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This article was written by Arricca SanSone, a lifelong dog lover, who shares her home with two papillons who adore plush toys, snuggling, and barking at bunnies and delivery people. She researched the market based on an interview with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and criteria from the American Veterinary Medical Association, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and the Pet Food Institute. She is a health and lifestyle writer for Prevention, Country Living, Veranda, House Beautiful, PureWow, and many others.
Our Favorite Puppy Food Is Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula
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There are a lot of choices to make when it comes to taking care of a new puppy, and one of the most important is selecting a food that fulfills your pets nutritional requirements. Puppies have specific needs, requiring a blend of protein, fat, and calcium to encourage immune system strength, uniform skeletal development, and optimal growth.
Puppy food, as compared to adult maintenance food, is more nutrient-dense, to complement a puppys higher nutrient requirements as they grow, Megan Shepherd, DVM, PhD, DACVIM , a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, told The Spruce Pets.
We found the best puppy foods with guidance from Shepherd and other veterinary sources, including dry, wet, and snack options, plus food specific to large breeds. While it’s always advisable to check with your veterinarian before starting your puppy on a new diet , our recommendations provide complete nutrition for the first year of your puppy’s life.
These are the best puppy foods.
The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food Best Overall
The Farmers Dog Chicken Recipe is a fresh food made from wholesome ingredients that are visible in the recipe. This food isnt found in stores. The Farmers Dog is a delivery service that sends the food, packed in insulation and dry ice, straight to your door. Just empty the box and store the food thats made specifically for your pet in the freezer.
You can choose from chicken, beef, or turkey as a protein source. These meats get combined with vegetables, vitamins, minerals, and fish oil to give your dog quality food without any unnecessary fillers and preservatives.
The ingredients are sourced from local farms and food suppliers that meet USDA standards. The recipes are made following formulas created by veterinary nutritionists. You simply have to thaw the food and serve it according to the instructions. Each food comes packaged in the correct portion sizes for your dog, complete with their name on the package. This is helpful if youre ordering food for multiple dogs.
Once you sign up for the service, you can tweak your delivery plan however you need to at any time, delaying, rushing, or changing the amount of food that you get to fit your needs.
The Farmers Dog uses fresh food to feed your dog in a healthy manner, making it the best overall dog food for small dogs.
- Starts with chicken meal as the first ingredient
- Larger kibble size is too big for some dogs
- Mostly made up of potatoes and peas
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Know What Is Your Dog Allergic To
It is wise to visit a veterinarian to confirm if your pet is allergic to any food. You must ensure that your dog has a severe allergy before switching its diet to a grain-free one. Grain-free formulated pet food costs more. Hence you will avoid unnecessary spending if youre sure of your dogs health status.
Also, dont get influenced by the hype about buying gluten-free dog food. Your top priority is to give your pet the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Buyers Guide: How To Select The Best Puppy Foods For Small Breeds
Small breeds are different from medium or large breeds in many ways, including their nutritional needs. These dogs have higher metabolisms and require more calories per pound, which can be challenging to achieve with a small stomach. In addition, an extra pound or two could be detrimental to a small dog that weighs less than 10 pounds.
As puppies, these breeds also need extra nutrition to support their growth and development. This can make it more challenging to find the best food to support puppy nutrition and satisfy the high metabolism of a small or toy breed.
Heres what to look for in small-breed dog food for puppies:
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Certifications: What Do They Mean
Ingredients and nutritional profile aside, the basic manufacturing and legal requirements for dog food have some similarities to human food. In fact, where animal-specific regulations dont exist, human standards are used. For instance, there is not yet an organic standard for pet food in America, so the AAFCO suggests that the same organic guidelines for human food be followed. Thus, the USDA Organic sticker found on certain dog foods pertains to a human standard of organic production. Typically standards for human health and safety are higher than for animals, so this borrowing of regulations shouldnt be considered a problem.
A Certified Vegan label is awarded by the organization Vegan Action when a manufacturer proves that no animal parts or byproducts are present in a formula, and that no animal testing has taken place. We take no position on whether a vegan diet is nutritionally adequate for a dog–the debate, unfortunately, is based more on strong opinions and beliefs than conclusive proof. We leave that decision up to you and your vet.
In addition to these certifications, you may notice a number of other badges adorning dog food packages. These are often marketing gimmicks intended to convey the idea of superior quality. Take a second look to see if any organization or regulatory agency is named on them. If nothing of the sort is found, ignore the badges–theyre just advertising hype.
