what is the best brand of dry puppy food

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

The 10 Best Dry Puppy Foods

How long should my dog eat dry puppy food?

Your dog should eat dry puppy food until he has reached the age of maturity and finished growing. For most medium size dog breeds, this occurs around roughly one year of age. Smaller breeds reach maturity a little earlier, at around 8 or so months of age. Large breed dogs may not fully mature until 18 months to 2 years, so you will probably want to keep feeding them dry puppy food for longer. Always consult your vet about the right time to transition your puppy to adult food, and be sure to make the transition gradually to allow your dog time to adjust.

What age can puppies eat dry food?

Puppies can eat dry food at between 4 to 6 weeks of age, although you may want to start by soaking your puppy's dry kibble to make it easier to eat and digest. Be sure to feed your puppy only dog foods formulated for puppies, as puppies need specific essential nutrients to grow and thrive.

Do puppies prefer dry or wet food?

Puppies tend to prefer wet food over dry food, but every puppy is different and yours may like kibble just as well or more. Dogs generally find wet food to be more palatable than kibble, due to what is often a higher meat content and an appetizing aroma.

Best Dry Puppy Food UK Our Top 5

The Importance of Picking The Best Dry Puppy Food

Bringing home a new puppy is all kinds of exciting, fun and makes for moments with more cuteness than your heart can handle! The latest addition to your family is going to steal hearts easier and faster than any Hollywood hunk or star can, clumsily waddling around the house with those tiny floof-bean paws and falling asleep just about anywhere! While its easy to get swept over by your little furballs cuteness and forget everything else in the world, theres one super-important aspect of bringing up your puppy that you cant forgetproviding him or her with the right nutrition.

If youre in a hurry and you want to know our top pick for the best dry puppy food in the UK, here it is:

Lily's Kitchen Made with Natural Ingredients Puppy Dry Dog...

Give your pup the healthiest start in life with this puppy food with complete and balanced...
Weve also used other freshly prepared ingredients including nutritious offal, vegetables and...
Our selection of treats, dry, wet and organic dog food is made with natural ingredients. You can...

All this begs the questionwhat, then, do you feed your puppy? Is it okay to siphon some food from your other dogs pack? Should you be feeding the puppy human baby food? Absolutely not. Puppies need to be fed specially formulated food that meets the needs of their lifestyle and life stage, which, needless to say, are different from adult dogs. Higher levels of minerals, vitamins and protein are required.

No, you dont have to cook up this perfectly balanced mix of macros and micros every day for your beloved furball. Yes, you can just buy puppy food! However, puppy food is not one size fits all, so which of the many brands and products do you pick? Which is the best dry puppy food in all of the UK for your furry little one?

If you havent got time to go through our detailed review, heres a table summarizing our picks:

Lily's Kitchen Made with Natural Ingredients Puppy Dry Dog...

Harringtons Complete Puppy Dry Dog Food Turkey & Rice 10kg -...

Barking Heads Complete Dry Dog Food 2kg - Puppy All Hounder...

Pooch & Mutt - Complete Puppy Dry Dog Food (Grain Free &...

Autarky Hypoallergenic Puppy Junior Delicious Chicken Dry...

Made with chicken meat, salmon, vitamins, herbs and essential fatty acids and designed for puppies between 4 weeks and 12 months; best for stomach, skin, teeth and coat

Made with turkey and rice as the main nutrients, free of dairy, soya and added wheat and good for puppies above 3 weeks of age; best for skin and coat

Made with 62% chicken, salmon and eggs, is grain-free and while specifically formulated for healthy bones and cartilage, is great for your dogs skin and coat, too; best for puppies between 2 and 12 months

Made with chicken and superfood, is naturally hypoallergenic and great for puppies above 1 month of age; best for sensitive stomachs, skin and coat and food allergies

Dry hypoallergenic dog food with 24% protein (from chicken) for puppies above 2 weeks of age; great for the immune system

Lily's Kitchen Made with Natural Ingredients Puppy Dry Dog...

Made with chicken meat, salmon, vitamins, herbs and essential fatty acids and designed for puppies between 4 weeks and 12 months; best for stomach, skin, teeth and coat

Harringtons Complete Puppy Dry Dog Food Turkey & Rice 10kg -...

