The 5 Best Puppy Foods On Amazon
We love our furry little friends, which is why we want to provide puppy food that supports healthy growth and development.
Providing high-quality puppy foods to your new furbaby is the best way to help them grow into the adult dog they’re meant to be. It can fill them with vitamins and nutrients to build strong bones, healthy teeth, and a luscious coat while ensuring a long, healthy life. The yummy taste also helps motivate them during training sessions.
There are lots of different kibble and wet food options to choose from, and each brand and recipe offers its own benefits and drawbacks. That’s why it’s essential to research the details. And we’re here to get you started and set up your new family member’s feeding station with this handy list of fabulous puppy foods.
Best Puppy Foods to Consider
Many of us look at the pet food aisle and assume that every puppy food is just as good as the last. However, if you look closely at the ingredient lists and labels, you may notice a trend of fillers and low-quality additives. These can lead to bloating, dull coats, and itchy skin.
If you want to help your puppy avoid long-term health problems and give them the optimal start, we recommend focusing on the quality and quantity of meat and other fresh ingredients. You can also check out flavor options, cost, and what types of added vitamins and minerals are in the recipe.
One great example is Acana Wholesome Grains puppy food. It uses fresh and raw chicken, whole grains, fruits, and veggies for a flavorful, nutrient-dense finish. Then again, if you prefer canned foods, Wellness Complete Health Wet Puppy Food may be your best bet. It’s soft, savory, and packed with all the building blocks your puppy needs to grow.
Just as with humans, nutrition is at the core of your pet’s health. Some fluffs may need extra support, so you may want to consider adding a nutritional supplement to their daily meals for maximum benefits. However, their kibble or canned puppy food should always provide the bulk of the vitamins and minerals they need.
Acana Wholesome Grains Puppy Food
Acana Wholesome Grains puppy food uses a high-protein, nutrient-dense recipe to support your new pup from head to tail. The free-run chicken and produce are provided by a select few farmers that have been vetted to ensure quality. From there, it’s all expertly cooked and prepared in a state-of-the-art kitchen. And you don’t have to worry. Unlike many competitors, the mix has no artificial colors, flavors, or toxic preservatives. There are also no legumes or low-nutrient starches, or fillers.
Pros:
- Recipe uses real meat instead of by-products
- Many finicky dogs enjoy the flavor
- Formulated for puppies of any breed or size
- Small pieces are easy for puppies to chew
Cons:
- Gets stale quickly unless you transfer to a different container
Orijen Amazing Grains Puppy Food
Protein is a vital building block for your puppy, and Orijen Amazing Grains puppy food is packed full of it. In fact, the first five ingredients are all fresh or raw meats. Extra probiotics, prebiotics, DHA, and EPA also help aid digestion, coat health, immune function, and more. Overall, it’s a well-balanced option that can help you keep your puppy healthy as they develop, grow, and learn.
Pros:
- High-quality meats are tasty and entice picky pets
- Strong scent helps it double as training treats
- Ingredients and additives all aid in overall health and growth
- Easy to transition to the comparable adult formula without tummy upset
Cons:
- A little pricier than many competitors
Purina ONE Natural High Protein Puppy Food
Whether you’re on a budget or feeding a menagerie, you may want to consider Purina ONE Natural High Protein puppy food. It’s tasty, healthy, and affordable. The Healthy Puppy +Plus formulation includes DHA, antioxidants, Omega-6, and other vitamins and minerals contributing to healthy mental and physical development. Meanwhile, the first ingredient is real chicken, ensuring plenty of protein for growing muscles and bones.
Pros:
- Excellent price, especially considering the quality
- Many puppies transition to this food without tummy upset
- Scent and flavor attract most dogs, even if they’re usually picky
- Great choice for breeders and rescues due to cost and bulk options
Cons:
- Has more fillers than some competitors
Wellness Complete Health Wet Puppy Food
Canned and wet foods provide extra hydration and nutrition. And when it comes to canned foods, it’s hard to beat Wellness Complete Health wet puppy food for your new furbaby. The chicken-based recipe has plenty of protein, which is expertly balanced with fresh produce, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s also got a strong scent, meaty texture, and flavor that can entice even the pickiest puppies to try it.
Pros:
- Balanced enough to be your puppy’s only food or use as a topper
- Doesn’t cause stinky stools like many canned foods
- Appropriate formula for any breed
- Additional moisture helps with a shinier, softer coat
Cons:
- Expensive if you need to buy in bulk
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Puppy Food
If you don’t mind spending a little more on your furbaby’s food, Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Puppy Food Patties are the ideal choice. Each patty is very carefully balanced and created using raw, whole-prey meats, including organs, muscle meat, and bones. There are also fresh fruits, veggies, and seeds to round it all out and provide extra antioxidants and nutrients. It’s all blended and freeze-dried into shelf-stable patties. All you have to do is add water and wait for a completely raw meal without the work.
Pros:
- Balanced recipe is as close to a dog’s natural diet as you can get commercially
- Rehydrating is quick and easy
- You can choose from fish or chicken based on the dog’s preferences
- High-quality recipe is healthy and often safer for dogs with sensitivities to kibble
Cons:
- Expensive compared to kibble or canned foods
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a puppy food has enough meat?
While looking at the ingredient list of the puppy foods you’re considering, we recommend paying close attention to the first four or five. If at least three of them are meat, there should be plenty of protein. However, if only the first ingredient or two are meat-based, you may want to consider another food or supplement with meatier snacks to be safe.
What are fillers, and why should I avoid them?
When referring to puppy and dog food, ‘fillers’ refer to unhealthy ingredients that are only in the food to add calories or shape. They offer no nutritional advantage, and many of them can actually cause heart problems or lead to obesity. Some common fillers are corn, potatoes, peas, flour, and corn syrup. And like sugar or carbs in humans, a little is ok, but too much can lead to problems.
How much should I feed my puppy?
Deciding how much food your puppy needs can seem tricky. However, all you really need to do is weigh them. Most packages will have weight-based feeding instructions right on the label. We also recommend splitting that amount between two or three meals to help keep your pup full and happy. Experts also agree that treats count towards their daily needs, so keep that in mind as you measure out their meals.
Does the puppy food’s flavor matter?
In general, puppy food flavors are a matter of preference. But there are some uncommon cases where a puppy might have an allergy or sensitivity to certain ingredients. If you notice your new pet having tummy or skin troubles, you can switch from one protein or flavor to another to see if it helps.
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