what s a good brand of puppy food
Best Wet Puppy Food
Wellness Just for Puppy is one of 8 canned recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
Wellness Just for Puppy derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
An exceptional wet puppy food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, salmon, ground barley Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"We adopted a baby Basset hound. We fed wellness puppy to our Cletus 8 years ago. He is thriving today because of it. We wanted the same for Darwin. He's 3 months old and loves this food. We mix it with the large breed wellness puppy. Highly recommend it and our vet recommended this food to us too. Darwin gives it 2 paws up!"
Nom Nom Beef Mash is one of 4 fresh recipes included in our review of the Nom Nom Dog Food product line.
This Nom Nom recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 35% protein, 17% fat and 40% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Ideal for those who want to feed a scientifically balanced, fresh-cooked meal thats designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Not cheap. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 35% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at NomNomNow.com"Tula gets so excited when it's mealtime. She no longer has skin issues, her coat looks wonderful and her stools are the best they've ever been. I can't imagine ever feeding her anything but Nom Nom!"
Instinct Grain Free Real Chicken Recipe for Puppies is one of 6 wet recipes included in our review of the Instinct Original product line.
This specific Instinct Original recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 46% protein, 27% fat and 19% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
An excellent formula by an established company.
Read our review of the full Instinct Original Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, beef liver, salmon, carrots Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 46% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Beef Recipe is one of 4 fresh formulas covered in our review of the The Farmers Dog product line.
This Farmers recipe acquires much of its animal protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 29% fat and 24% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 73%.
A fresh, human-grade recipe custom designed and packaged to fit the nutritional needs of all puppy breeds. As close to a homemade dog food as you can get. Not cheap. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Farmers Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients USDA Beef, sweet potato, lentils, carrot, USDA beef liver Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 39% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy is one of 10 canned recipes included in our review of the Chicken Soup for the Soul product line.
This Chicken Soup for the Soul product derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken, turkey and chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
An impressive growth formula. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Chicken Soup for the Soul Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, turkey, chicken broth, turkey broth Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Grain-inclusive Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I love the healthy ingredients of this moist food for puppies; the ingredients seem comparable to more expensive dog food brands, but at a better price. My puppy seems to enjoy it. He's pretty picky, so for the benefit of his health and my wallet, hopefully he will continue to enjoy it!"
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Chicken is one of 10 wet recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.
This Merrick Grain-Free canned food recipe derives the bulk of its animal protein from deboned chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 50% protein, 28% fat and 14% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
An exceptional grain-inclusive canned puppy food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Merrick Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken broth, deboned turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"This food is high quality and my 11 week old Shih Tzu loves it! So much comes in the can and it's such a great price. I bought can covers to keep it fresh and one can will last me about a week! Definitely recommend!"
Chicken and Rice Formula is one of 4 wet recipes included in our review of the Canidae All Life Stages product line.
This Canidae wet formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 29% fat and 44% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 75%.
A super-popular, fully-balanced grain-inclusive wet puppy food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, dried egg product, brown rice Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog has never eaten new food with gusto until now. He really surprised us by eating without any coaxing. This is the first time, and we were thrilled. No more dry food. We've tried everything. Now, if I could get my husband to stop giving him too many treats!"
Nulo Freestyle Puppy Turkey, Cod and Sweet Potato is one of 11 canned recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.
This Nulo Freestyle formula derives most of its animal protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 23% fat and 26% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, salmon broth, turkey liver, cod Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I love the Nulo puppy food. My Chihuahuas puppies and my older chihuahuas really love this food. You can actually see the chunks of vegetables in this food. If the chunks are too big, they are easy to smash and blend in with the food."
Homestyle Puppy Chicken Dinner is one of 12 canned recipes included in our review of the Blue Buffalo product line.
This Blue Buffalo formula gets the bulk of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
We also note this above-average puppy food includes omega-rich DHA to support healthy eye and brain development.
A finely-chopped, pate-style formula containing no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives for optimal safety. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipes Dog Food (Wet) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, peas Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Oh my gosh..my gsd LOVES the taste of this! He literally would eat the entire pallet if I let him. I also feel good about it, because I do a lot of research on my dog's foods, and it's really one of the healthiest wet foods out there for dogs."