Made with turkey and rice as the main nutrients, free of dairy, soya and added wheat and good for puppies above 3 weeks of age; best for skin and coat

Barking Heads Complete Dry Dog Food 2kg - Puppy All Hounder...

Pooch & Mutt - Complete Puppy Dry Dog Food (Grain Free &...

Made with chicken and superfood, is naturally hypoallergenic and great for puppies above 1 month of age; best for sensitive stomachs, skin and coat and food allergies

Autarky Hypoallergenic Puppy Junior Delicious Chicken Dry...

Dry hypoallergenic dog food with 24% protein (from chicken) for puppies above 2 weeks of age; great for the immune system

What is the difference between puppy food and adult dog food?

Puppy food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of growing dogs, who need more calories and nutrients than their adult counterparts. The most rapid growth phase in dogs happens between their first three and six months, which is when their growth needs to be supplemented with high amounts of calcium, protein, fat, and calories. Puppy food is typically higher in calories and protein than adult dog food, since puppies need more energy and need to build up their muscle mass. Feeding your puppy nutrient-rich food will ensure that bones form properly, joints remain strong and that he or she develops well mentally. Puppy food also contains smaller pieces than adult dog food, since puppies have smaller mouths and teeth. Finally, puppy food often has a different flavor than adult dog food, since puppies tend to prefer something a little sweeter.

Adult dog food, on the other hand, is formulated for maintenance, meaning that it contains fewer calories and nutrients. This is because adult dogs are typically less active and have a slower metabolism than puppies. Adult dog food also generally has a lower fat content, as adult dogs do not need as much energy

Remember, the nutrition and enrichment that your puppy receives in his formative months are going to define his or her later years, in terms of both physical and mental development. Therefore, while sharing bowls with your older dog can make for a viral-worthy video for the Gram, it definitely isnt healthy and shouldnt be encouraged.

When do I switch my puppy to adult dog food?

The recommendation for switching a puppy to adult dog food is usually around 1 year of age. Of course, this can vary based on the size of your dog large breeds may not be fully grown until 18 months or even 2 years of age. If youre not sure when to make the switch, ask your veterinarian for guidance. In general, its best to err on the side of caution and switch to adult food a bit later rather than earlier. Puppies have small stomachs and need more frequent meals, so they do best with a food that is high in calories and nutrients. Once they reach adulthood, they can be switched to a less calorie and nutrient-dense food. If you switch your puppy to adult food too early, they may not be getting all the nutrients they need. Once again, its always best to consult with your vet to make sure youre making the best decision for your puppy.

Our Reviews

Well, after much research and review, here are our top picks when it comes to the best dry puppy food in the UKyou can thank us later! Remember, if it turns out that your puppy has allergies, you may want to browse our article on the best hypoallergenic dog food to ensure that your pup is getting the food that will not upset their stomach or cause any undesired reactions.

Lilys Kitchen Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food gives our list a super-healthy start, just like itll give your puppy a super-healthy start in life! The brand is known for manufacturing delicious, high-quality puppy food made using organic, nutritious ingredients.

Each bag of kibble is tailored to a puppys needs and contains a ton of nutritional goodness to promote skin and fur health, healthy joints, better immunity and good digestion; therefore, ingredients like meat protein, salmon oil, glucosamine, MSM, dandelion, milk thistle, chondroitin, prebiotics, vitamins, botanical herbs, essential fats and oils and chelated minerals accompany freshly prepared meat and come together in a unique and nutritious mix thats delicious on the tongue and even better on the tummy!

The brand makes it a point to use only proper, easily digestible muscle and organ meat (all forms of animal protein), which means no bone meal, rendered carcass meat (also known as dried meat) or meat meal. The food also doesnt contain any fillers in the form of soya, corn or wheat, artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colours and unnecessary fats and is completely non-greasy, dry and grain-free. All the ingredients are slowly and gently cooked to produce a delicious result; each ingredient that is used is also clearly listed on the label, providing complete transparency to customers. Among others, the major ingredients in the food are 27% fresh chicken, 7% chicken liver and 10% salmon.

