Things To Look For In Any Puppy Food
Proper nutrition is essential when your puppys developing, which is why puppy food is specially formulated with more nutrients than adult dog food, like protein and amino acids. Unfortunately, not every dog food for puppies is created equal, and some are certainly better than others in regards to ingredients and overall safety.
With any puppy food, there are some key factors to look for when making your purchase. Some of the most important include:
- The food must meet or exceed AAFCO guidelines for growth or all life stages
- The food should be made in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Western Europe
- Pick a food with a whole, nutritious meat protein as the first listed ingredient
- Make sure that all proteins are labeled properly
- The food shouldnt contain artificial colors or flavors
- Grain-inclusive recipes are preferable, unless your dog has a diagnosed grain sensitivity
- Probiotic-fortified foods are ideal, but not required
How Often Should I Be Feeding My Puppy
Your puppy should eat about three times a day from the time you start introducing them to solid food until they are four to six months old. After your furry friend is six months old, you can switch to just twice-a-day feedings. Some people cannot feed twice a day. Consider purchasing an automatic dog feeder to help you out with feedings when you are at work. You can also hire a pet walker to come by during the middle of the day to let your puppy outside and give them some food.
Alpo Come & Get It Cookout Classics
ALPO is a known dog food brand that may look to many as a quality pet food. But as turns out, its not. Or at least, this particular recipe isnt.
This formulation does not start with meat. In fact, the first meat ingredient wont be found until the 3rd slot in the list. And the only other meat is in 6th place.;
What starts off this food is ground yellow corn, meaning that corn has the most significant volume in the diet. Not only that, there are two more corn ingredients in the recipe and one legume.
Its a formulation that focuses more on carbohydrates rather than protein. It meets the AAFCO standard, yes, but does not really go much above it.
The second thing we dont like is the inclusion of artificial food coloring. Color is not a requirement in dog food, and dogs will be better off without it. The less artificial ingredients in dog food, the better.;
The Come & Get It! Cookout Classics is the least of the worst dog foods in our list because it contains real and named meat ingredients.;
Recall Info: None for this recipe, and the only recall for the ALPO brand happened way back in 2007 for possible melamine contamination.
Problem Ingredients: Ground yellow corn, corn germ meal, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Yellow 6
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Chocolate Coffee And Caffeine
Never give chocolate, coffee, or anything containing caffeine to dogs.
These products contain chemicals called methylxanthines, which are highly toxic to dogs. The chemicals can cause vomiting, an abnormal heart rate, seizures, and sometimes death.
Chocolate treats are available for dogs, but these contain a special chocolate substitute that is safe for them to eat.
Nutro Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Food
Best Large-Breed Puppy Food
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About:Hungry Bark is a unique dog food company that strives to produce a healthier, heartier kibble. You can order recipes with any of several different proteins, and they offer grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes .
With 27% protein composition and plenty of omega fatty acids and probiotics, this food provides all of the things a growing pupperino needs! Additionally, because its formulated for all life stages, your pooch can continue to enjoy this food well past puppyhood.
Plus, Hungry Bark uses sustainable packaging to help out the planet, and they match customer donations to the ASPCA at checkout. But thats not all! Ready for another neat perk? If you opt for Hungry Barks Subscribe & Save option you can save 20%!
- Formulated with novel proteins, making it great for pups with some common food allergies.;
- Included prebiotics and probiotics can help prevent tummy troubles.
- Most dogs appear to love the taste of both recipes.
Cons
- Grain-free recipes are only a good idea for dogs who have trouble with grains .
- Though most pups love the recipe, a not-insignificant number of puppies were not fond of the bison and venison recipe.
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Best Adult Dog Food For Dry Skin
There are tons of dog food options for adults with dry skin. Many of these include components like omega fatty acids and are free from common allergens.
2. Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Real Duck & Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Our Rating: 5Top Ingredients: Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal, Turkey MealType: Dry
This dry dog food includes real duck as the first ingredient.
65% of this food is real duck with sweet potatoes as a source of carbohydrates, helping promote healthy muscle tissue and energy levels.