Healthy Grains Puppy is one of 13 wet recipes included in our review of the Whole Earth Farms canned product line.
This Whole Earth Farms canned recipe derives most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 30% fat and 22% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 72%.
An excellent, budget-friendly option. And an ideal option for growing puppies, including large breeds. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Whole Earth Farms Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, salmon, brown rice Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Top off dry kibble with this tasty blend of wet food for fussy eater. It works! My puppy literally jumps like crazy every time I open the can! She even licks the empty bowl to get the last of it! I'm glad it's nutritious."
Chicken is one of 4 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of the Ollie product line.
This fresh-cooked recipe draws most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 11% fat and 44% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.
Ollie is an exceptional dog food. Its made with real, human-grade ingredients and its professionally designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN).
A top, grain-inclusive wet option for puppies worthy of its premium price. Recommended with confidence.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food Chicken Recipe (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com"Javi, my mini goldendoodle has been LOVING meal time. He licks his bowl clean at every meal. Before Ollie, we'd have to basically beg him to eat."
Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken and Vegetables is one of 4 wet recipes analyzed in our review of the Hills Science Diet product line.
This Science Diet recipe derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and pork liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 17% fat and 48% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Moderate meat content. Reasonably priced.
Read our review of the full Hills Science Diet Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken broth, chicken, pork liver, brown rice, wheat flour Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 28% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My puppy had been eating Hills Science dry food. Got this to see if wet appealed to him. He absolutely loves it! I add some dry to it and its gone in a flash. Will be convenient for travel."
Best Puppy Food: Top 25 Brands (With Updated 2023 Price!)
Value. Although we believe that reputation and quality should always be primary considerations, we know that for most pet parents, cost and value for money are also deciding factors when choosing puppy food.
For that reason, we also took bag size and cost into account when making our recommendations, and when it came to great puppy foods of equal quality, the more affordable brand was rated higher.
Assessingthe Quality of Puppy Food
Let's get into more detail on how to assess what makes the best puppy food brand.
This is a quick brief of further criteria that were used for these puppy food reviews and rankings.
1. Understanding nutritional requirements for puppies.
While many things apply equally to adult dogs and puppies (like the quality of ingredients), the nutritional needs will differ.
Growing puppies need a different protein ratio (amino acids), calcium, phosphorus, and calories in particular.
Research shows that not following these means a puppy may develop various growth-related health problems, musculoskeletal diseases, and other issues (Lauten et al. 2002).
The National Research Council (NRC) releases and updates nutritional requirements for dogs and cats every few years based on the most current research.
Merck Vet Manual has the full guidelines for puppies right here.
The AAFCO nutritional requirements for puppies are later adjusted and used to govern pet food companies and ensure that the best puppy food formulas are well-designed for growing dogs.
2. Avoid filler ingredients and prioritize meat content.
To save on costs, pet food companies add what's called fillers. These usually come in plant-based foods, such as soy, corn, wheat, grains, rice, and more.
Although plant foods aren't necessarily always bad for dogs, when it comes to puppies, many studies show that we must prioritize high-quality meats as the first ingredient, making up most of the puppy food formula content (Knight et al. 2016).
3. Avoid artificial agents, preservatives, and additives.
Just like with human foods, it's not uncommon to have artificial stuff in dog food (Potera, 2010).
While some of those are not harmful, many of them are dangerous and should be avoided.
The problem is that the FDA still allows for these agents to be included in pet foods. Thus, we had to filter out all formulas with potentially harmful artificial ingredients.
High quality pet food will always be enticing to dogs, and will not require any additives.
These agents may be added for different reasons, but often to make the puppy food more palatable and flavorful and add moisture (e.g., propylene glycol, which was shown to be an irritant).
However, vets agree that there is never a good reason to flavor dog food that's high in meat content because most dogs will prefer the natural taste.
It's only poor-quality formulas that require additives.
4. Avoid (some) formulas with byproducts and meat meals.
Meat is expensive, and many pet food companies cannot justify the costs of including fresh beef, lamb, chicken, or other animal protein sources in their formulas.
This is where byproducts and meat meals come in.
The truth is that these are generally not dangerous to dogs and, in fact, can increase the total protein concentration of the puppy food formula, according to studies (Funaba et al. 2005).
