The Top 10 Healthy, Best Rated Dog Foods For Puppies

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Owning a puppy is definitely an experience you will never forget. They’re cute, cuddly, tiny, and have the sweetest little barks! After a long day at work, coming home to a puppy is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

However, there are a few not so great things that come with owning a puppy.

Housetraining can be frustrating. Then there’s the chewing. If they’re not using your hands as a chew toy, they’re chewing your new pair of shoes, your phone charger, or something else you probably didn’t want ripped to shreds.

Feeding your puppy can also be frustrating.

Finding a good quality, healthy dog food for puppies can be a bit of a pain as they have different dietary needs than adult dogs.

To keep your puppy’s health in tip-top condition, you need to feed them a dog food that has their nutrition in mind.

Puppies also sensitive stomachs that can be easily upset with poor quality dog food.

That’s why it’s important to find dog food for puppies that contains good quality ingredients and proper nutrition for young dogs.

Not only will your puppy be less likely to experience stomach trouble, but they will be healthier and happier in general.

Can’t I Just Feed My Puppy Adult Dog Food?

Your puppy needs a dog food targeted for puppies as their diet is slightly different to an adult dog’s.

Puppies have a lot of growing to do before they can run and play like a big dog, so they require a diet that will give them the energy, calories, and nourishment to develop properly.

Puppies need a higher amount of protein than adults to function, as well as calcium and phosphorous. These vital ingredients make sure your puppy’s bones and teeth grow strong.

Carbohydrates and fiber will ensure give your puppy the energy they require to run and play (and to keep you on your toes!).

A good balance of healthy fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6, in your puppy’s diet will help your young companion stay healthy.

Fruits and vegetables (extra vitamins!) are also needed, as they will provide your puppy with essential nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants to boost their health and immunity to disease and sickness.

Puppies have weaker immune systems than adult dogs, which means they can get sick more easily. If an especially young puppy gets sick, it can be life-threatening. And puppies can take a long time to recover from an illness.

In order to make sure they have the strength to stay well and recover if they do get sick, it’s very important you feed your puppy a proper and well-balanced diet!

A good and healthy dog food for puppies will help prevent your puppy from becoming unwell, as well as help them grow up big, fit, and strong. A healthy puppy is a happy puppy!

Best Rated Dog Food For Puppies: Top 10 Reviews

On the hunt for some of the best dry dog food for puppies? Here are ten reviews of top dog foods for puppies. These dog foods are healthy and the best rated by fellow puppy owners!

Blue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

The Freedom line by Blue Buffalo is completely grain-free which is good for puppies who don’t do well with grains or glutens in their diet. Real deboned chicken is listed as the first ingredient which means this dry dog food is packed full of the protein your puppy needs to develop.

Calcium, vitamin A, and phosphorous are also mixed into this dog food for puppies to ensure your young dog’s bones grow strong. L-Carnitine aids with muscle development.

Additionally, this dry dog food also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to give your puppy a glowing coat and healthy skin. Blue Buffalo use Lifesource Bits to support your puppy’s immune system, so they have the energy to run and play!

If that wasn’t enough, this top dog food for puppies also contains ARA and DHA for cognitive development. ARA stands for arachidonic acid and is a type of fatty acid.

The size of the kibble is small to ensure it fits in your puppy’s mouth, while also helping reduce plaque and tartar. No wheat, soy, corn, or poultry by-product meals are in the ingredients, making this a good option for all puppies!

Some great things about this puppy food is its great flavor (most young dogs love the taste!), as well as its healthy and well-balanced ingredients. This means your puppy’s dietary needs are being met. Some owners have also found that this dog food helps keep their puppy’s bowel movements regular and firmer.

One negative with this dog food for puppies is that the packaging does not include a ziplock closure. To ensure this puppy food does not get stale or contaminated, you might want to consider placing it into a separate container.

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food

This dry dog food for puppies by Wellness is grain-free and contains a lot of protein from real chicken and turkey. The high amount of protein means it has enough calories for your puppy to grow and develop.

DHA from salmon oil is also included in this puppy food formula (for good eye and brain development), as well as high levels of calcium and phosphorous. Calcium and phosphorous strengthen your puppy’s bones and teeth.

Some of the vegetables in this dog food for puppies are spinach, kale, and broccoli. These veggies are rich in nutrients to keep your young dog nourished and their immune system healthy.

