What Puppy Food Do Vets Recommend

What To Look For In Dog Food In Order Of Importance:

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: This is the most crucial factor in determining whether a dog food is healthy or not. Any food you feed your dog should say on the label that it meets the nutritional standards established by the AAFCO. This means the food is “complete and balanced” for the dog’s life stage. You can find out more about these standards and definitions in the next slide.

Guaranteed analysis: This is where you’ll find the percentages of the most important nutrients in the food: protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. Sometimes, you might find other nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids listed in the guaranteed analysis, too. It’s worth checking if the brand routinely tests their finished product to ensure it meets standards, Shepherd says. All of the foods in this guide have moderate to high protein and low to moderate fat .

Healthy extras: Some foods contain extra ingredients intended to support healthy skin, coat, and joints, Swanson notes. Examples include long-chain omega-3 fatty acids , omega-6 fatty acids , glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussels, and additional vitamins and minerals . Probiotics, prebiotics, and yeast can also benefit a puppy’s immature GI tract and probiotics may help boost overall immunity in senior dogs.

Best Dry Dog Food For Puppies

Most dog owners in the United States feed their dogs dry kibble because its affordable and convenient. Its likely your new puppy will already be eating dry puppy food when you adopt him or her.

Ive watched my clients feed practically every kind of dry kibble puppy food you can think of. And although most choose puppy food from national brands, some people are attracted to the more exotic offerings of small boutique pet food manufacturers. This makes me worry.

I dont think its a great idea to start a puppy on exotic proteins like ostrich or alligator. Save limited ingredient diets for adult dogs who are highly allergic to standard ingredients.

Im also concerned about smaller companies maintaining good quality control over a long time period. If you choose to go this route, make sure you ask a lot of questions based on the WSAVA recommendations for choosing pet food. In a nutshell, ask the company rep:

So much for that, lets talk about the best dry puppy foods Id choose for my own pup. This will depend somewhat on your budget, but if you can afford to buy premium food, Ive always been a fan of Eukanuba products. I fed Eukanuba dry food to my dog for many years and she ate well and maintained great health.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet

• High digestibility and nutrient absorption
• Low fiber content

It is one of the oldest food companies in North America which provides solid nutrition at a reasonable price.

In the last 80 years, many of the nutritional researches about canine were done by Purina. It is one of the favorite brands of veterinarians.

royal canin gastrointestinal high energy diet always helps to grow dogs, especially when they have poor stomach condition.

high energy diet has low fat to help the puppy to digest it contains 6% protein on the other hand before using any dog food consult to your pet or dial 800 to get knowledge about governmental requirements.

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What Were Looking For:

Meets AAFCO nutritional standards: What to feed your puppy is a question I get almost every single day, says Dr. Karie Anne Johnson, a mobile veterinarian and co-founder of VIP Vet Visit. She and the other vets we spoke to all recommend choosing puppy food that has been thoroughly researched and tested for nutritional adequacy by the Association of American Feed Control Officials and meets AAFCOs nutritional standards. All of the puppy food recommended below meets or exceeds AAFCO standards.

High-quality ingredients: Zacharias also stresses that the ingredients should name the exact type of meat included and they should not contain white flour, preservatives such as BHA or BHT, propylene glycol, or rendered fat. If youre among the people who see their dog more as a member of their family than as a pet, you may want to give them minimally processed food that looks more like your own dinner than traditional kibble or wet food. Richardson says that a growing number of the pet owners she sees are interested in human-grade or fresh pet foods. As this is a relatively new concept in the pet-food world and definitions vary a bit by brand, but generally speaking, something labeled fresh pet food is minimally processed, does not use preservatives, and is gently cooked to retain nutrients and reduce the risk of harmful bacteria present in some raw diets. These foods usually come frozen and need to be thawed before each meal.

Best For Large Breeds: Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Big dogs have big appetites and its important to satiate their hunger with high-quality food to keep them healthy and in top form. IAMS Proactive Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food is tailored to meet the needs of large and active dogs and fortified with all the essential nutrients to support their strong bodies. This vet recommended food has real farm-raised chicken as its first ingredient to make sure your pet gets all the protein they need and is enriched with vitamins and minerals needed to support joint and bone health, which are the two things big dogs often struggle with if they dont have a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. Additionally, the formula includes fibers and prebiotics to support your dogs immune system and promote better digestion- which is much needed when your big doggo snarfs up kibble in seconds.

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How Much Should An American Bully Puppy Eat

When your American Bully is in the puppy stage, they need a lot of attention as this phase defines the type of adult they will be in the future.

When your puppy is four weeks old, they are ready to transition from their mothers milk to solid food.