Advantages:

The dry puppy food is made with fresh, natural ingredientsthe brand ties up with over 100 producers and farmers, sourcing freshly prepared muscle and organ meat (animal protein), sustainably-sourced fish and hand-picked fruits and vegetables from them.
The food is wholesome and delicious, providing a range of health benefits. Additionally, the added prebiotics make the food a great option for dogs with sensitive tummies.
The use of chelated minerals ensures easy and quick absorption by your puppys system.

Disadvantages

Some pet parents have stated that the fat content has increased and the kibble is now too rich for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
Beware the quality if youre ordering from Amazonmany customers have faced delivery, packaging and quality issues with the product when ordered from Amazon.

Overall Value

Very minor cons apart, Lilys Kitchen Chicken and Salmon Dry Dog Food is an excellent choice for your little furball and really is one of the best dry puppy foods in the UK that money can buy. The product produces a range of visible health benefits, from strong bones and joints to soft and silky coats to better digestion. The unique recipe gives the brand an edge over competitors, perfectly combining taste and nutrition. Overall, a definite must consider for your puppy!

Summary

Created for puppies above 4 weeks and within 36 weeks of age.
Dry dog food made using fresh ingredients (without any meat meal), a special mix of 14 herbs, minerals, vitamins, proteins, essential oils and fats.
Deliciouswere yet to come across a puppy that hasnt loved it!
Great for sensitive stomachs, teeth, skin and coat.

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From the brands factories in rural North Yorkshire comes Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food Turkey and Rice, a wholesome, affordable package of meals for puppies in the United Kingdom. With over four generations of experience in manufacturing pet food and feed milling, these guys definitely know what theyre doing when it comes to providing nutritious food full of natural goodness (no added wheat, soya, artificial flavours or colouring and dairy) for puppies.

Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food features 28% protein, 12% fat and a combined 2.3% of omega-3 and 6 oils. A major part of the protein comes from meat protein such as turkey (26%) and meat meals (6.5% dried turkey), with rice (20%) and other ingredients such as maize, maize protein, poultry fat and gravy, oats, beet pulp, salmon oil, seaweed and minerals completing the deal. The kibble also has a range of added minerals and vitamins in the form of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and vitamins A, D and E, among others. Overall, the product strikes an excellent balance between taste, flavour and nutrition!

Advantages:

The dry puppy food is full of excellent nutrients that target a range of health aspects in your puppythe balanced omega-3 and 6 oils help in maintaining a glossy coat, the turkey (animal protein) provides energy for growth, repair and daily life, whereas vitamin E helps maintain a robust immune system.
The kibble also has prebiotic FOS to help your dog maintain a healthy digestive system, making it a good option for puppies with sensitive digestive systems.
Harringtons is among the more affordable brands in the market. They even have a handy calculator and feeding guide with quantities on their site, so that you can calculate the cost of feeding your puppy before you decide to go through with your purchase.

Disadvantages

Unlike the puppy food from Lilys Kitchen, this kibble contains meat meal, which means that its not 100% natural.
If you buy the large 18-kilogram bag, storing it may be a bit of a hassle. Additionally, the kibble at the bottom may dry out by the time you reach it.

Overall Value

Overall, this puppy food from Harringtons seems impressive, though not as impressive as the first contender on our list. Some customers have complained that their puppies faced loose-stool problems with the food.

Additionally, with this hard kibble, you wont be able to mix in wet food (Harringtons itself doesnt produce wet food), so you may want to look elsewhere if your puppy prefers a mixed meal. Otherwise, good value for the price paid!

Summary

Dry dog food with turkey and rice, best for skin and coat health
Meant for puppies above 3 weeks of age
Contains meat meal (dry turkey)
Free of artificial colours, additives, dairy, soya and added wheat

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Barking Heads Puppy Days Dry Dog Food is all kinds of delicious, with a puppy-specific, specially formulated recipe that uses animal protein derived from 100% natural chicken and salmon blended with veggies and herbs. Free of artificial flavours, preservatives and colour and made using natural ingredients of the highest quality, this puppy food aids in your fluffballs digestion, mental development and the growth of strong bones and teeth. It also comes vet approved, which further heightens the appeal!