The kibble is also dusted with probiotics to keep your puppy’s digestive tract working as it should be. No wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are used in this food.

If you’re on the hunt for one of the best healthy and grain-free dry dog foods for puppies, then Wellness’s puppy food is worth looking at!

This dog food for puppies is one of the best rated by dog owners. It’s praised for its high-quality, healthy ingredients, as well as being effective for dogs with skin and food allergies. A lot of owners have stated this dry dog food for puppies has improved their puppy’s coat and digestive health!

However, one of the downsides for this otherwise top dog food for puppies, is that the packaging does not have a resealable strip for freshness. To ensure this dog food does not become stale, you might want to consider placing it inside a separate container.

Also, some owners with picky puppies have found this dog food does not attract their interest.

Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild’s grain-free puppy formula is a healthy diet for all types of puppies. It’s extremely high in protein by using buffalo (first ingredient!) and bison as a main source. Roasted venison and beef are also used to keep your puppy at a healthy weight and build muscle.

A good balance of vitamins and antioxidants is included in the recipe to keep your puppy fit and healthy. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids ensure your young dog’s skin and coat is always in top condition.

As well as real fruits and vegetables, this dry dog food for puppies also contains peas, sweet potatoes, and dried chicory root (for digestion). Peas and sweet potatoes provide your puppy with energy and are easy to digest.

A combination of probiotics are also used in this dog food for puppies to support your puppy’s digestive system.

No grain, corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are present in the ingredients. This means this is the best type of dog food for pooches with food allergies.

There are lot of great reviews for this dog food for puppies, notably praising the high-quality ingredients and general nutrition (in other words, it’s very healthy!). As well as being incredibly high in protein to support the energy levels of growing puppies, this dry dog food is liked by a lot of pooches.

However, the small size of the kibble pieces in this dry dog food for puppies could make it unsuitable for large breeds. Due to the high amount of protein in the ingredients, it might be best to slowly switch your puppy to this dog food (especially if they aren’t used to a high protein diet) to reduce the possibility of stomach problems, such as loose stools.

Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Health Salmon, Anchovy, & Sardine Meal Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Holistic Select’s grain-free dry dog food is suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. It contains probiotics, digestive enzymes, and lots of fiber from fruits and vegetables to help with your pup’s digestion.

Papaya, pumpkin, blueberries, and pomegranate are included in this healthy dog food for puppies. These are good sources of natural fiber to keep your furry friend’s digestive tract working properly while also aiding with your puppy’s overall health.

In addition to these fruits and vegetables, this food also contains dried beet pulp, ground flaxseed, and cinnamon. Flaxseed is packed full of omega-3 fatty acids to keep your pup’s skin and coat in tip-top condition. Dried beet pulp and cinnamon are both great for digestion, making this one of the best picks for puppies with stomach and digestive issues.

If you’re looking for a top dog food for puppies that is healthy and great for digestion, then this dry food from Holistic Select is a good choice.

A large portion of dog owners have found that this dry dog food has worked well for pups with allergies, as well as improved their dog’s digestive health and consistency of their stools.

Additionally, as this dog food is also suitable for adults, it means you wouldn’t have to switch to a different food once your puppy reaches adulthood. This could mean less fuss for you and your pooch in the long run!

However, if you own a dog who is a fussy eater, then they might take a while before they show an interest in this dog food, especially if they are not used to a natural diet. There are a lot of ingredients in this dry dog food which could mean the taste is a bit overwhelming for some pups.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Farm Raised Chicken, Brown Rice, & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food

This dry dog food for puppies by Nutro uses real farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient, alongside amino acids that help strengthen and improve your puppy’s metabolism and muscles. Oatmeal is also mixed into the recipe to help young dogs with stomach issues. Whole brown rice allows for an increased absorption of vitamins and nutrients to make sure your puppy stays healthy.

To help your puppy’s bones and teeth develop strong and healthy, calcium and phosphorus is also included in the recipe. The great balance of protein and fat in this dog food for puppies ensures your puppy has enough energy to grow into a big dog.

No corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are in this dog food for puppies. Additionally, the vegetables used are non-GMO. This dry food is healthy and nutritious, a good pick for all types of puppies!

Two good features about this puppy food is its quality ingredients and its good taste. There is also a good amount of protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals to keep your puppy in good health.

