Best Dog Foods for Puppies

Importance of Good Puppy Food

If you’re looking to find the best dog foods for puppies, you’re in the right place! Feeding your puppy a balanced and nutritious diet is incredibly important for their health. For your dog to grow and develop into a healthy adult dog, you need to give them only the best dog foods for puppies.

A dog who doesn’t receive the proper nutrition doesn’t have what it needs to grow. When a puppy doesn’t receive a good food while they are young, they can be more susceptible to illness and injury as an adult.

Some dog foods are puppy-specific, while others provide nutrients for all age ranges. However, the best dog foods for puppies provide a high protein percentage for your dog and have a real protein source as the first ingredient.

Five Best Dog Foods for Puppies

In my years as a certified dog trainer, I have come across a wide variety of different dog foods. I’ve used that experience to provide you with an all-encompassing guide to the best dog foods for puppies on the market.

Each of these foods has a certain scenario or feature that sets it apart from the rest: taste, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog food is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, and more.

Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog foods for puppies available!

All-Around Favorite Dog Food for Puppies

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… We have a VERY spoiled picky [dog]. When Wag arrived held out a handful. NO coaxing needed. Then, quickly gobbled down second handful and tried to get into the bag. Definitely, will be buying more of this …”

“… My mini poodles love this new food. One has been very sensitive to the point of a dull thin coat but now she eats great, her coat is thick and healthy …”

“… More important than quick shipping, and value…quality, safety and trust always come first. So on those points alone, WAG is a winner. I tried this WAG right out of the bag and he scarfed it all down. This is good stuff! I’m completely sold on WAG….”

buy now

It doesn’t have “puppy” plastered all over the bag, but this brand has well-rounded nutrition for dogs during all life stages. That means that your pup can eat this food well into old age.

Feature Highlights:

  • Choose from chicken, salmon, lamb, turkey, or beef.
  • The first two ingredients are real protein.
  • Protein content is impressively high at 35%
  • Contains no added grains, corn, or wheat.

With an impressively high 35% protein content, you know your puppy has all the nutrients that it needs to grow. Take a peek at the ingredients to see that the first two ingredients are both easily recognizable protein sources.

The last wonderful perk about this food is that it holds its own against the competition. This brand has great value without forfeiting quality ingredients. Recommended for: Pitbulls, Boxers, Dachshunds, German Shepherds, and more.

Best Wet Dog Food for Puppies

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… I have a puppy and quickly switched her to Wellness puppy food. She is growing very quickly. Her coat is shiny and healthy and her new teeth are coming in strong (as her chew toys show the wear). …”

“… Our fawn Doberman Pinscher puppy thinks this is candy. We’re VERY happy with the quality from Wellness! May I also add they have great reviews on Dog Food Advisor. I also introduced my Veterinarian’s office to Wellness because they were impressed with the quality of our furkid’s coat! …”

“… Our vet told us to get wet food specifically for puppies to help encourage her to eat her dry food. This is definitely working. Our pup loves it. Each can has a pull tab for ease in opening the cans. Highly recommend. …”

buy now

Especially with very young puppies or puppies that haven’t been weaned yet, a wet dog food can prevent pain for their growing teeth. However, you shouldn’t feed only wet food, as dry kibble helps clean your dog’s teeth. A good wet food should have high moisture, but still have quality proteins.

Feature Highlights:

  • High moisture, grain-free wet food for your puppy.
  • The first three ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, and salmon.
  • It contains all-natural premium ingredients.

Some puppies have a hard time going from mom’s milk to dry kibble. Wet dog food is a great go-between to keep your pup’s appetite up! Not only does this food provide lots of moisture for your puppy, but it’s also made with all-natural chicken and salmon.

This wet food makes for a great addition to your puppy’s dry kibble. You can use it to help increase their water intake or to simply up their appetite! Use this product as a natural and nutritious addition to your dog’s diet. Recommended for: Border Collies, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Pointers, and more.