It is completely grain-free, making it suitable for dogs with gluten allergies.;
Pros:
- Omega fatty acids included promoting healthy skin
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints
- Deboned duck as the main protein source
Cons:
5. Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP
Our Rating: 4.7Top Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chicken FatType: Dry
Whether your dog is suffering from itching, hair loss, or stomach troubles, this palatable dog food has less risk of causing immune reactions with its hydrolyzed proteins.
Theyre also suitable for all breed sizes. Looking for a limited ingredient thats free of peas? This might be the answer.
Pros:
- Veterinary diet made for dogs with digestive issues, coat, skin, and food sensitivities
- Help reduce GI and skin reactions
- Contains omega 3 fatty acids that help aid for healthy skin and coat
Cons:
Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Hills Science Diet is one of the highest-rated dog foods in the market today. The company provides food for dogs that are in different life stages or those that have different health conditions.; For a puppy, it is best to use the chicken meal, barley, and brown rice recipe that is made specifically for young dogs to aid in their development.
The main ingredients that make up the recipe include pork meal, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain corn, and whole-grain wheat. They constitute the right balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber. It gets proteins from two meat sources that are verified to be suitable for puppies.
It does not use ant chicken by-products.;The proteins are responsible for the development of lean muscles giving puppies an ideal body. Other ingredients make up the meal such as fish oil that is a source for omega-three fatty acid, which is responsible for the healthy development skeletal muscles for excellent mobility.
It also contains vitamin C and E that help to build up the immune system of the young dog. The recipe does not contain any artificial flavors, preservatives or color. The meal is best suited for feeding pregnant and nursing dogs. You can as well feed one-year-old dogs.
Pros
Cons
- It contains whole grains that can be hard to digest for dogs.
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What Else Do I Need To Know About The Best Food For Small Puppies
Smaller dog breeds have a faster metabolism than large dogs. Thus, they need more calories per pound of body weight. Furthermore, this also means that small breed puppies require more fats and protein in their diets.
Small breeds of puppies also have smaller stomachs. Hence, they have much less space for large meals compared to bigger breeds. Due to this fact, owners need to feed their mini fur babies small but nutritious meals a couple of times per day.
You also need to consider the size of kibbles. Needless to say, smaller breeds have smaller mouths, so while they can break down larger pieces, its much easier and healthier for them to eat food that matches their size.
Are Fresh Food Diets Good For Alaskan Malamutes
Only if theyre properly balanced.
Many well-intentioned Alaskan Malamute parents spend a lot of time preparing meals at home, but health benefits are lost if meals arent properly portioned and balanced with all the nutrients dogs need. Recently, a few companies have done an excellent job ensuring accurate portions and nutrient balance by delivering pre-prepped fresh meals customized to the size and needs of your dog. Farmers Dog, Ollie and Nom Nom have each been approved by our nutrition team as delivering truly quality and well-balanced meals. They can be a little expensive , but many find the added health benefits worth the cost. They do offer discounts to new customers, though, if youd like to try one out.
Pros and Cons of Fresh Food Diets
- Diets balanced by Nutritionists
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Cost Of Small Breed Dog Food
Once you have sorted through the various dog food brands and found one that you and your vet think will best benefit your dog, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend. A good rule of thumb to follow for commercial dog food diets is to stay away from the cheapest option. Your dogs food is a vital part of his preventative healthcare, and so you want to invest in it as much as possible. When it comes to dog food, you usually get what you pay for.
On the other hand, an expensive dog food is not a guarantee of quality, either. By talking with your veterinarian and comparing brands of dog food in a variety of price ranges, you should be able to find the best dog food for small dogs that also matches your budget.
What Makes Dog Food Good For Chihuahuas
Although minimum requirements and standards bind commercial pet food companies, youll probably want to give your pup more than the simple bare necessities.
Dont skimp on buying the best quality food that you can. Thankfully with the diminutive size of this breed, you dont need to buy a lot!
What food do you buy for your Chihuahua? Let us know in the comments below.
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Do Puppies Need A Grain
Theres a lot of talk about grain-free dog foods, which causes many new owners to begin looking for the best grain-free puppy food.
But this begs the question: Do puppies need a grain-free puppy food?
Generally speaking, no while grain-free diets are preferable in some specific circumstances , they arent usually necessary.
In fact, the FDA has released some information that indicates a correlation between grain-free dog food and dilated cardiomyopathy .
