Dog Puppy Food - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
What's more exciting than bringing home a new puppy? Not much. Of course, you want to keep your new canine companion healthy and happy for years to come. An important first step is selecting a quality puppy food. Your puppy needs the proper nutrition for his growing body.
However, if you've ever scanned the dog food aisle at a pet store or online, you know how many brands and formulas are available. It can be overwhelming. How to choose the best puppy food for your dog?
We are here to help! If you're ready to shop, check out our product recommendations for our favorite puppy foods. To learn more about what to look for to find the perfect puppy food for you, read on.
What is the Difference Between Puppy Food and Adult Dog Food?
Puppy food is not a marketing gimmick. It is specially designed to meet the nutritional needs of puppies, which differ from those of adult dogs.
Puppy food has more calories than dog food. A growing puppy uses more calories than a similarly sized adult dog.
Puppy food has a higher protein content than food designed for adult dogs, including higher amounts of specific amino acids.
A puppy requires a lot of fat to fuel her growth. Puppy food contains a higher percentage of fat compared to adult dog food.
Since the bones of a puppy . grow quickly, puppy food has a higher concentration of calcium and phosphorus than food for adult dogs.
Although not required by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), studies suggest that puppies benefit from foods containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy brain and eye development.
What to Look for When Shopping for Puppy Food
- Puppy Size
Keep your puppy's size in mind when selecting food. Large breeds grow more slowly than small breeds, so their nutritional needs are slightly different.
You can purchase large breed puppy formulas, which contain the correct balance of fat, calcium and phosphorus to support growth and help prevent joint problems later in life.
- Quality Ingredients
Cheap puppy foods often contain poor-quality meat, animal by-products, fillers, and chemical preservatives.
Ideally, choose a puppy food that contains protein from whole meat, rather than by-products. Avoid puppy foods that contain artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Look for an AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement somewhere on the package or in the product description when shopping online. However, the AAFCO statement only shows that the puppy food meets the minimum nutritional requirements, so not all AAFCO-approved foods are of high quality.
With that said, all high-quality foods are AAFCO-approved.
- Caloric Content
Puppies need lots of calories to keep their bodies growing. Select a puppy food that has the proper caloric density. If a food says it's low in fat or calories, it's not suitable for puppies. However, be careful to feed your puppy the correct amount of food, so that he does not become overweight. Look for feeding guidelines and serving sizes on the package.
- Taste
Most brands sell puppy foods in different flavors or formulas. While different sources of protein, such as fish, turkey, or game, will have slightly different nutritional profiles, your pup will care more about taste. Some dogs are voracious eaters and will devour any food you put in front of them, while others are more picky.
How to Know if your Puppy Likes His Food
Once you've started feeding your puppy a new food, how do you know if it's right for him?
Look for these signs:
- A Shiny Coat
- Healthy-looking, flake-free skin
- Bright Eyes
- Lots of Energy
- Firm, well-formed Stools
- A Healthy Weight — Neither underweight Nor overweight
Tips on Feeding Puppies
Make sure you choose a whole food instead of a blender. The mixer is designed to bulk up the food and will not meet all of your puppy's nutritional requirements.
Many puppy foods contain added vitamins and minerals. Look for those that are "chelated" as this makes them easier to absorb.
Take your pup outside to do his business after every meal. This will help young puppies with house training.
If your pup doesn't eat all of his food in one sitting, the portions of his food will probably be too large. Remove the food after about 30 minutes, and don't offer more until the next feeding.
Try to feed your puppy at the same time each day to create a routine.
FAQ
Que. How long should I feed my dog puppy food?
Ans. Your canine companion should eat puppy food until he is 80% of his adult size. This is about a year for most dogs, but can be longer for giant breeds.
Que. Should I give my puppy wet or dry food?
Ans. It depends on you. Many people opt for dry food because of its high protein content and good value. Others prefer wet food as it seems more flavorful. If you want the best of both worlds, mix wet and dry food at each meal. Just be sure to adjust the portions accordingly.
Que. How many times a day should my puppy eat?
Ans. You should feed your puppy three times a day for his first six months. Your pup has a small stomach at this age and needs to eat little and often. After six months of age, feed twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening.
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