Barking Heads Puppy Days is completely natural, free of grains and features 62% salmon, eggs and chicken, giving your puppy ample meat protein, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains other nutritional goodies in the form of glucosamine, chondroitin, sweet potato, salmon oil, herbs and seaweed, their quantities balanced to ensure all-round healthiness in your puppy.

Advantages:

Made using 100% natural chicken and salmon, this dry puppy food is free of preservatives, artificial flavours, grains and artificial colours, minimizing the risk of allergies.
The food gives your dog a range of health benefits, such as healthy digestion, mental development, good immunity and strong teeth and bones.
Barking Heads Puppy Days comes vet approved, further reinforcing the products quality and nutritional value.
The food contains 62% chicken and salmon, which is quite a high amount of protein, compared to competitors.

Disadvantages

Some customers have stated that they would like a little more meat and meat protein, and a little less potato.
The company seems to have recently changed their manufacturer, which has led to many customers saying that the quality and taste is not the same as before.

Overall Value

Minor cons apart, Barking Heads Puppy Days Dog Food holds its own in the industry, with quite a number of fansboth two legged and four legged and even the extremely fussy ones of the latter kind! Many customers have stated that the food has greatly benefited their dogs coats and skin, as well as their digestive systems. Just ensure that youre buying the food from a credible seller to avoid issues in quality and delivery. See our indepth Barking Heads Dog Food Review here.

Summary

Dry dog food with 62% salmon, chicken and eggs blended with herbs, vegetables and added nutrients.
Specially formulated for healthy bones and cartilage.
Good for both small and large breeds.
Free of grains, added colours and flavours and preservatives.
Great tasting! (to dogs at least!)

Check Price

Pooch & Mutt is quite a well-renowned brand in the pet food industry, known for quality products that are 100% natural, grain-free and healthy. Their Complete Puppy Dry Dog Food is no exceptiona high-quality delicious, nutritious blend of chicken and superfood that is free from gluten, GM produce, cereal, artificial colouring and flavours, preservatives and grains.

Pooch & Mutts Complete Puppy Dry Dog Food contains 48% chicken (a combination of dried chicken, chicken fat and chicken gravy), potato and sweet potato, seaweed, salmon oil, pea starch and peas and superfoods such as kale, spinach, black currant, beetroot, rosehip, cranberry and pomegranate, along with added nutrients like prebiotics, antioxidants, linseed, activated charcoal, fibre and glucosamine.

Advantages:

The kibble is easy to soak, with a small hole in the middle that makes it perfect for soaking.
The food contains a range of nutrients, most importantly superfoods, which provide a range of health benefitsit is one of the few high-quality products that contain a superfood blend.
The chamomile and l-tryptophan also aid in keeping your puppy calm.
The food is naturally hypoallergenic, made without beef, corn, rice, soya, wheat or dairy.
The food combines great taste and affordability!

Disadvantages

Some users found the kibble too hard and big for puppies, especially ones still with their baby teeth and for smaller breeds.

Overall Value

This puppy food from Pooch & Mutt is a great choice for your puppy, giving him or her a wholesome, balanced meal. The superfood blend, especially, caught our attention over all other features. While users have complained about the kibble being too hard, this problem can be solved by soaking the food; its even designed to soak easily. Definitely worth consideration for your pups good health!

Summary

Dry puppy dog food formulated with chicken and superfoods
Great for skin and coat, gut health and food allergies (is naturally hypoallergenic)
Easy-soak kibbles
Good for puppies above 1 month and for both small and large breeds

Check Price

Rounding off our list is Autarkys Hypoallergenic Puppy Junior Dry Puppy Food, made using a tasty recipe centered on locally sourced ingredients and high-quality animal protein to encourage steady growth in your furball. The food contains 24% protein from chicken and 14% fat, along with vitamin E, fatty acids and taurine to support learning and neural development in your puppy. Add to this antioxidants and herbs to protect your dogs immune system and prebiotics to maintain a healthy gut and you have a wholesome, balanced meal on hand.