A lot of puppies seem to enjoy its flavour, making it a good pick for fussy eaters. There is also a good amount of protein, fruits, and vegetables in this dog food for puppies which are all great for your companion’s health.

However, some puppies might experience digestive issues with this dry dog food, resulting in loose stools. This could be due to the food’s high amount of fiber and use of grain (brown rice). If your puppy is not suited or used to a diet with grain, then this dry dog food might not be ideal.

Ensuring you properly switch your puppy to this food by mixing it with their old food for a few weeks could help eliminate any stomach troubles.

Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

This dry dog food for puppies by Merrick is grain-free and suitable for all types of puppies. Real deboned chicken is listed as the first ingredient, as well as sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes. There are apples and blueberries for antioxidants and vitamins C and E as well to increase flavor!

The good amount of protein and fruits and vegetables make this dog food for puppies healthy, nutritious, and packed full of flavor. DHA is also included to help your pup’s brain and eyes develop properly, alongside vitamin and minerals for an extra boost.

A good balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA from salmon oil have also been added into the recipe to promote good health. EPA and DHA are two types of crucial omega-3 fatty acids. These ingredients also keep your puppy’s skin and coat healthy.

This dry dog food for puppies is good for your furry friend’s digestive system and has been specially formulated to ensure it fits the nutritional needs of all puppy breeds.

Merrick makes their dog food in Texas using locally-sourced ingredients from farmers. There are no grains, corn, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives in this dry dog food for puppies.

Merrick’s puppy food is top rated by a lot of users, particularly for picky eaters as it is full of flavor. It’s also good for keeping your puppy’s stools firmer and bowel movements more regular. Overall, this food is healthy and a good complete diet for all puppies!

However, the size of the kibble pieces are fairly small. If you own a large breed puppy, then they might eat the kibble without chewing it properly first which could be a possible choking hazard.

Natural Balance LID Puppy Formula Potato & Duck Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance’s Limited Ingredient Diets (LID) line for puppies is a good and healthy dry dog food with less ingredients. This food is grain-free, contains a small number of carbohydrates, and only uses one form of protein (duck).

Fewer ingredients means your puppy is exposed to less potential allergens. This makes this dog food puppies best for young dogs who have food allergies or sensitivities.

The size of the kibble in this dry dog food is designed for the small mouths of puppies, so you don’t have to worry about your pup choking or having trouble chewing.

Salmon oil has been added to provide DHA, which will help with your puppy’s eye and brain development. Additionally, omega-3 from flaxseed give your puppy a glowing and luxurious coat. The high-quality ingredients in this dog food make it healthy, nutritious, and a good choice for puppies with food allergies and intolerances.

Quite a few owners have found this dog food for puppies has not triggered any allergy symptoms in their pup and has drastically improved their puppy’s bowel movements. This healthy dog food for puppies seems to be very beneficial for young dogs who have experienced issues with previous food due to food sensitivities.

This is most likely due to its limited ingredients. If your puppy is not getting on with their current food due to food allergies, then this puppy food could work for you and your pooch. The huge number of good reviews show that this dog food food is one of the best available for sensitive puppies!

One downside with this dog food for puppies is its possible lack of flavor. Some puppies might not be too fond of the taste and could take a while to warm to it. The limited number of ingredients used in the formula could be the cause behind this. Less ingredients might mean the dog food is a little bland.

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

This dry dog food from Eukanuba is designed for large puppy breeds. The brand believe that dogs should have a high protein diet, as they are carnivorous by nature.

This is why chicken is listed as the first ingredient in Eukanuba’s dog food for large breed puppies. The high-quality protein from animals ensures your puppy’s muscles grow strong and fit. As large breed puppies grow at a faster rate than smaller breeds, there is a good amount of calcium and phosphorous in this dog food to match your puppy’s quick development.

The inclusion of fish oil in the recipe provides DHA to help with cognitive development, and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids keeps your puppy’s skin and coat healthy and shiny.

This dog food for large puppies uses natural beet pulp and prebiotic FOS to keep your young pooch’s digestive system working efficiently. FOS (Fructooligosaccharides) is a prebiotic found in the fermentation of sugar cane.

This dry dog food is a good pick for any large breed puppy!

One of the best things about this food is that most young dogs seem to enjoy the taste. The food is top rated by dog owners, which means a lot of people and their puppies are satisfied with the product!