When they are between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks and stable enough, you need to feed them four times per day.Their food should be rich in minerals and vitamins and contain at least 30% protein to enable your puppy to bulk up.

They need at least 20% fat in their dietbecause their body is still learning to break down nutrients.

Between 12 weeks and 6 months, you can reduce mealtimes to three in a day and you can adjust the timings depending on your daily schedule.

Why Should You Look For The Best Puppy Food

The developing joints, bones, organs, and muscles of a puppy require the aid of daily nutrients to adapt properly. These nutrients are delivered via specially formulated puppy food.

Typically, puppy food contains twice the amount of nutrients and similar ingredients per serving when compared to the food of a fully-grown dog.

Puppy food is also significantly higher in fat quantity. This is not found in adult dog food as its not good for older dogs to ingest so much fat. Puppies, however, need more energy to get through the day and this is obtained through consuming high amounts of fat.

Feeding your puppy food that is nutrient deficient will have a noticeably negative impact on their development. From brittle bones to a weak immune system, the repercussions will be long-lasting and cost you a lot of money in the long run.

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Bravo Packing Performance Dog

We normally like raw pet food because most of these are free from fillers and the meat included are in their purest forms, free from processing of any kind. However, in the case of Bravo Packings raw diet, wed have to rethink this.

Bravo Packings Performance Dog and all of Bravo Packings other raw diets have undergone a recall this year.

Although no deaths or illnesses have been associated with the food, it is troubling that the brand has once again been involved with a recall.

From 2011 to 2015, Bravo had 7 recalls, which included expanded recalls.

There was another in 2018 and another in 2019 before the one for 2021. All of the past recalls were due to the possible presence of Salmonella or Listeria.

Recall Info: On March 3, 2021, Bravo Packing, Inc. issued a voluntary recall of two of their raw pet food products for possible cross contamination after samples collected during a US Food and Drug Administration inspection tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

The brand expanded the recall on March 16 to include ALL of its pet food and bone products of all sizes. No lot code or date code has been provided for the recent recall so assume, for the safety of your pets, that all are possibly contaminated.

Whole Earth Farms Healthy Grains Wet Puppy

Rating:

Healthy Grains Puppy is one of 13 wet recipes included in our review of the Whole Earth Farms canned product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, salmon, brown rice
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Life stage: All life stages
• Best for:All puppies including large breeds

This Whole Earth Farms canned recipe derives most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 30% fat and 22% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 72%.

An excellent, budget-friendly option. And an ideal option for growing puppies, including large breeds. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewTop off dry kibble with this tasty blend of wet food for fussy eater. It works! My puppy literally jumps like crazy every time I open the can! She even licks the empty bowl to get the last of it! Im glad its nutritious.

Chicken is one of 4 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of the Ollie product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Best for:All puppies including large breeds

This fresh-cooked recipe draws most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 11% fat and 44% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.

Ollie is an exceptional dog food. Its made with real, human-grade ingredients and its professionally designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist .

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How To Shop For The Best Food For Dogs

One of the most important steps in figuring out the best dog food is through the ingredient list, said Freeman, noting the first three are the most critical. This will help you determine if the formula is vegetable-based with things like corn and rice or meat-based with chicken, fish, or lamb, said Freeman. While each dog is different, they generally do best on a protein-rich, meat-based diet, she added.

Next, analyze what type of meat is within. Look for brands that specifically name the type of meat, like beef, chicken, or lamb, said Morgan. She noted that meat, bone meal or meat byproducts could come from any animal. Similarly, poultry meal signals any bird, she said.

The ingredients will also highlight some of what you want to avoid. Freeman suggested avoiding dog food that includes: dyes , sugar and high salt , as well as other solvents and preservatives like propylene glycol, BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.

Hills Prescription Diet Multi

Ingredients:

Whole Grain Wheat, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Oats, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Pork Flavor, Lactic Acid, Soybean Oil, Caramel Color, Flaxseed, Vitamins and Minerals.

Highlights:

• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food is a veterinary diet formulated to support your dogs weight management
• Clinical Nutrition Formulation manage blood glucose and improves digestion
• Therapeutic L-carnitine levels helps metabolize fat and maintain lean muscle
• Soluble and Insoluble Fiber Mix along with low fat and calories helps maintain healthy weight
• Balanced minerals reduce magnesium and sodium to promote a healthy urinary tract health.

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The Best Dog Food Brands

Every dog has its own needs, and the best diet for dogs will vary depending on size, breed, and more. If you just got a new pup, or your dog is refusing to eat their dinner and youre in the market for a new brand, check out the best dog food brands below. If you need to replace other items for your dog as well, like toys, treats, or accessories, make sure to check out the holiday sales.