However, there are several problems with manufacturing puppy foods this way.
The main issue is that nobody monitors what type of meat meals (rendered meats) will go into the dog food for puppy formula, meaning very low-quality ingredients can become meat meal, nor do they see the process of rendering itself, meaning that nutrition can be lost.
Dr. Donna Spector, DVM, wrote an article on PetMD about how high temperatures during these manufacturing processes destroy nutrients, and in particular, protein and enzymes.
Be Careful About Which Puppy Food You Choose
With all the above considered, and if you follow the outlined criteria that we've used to pick these puppy foods, you'll be able to pick and choose your own formulas that will be specifically designed for your own puppy's growth and contain only high-quality ingredients.
In summary, it's important to reiterate how every dog is different, and you should always seek the best food for your individual pup.
With so many variables to account for, its generally impossible to pick an ideal puppy food brand that would be the optimal choice for all dogs (and all the dog food review websites that are telling you otherwise are wrong or simply lying).
Instead, what you can do is (a) consider your personal situation, (b) all the puppy food ranking criteria mentioned above, (c) pay attention to organizational requirements, and (d) use your critical thinking.
Heres the formula I recommend you use if you want to choose your own puppy foods
Personalize + Critical Assessment + Requirements + Company's Reputation = Best Puppy Food
This should give you a good start, and you can do your own due diligence.
That way, you know that you've chosen something good for your specific puppy rather than rely on something that may be.
To wrap this up, for pet owners who are looking for a selection of top-rated foods for puppies in one place, after doing hundreds of dog food reviews myself and getting help from other experts to plow through hundreds of puppy foods available today, we have managed to make a list of twenty-five dog foods for puppies, listed below.
Note that the affordability of each puppy food brand was also considered.
Top 25 Best Puppy Food Brands
1Dog Puppy & Junior Protein Richby Acana
- Cost-to-Value: $2.7/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($69.34)Unavailable on Chewy
Guaranteed analysis:Crude protein (min.) 33 %Fat content (min.) 20 %Crude ash (max.) 7 %Crude fibers (max.) 5 %Moisture (max.) 12 %Calcium (min.) 1.5 %Phosphorus (min.) 1.1 %
The ACANA line of dog foods has long been highly regarded by pet owners and veterinarians alike due to their manufacturing process, high-quality ingredients, sourcing, and transparency.
However, they may also sometimes come at a higher price, particularly for dog owners in the USA (the company is based and makes its food in Canada).
This first best puppy food brand formula is void of fillers and fast-digesting carbs like rice, and it doesn't contain grains, potatoes, or other controversial ingredients.
The company claims to source its meats from farms where animals are ethically raised and employ sustainable fishing practices for their fish-based formulas.
None of the ingredients are outsourced outside of Canada.
2Naked Essentials Puppy Recipe Kibbleby I and love and you
- Cost-to-Value: $3.5/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($16.14)Find it on Chewy ($16.99)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 32.0% minCRUDE FAT 15.% minCRUDE FIBER 5.0% maxMOISTURE 10.0% minDOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID (DHA) 0.05% minCALCIUM 1.2% minPHOSPHORUS 1.0% min
As a new kid on the block, the oddly named I and love and you line of pet foods has quickly increased in rankings due to their attention to high-quality ingredients with no grains, fillers, corn, rice, soy, wheat, and other known controversial additives.
This second-rated puppy food formula is made without any byproducts or meat meals, and the company claims this is holistic food.
However, this marketing term has no meaning under FDA and AAFCO pet food labeling requirements.
Another notable aspect of this puppy kibble from I and love and you is its popularity among pet owners and their dogs.
This brand has a very high ratio of adaptability, most likely explained by natural and wholesome ingredients, which most dogs are likely to prefer over artificial additives and agents.
3CORE Natural Puppy Foodby Wellness Core
- Cost-to-Value: $1.6/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($43.31)Find it on Chewy ($43.31)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 36.0% minCRUDE FAT 18.0% minCRUDE FIBER 5.0% maxMOISTURE 10.0% maxCALCIUM 1.5% maxPHOSPHORUS 1.0% max
One of the well-known names in the pet food industry, Wellness CORE puppy formula, is designed with a high meat percentage and a very low number of fillers.
