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The 10 Best Vet-Recommended Puppy Foods

It's simple to think about feeding ourselves and our families: discover a recipe, order takeout, or enroll in a home delivery service. And most importantly, eat what you enjoy! But how do you choose an essential food for the one member of the household who cannot tell you what tastes good or bad?

Choosing puppy food is crucial, as it sets your dog on the path to adulthood and lifetime wellness. Here are some reviews of the best vet-recommended puppy foods listed by BestForPets (bestforpets.org), so you can select the best food for your furry family!

Reviews

Purina ONE Natural Puppy Food

  • No synthetic additives or dyes
  • High protein for development
  • Great value

Purina is a well-established brand of pet food supported by veterinary research. This cuisine is widely accessible and an excellent value. Plus, pups seem to adore it!

As the greatest meal overall, it is nutritious for pups, appetizing, and will promote healthy growth due to its greater protein content. It is not customized to a certain breed size, making it ideal for feeding many puppies of various sizes!

Pros

  • The primary component is chicken
  • Puppies adore the flavor

Cons

  • Possibly not the ideal meal for large-breed puppies, whose growth requirements vary.
  • Dry food, which some canines may not enjoy

 

Iams Health Smart Proactive Puppy

  • Chicken is the number one ingredient.
  • Excellent all-around cuisine at a reasonable price.

Iams is a classic manufacturer of pet food, thus it has a longstanding reputation for producing high-quality products. This is one of the most cost-effective puppy feeds, blending quality and value. And it’s readily available, making it an excellent alternative for general feeding or for mixing with other meals.

Pros

  • Available online and in stores
  • Puppies adore the flavor
  • Proper nutrition

Cons

  • May not be suitable for dogs that dislike chicken

 

Science Diet Puppy Food by Hill’s

  • Particularly to huge breed puppies
  • Highly respected brand

Hill’s Science Diet is another recognized manufacturer of high-quality dog and cat food, and this product is no exception. Because puppies of big breeds develop at a different rate than pups of other breeds, this food is made particularly for their needs, which can be crucial for preventing future problems.

Pros

  • Ideal for huge dog breeds
  • Renowned brand

Cons

  • Possibly tough to locate in shops
  • Not appropriate for households with small-breed dogs.

 

Small Royal Canin Puppy

  • Specifically formulated for tiny breed dogs
  • Meets the increased caloric demands of tiny breeds
  • Renowned brand

Royal Canin is a respected manufacturer of high-quality dog and cat meals, and this breed-specific diet is no exception. The kibble’s size and shape are adapted to the feeding preferences of tiny dogs based on the demands of smaller dog breeds. Consider giving it a shot to see what your small-breed dog thinks!

Pros

  • Specifically for pups of tiny breeds
  • Smaller kibble is simpler to consume.

Cons

  • Possibly tough to locate in shops
  • Possible unsuitability for homes with large-breed pups

 

Royal Canin Puppy

  • Pate-style meal is simple to consume.
  • Contains additional nutrients to aid the digestive tract of puppies.

Offering an alternative to dry food, Royal Canin There is more moisture and a totally distinct texture in canned puppy food. Many dogs have a preference for one over the other, but it is advisable to expose developing puppies to both varieties.

Pros

  • Excellent for dogs that dislike dry food.
  • Ideal for pups whose diets require extra water.
  • Can be used as the primary food or as a topping for dry food.

Cons

  • Can be hard to locate in retailers
  • Bulkier than dry food to store

 

Purina ProPlan Lamb

  • Excellent alternative protein
  • High in protein content
  • Contains probiotics for immunological and GI health support

Beef and chicken are common protein sources in Purina ProLamb puppy food. This is a wonderful option for dogs that dislike the taste or smell of beef or chicken, or who are allergic to any of these proteins.

Pros

  • Compatible with all breeds
  • Completely healthy diet

Cons

  • Some dogs may not appreciate a lamb

 

Purina ProPlan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Puppy Food

  • An excellent option for dogs with stomach upset
  • Beneficial for dry skin and weak hair coat

Some puppies have persistent problems with looser stools or vomiting, regardless of what is done. Similarly, some puppies have dry skin or inadequate haircoats, which does not appear typical. Occasionally, Purina ProPlan dog food formulated expressly for these concerns might be useful.

Pros

  • Formulary simplicity
  • Most dogs enjoy the ingredients.

Cons

  • Not likely to resolve skin or gastrointestinal concerns
  • Selective dogs may not enjoy the flavor.

 

Pedigree Puppy Development & Safety

  • There is no high fructose corn syrup.
  • No artificial flavors
  • Crisp texture

Pedigree is an iconic brand of dog food, and their puppy food is very delicious. Occasionally, simplicity is best for finicky dogs, and this food frequently satisfies them.

Pros

  • Excellent for most breeds
  • Available in most shops

Cons

  • Possibly unsuitable for huge breeds
  • The bag cannot be resealed.

Buyer's Guide

The process of selecting dog food might be intimidating, but breaking it down into steps can be useful.

In addition to price, availability, and flavor, it is essential to evaluate the manufacturer of the dog food you intend to purchase. In recent years, pet diets have been in the headlines for containing unbalanced levels of vitamins and minerals or for being infected with germs, neither of which are desirable for a developing puppy. Stick to the brands that have been around for a long time, and then choose what your puppy would like based on the available options.

Once you have determined the food your puppy prefers, it is generally more cost-effective to purchase a larger bag. Divergent viewpoints exist on whether you should stick to a single food or occasionally switch things up in order to acclimate the puppy to different types of food. There are no hard and fast rules, so it’s important to consult your veterinarian and experiment to see what works best for your dog.

Don’t forget that many firms now provide feeds that are suited not just to various puppy breeds and sizes, but also to specific puppy sizes. Consider these meals as well, if you have one of these sorts of puppies because they are based on a great deal of data and study, as many happy dogs who consume them attest.

Also, some of the more respected brands will frequently repay you for a bag of food if your puppy does not enjoy the flavor, so you may purchase food with less trepidation.

Conclusion

The selection of a puppy’s food is not a simple task, but these evaluations should make the decision somewhat simpler. Purina One is our pick for the finest overall food since it is readily available and dogs enjoy the flavor! Iams Proactive, which was difficult to locate but offered a decent value and was well-liked by dogs, was the meal with the best value that we discovered. Hill’s Science Diet is an excellent option for keeping your large-breed puppies growing healthy. BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes that our reviews of the best vet-recommended puppy foods have assisted you in narrowing down your selections and identifying the ideal product for your needs.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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