Best Value Dog Food for Puppies

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… My sister in law is a vet tech and this is what she feeds her dogs. She says it gives them great nutrition and is affordable. My dog especially loves the shredded bits …”

“… been using this brand for over a year now – no more throwing up, no more loose bowls and he eats it quickly. With in a minute of putting the food in his bowl – he is eating with gusto! …”

“… This food was recommended by our vet. My dog loves this food and wolfs it down at every meal …”

buy now
$19.98 ($3.33 / Pound)

If you’re looking for a good-value dog food, Purina Pro Plan is the way to go. This puppy food provides a high protein content, giving you the best bang for your buck. It also features real protein as the first ingredient.

Feature Highlights:

  • Impressive 28% protein for your growing puppy.
  • Real lamb is the first ingredient.
  • Choose from lamb or chicken flavor.
  • Added DHA from fish oil for brain development.

With this product, you receive a high-protein dog food with an easy-to-recognize protein source as the first ingredient. Despite the surprisingly low price point, you still receive an impressive 28% protein content to help fuel your growing puppy.

If you need a dog food that is the absolute best value without forfeiting the health of your growing puppy, Pro Plan is the way to go. This food is one of the best when it comes to the “cheap” dog foods. It easily beats out all competitors in a similar price range. Recommended for: Labrador Retrievers, Pitbulls, Border Collies, Basset Hounds, and more.

Best Puppy Food for Small Breeds

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… She loves this food! Her weight is the best it’s ever been, her coat is so nice and glossy, her energy level seems to have increased … investing in the health and longevity of your pet, it’s worth the expense! …”

“… This brand was one of the ones recommended by both the breeder and my puppy’s vet. She’s healthy, active, the appropriate weight, and has the most beautiful coat. I’m sticking with it…..”

“… This product has 30% protein and all the other nutrients that my pup needs. I will stay with blue buffalo when it’s time to change from the puppy formula to Adult …”

buy now
$59.99 ($5.45 / lb)

This food is formulated especially for small breed puppies. Smaller breeds grow quite quickly and need high protein content to match that growth. This food provides your puppy with balanced nutrition and everything they need during this important stage of growth.

Feature Highlights:

  • Formulated with an impressive 30% protein content.
  • Made specifically for small dogs breeds with high levels of protein and carbohydrates.
  • Real chicken is the first ingredient, and proteins are the first two ingredients.

Small breed dogs have dietary and nutritional needs that are just as important as other sizes. In fact, small breeds need a higher protein content while they are young because they grow faster than other breeds. This dog food provides your puppy with real chicken as the first ingredient. It also contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals for your growing puppy.

In addition to high protein requirements, this dog food also provides your puppy with DHA and ARA. These fatty acids, which are found in their mother’s milk, help your puppy’s continued brain and eye development. Recommended for: Maltese, Shih-Tzus, Chihuahua, Toy Poodles, and more.

Best Puppy Foods for Large Breeds

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… Did not know there was a difference in puppy mixes but if you have a larger breed, make sure you get something like this! It has the right nutrients to promote growth. Normal puppy mixes may effect joints according to our vet! …”

“… Omg how they’re growing! At 6 months, they’re larger than their mother by several inches and as big as their father with a lot of growing time left. The boys love the flavor and have had no tummy issues. …”

“… Dogs favorite food… Great quality food. Her coat is softer and she skimmed down to a healthier weight after a tear on this food. …”

buy now
$64.98 ($2.17 / lb)

Small breed puppies grow quickly and need high protein, but large breeds grow slowly and need lower protein content. This food provides a slightly lower protein content, while still providing a real protein source as the first two ingredients.

Feature Highlights:

  • Real protein is the first two ingredients.
  • It provides a protein content of 26% for your growing puppy.
  • It contains DHA and ARA for growth and brain development.

This puppy food provides your dog with only the best, as real protein is both the first and second ingredients. As omnivores, dogs need carbohydrate sources as well, and this product provides whole grains, fruits, and veggies for your dog.

This puppy food provides everything your growing large breed puppy needs. By providing your dog with balanced nutrition tailored specifically for large breeds, you can ensure your dog grows into a happy and healthy adult. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Pyrenees, Labrador Retrievers, and more.