It contains no grains or meat by-products, no artificial preservatives, gluten, coloring, or flavors.
For a company this size, it's very refreshing to be particularly careful about formulating protein-rich puppy foods containing premium ingredients, added probiotics, and digestive enzymes.
However, while they may be helpful, studies show that the small amounts of these beneficial additives in pet foods are unlikely to affect dogs in any way.
4Puppy Dry Foodby Orijen
- Cost-to-Value: $4/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($94.99)Unavailable on Chewy
Guaranteed analysis:Crude protein (min.) 38 %Crude fat (min.) 20 %Crude fiber (max.) 6 %Moisture (max.) 12 %Calcium (min.) 1.2 %Phosphorus (min.) 0.9 %
Another popular dog food brand among veterinarians, Orijen, manufactures high-quality protein-rich dog foods with a low percentage of carbohydrates.
This fourth-best puppy food formula from Orijen has no rendered meat byproducts, a higher level of fats for puppy growth, a low number of carbohydrates, and ethically raised chicken and turkey as their animal protein source.
The company's reputation is in good standing as Orijen is known for its transparency, made-in-America pet foods without outsourcing ingredients, and formulating their foods with only fresh and dehydrated proteins.
The only two problems some pet owners may find with this fourth-ranked food brand are the taste, which not all puppies prefer, and the cost, which is often more expensive than other brands due to higher quality ingredients.
5Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Grain-Free Recipeby Nature's Variety
- Cost-to-Value: $4.9/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($49.24)Find it on Chewy ($94.99/20-lb. bag)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 33.5% minCRUDE FAT 15.5% minCRUDE FIBER 4.5% maxMOISTURE 9.0% maxCALCIUM 1.2% minPHOSPHORUS 1.0% min
The fifth puppy formula pick is from another established and well-known company, Nature's Variety, and its different approach to manufacturing pet foods.
This Instinct Raw Boost Puppy formula is the 2-in-1 way to buy kibble and raw dog food with convenience.
Very high protein and completely grain-free, the ingredients and their quality are why it ranks among the top puppy foods on many veterinarians and dog food review websites.
All foods go through very little processing, contain no known fillers or byproducts, and their protein source is always cage-free chicken.
If raw feeding is what you'd like to try with your young dog, then this fifth formula from Nature's Variety is where it's at.
6GO! Solutions Dog Food for All Life Stagesby Petcurean
- Cost-to-Value: $2.96/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($74.09)Find it on Chewy ($79.70)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 36.0% minCRUDE FAT 18.0% minCRUDE FIBER 3.0% maxMOISTURE 10.0% maxCALCIUM 2.2% minPHOSPHORUS 1.3.0% min
Another newer company on the pet food industry stage, Petcurean, is quickly gaining popularity among pet owners due to its carefully crafted recipes.
We've had their chief nutritionist, Dr. Jennifer Adolphe, on our podcast several times (here, here, and here), where she revealed the company's philosophy and the way the company makes its foods.
Our editor-in-chief, Samantha, has also reviewed several of their formulas in greater detail.
Overall, this sixth recipe is a healthy and affordable option for most pet owners. It contains no artificial ingredients or byproducts, no fillers or gluten, and no growth hormones or additives.
There's an added amount of extra probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes, and they don't use beef for their puppy foods to avoid triggering allergies in young dogs.
7Amicus Puppy Foodby Horizon
- Cost-to-Value: $4.33/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($23.81)Find it on Chewy ($23.81)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 32.0% minCRUDE FAT 18.0% minCRUDE FIBER 4.0% maxMOISTURE 10.0% maxASH 7.4% maxCALCIUM 1.11% minPHOSPHORUS 0.9% min
The seventh brand is from a lesser-known company that not many pet owners are aware of, but it's worth your attention Horizon.
The company is mostly focused on small breeds and their nutrition, so if you have a puppy or small dog, this may be worth looking at.
This dog food formula, in particular, uses three meat sources, what they call the triple animal protein formula, and a very low number of carbohydrates.
Horizon includes premium ingredients that result in a high level of antioxidants in all of their pet foods, all of which are manufactured in a strictly regulated factory with a transparent process so pet owners know how their dogs' foods are made.