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Chicken And Rice
Rating:
Diamond Small Breed Chicken and Rice is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, ground white rice, grain sorghum
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Design: Maintenance
- Best for:Small breed adults
This Diamond Naturals formula obtains the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat and 44% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.
A solid, budget-friendly option ideal for small breed adult dogs. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewSo I switched to this dog food on chewy as the review was right, the price was right and I did not have to haul large bags of dog food home. Auto shipment is a plus. Most important is my dogs love it. I didnt realize before researching these brands of dog food that the size of the kibble could be a health issue for the dog. Hard to find small kibble that is healthy. My dog usually has ear issues as well. None seen since starting the new kibble. Hopefully the skin issues will clear up as well!
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What Should I Look For In A Small Dog Food
Here are the factors pet owners must consider when looking for the best dog food for small dogs:
- Protein & Carb sources. Dog food brands with protein sources from high-quality meat and fat products identified by species are best.
- Healthy Grains or Grain-Free Recipes. Grain-free dog food is good for energetic dogs, but whole grains such as barley and brown rice are healthy ways of adding carbohydrates to your dogs diet.
- First ingredient. The best dog food for small dogs must feature real meat placed first on the ingredient list and starches lower on the list. Real meat is packed with protein and amino acids.
- Whole Fruits & Veggies. Produce listed high on the ingredient list helps add calories without using grains and can help naturally meet nutritional needs. Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Organic or High-Quality Ingredients. Organic ingredients are natural ingredients grown free from pesticides. The Association of American Feed Control Officials defines organic products according to USDA standards.
What Should I Buy Wet Food Or Dry
Lets face it, pet parents can have some very strong opinions when it comes to the health and wellbeing of their favorite companions. Honestly, we cant blame them for being so passionate–were talking about family, after all. But its important to separate bad information and wishful thinking from facts. Where it comes to the single most asked question in the dog food debate–wet or dry?–our research determined that its more a matter of personal style than one being absolutely better than the other.
Wet food is often considered tastier than dry food, though how thats quantified is unclear. What is true is that the canning process allows for a longer shelf life using fewer preservatives, and comes with built in portion control. Depending on the size of the can and size and appetite of your dog, you might go through a can a meal or a can a day. How easy is that? In addition, the extra water content in wet food can be beneficial to dogs who are reluctant to drink enough water or those who live in hot or arid climates. Though everything in moderation. Wet foods with extreme water contents leave less room for the nutrients your dog needs.
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Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Adult Chicken
Rating:
Nutro Small Breed Adult Chicken is one of 19 dry recipes included in our review of the Nutro Wholesome Essentials product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, split peas, brewers rice, whole brown rice
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Design: Maintenance
- Best for:Small breed adults
This Nutro Wholesome Essentials formula derives the lions share of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 17% fat and 49% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
A complete and balanced dog food designed to provide optimal nutrition for smaller dogs. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewI like BBQ chicken and sweet potatoes and so do my dogs. Okay so maybe this isnt barbecue chicken flavor but its still chicken. My min pin and my chiweenie both love home cooked sweet potatoes so Im glad that there are sweet potatoes in this dog food. And with all Nutro products this food shines up their coat and decreases shedding and is made with top-quality ingredients. I feel good about feeding Nutro to my dogs.
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy
Rating:
Small Breed Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, ground white rice, chicken fat, cracked pearled barley
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Best for:Small breed puppies
This Diamond Naturals formula takes the majority of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 24% fat and 32% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 69%.
An affordable option available in several sizes.
Sample buyer reviewWeve got a 10 week old Cavapoo puppy and he loves it! He was originally on ProPlan but his stools were very soft and the vet recommended switching his food. Our pup picks out the Diamond Naturals food and leaves the rest. Hes only about 3.5 lbs so the really small kibble is perfect for him.
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Best Food For Puppies
Purina is one of the best dog food brands for puppies. You can buy its Supercoat Adult Dry Food Chicken Pack. It is a precise combo of healthy, natural ingredients such as rice, proteins, vitamins, and many other things, making it an excellent option for your puppy.
Expert Comment- Purina dog food is an excellent option for puppies. It is a value-for-money product and can help your dog get soft skin, a healthy digestive system, and a lot of other benefits.
What Is The Difference Between The Worst And Best Dog Food
If you were to pour a bowl of the best and worst dog food, they might look pretty similar. Even if you took a quick look at the packaging, you might still think there wasnt anything different. There are, in fact, some significant similarities between the best and worst foods but it is the differences that really matter.