The Health Status And Medical History

As I mentioned in the introduction, certain dogs can have food allergies and/or stomach sensitivities. Some ingredients in dog food, such as corn or wheat, may trigger these problems. But there is good news as well: some brands prepare foods specifically designed for dogs with allergy or stomach sensitivity. However, you have to be careful while making a choice, because some dog food brands arent exactly truthful while selling their products.

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When Should I Switch My Puppy To Adult Food

Its critical not to switch your puppy to adult food too soon.

Thats because adult dog food can contain too much calcium which can make it unsafe for a growing puppy.

Truth is

The best time to switch your puppy to adult food depends on your puppys breed type. The following table can help you determine when its safe to switch your puppy to adult food.910

An Accessible Option Thats High

Chewy

There are lots of grain-free dog foods out there, but if youre looking for a quality brand with plenty of grain-free options, Dr. Krause recommends I And Love And You. This brand is great because it uses clean ingredients in its formulas and it is available at grocery stores and online, she says, adding, I trust the quality of its ingredients and the extensive safety testing performs. The Naked Essentials line is protein-rich, includes digestion-friendly prebiotics and probiotics and is free of corn, wheat, soy and rice. Price-wise, its also easy on the wallet.

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Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Dog Food

Rachael Ray Puppy Food contains all the nutrients that your puppy needs.

This premium and delicious dry food contain chicken as the first ingredient, which is a great protein source for your American Bully puppy. It is formulated with fiber-filled brown rice and tasty peas.

This high-quality puppy food is also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and has minerals, vitamins, and taurine added to it to help your puppy grow well.

It does not contain any preservatives, artificial flavors, fillers, poultry by-products, or added wheat.

Pros

• Supports lean mass muscle and healthy organs.
• Supports healthy digestion and maintains energy levels.
• Helps with the development of the brain and eyes.
• Supports growing muscles.

• Contains an unpleasant smell.

Why Choose Specific Food For Labrador Puppies Or Large Breeds

It should be obvious that a Chihuahua and your Lab have very different nutrition and health requirements due to the huge difference in the eventual size and structure of their adult bodies. This is why you find breed specific foods available.

Large breeds grow faster and have far more growth to go through than smaller breeds, with a Labrador going from under a pound at birth to perhaps 75 pounds as an adult.

This means their bones and joints change quickly and dramatically as they grow from a puppy to adult, increasing in over 75 times their initial weight. This is one reason large breed puppies are more sensitive to nutritional imbalances, perhaps the most important of which is avoiding an excess of calcium.

Too much calcium in a Labrador puppys diet increases the risk of musculo-skeletal deformities, particularly hip and elbow dysplasia, because their bones grow so quickly and with excess calcium are prone to forming incorrectly.

However, lacking calcium can also result in problems, so Labrador puppy food contains a safe amount for a puppy to grow correctly without having unsafe excess amounts.

But not only this, excess calories can result in a puppy becoming overweight and in a growing puppy, excess weight puts undue stress on their growing, forming bones. To combat this, Labrador specific puppy food is somewhat restricted in calories and fats compared to smaller breed puppy food.

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Complete And Balanced Dog Foods

It’s important to look at food labels the statement saying that Name of Product is formulated to meet the nutrient profiles established in AAFCO. This isn’t just a mere commercial slogan to lure potential buyers.

AAFCO has strict requirements to ensure that pet food is indeed complete and balanced when consumed as a dog’s only food source.

For a dog food to be complete and balanced, it should contain minimum amounts of essential nutrients, which can also be seen in the label’s guaranteed analysis. The figures give a minimum quantity of raw protein, and fat, along with the maximum quantity of water and crude fiber.

Best Overall Wet: Royal Canin Puppy Canned Dog Food

• Suitable for all breed sizes

• Doesnt come in smaller can sizes for little dogs

• Can be difficult to find

Formulated for puppies, Royal Canin Puppy Canned Dog Food meets the nutritional level standards for growth set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO. It provides protein and fatty acids from a wide variety of sources, including chicken, pork, chicken liver, and salmon. It includes a full selection of vitamins and minerals, plus digestive-supporting beet pulp and fish oil.

Royal Canin manufactures its food in plants with transparent safety standards with ISO 22000 Food Safety certifications. Its puppy formula also uses minimal preservatives, incorporating only tocopherols , citric acid, and rosemary extract.

The pâté-style dog food is recommended for small breed puppies in their first 10 months of life or large breed puppies in their first 15. While nutritionally complete, Royal Canin’s canned dog food for puppies can also tag team with dry food and be used as a food topper.

Available Flavors: Chicken, pork, salmon combination | Nutritional Specs: 7.5% protein, 4% fat, 76% moisture

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