8Ultra Formulaby Annamaet
- Cost-to-Value: $2.9/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 4.5/5
Find it on Amazon ($69.34)Find it on Chewy ($72.99)
Guaranteed analysis:Crude Protein, not less than 32.00%Crude Fat, not less than 20.00%Crude Fiber, not more than 3.00%Moisture, not more than 10.00%Ash, max 6.8%
Another less well-known dog food brand, Annamaet, is a USA-made pet food company that manufactures specific pet food formulas.
It is often great for dogs with certain health conditions or in certain life stages, such as growth or lactation.
These eight best dog foods for pups and the whole line of products have never had any recalls and generally have a great reputation among their small fan base of pet owners.
Ingredients are always fresh animal meat sources, followed by high-quality vegetables, no soy, corn, or wheat.
This is a mid-range food on this list of foods and is generally fairly affordable.
9Earthborn Holistic Puppy Vantageby Wells Pet Food
- Cost-to-Value: $2.53/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 4/5
Find it on Amazon ($63.14)Find it on Chewy ($78.90)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 28.0% minCRUDE FAT 20.0% minCRUDE FIBER 4.0% maxMOISTURE 10.0% maxCALCIUM 1.3.0% minPHOSPHORUS 1.1% min
The ninth place is a much more popular brand and significantly more affordable when compared to the above-mentioned eight-rated puppy food formulas.
Wells Pet Food's Earthborn Holistic is favored by many pet owners, even though there may be a few small issues with their ingredient formulation.
Nevertheless, this remains a healthy choice for most puppies, with well-balanced omega-3 additives, premium quality animal protein sources, and whole-food vegetables to make up the rest.
Yet another company that has never had any dog food recalls, and they have been around for a while.
Even though the term holistic should not be part of your consideration, the company seems to follow what they believe being holistic actually means, making this one a cheap puppy food formula.
10Range Hearty Dog Food for Puppiesby Nature's Select
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Guaranteed analysis:Crude Protein Min 33%Crude Fat Min 16%Crude Fiber Max 3.5%Moisture Max 9%
IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of August 2022, this product line is no longer in production. Read Nature's Select statement here.
Rarely found at online retailers' websites and most often bought in local pet stores, Nature's Select line of pet foods has been well-rated by our team, veterinarians, and Dog Food Advisor.
This tenth-best puppy food formula in the mid-range budget is simple yet healthy for most young dogs with no specific health problems.
It's grain-free, high in protein, and low in carbohydrates.
They often include several meat sources in their formulations, which make up for a large percentage of protein on the label.
If you're afraid of the popular dog food brands that are receiving public backlash, this smaller pet food company and its tenth-rated formulation may be more along your alley.
11Freestyle Grain-Free Dry Foodby Nulo
- Cost-to-Value: $2.8/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($68.84)Find it on Chewy ($76.49)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 30% minCRUDE FAT 18% minCRUDE FIBER 5.5% maxMOISTURE 10% maxDOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID* (DHA) 0.80% minCALCIUM 1.20% minPHOSPHORUS 1.10% min
Nulo is quickly becoming the go-to product for new pet owners as they are the first to research the best dog food brands.
They have a great company reputation, their formulations contain a perfect ingredient profile, and most importantly, their line of foods is very affordable, ranging somewhere between budget to mid-range.
However, the lower price range doesn't seem to be reflected in their quality, and this pet food is solid proof of that.
It contains no grains, a low number of carbohydrates to make it a very low GI formulation, no potatoes, tapioca, corn, wheat, soy, or other fillers, and no GMOs.
All-American made, and with careful attention to detail, we've also had them previously on the site and reviewed a few of their products in greater detail.
This eleventh brand, in particular, is very high in protein (up to 80%) and contains added probiotics and digestive enzymes.
12Life Protection Puppy Formulaby Blue Buffalo
- Cost-to-Value: $1.89/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($56.84)Find it on Chewy ($56.84)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 42.0% minCRUDE FAT 22.0% minCRUDE FIBER 2.3.0% maxMOISTURE 10.0% maxASH 8.6% maxCALCIUM 1.5% minPHOSPHORUS 1.0% min
A well-known mid-range pet food brand, Blue Buffalo Puppy Food is the first on the list where the company claims cruelty-free and never frozen manufacturing.