For this reason, its not recommended to feed your dog a grain-free diet unless other factors are at play, such as allergies.
Some grains are certainly better for your pet than others , but theres no reason to deliberately seek out a grain-free recipe for a typical, healthy puppy.
Blood Tests Dont Lieand Hoochs Numbers Shifted Drastically In Just The First 6 Weeks We Made These Diet And Lifestyle Changes
He noticeably had more energy, was suffering less from inflammation, was shedding less with a more luxurious coat, and for the first time EVER he had zero bloating! NO GAS for the first time in his entire life! The best news though, was that those stage 4 kidney disease blood levels he had at his yearly checkup had climbed back up to to midrange stage 1 kidney disease blood levels! The extra time and energy invested in making his food and the other small changes we made to his lifestyle have given us more quality time with our beloved Hooch which is more than we could have ever hoped for!
If youve made our Easy Homemade Dog Food for your pup I would be so grateful if you would;rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below!;I just love hearing from you and your;reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours.;Want to be a part of our online community outside of the blog? Its easy!! All you have to do is follow @THISMESSISOURS on , , , , or to see cooking demos, and peeks into our day to day life.
- Prep Time:30
790 grams cooked organic brown rice
700 grams ground lean beef, cooked through, fat drained
4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and diced small
207 grams carrots, shredded or thinly sliced
14 grams minced curly parsley
22 grams of olive or safflower oil
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Eukanuba Puppy Mixed Grill Chicken And Beef Dinner
Rating:
Eukanuba Puppy Mixed Grill is one of 7 wet recipes included in ourreview of the Eukanuba product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Water, chicken, beef liver, beef, wheat flour
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Best for:All puppies including large breeds
- Price: $$
This Eukanuba recipe derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken, beef liver and beef. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 50% protein, 22% fat and 20% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.
An affordable, grain-inclusive recipe. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewMy puppy LOVES this food! I have been adding a bit of this to her dry food at night and she devours it. She gets excited when she just sees the can. The food looks like good quality too looks like actual food instead of ground up mush and smells pretty good. Im pleased, and so is my pup.
Can You Use A Homemade Puppy Food For Your New Pet
A lot of owners consider making a homemade puppy food for their new pet. Its certainly possible to do so, but its generally not a good idea.
Creating a homemade food for adult dogs is tricky at best, and it requires a lot more research and expertise than the average owner is willing or able to invest.
And because a puppys nutritional needs are even more challenging to satisfy than those of adults, its wiser to simply rely on a commercially prepared diet that is specifically designed to meet the needs of growing puppies.
If you have your heart set on feeding your pet a homemade food, just wait until your little floof has reached adulthood .
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A Homemade Recipe You Can Try For Your Chihuahua
If you wish to make dog food at home, be sure to include lean meats like bison, venison, and fish. Organ meat like liver and kidney are also a great protein source.
Deboned chicken is also an easy source of protein for dog owners that prefer to make home-cooked meals. Cooked or scrambled eggs also provide essential protein, minerals, and vitamins.;
This protein should be cooked or boiled without salt or with a touch of salt and can be mixed with brown rice and vegetables.
Just be sure to choose your veggies carefully. Carrots, bananas, and apples are good choices.
Unsweetened, plain yogurt can also be added as it contains beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy digestive tract.;
A home-cooked meal is perfect for Chihuahuas with sensitive stomachs as you can control the ingredients, giving you a better idea of your dogs specific food allergies.
However, you may need to speak to your vet when it comes to portion size and feeding schedule.;
The Top 10 Worst Dog Food Brands Of 2021
All pet foods are not created equal but most of the low-quality dog food brands have a few things in common. Some of the worst brands on the market load up their products with inexpensive fillers like corn and wheat products their products also tend to be carb-heavy instead of meat-based.
Low-quality pet formulas make heavy use of by-products and plant proteins, plus they often use artificial colors and flavors to make their products more palatable for pets and the people who care for them.;
Something else many of these foods have in common is a history of product recalls by their manufacturing company.
Below is an overview of the Top 10 worst dog foods of 2021. We started our list with recipes that contain dubious and low-quality ingredients and worked our way down to the worst offenders with recent recalls under their belt.
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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.