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Puppy Food - Types, Feeding Guides and Brands
Choosing the right food for your puppy is one of the most important decisions you can make for their health and development. Puppies have different nutritional needs compared to adult dogs, requiring a diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins to support their rapid growth, bone strength, and immune system.
With so many options available, including dry, wet, and raw food, it can be challenging to determine the best choice for your puppy. Understanding portion sizes, feeding schedules, and the right time to transition to adult food is essential for ensuring your puppy grows into a strong and healthy dog.
This guide will explore everything you need to know about puppy food, from its differences compared to adult dog food, how much to feed, when to switch, and recommendations for the best puppy food brands. Whether you are a first-time owner or looking to refine your puppy’s diet, this guide will help you make informed feeding choices.
What Is Puppy Food?
Puppy food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies, providing the right balance of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals essential for healthy development. Puppies require higher energy levels than adult dogs, and their diet must support muscle growth, bone development, and immune function.
Puppy food is available in dry kibble, wet food, and raw or natural diets, with many brands offering breed-specific formulas tailored to the size and needs of different puppies. Choosing the right puppy food is crucial for ensuring a strong foundation for lifelong health.
What Is The Difference Between Puppy Food and Adult Dog Food?
Puppy food and adult dog food differ in their nutritional composition. Puppies need:
✅ More Protein – Supports rapid muscle growth and overall development.
✅ Higher Fat Content – Provides essential energy for playful, active puppies.
✅ Calcium & Phosphorus – Helps strengthen developing bones and teeth.
✅ Omega-3 & DHA – Supports brain development, learning, and eye health.
Adult dog food is lower in calories and protein to prevent weight gain, while puppy food is designed for rapid growth and energy needs. Feeding adult food too soon can result in nutrient deficiencies, so always feed puppy-specific food until they’re ready for the switch.
How Much Food Should I Feed My Puppy?
Feeding amounts depend on your puppy’s age, breed, and activity level. Puppies grow quickly and need small, frequent meals throughout the day.
Below, you can find a handy feeding guide for puppies based on their sizes. We’ve also included a calculator tool that you can use too.
There’s also this handy guide by the RSPCA which has some more tips on feeding your little pooch.
Try Our Puppy Food Calculator
For an easy way to determine how much to feed your puppy, use our Puppy Food Calculator by entering their weight, age, and activity level. This helps ensure your puppy gets the right amount of food based on their specific needs.
How Much Dry Food To Feed A Puppy
Dry puppy food (kibble) is a convenient, balanced option for growing pups. Feeding guidelines vary by brand, but general recommendations include:
🐕 Small breeds (up to 10kg adult weight) – 75-200g per day
🐕🦺 Medium breeds (10-25kg adult weight) – 200-400g per day
🐩 Large breeds (25kg+ adult weight) – 400-600g per day
Always check the feeding guide on your puppy food packaging, as different brands have different calorie densities.
How Much Wet Food To Feed A Puppy
Wet puppy food contains more moisture than dry food, making it easier to eat and digest. Puppies eating only wet food will generally need larger portions due to the lower calorie density.
🐶 Small breeds – 200-400g per day
🐕 Medium breeds – 400-800g per day
🐩 Large breeds – 800g+ per day
If you’re mixing wet and dry food, adjust portions to maintain the right calorie intake.
When To Switch Your Puppy To Dog Food
Puppies should transition to adult food based on their breed size:
- Small breeds – Switch at 9-12 months
- Medium breeds – Switch at 12 months
- Large breeds – Switch at 12-18 months (as large breeds grow more slowly)
Switching too early can lead to nutritional deficiencies, while switching too late may contribute to excess weight gain. Transition gradually over 7-10 days by mixing small amounts of adult food with puppy food, increasing the adult food portion over time.
What's The Best Puppy Food?
Lily’s Kitchen Puppy Food
Lily's Kitchen offers puppy food made with natural ingredients, focusing on high meat content and the exclusion of artificial additives. Their recipes often include fresh meats combined with vegetables and botanical herbs, aiming to provide balanced nutrition for growing puppies. This approach caters to pet owners seeking wholesome, natural diets for their pets.
Canagan Puppy Food
Canagan specializes in grain-free, protein-rich kibble designed to mimic a dog's ancestral diet. Their puppy formulas typically feature high-quality meats like chicken or salmon, supplemented with sweet potatoes, vegetables, and botanicals. This composition aims to support optimal growth and digestion, providing a balanced diet without grains.
Royal Canin Puppy Food
Royal Canin offers a diverse range of breed-specific puppy formulas tailored to the unique needs of different breeds. These formulations consider factors like size, growth rate, and common health concerns, providing precise nutrition to support healthy development. Royal Canin's approach is backed by extensive research and collaboration with veterinarians.
James Wellbeloved Puppy Food
James Wellbeloved focuses on hypoallergenic recipes, making their puppy food suitable for dogs with sensitivities. Their formulations typically exclude common allergens like beef, pork, wheat, and dairy, using single-source proteins such as turkey or lamb. This approach aims to be gentle on sensitive stomachs while providing complete nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take for a puppy to digest food
Puppies typically digest food within 4-6 hours, faster than adult dogs due to their higher metabolism. This is why puppies need frequent meals throughout the day. Factors such as food type, breed, and activity level can affect digestion speed. Wet food digests faster than dry kibble due to its high moisture content.
Why is my puppy not eating his food but will eat treats?
If your puppy refuses their regular food but happily eats treats, it could be due to:
🦷 Teething discomfort – Puppies teething may struggle with dry kibble.
😋 Preference for tastier treats – If given too many, puppies may reject their regular food.
🥵 Stress or environment changes – New homes or routine changes can reduce appetite.
⚠️ Health concerns – If appetite loss continues, consult a vet.
Reducing treats and ensuring mealtime consistency can help encourage your puppy to eat their food properly.