When it comes to ingredients, there don't seem to be any problems there, as the company's formulations have been rated highly among vets and other dog food-ranking websites for years.
This twelfth recipe is made with fresh chicken and a few carbs, without grains, gluten, or GMOs.
Moving past the ingredients and looking around, pet owners have been big fans of Farmina Foods for years, with great reviews on Amazon and Chewy and generally speaking well about the company on pet forums.
The only issue with this recipe is that it costs slightly more, with all of their foods ranging somewhere between Mid-Range and coming closer to Premium.
13SubZero Puppy Fraser Valleyby Nutrience
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Check out Nutrience's website to know where to buy near you
Guaranteed analysis:Crude protein min. 38.0%Crude fat min. 18.0%Crude fiber max. 3.5%Moisture max. 10.0%Docosahexaenoic acid* (DHA) Min. 0.21%Calcium min. 1.1%Phosphorus min. 0.9%
In the same price range as the above-mentioned option, Nutrience is another well-made dog food for puppies.
Nutrience has great quality ingredients and healthy formulation but is far less popular among pet owners.
This is another brand that's rarely found online but is most commonly bought from local pet stores.
Nevertheless, the company deserves some praise for its transparent and strict manufacturing practices.
All are made and sourced in Canada, and this dog food has a high-protein formulation with no grains or other fillers.
Moreover, this is one of the healthy, additive-friendly foods for puppies on this list.
The company often adds probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, coconut oil, and other supplements to reinforce the recipe.
This one specifically is made from never frozen protein sources, according to Nutrience themselves, and with wild-caught fish sources.
14Wolf Cub Bison & Oatmeal Puppyby Solid Gold
- Cost-to-Value: $6/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($22.79)Unavailable on Chewy
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 41.0% minCRUDE FAT 20.0% minCRUDE FIBER 4.0% maxMOISTURE 10.0% max
Moving down the list of best dog foods for puppies, lesser-known among pet owners, Solid Gold deserves mention on the list as much as any others we've already picked out.
The company has a great reputation, albeit not very popular, and its pet foods are often made without any grains, gluten, meat by-products, corn, soy, wheat, or other fillers.
It's the USA-made dog food for puppies with an average protein amount designed to fit dogs of all ages.
That said, the reason it's ranked as the fourteenth brand even though it's cheaper than a few above-mentioned formulas is that all life stages may not always be a great fit for puppies.
There are some talks regarding this among veterinarians, and you'd better consult your vet, too.
15Active Puppy Formula Grain-Freeby Victor Dog Food
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 4/5
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 33.0% minCRUDE FAT 16.0% minCRUDE FIBER 3.8% maxMOISTURE 9.0% max
This product line is out of stock on both Amazon and Chewy. Check out Victor Pet Food's website to see where to buy.
Pet owners looking for good puppy food recipes that are affordable will find Victor's dog food a great alternative to the above-mentioned Earthborn.
It's a cheap puppy food that's healthy for the majority of dogs without any issues.
It's grain-free and has no gluten, soy, wheat, corn, or other additives. The company is less transparent about its manufacturing process but claims to use USA-sourced animal proteins.
Most of their formulas have added probiotics and digestive enzymes to support puppies' digestion.
This is also the All Life Stages formulation, meaning that it works for both adult dogs and puppies, and I've already explained the small issue with that above.
Overall, this is one of the better puppy foods for an affordable price and is worth taking a look at.
16Rocky Mountain Medleyby Wild Calling
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 32.0% minCRUDE FAT 18.0% minCRUDE FIBER 4.0% maxMOISTURE 9.0% maxCALCIUM 2.0% minPHOSPHORUS 1.25% min
IMPORTANT UPDATE: This product line may have been discontinued, or the manufacturer no longer operates. Check out DogFoodAdvisor's review here.
Getting back to Mid-Range to premium-cost pet foods, the Wild Calling formulation is a great choice for pet owners who can afford to pay $70+ for a 25-lb bag.
It's not a popular company among pet owners and is often bought in local pet stores, but its recipes are good quality and, on paper, are very healthy.