Additionally, the food is hypoallergenic, free from wheat gluten and soya, which also makes it a great option for sensitive stomachs and itchy skin. The kibble is also free of artificial flavours, colours and preservatives.

Advantages:

The kibbles are sized so that really young puppies can also eat them without much hassle.
The nutrients encourage steady growth by helping maintain moderate levels of energy, among other benefits.
The product provides great quality at a very affordable price.
Autarky has over 13 years of experience in the pet food industry, so you can rest assured that the kibble is a high-quality result of years of research and testing.

Disadvantages

Some users have stated that their dogs faced a range of issues such as diarrhoea and dehydration after switching to this particular brand.

Overall Value

Theres no denying that the Autarky puppy food in question is nutritious and tasty; however, it doesnt seem to suit quite a few dogs out there, so we would recommend that you stay away from this if your dog has a sensitive stomach. We recommended that you also wean them onto it by combining this with their current food and slowing putting more of the new food in. This should reduce the chances of your pup ending up with an upset stomach.

Summary

Dry dog food with chicken and rice
Meant for puppies above 2 weeks of age
Delicious; great for the immune system

Check Price

The Bottom Line

As you can see, feeding your puppy isnt something that you should be taking lightlyyour puppy needs to get the right nutrients for good growth and development and the best way to give him or her this is through high-quality, tasty and nutritious puppy food.

While all the products reviewed are excellent in their own right, our absolute favourite is the Lilys Kitchen Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food for its wholesome nutrition, great price, superb taste and overall awesomeness!

Even if you do decide not to go with our top pick (or our other picks), just ensure that whichever option you do pick, your puppy is getting the nutrition that he or she needs. Keep this in mind and youll see that your puppy is one happy furball, indeed! Buy our top pick for the best dry puppy food in the UK below:

Lily's Kitchen Made with Natural Ingredients Puppy Dry Dog...

Give your pup the healthiest start in life with this puppy food with complete and balanced...
Weve also used other freshly prepared ingredients including nutritious offal, vegetables and...
Our selection of treats, dry, wet and organic dog food is made with natural ingredients. You can...

FAQs

Can all puppies be fed the same puppy food?

Well, yes and no! All puppies in a litter, or of the same breed, can be fed the same food, but this doesnt necessarily hold true for dogs of different breeds; different breeds have different requirements. However, it can be difficult to gauge a puppys needs, given that its just entered the world, which is when you turn to the breed and gauge the needs accordingly. Therefore, puppy food is divided into food for large breeds and for small breeds. Some brands are great for both, while some are designed specifically for one of the groups.

Remember, if it turns out that your puppy has allergies, you may want to browse our article on the best hypoallergenic dog food to ensure that your pup is getting the food that will not upset their stomach or cause any undesired reactions.

How do I trust a particular brand of puppy food?

One way to go about this is to look at the brands reputation and years of experience in the field. Customer reviews are also a great indicator of how well a product works. Additionally, look for a seal of approval from AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials)a sign that the product has been researched and tested thoroughly.

Should I soak my puppys dry food before feeding him?

There are no hard and fast rules that say that you should absolutely soak your puppys hard kibble before feeding him or her. However, doing so has its benefits, especially in the weaning phase or if your pup has dental and digestion problems or doesnt like eating. However, if your puppy is a free feeder, making frequent visits to the bowl instead of finishing up a meal, soaked food may not be ideal.

How long should I soak the dry puppy food before feeding?

Soak the food for no longer than half an hour, as anything longer can cause fermentation to occur. Additionally, keep it covered when steeping, so that flies and other insects dont start partying in your puppys food!

Is dry puppy food better than wet food?

This really comes down to you and your puppys tastes and preferences. Dry food is better for your puppys teeth and is more convenient for you, too, in terms of storing and not spoiling. Wet food has a stronger scent and taste, though, which is why dogs generally prefer wet food over dry; so much so that it can be hard to get your dog to switch back to dry food once theyve had a taste of the wet! Whichever option you do choose, ensure that its going to give your puppy the nutrients that he or she needs. Also, it doesnt need to be an either/or situation at allmany pet parents like to mix it up and give their furry kids a mix of both wet and dry food.