food for puppies. It’s a solid choice that provides them with brilliant nutrition, natural ingredients, and strong joints in adulthood.
Sample Buyer Review
— Judith Kirk
FAQs
How Often Should I Feed My Puppy?
You should feed your puppy four times a day until they are about four or five months old, and after that, it should go down to three times a day until they are around eight or nine months old. It is then that you can reduce it down to twice a day like most adult dogs.
How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?
The amount that you should feed your puppy varies according to their age and weight. The chart below should help you to determine how much they should eat each day.
| Weight at Maturity (lbs) | Weight at Maturity (kg) | 1-1/2 – 3 Months (cups) | 4 – 5 Months (cups) | 6 – 8 Months (cups) | 9 – 11 Months (cups) | 1 – 2 Years (cups) |
| 3 – 12 | 1.4 – 5.4 | 1/2 – 1 | 2/3 – 1-1/3 | 1/2 – 1-1/2 | Feed as Adult | Feed as Adult |
| 13 – 20 | 5.9 – 9.1 | 1/2 – 1-1/4 | 1-1/8 – 2 | 3/4 – 1-1/3 | 1 – 1-1/2 | Feed as Adult |
| 21 – 50 | 9.5 – 22.7 | 1/2 – 1-1/2 | 1-1/2 – 2-3/4 | 1-1/8 – 2-1/3 | 2 – 3 | 2 – 4-1/4 |
| 51 – 75 | 23.1 – 34.0 | 5/8 – 2-1/3 | 1-1/2 – 4 | 1-1/2 – 3-3/4 | 2-1/2 – 4-3/4 | 2-5/8 – 6-1/4 |
| 76 – 100 | 34.5 – 45.4 | 1 – 2-2/3 | 2-7/8 – 3-3/4 | 2-7/8 – 6-1/3 | 3-7/8 -7 | 5-5/8 – 11 |
| 101 + | Over 45.4 kg | 2-2/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs | 3-3/4 cups plus 1/3 cup for every 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs | 6-1/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for every 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs | 7 cups plus 1/3 cup for every 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs | 11 cups plus 1/3 cup for every 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs |
How Do I Know My Puppy is a Large Breed?
Your puppy is a large breed if their adult weight is expected to be over 70lbs (30kg). Giant breeds are expected to be over 100lbs (45kg) when they are adults. Small breeds are anything up to 22lbs (10kg), and medium breeds will be expected to reach up to 60lbs (25kg)
When Should I Put My Puppy on Adult Food?
You should not put your puppy on adult food before they reach a year old. Some would even argue that 18 months is a more suitable time to make the transition. A lot of it depends on the breed, especially as puppy and adult food have different nutritional values.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing better than a puppy, and they grow to become the greatest friends we ever had. That’s why it is so important for us to give them puppy foods that will nourish and strengthen them to help them lead a happy and healthy life as adults.
It is for this reason that we compiled the list in this guide, highlighting the best foods on the market while also providing variety and balance to suit the lifestyle and budget of pet owners everywhere.
While brands like Lily’s Kitchen and Barking Heads remain high on our list of recommendations, each puppy food that we have chosen has strong merits of its own.
What did you think of our guide to the best puppy food? Were you able to find a tasty meal that makes their tail wag, or are you still on the hunt for the perfect food? We love hearing from you, so leave us a message in the comments below.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.