This sixteenth recipe specifically is grain-free, designed for rotational feeding with multiple proteins, and contains no usual bad agents no fillers, byproducts, gluten, additives, etc.
This brand has a unique type of animal protein source and often includes three types in every formulation formulations. And like with other brands mentioned above, this is the All Life Stages formula, meaning it works for adult dogs and puppies alike.
1740/16 Foodby Young Again
- Cost-to-Value: $3.2/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Buy it on YoungAgain's website
- $49 for 10-lb. bag
- $110 for 25-lb. bag
Guaranteed analysis:Crude Protein (min)40%Crude Fat (min)16%Crude Fiber (max)3.0%Soluble Fiber1.91%
Another All Life Stages formulation on our list, the Young Again puppy recipe, contains no plant protein sources, no gluten or grains, and a low number of carbohydrates.
Their first ingredient is hydrolyzed pork, which some pet owners may find concerning, but there's no reason to be, as we have not seen any evidence regarding this as of yet.
What we do know is that this protein is highly digestible among most adult dogs, but it's still unclear how it affects puppies.
Overall, their nutrient profile is well-rated, and the company had great Dog Food Advisor reviews for a few years.
That said, it's a more expensive product, and a few other brands mentioned above may be more affordable for most.
18 Puppy Raw Blendby Stella & Chewy's
- Cost-to-Value: $1.93/lb.
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($48.44)Find it on Chewy ($50.99)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 45.0% minCRUDE FAT 30.0% minCRUDE FIBER 4.0% maxMOISTURE 5.0% max
Stella and Chewy's has been one of the best-known pet food companies manufacturing raw blend foods for puppies and adult dogs.
Today, they're mostly chosen by pet owners with adult dogs.
Their puppy formulas are far less popular due to palatability and the fact that many young dogs don't seem to love the taste for whatever reason.
However, speaking of quality, Stella & Chewy's eighteenth recipe stands out: the USA made, it's grain-free, contains no potatoes or gluten, with a small level of carbs, all sourced in America, and manufactured by a company that values transparency and being open about their practices.
Stella & Chewy's have a big following, and for the price, their raw formulation is one of the most affordable puppy foods out there.
19Human-Grade Grain-Freeby The Honest Kitchen
- Cost-to-Value: $9.4* (dehydrated dog food makes up to 40 lb. of real food)
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($94.10)Find it on Chewy ($94.10)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 24.0% minCRUDE FAT 15.0% minCRUDE FIBER 6.5% maxMOISTURE 8.5% max
Now, let's talk about dehydrated dog food.
The Honest Kitchen has made it on the list of best dog food for puppies, and for good reason. It is the best-known brand out there.
The company is open about its manufacturing process and is known for its human-grade pet foods and extremely meticulous process of making the healthiest raw dog food possible.
This dog food is perfect for owners looking to start their young dogs on dehydrated raw food without grains.
The nutrient profile of this formulation is outstanding, with all USA-sourced ingredients, 100% human-grade, and no preservatives or by-products.
The Honest Kitchen is also well-known for its high-quality limited ingredient formulas, and there's one available with this All Life Stages formulation as well.
The food is on the expensive side, however.
20Pureformance Foodby Grandma Lucy's
- Cost-to-Value: $7.8/lb**(freeze-dried dog food makes 55 lb. of real food)
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($78.46)Find it on Chewy ($78.46)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN (MIN) 34.0%CRUDE FAT (MIN) 9.0%CRUDE FIBER (MAX) 6.5%MOISTURE (MAX) 6.1%CALCIUM (MIN) 1.0%PHOSPHORUS (MAX) 0.46%
Closely following the above-mentioned option, Grandma Lucy's freeze-dried dog food for puppies (All Life Stages formula) is a great alternative that's slightly cheaper.
They're not officially human grade and are less transparent about the process than The Honest Kitchen (but then who isn't), but they are much more open about the manufacturing and sourcing of products than a large majority of other pet food companies out there.
All-American-made formulas with no preservatives or byproducts, their puppy recipe is something to take a look at if freeze-dried dog foods are what you're after.
