What is the healthiest food to feed my puppy?
Jocelyn Lind
2025-10-09 03:14:26
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The basis of your puppy’s diet should be a high quality balanced premium commercial puppy food that is appropriate for their life stage and health status. Puppies should be offered food at least 4 times per day to begin with, gradually reducing the number of meals as they grow. It is important not to underfeed or overfeed puppies. Research indicates that overfeeding puppies (particularly large and giant breeds) can predispose them to muscle and bone problems. Your vet will be able to advise you on how much and what to feed your puppy. Cooked meat such as boiled chicken or lamb may be offered occasionally, but ensure there are no cooked bones, onions/onion sauces or other toxic substances present. Tinned sardines in spring water, tinned tuna and tinned salmon may also be offered as a treat occasionally. A small amount of finely-cut vegetable matter may be offered, such as cooked pumpkin or carrots.
Hailie Lemke
2025-09-29 04:01:24
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Puppies are a lot of things—adorable, energetic, occasionally destructive—but one thing they’re not is smaller versions of adult dogs.
Just like human babies, growing puppies have unique nutritional needs to make sure they’re getting all the support they need to grow and develop.
To help you identify the best food for your puppy, our vets looked at dozens of foods designed for puppies and selected the eight best puppy foods.
When shopping for puppy food, our veterinarians recommended focusing on foods that meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO.
Dog foods carrying the AAFCO stamp are guaranteed to meet certain nutritional and labeling requirements, so you know that what’s on the label is accurate, and the food provides a complete and balanced diet.
Other factors to take into consideration include your dog’s breed, the nutritional profile, price, palatability, and if the manufacturer conducts rigorous research on its formula.
Read on to find out which foods are the best picks for your pup.
Pete Brakus
2025-09-22 20:37:35
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High-Quality Puppy Kibble is the foundation of most puppy diets and is made specifically for puppies. Look for formulas labeled complete and balanced by AAFCO, as these foods contain the right ratio of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals to fuel your puppy’s rapid growth. Lean Meats like chicken, turkey, or beef are excellent options when cooked and served plain, providing essential amino acids for growth. Salmon offers omega-3 fatty acids that support brain development and skin health, and can be found in many premium puppy foods or as supplements. Eggs are a powerhouse of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and scrambled or boiled eggs are safe and nutritious for puppies. Blueberries help strengthen your puppy’s immune system and can be used as a great occasional treat, making mealtime more exciting for your puppy. Sweet Potatoes offer a healthy source of slow-releasing energy and are easy to digest. Pumpkin is often recommended to aid digestion and help regulate bowel movements. Plain Yogurt helps maintain a healthy digestive system with probiotics, but introduce it slowly and consult a vet first.
Maryam Crist
2025-09-14 05:31:54
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You should feed puppies a balanced diet formulated for growth.
Look for high-quality puppy food from a brand you trust.
We recommend carefully evaluating pet foods to determine whether the manufacturer meets the following requirements at a minimum:
Employs at least one full-time qualified animal nutritionist (Ph.D. or DVM-ACVN)
Diets are tested using AAFCO feeding trials
Controls supply line and has good quality control measures in place.
Foods formulated for growth should have a feeding guide on the back, directing the amount to feed based on current age and expected adult weight.
We recommend following these guidelines and checking in with your vet if you feel your puppy isn’t eating enough.
Provided you are feeding a diet formulated for growth, feeding dry food, wet food, or a combination is a personal choice.
In younger puppies, softening the food by soaking it in warm water for a few minutes is sometimes helpful.
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