First and foremost, you need to understand that a low-quality dog food and a high-quality dog food will both technically meet your dogs minimum nutritional requirements . The difference is in the quality of the ingredients and the degree to which the product exceeds those minimums.
To understand the difference between the worst and the best food, lets quickly review the basics of your dogs nutritional needs. He needs protein for growth and development , fat for energy , carbohydrates for energy and fiber, and vitamins and minerals for nutritional balance. Even the worst dog food will contain the minimum amount your dog needs from each of these categories, but it is the best food that will exceed those minimums.
In addition to noticing the things that ARE included in the ingredients list, another important difference between the best and worst dog food is the ingredients that are NOT included. The worst dog food will contain things like corn, wheat, and soy ingredients that dont provide your dog with much nutritional value and are hard to digest. A 5-star dog food also wont contain any fillers, by-products, GMO ingredients, or artificial additives.
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How To Choose Food For Small Breed Dogs
Providing healthy nutrition and a healthy diet to your pet is of utmost importance, especially in their growing years. Also, the small breed dogs with greater care and concern as they have a higher metabolism rate. To pick up the best dog food for older small dogs, certain factors must be looked into closely before you make the final product. These features and factors will help you to get a balanced, nutrition-rich food for your pet.
Dog Age
As humans need a different type of food at different ages, so do your dogs need. Getting the right food for your pet largely depends upon his age. If your pet is in his initial years or is a small pup, he is likely to have food enriched in more proteins and calories. Whereas if the dog is in adulthood, high-calorie food is not good for him, resulting in being overweight.
Wet or Dry Food
The type of food you are going to feed your pet largely depends on his taste and flavor. Some dogs like wet food, and some are more inclined towards dry food. This best wet dog food for small dogs is an excellent source of hydration but can lead to tooth decay or oral problems. Dry food, on the other hand, helps to improve dental health by killing bacteria. You should prefer to go for food that your pet loves to eat.
Considering Allergens
Natural Ingredients
Check the Expiration Date
Kibble Pieces
Rich in Nutrients
Best Overall Dry: Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula
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Available in large and small breed formulas
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No artificial colors or flavors
With their rapid growth, puppies benefit from a higher protein diet, comprising between 22-32 percent of their food intake. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula accounts for this, with a higher proportion of protein, plus a puppy-optimal ratio of fats and carbohydrates, in their puppy food. That’s just one way a puppy-specific formula addresses a young dog’s unique needs, providing a diet designed to prevent the onset of orthopedic diseases or obesity.
The Purina Pro Plan Puppy formula uses high-quality proteinderived primarily from chickenfor muscle development, plus bone health ingredients like calcium, phosphorous, and other minerals. The formula also includes probiotics for digestive health, omega-6 fatty acids derived from fish oil, and a wide spectrum of vitamins.
The bag even includes a helpful chart providing month-to-month serving size guidance based on the anticipated adult weight of your puppy. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula is available in 6-, 18-, and 34-pound bags. Purina also offers several variations on the standard puppy food formula, with Purina Pro Plan foods designed for large breeds, toy breeds, and young dogs between the age of one and two.
Available Flavors: Chicken, lamb, beef | Nutritional Specs: 28% protein, 18% fat, 12% moisture
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Q: What Is The Best Dog Food For Small Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
If you feel like your small breed pup is experiencing digestive issues, you need to figure out what is causing them. Some dogs, just like humans, have certain food sensitivities and certain ingredients just won’t agree with them. A telltale sign that your pup is experiencing food sensitivity or intolerance includes:
Loose stools
What Causes Sensitive Stomachs In Dogs
Before you start searching for a better food for your dog, you need to figure out what is causing your dogs sensitive stomach. Some dogs, just like some people, are sensitive to certain food ingredients. For others, a sensitive stomach could be a sign of a more serious problem. Make an appointment with your vet to have your dog examined. While this might seem like investing a lot of money up front, remember that dog food is also expensive. You might actually save money in the long run by visiting your vet, and while youre there you can ask for her opinion about your dogs diet. Once you have ruled out serious conditions like stomach cancer, it is time to examine the other possible causes of sensitive stomachs in dogs. There are a wide variety of food items that certain dogs have trouble tolerating. Other dogs are sensitive to certain proteins. Another possibility is that your dogs food is lacking something, like sufficient fiber, vitamins, and minerals, or contains too much of something, like fat. Your dogs food might not even be the problem. If your dog has a habit of getting into the trash or eats a lot of treats and table scraps, then it could be something else causing his upset tummy.
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