21Regionals Dog Foodby Acana
- Cost-to-Value: $5.78/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on Amazon ($25.99)Unavailable on Chewy
Guaranteed analysis:Crude protein (min.) 33 %Crude fat (min.) 17 %Crude fiber (max.) 6 %Moisture (max.) 12 %Calcium (min.) 1.8 %Phosphorus (min.) 1.2 %
We've already picked one option from ACANA as the first-ranked puppy formula on this list, but if you're looking for an alternative that's designed for all life stages, then look no further.
Acana has gained a lot of attention for its high-quality ingredients and strict manufacturing practices.
It's rated lower mostly because of the price and giving some attention to other companies of the same quality of ingredients, but they're still one of the more affordable Mid-range to Premium foods out there.
22Homestyle Completeby Bravo!
- Cost-to-Value: $1.24/oz
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Find it on AmazonFind it on Chewy ($4.81)
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 38.0% minCRUDE FAT 8.0% minCRUDE FIBER 5.0% maxMOISTURE 20.0% max
Another lesser-known company on the list of kibbles, Bravo!, has a decent nutrient profile that we liked, some pet owners following, and is also well-rated on Dog Food Advisor and veterinarians.
It's another freeze-dried dog food for puppies option (all life stages).
However, it is significantly more expensive than the few other freeze-dried puppy food recipes we've already picked out.
23Limited Ingredient Foodby Great Life
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 4.5/5
Guaranteed analysis:CRUDE PROTEIN 27.0% minFAT 12.0% minFIBER 2.5% maxMOISTURE 10.0% max
Unavailable on Amazon and Chewy. The product may have been discontinued, as stated by Dog Food Advisor here.
A small company often sold in local pet stores and occasionally on Amazon or Chewy, Great Life has a good nutrient profile and is Mid-Range in pricing.
The company makes its foods in the USA and sources all ingredients in America.
All Life Stages formula is grain-free, without any fillers, GMOs, gluten, or other potentially harmful additives.
There's only one animal protein.
Depending on the formula, it's likely to be a novel protein source (such as buffalo), which may be easier on the puppy's digestion and if the puppy has a sensitive stomach or food allergy.
24 Humankind Dog Food(recently discontinued)
- Average Cost: $99.99 for 10 lbs bag
- Cost-to-Value: $10/lb**(dehydrated dog food makes 37 lb of real food)
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
25Total Grain-Freeby Nutram
- Average Cost: $20.99 for 6 lbs bag
- Cost-to-Value: $3.5/lb
- Overall Rating:
- Dog Food Advisor Review: 5/5
Guaranteed analysis:Crude Protein minimum 36.0%Crude Fat minimum 17.0Crude Fiber maximum 5.5%Moisture maximum 10.0%Calcium minimum 1.4%Phosphorus minimum 1.0%
Unavailable on Amazon and Chewy. Check out Nutram's website to learn where to get this product.
The final pick on our list of best puppy food brands is another lesser-known company, often sold only in local pet food stores but worth a mention due to their Mid-Range to Premium pricing and high-quality ingredients.
This last brand is grain-free, made for all life stages, with a low number of carbohydrates and a high protein percentage.
The company claims this is a holistic formulation; however, this term carries no weight, as mentioned above.
All their foods are made in Canada under strict regulations, thus making this a great choice for pet owners looking for an average-to-expensive priced high-quality dog food for puppies.
Take-Home Message
Always use extra care and caution when switching your puppys food.
When you switch your puppy from one food to another, always make the switch slowly.
A sudden change in food can cause gastric upset, which can lead to complications in young dogs.
The food transition should take place over a one to 13-day period as follows:
- Day 1-2 (1-4 for sensitive dogs): Feed 75% of your puppys original food and 25% of the new food.
- Day 3-4 (5-8): Feed 50% of your puppys original food and 50% of the new food.
- Day 5-6 (9-12): Feed 25% of your puppys original food and 75% of the new food.
- Day 7 (13): Feed 100% of the new food.
If your puppy shows gastric upset (gas, diarrhea) during their new food transition, slow down the transition period.
If your puppy is still having gastric problems after slowing its food transition, consult your veterinarian right away.
They may be suffering from food allergies or illness, and young dogs can quickly succumb to diarrhea, dehydration, and nutritional deficiency if left untreated.
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