However, a couple of downsides of this dog food for puppies is the size of the kibble pieces and the use of corn in the recipe. As this dog food is for large breed puppies, the kibble pieces are fairly big. Especially young puppies might need the kibble broken up to ensure they can fit it in their mouths and don’t choke.

Corn is listed as the second ingredient in this dry dog food for puppies. If your young dog has an intolerance to corn, or you’d rather they didn’t consume it, then this dog food might not be for you and your pup.

Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food

Purina’s Pro Plan Focus line for large breeds puppies is highly rated and contains a lot of healthy ingredients. Chicken is listed as the first ingredient. This ensures your puppy’s muscles grow strong and healthy.

The recipe in this dog food for puppies is easy on the stomach to keep your puppy’s digestive system working. The addition of prebiotic fiber aids with this.

Omega-6 fatty acids keep your puppy’s skin and coat glowing and healthy, and DHA helps with cognitive development. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is crucial for the healthy development of your puppy’s brain and nervous system.

Additionally, calcium strengthens your puppy’s bones and teeth. No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are in this dog food.

A lot of puppy owners have found this dog food for puppies is great at keeping their young dog at a healthy weight and their bowel movements regular (as well as firming up stools). Additionally, this dry dog food is liked by a lot of puppies. This makes it a tasty, healthy, and nutritious dog food for large breed puppies that is well deserving of its good reviews!

However, this dog food does contain grain and by-product meals. If your puppy does not do well with grain in their diets, and you’d rather they didn’t consume by-product meals, then this dry dog food might not be ideal.

Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food

The Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food is specifically targeted for puppies up to ten months of age and between nine and twenty-two pounds. This diet is well-balanced and all-round healthy for small breed puppies.

Small breed puppies take less time to grow than bigger pups, but that also means they have a much more tiring development! To ensure your puppy has the energy to grow into an adult pooch, this dry dog food uses ingredients that keep your young dog nourished during their growth period.

Additionally, the formula is specially targeted for picky eaters as small dogs are notorious for being fussy! The size of the kibble is small to perfectly fit your little puppy’s mouth. It’s also good for reducing plaque and tartar.

Digestible proteins keep your puppy’s digestive system working well, so they can absorb the essential nutrients they need to thrive. This dog food for small puppies also has a good mix of vitamins and antioxidants to ensure your young dog stays fit and healthy.

A lot of small breed puppy owners have found this dry dog food suits their pup’s needs and pickiness. The reviews are mostly positive, which shows this is the best type of dog food for any small breed puppy.

However, this dog food for puppies is only suitable for puppies up to ten months old. For certain small breeds who have a longer puppyhood, this means you might need to switch to another diet once they are older than ten months.

Additionally, this dog food for puppies does contain grain, corn, and animal by-product meals as main ingredients. If you prefer feeding a more natural or grain-free diet to your young companion, then this might not be the best type of dog food for your pup.

Final Thoughts

Feeding your puppy can be made simpler with one of these top dog foods for puppies. These brands produce some of the best-rated dog food for puppies while also being extremely healthy and nutritious.

Puppies need a more specialized diet than adult dogs which means your puppy’s food needs to contain the best ingredients for them to grow up healthy and strong. High protein levels, fruits and vegetables (or extra vitamins and minerals), and healthy fats are essential in your young companion’s diet.

These 10 healthy dog foods for puppies include all these components which means your puppy’s health is always the main focus. Your puppy will have all the necessary nutrition they need to thrive and develop into a healthy adult.

The majority of these dog foods for puppies also include meat from real animals as the first ingredient and use zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This is always a bonus!

When you take a look through websites like chewy.com, these dog foods for puppies are some of the best rated with top reviews by fellow puppy owners. A lot of owners and their puppies are very happy with these products which shows they are some of the best dog food choices for your young dog!

Owning a puppy can be fun, and with one of these healthy dog foods for puppies, you can make sure your puppy grows up strong and healthy!

Top Picks For Our Dogs

1. BEST PUPPY TOY
   We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs - Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home.
2. BEST DOG CHEW
   We Like: Bones & Chews Bully Sticks - All of our puppies love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors.
3. BEST DOG TREATS
   We Like: Crazy Dog Train Me Treats - One of our favorite treats for training our service dog puppies.
4. BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
   We Like: The Farmer's Dog - A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer's Dog.

For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog.